No, No, No....and Hell No
Report from one of our regulars:
- I wanted to make you aware of something that happened at today’s FOP Board meeting that I believe members should know about.John informed the Board that he is starting a new charity, referred to during the meeting as “606,” “CPD 606,” or something similar. This charity will be a separate organization from the FOP, although FOP Board members and Field Reps will sit on its board.John then proposed transferring approximately **$200,000 worth of Lodge assets** to this separate organization. That would include $50,000 in FOP “seed money,” the FOP’s food trailer, and the truck used to pull it.These are assets that belong to Lodge 7 and its members. When a couple of Board members pushed back on giving the charity $50,000, John responded, “Well how is this charity supposed to get started without this seed money?”There was also discussion about who would sit on the charity’s board in the future and how current FOP leadership could make sure they continued to have a say in who sits on that board long after they are gone. John even called the Lodge attorney during the meeting to explain how the charity’s board would operate.But the FOP Board was not provided the charity’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, complete board roster, budget, financial controls, or even a written copy of its mission statement.I have since learned something else that makes this proposal even more concerning: **the charity’s mission is not limited to helping Lodge 7 members or even Chicago police officers. Its stated mission focuses on helping police officers nationwide.**
Um, that's what the Brotherhood does as part of a national network with Officers, bylaws, mission statements, etc. We've been contributor to them for a dozen years or more along with the Chaplains Ministry.
After learning that the FOP credit card has been used improperly, corruptly and quite possibly criminally, this should be a non-starter. Even letting Catanzara get within smelling distance of $200K without the simplest forms of bylaws, incorporation, rosters, etc would be the height of irresponsibility and any Board member taking part in this fiasco should be removed and expelled immediately.
Get to that next meeting people - this is YOUR dues money that is supposed to be spend on YOU, your issues and your job protections.
Labels: FOP
