The Observation Deck

If it's not on the LO website what is there to ask? All he rest of the 990's are there?

If the Guidestar information is provided from the IRS are you saying that it is the IRS that is problem?

It is interesting it is missing from both sites.

As for asking...that is public information and should be posted for all to see. I should not have to ask. All nonprofits post that information. And they did until last year.

As for 2010 information.....I am so sorry...you are correct. Many pardons!

Rhonda

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
LakewoodAlive serves a purpose, and the VOLUNTEERS are amazing and good Lakewoodites,
I do not see where it is wrong to see if it could be better, or done differently. Right now
the Lakewood Observer will be put to the test with the arrival of the Wallmart of Civic
Journalism, and as you so aptly put it the other night. WE raise our game and deliver
more for less, or get left behind. While I could bitch about outsiders, the real thing is
looking to see how we compliment each other, if we can work together and who serves
their customers best. Right?

.

Oh I don't disagree. The post I was replying to was simply to clarify the source of Guidestar data since it was being implied that LA was purposely hiding it.

I don't have a dog in the fight between some here and LA. I don't know enough about any of the players to even begin to form an opinion of who's right or wrong. But I also want to be sure that inferences aren't being made that aren't correct because I don't think that's fair either, especially if I know the answer (which I did in this case so I shared it).

Rhonda loje wrote:If it's not on the LO website what is there to ask? All he rest of the 990's are there?

If the Guidestar information is provided from the IRS are you saying that it is the IRS that is problem?

It is interesting it is missing from both sites.

As for asking...that is public information and should be posted for all to see. I should not have to ask. All nonprofits post that information. And they did until last year.

As for 2010 information.....I am so sorry...you are correct. Many pardons!

Rhonda

Wow Rhonda, I'm not attacking you, I was just adding some clarification, sorry if you misinterpreted it.

Yes, Guidestar data is provided by the IRS. It could be either the IRS or Guidestar that is behind in processing it.

As for the 990 forms, no, they're not required to be posted publicly by the non-profit, it doesn't have to be on their website. I work with many non-profits and none of them post It online.

If you don't feel like calling or mailing LA for a copy, you can't necessarily blame them for not making it public since there's no disclosure law that says it has to be posted on their site. Implying that they're purposely hiding it because you don't want to call isn't really fair either. Now if you directly ask them and they say no, they won't give it to you, then you have something to complain about.

Byran,
This is the question you responded to me with some vigor....

I think what you are asking for is an open conversation from LA and more transparency and specifics from LA concerning their annual reports. I think that is what everyone has been asking for three years or so. They always referred everyone to the Guidestar website that all nonprofits place their financial information. I don't think that LA has posted their financial information on that website since 2008. And at the last time their was link to their 990's was for 2008 on their website.

My point was NEVER that LO was hiding something. That was a conclusion you jumped to. Thus my response to you.

My point was...just to clarify...is that the more information, transparency and specifics you have the better decisions you can make. I was responding to Bill Call's discussion.....

Bill,

All your questions are worth discussion and valid. That why it would be helpful to LA as part of the discussion. We are all trying to work to make our community better and more efficient. It would be helpful to know what they really do. I do not question the volunteers who take so much time out of their busy lives to help this organization. I.....like you...would like to know if it is the best use of our meager monies or if this could be done in a better way.

Rhonda

Bryan,

But I also want to be sure that inferences aren't being made that aren't correct because I don't think that's fair either, especially if I know the answer (which I did in this case so I shared it).

And I also don't think it's fair for you to assume inferences are being made when you can just ask the question to verify your assumptions and get a straight answer. But I guess it is easier to assume.

RKO

Rhonda loje wrote:My point was NEVER that LO was hiding something. That was a conclusion you jumped to. Thus my response to you.

Really Rhonda, then perhaps you can clarify this statement and help me see what I'm assuming...

I wonder what happened in 2009 and 2010?

I wonder why it is not public information?

hhhhhmmmmmmmmm...........

Seems like you're being pretty clear that you think they're doing something wrong.

Rhonda loje wrote:Bryan,

But I also want to be sure that inferences aren't being made that aren't correct because I don't think that's fair either, especially if I know the answer (which I did in this case so I shared it).

And I also don't think it's fair for you to assume inferences are being made when you can just ask the question to verify your assumptions and get a straight answer. But I guess it is easier to assume.

RKO

Again, don't think I was inferring anything. You've made it perfectly clear through several posts in this thread that you think they're purposely not sharing this info. I was just clarifying that they weren't hiding 990 info on Guidestar.

Go back and reread what you actually wrote before you complain about fairness.

Anyway, I'm sorry you seem to think this is something personal when it's not. I was simply adding the facts on 990s so people didn't jump to the wrong conclusions.

I agree we are done.

Tim Liston wrote: Back when LA sought to do EXACTLY that, seek input about their campaign to define a Lakewood “downtown” by way of signage options, they got absolutely trashed by one particular (very very frequent and popular) poster here. Unmercifully trashed. Burned at the stake. Piled on. This particular poster continues to refer to “DowntowN” (years later) as a means to belittle LA efforts.

Tim

First, let's remember at last count I have been hung up and burned at the stake at least 5
times here, far worse than anyone else. Merely words, but I read them and try to learn or
grow from them. Sometimes I agree, others times I do not not. This is not a love fest, it is
a place to kick around ideas and comments about Lakewood ask questions, and hopefully
get answers. Can it get rough, yes, but who ratcheted up the heat in those exchanges? Not
any Observer, but once the fire was started, fuel was certainly added by many.

Go back and read the thread that you are talking about. You know the one you said we
took down or hid? There are actually 2. Please read them carefully. Those were very good
and legitimate questions. The answers though, got thinner and weaker, shriller and shriller.
When someone asks how much was spent, the answer is not,"who are you to ask, mind
your own business, and do you know how much I do for this city." (All paraphrases) The
correct answer is: $XXX.000. My god, if the head of United Way did that he would be
working at WalMart. If he had done it to one of UW's largest supporters they would not
even be at WalMart.

As for LakewoodAlive and DowntowN, these are their names, the way they write them. It
is not an attack, but helping define the brand. Could I possible like "DowntowN" and its
head Paula Reed (one of my favorite warriors) and believe the signs to be an incredible
waste of money? Could I like LakewoodAlive, but be frustrated that they do not buy local?
Could I possible want to do more for LakewoodAlive, but not until they prove their worth?
Could I see great potential for LakewoodAlive but fear they are lost and need to define
their mission, their facts, and PICK ONE THING TO DO accomplish it before moving on
like a child suffering with ADD? Could I possibly love the energy of the volunteers, but
wonder why Management takes credit for everything, even things they have nothing to do
with? Is it wrong to wonder aloud why they give themselves trophies and awards? Can I
possible ask if they are really doing something, besides smoke and mirrors? I did not beg
them to take public dollars. But with them comes responsibility.

I guess you suffer from that gang mentality. Does not matter your group does as long as
you belong. Me, I like to pick my things one topic at a time. I do not go for joy rides in
stolen cars because of high schoolesque peer pressure. Mom taught me better than that.

Bryan

Thanks for the clarification. You are one of the more level headed people around.

I just wanted to make sure I was not even thinking illegal. more incomplete and lacking.

.

I'm have confidence that Lakewood Alive's 2009 return will be posted on Guidestar. Lakewood Alive"s accountant appears to have a very good and busy practice. If you go back to 2008 you'll notice Form 8868-Application for Extension of Time To File an Exempt Organization Return. The filing for and acting upon the extension is going to delay any posting of the tax return on Guidestar. (I do believe Lakewood Alive's accountant does the tax returns for many organizations in Lakewood)

Guidestar is often backlogged with their informational postings. Here is info regarding where they get their information: http://www.charitablegift.org/guidestar/faq_data.htm

Scott Meeson

***Sorry for any repetitive information that may have been contained in other thread postings

I may be stepping over the line by saying the reason the conversation between Rhonda and Bryan got more heated (or passionate) is attributed to the fact that Bryan admitted he didn't have a "dog in the fight" but in truth Rhonda did. I have seen Rhonda around town for the last few years since I met her, supporting Lakewood functions and spending her time VOLUNTEERING to take photos of local events and other jobs without pay and always with a smile. She started the Pooch Parade with altruistic intentions and after partnering with LA, watched them steal it from her, take credit, make it a profit event for themselves, and changing the purpose. They also charge a hefty sum for a LOCAL shelter (ADH) to promote a truly non-profit rescue for dogs. This is not the first time LA has done something like this which is why taxpayers and volunteers who truly care about the whole of Lakewood, not parts of it but the sum of its parts, are upset that transparency is not there with funds.

I also find it ironic that some of the same type or group of people who demand transparency in other government agencies do not feel that their tax-paid jobs should be held to the same standard. So tired of the hypocrisy here and in the country. Double standards everywhere.

Thank you Justine!

That is why we should celebrate and recognize all VOLUNTEERS in Lakewood.

The best way for any nonprofit to be successful is to be true to their mission statement, be transparent with that success or failure and recognize all volunteers that make their organization successful.

With so many successful and transparent nonprofits in the City of Lakewood it would be sad to lose sight of that.

Has anyone actually asked LA for their 2009 990 form? We've already established that they don't control when it goes on Guidestar and it's not required for them to post it to their website.

I guess I'm just confused since the people complaining the most about it have failed to even ask them for it.

Not saying LA is perfect, but seriously, it just seems there's an agenda to skewer them without even going through the effort of asking for something first. Just seems silly to me to assume they're not being transparent when no one has even asked them for the form.

If they say "no, we're not going to let you see it", then sure, they're being sketchy. But no one has stated that's the case.

I guess I just fail to understand the outrage until the form is refused. But then again, I don't have any personal experience with them or the people that run it.

And I agree that Rhonda is awesome and she does a ton for Lakewood, as do many others, and that's what makes Lakewood great.

Bryan,

My focus now is only on the volunteers in the City of Lakewood no matter what organization they volunteer.

I have no interest to pursue or continue your conversation concerning LA.

I have decided that it is better to focus those that VOLUNTEER their time to the community. They are the unsung heros that should get credit for the time and effort they give to our community.

Have a nice day.

Rhonda

CALLING GARY RICE, CALLING GARY RICE
Gary--- getchyer banjo and strum a few cords--

Rhonda and Bryan are two of our BEST!

We just need a little bit of your banjo to smooth things out