Madison Pride 2008
OPEN LETTER TO:
MADISON'S LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER
AND ALLIED COMMUNITIES
It is with sincere regret that Madison Pride Board, Inc., announces that Pride activity for July 2008 must be scaled back due to serious financial discrepancies.
On March 10, 2008, members of the Executive Committee of Madison Pride Board, Inc., became aware that some bills from the 2007 event had not been paid, as reported, and of other financial discrepancies. An initial investigation was launched immediately. Significant steps have been taken to avoid further concerns and to advance a thorough investigation. Such steps include: unanimous approval of a motion to remove the organization's Treasurer for failure to report financial inconsistencies; freezing the Madison Pride accounts; full disclosure to Pride's insurance company, and contact with attorneys and investigative agencies.
The current Madison Pride Board - Mark Steward, Co-Chair; Nikki Baumblatt, Co-Chair; Cris Derrick, Secretary; Josh Bartz, Cass Marie Downing, Dawnne Edseth, Sean Gifford, Brian Ponce, Alexis Rouge and Diane Wensel- also gave the remaining Executive Committee authorization to continue the investigation in conjunction with the appropriate law enforcement agencies with the intention of prosecution if the evidence should lead to criminal charges.
To simultaneously move forward on the financial investigation and the plans for Pride 2008, the Pride Board has divided tasks. Co-chair Mark Steward will focus on the march and rally organization for 2008 and preparations for the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2009. If you are interested in assisting with this endeavor, please contact info@madisonpride.org. Co-chair Nikki Baumblatt will concentrate on the investigation and improved financial procedures.
The Madison Pride Board apologizes to the community. Our goal is to work through the issues at hand, while working to maintain our mission of producing an event that is representative of the LGBT and allied communities. We would also like to thank the following community organizations — Fair Wisconsin, PFLAG, GSA for Safe Schools and OutReach, which have no fiduciary responsibility, but are supportive of Madison Pride as it works through this difficult time.
It is with sincere regret that Madison Pride Board, Inc., announces that Pride activity for July 2008 must be scaled back due to serious financial discrepancies.
On March 10, 2008, members of the Executive Committee of Madison Pride Board, Inc., became aware that some bills from the 2007 event had not been paid, as reported, and of other financial discrepancies. An initial investigation was launched immediately. Significant steps have been taken to avoid further concerns and to advance a thorough investigation. Such steps include: unanimous approval of a motion to remove the organization's Treasurer for failure to report financial inconsistencies; freezing the Madison Pride accounts; full disclosure to Pride's insurance company, and contact with attorneys and investigative agencies.
The current Madison Pride Board - Mark Steward, Co-Chair; Nikki Baumblatt, Co-Chair; Cris Derrick, Secretary; Josh Bartz, Cass Marie Downing, Dawnne Edseth, Sean Gifford, Brian Ponce, Alexis Rouge and Diane Wensel- also gave the remaining Executive Committee authorization to continue the investigation in conjunction with the appropriate law enforcement agencies with the intention of prosecution if the evidence should lead to criminal charges.
To simultaneously move forward on the financial investigation and the plans for Pride 2008, the Pride Board has divided tasks. Co-chair Mark Steward will focus on the march and rally organization for 2008 and preparations for the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2009. If you are interested in assisting with this endeavor, please contact info@madisonpride.org. Co-chair Nikki Baumblatt will concentrate on the investigation and improved financial procedures.
The Madison Pride Board apologizes to the community. Our goal is to work through the issues at hand, while working to maintain our mission of producing an event that is representative of the LGBT and allied communities. We would also like to thank the following community organizations — Fair Wisconsin, PFLAG, GSA for Safe Schools and OutReach, which have no fiduciary responsibility, but are supportive of Madison Pride as it works through this difficult time.