Dear friend,
As you read this letter, you have probably been touched in one way or another by the Northeast Independent Living Program. Maybe they helped you find an affordable, accessible apartment or advocated with you for benefits. Perhaps you received support with eligibility and ongoing use of personal care assistance; employment assistance; access to interpreters; accessibility complaints, and the list goes on.
NILP has touched thousands of people like you and me for the past 30 years. Many of you weren’t even born when it started. What would you do if NILP slowly slipped away and then one day was gone? Think about it! Do not think too long because it’s happening as you read this.
The Northeast Independent Living Program was built on a strong foundation of consumer control. Since its inception, people with disabilities who live this life every day and personally understand why programs and services are so important to our lives have run it. Unfortunately, that has changed. The board of directors of NILP recently chose a non-disabled executive director to pick up where Charlie Carr left off after 27 years. He and his staff set the standard for Independent living in Massachusetts. Sadly, the Board of Directors had an opportunity and, quite honestly, a moral imperative to fill this position with a qualified person with a disability. Not only have they failed, but also they have opened the door to the slow death of the most important source of community living for people with all types of disabilities in the greater Merrimack Valley – NILP.
Based upon my experience and training at NILP as well as the federal standards and assurances that NILP must meet as a center for independent living my observation of the Board's choice for the new Executive Director of NILP leads me to question the Board's capability to fulfill the mandates of the articles of Organization and By-Laws of NILP.
The cost of your inaction and outrage will truly be a gradual loss of your independence. Most definitely, the executive director does not understand your needs, and will do what’s expedient to run a business. Quite often, business decisions compromise consumer control and don’t embrace choice. Only a leader with a disability who is in a position to make these business decisions will stop and find other ways to keep the Independent living philosophy intact as well as taking care of the bottom line.
I call on you to rise up and take a stand for independence. Stand up for consumer control and choice in NILP. This decision the Board of Directors made can be changed and must be changed! Only you can do it. You must join in with a growing number of voices calling for a reversal of the decision to install a non-disabled Executive Director. NILP must return to its rightful place with a qualified person with a disability as its leader; as its executive director.
Here’s how…
- We must demand that the executive director:
- Embraces and is knowledgeable of the Independent Living paradigm/movement
- Possesses extensive personal and professional experience and credibility with disability services and systems
- Has experience with the cross disability and cross-age services programs and services
- Has experience with consumer control as defined in Title VII and is knowledgeable with the federally defined standards and assurances for Independent Living Centers
- Has knowledge of requirements of the state service delivery system for persons with disabilities
- Has experience and knowledge of the state purchase of service rules and operations specifically for: cost reimbursement, unit rate costs, and Medicaid provider regulations
- Possesses knowledge about alternative methods of communication
- Is sensitive to cultural competency issues.
I ask that you please join me in requesting an emergency meeting of the Board of Director’s to address issues relating to what appears in my eyes to be the Board’s violation of the NILP's mission, placing in jeopardy NILP's commitment to the IL paradigm, and a breach of faith with NILP’s participants.
We must act now so whatever you can do to save NILP’s commitment to consumer control (writing a letter to the Board, attending a Board meeting to voice your concerns, etc.) please let me know.
I had requested under the Freedom of Information Act a list of NILP’s participant’s, and the contract between the Executive Director and the Northeast Independent Living Program, and was denied access to this information.
NILP is going through some drastic changes that will affect all of our lives. I need your help and cooperation to get this valuable information distributed.
I am pleading for anyone that knows of a participant of the Northeast Independent Living Program to have them e-mail me with their name and address so that I can send out this information regarding what impact the board’s decision is going to have on their life.
67 comments:
If a member of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation demands to see all of the records of the corporation for the past two years, is there anything that says we have to give them to him? The Board feels this is not in the best interest of the members.
When you say he is a “member” of the corporation, I assume that you mean he has legal rights with respect to the organization, such as the right to vote for directors, and is in a position analogous to a shareholder of a business corporation. I assume that he is not merely a contributor who is given a feel-good status but who has no such rights.
State laws vary somewhat in the particulars, but generally they provide that members of a nonprofit corporation may inspect the books and records of the corporation for “a proper corporate purpose.” This would include such things as checking the finances, reviewing conflict of interest transactions, assuring that the directors are not breaching their fiduciary duties, or developing issues that might lead to election changes in the board. It would generally not include using the information for personal profit, or for finding confidential information about other members.
Once the member articulates a purpose, the burden is usually upon the board to show why he should not be permitted to inspect the records. The fact that he might “stir things up” is probably not a sufficient reason. When you ask my favorite question about a nonprofit -- “Whose organization is it? -- with a membership organization, the answer is: the members’. The members have the ultimate power. The directors are subservient to them
I have been told that the salary of our Executive Director is protected information not available to me or the public. Is this correct?
How do you scream in print? $#@^$%@!
A director of a nonprofit corporation has an absolute right under state law to review the books and records of the corporation in order to fulfill his or her fiduciary duty to the organization and knowing the salary of the E.D. is important for that purpose. Be very suspicious of anyone who tells you otherwise.
If your organization files a Form 990 tax information return and the E.D. earns more than $50,000, the compensation has to be disclosed so that everyone in the world will be able to see it.
The E.D. will also want to be sure that at least some members of the Board know the salary and determine that it is appropriate in order to obtain a presumption of reasonableness for excess benefit tax purposes. The E.D. may have to pay an excess benefit tax if it is excessive. (See Ready Reference Page: “Charities Must Avoid Excess Benefit Transactions.”)
Richard Grasso of the New York Stock Exchange was found to have breached his fiduciary duty by not making the Board aware of the full range of his compensation and has been ordered to pay some of it back to the organization. (See story Nonprofit Issues, November 1-15, 2006.)
Whoever said you could not find out the E.D.’s salary is just wrong.
One hundred and two thousand.
It's right under your nose
QUESTION:
I work for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Are its financial statements available for public viewing -- especially regarding management salaries?
ANSWER:
Indeed. Nonprofits are required to submit their financial statements and other information -- including the salaries of directors, officers, and key employees -- to the IRS. (For information on who is considered a key employee, see IRS Form 990 and its instructions.)
The IRS and nonprofits themselves are required to disclose the information on Form 990 to anyone who asks. Nonprofits must allow public inspection of these records during regular business hours at their principal offices. However, many people won't even need to ask -- a number of websites make Forms 990 available for the searching, including the Foundation Center at http://foundationcenter.org/ and GuideStar at http://www.guidestar.org.
In addition, people can request information from the IRS by writing a letter, including the name of the organization, the year, and the type of tax return requested, and send it to:
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Attn: Freedom of Information Reading Room
1111 Constitution Avenue,
All friends of NILP. The board did a great disservice to the disability community when it hired a non disabled executive director. The foundation of independent living, which board members should well know, is in consumer control at all levels of the organization. Board, management and service delivery. Someone was asleep at the wheel. The BOD should be ashamed of themselves.
Calling all former board members.
I was once on the board but wish to remain anonymous because I still get services and don't want retaliation from the current regime. Come to the annual meeting to vote the bums out. Let your voice be heard and your vote count. This is consumer choice and consumer involvement at its very roots.
Just found this blog today and I'm really upset--looks like Uncle Tom Hale is letting Porky push him around some more. Cronyism, tokenism and flatuism is a deadly combination. Let's not stand by and let these pigs destroy everything we worked so hard for. It's time to turn up the heat: two suggestions; first, get their names and addresses and show up outside their jobs and houses and let their employees and neighbors know the oppression they are perpetrating. Second, let's write lots of letters to their private and public funders exposing them and the farce they are calling NILP. We will be heard and we will win.
Question ??????....
What do you think the membership of the NAACP, a minority rights organization, would do if their board hired a white person to run the organization?
What do you think the membership of NOW, a woma's rights organization, would do if their board hired a man to run the organization?
So what should the membership of NILP, an independent living & disability rights organization, do since it hired a non disabled person to run the organization?
Think about it. Act on it.
So does anyone know what the former director who was there a long time was getting as a salary in comparison to the new one? Maybe its not that different.
good question maryjane......charlie carr after all the years he was there (from the start) left with an annual salary of $63.000. that's $43,000. less than the new ED after walking through the door. How do I know? He stated it publicly at an IL meeting. ,,,,,it's obscene
So what you are saying is the board gave the new director a 62% salary increase over the past director. So what did they do? Rob a bank? Where is the money coming from? State and federal contracts don't get that kind of increases....so are staff positions going unfilled or being eliminated? That will effect consumer services.
I see financial doom coming on this. Who is minding the financial resources of the center? Not the board..
In the words of the late, great Bob Marley...
Get up, Stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, Stand up
Don't give up the fight.
NILP staff and consumers, don't give up, right is on your side. Those of us that work with you every day in the community support you even though we can't vote.
Don't give up the fight
The rest of the story
I will be interested to see if this positive comment even gets posted!
You will be surprised how many consumers are on the other side. Consumers have watched NILP lose more and more consumer involvement and the small closed clique running things has only taken care of themselves not the rest of us! It is about time to have some fresh new blood around here.
by the way, Some people don't accept the salary increases because it affects other benefits?
anonymous..
What other side? that it's ok to hire a non disabled director to run a disability organization?
I don't get what you are talking about. Are you referring to staff and some of them "getting something" other staff don't? What consumers aren't getting what they need? who is the rest of us?
Educate us
I've been involved with people from three different ILC's and several
associated State and private organizations for quite a few years. I am
appalled at what is going on currently at NILP. I was shocked and dismayed
when NILP's Board of Directors made the inexplicable decision to hire as an
Executive Director a person without a disability and with no understanding
or even experience with Independent Living philosophy. I held on to the hope
that she would make a wholehearted attempt to learn and assimilate the
philosophy as several other able bodied Executive Directors in this State
have. Sadly, this has not happened. In fact, it seems just the opposite. I
was further shocked and disgusted to learn of the totally inappropriate
salary the Board contracted with her. $102,000 may be commensurate with a
CEO of an industrial or commercial organization, but it far exceeds the
standard of ILC's. Further, she has no outstanding qualities to justify
these really bad decisions.
My sense is that the current Executive Director is a victim of the loss of
vision and common sense on the part of the Board of Directors of NILP. The
consensus I am hearing from all over the State is that NILP is losing it's
ability to carry out the philosophy in favor of trying to make a monetary
profit and personal gain. Resources of money and effort are being taken from
consumers. The effectiveness of advocacy for people with disabilities to
live independently is being lost.
I join with others in calling for the removal of the Executive Director and
the current Board of Directors and the replacement of them by people who
believe in the philosophy of independent living. I also call for changes in
the by-laws and policy statements, not only of NILP, but of all ILC's to
safeguard the movement from this kind of travesty in the future.
Anonymous
I whole heartedly agree with your assessment and recommendation.
Most people don't understand that although an Independent Living Center is a not for profit organization it is also a very different breed of non profit. It's one that is also governed by discrete philosophical principals of consumer control, consumer involvement and peer role modeling.
People applying for a job, whether as the ED or a skills trainer, at an ILC need to know that. And in truly understanding the IL philosophy a person without a disability would never apply for the job as the ED at an ILC. The ED is the organization's public face; whether in speaking with a legislator about what people with disabilities need from their personal perspective as an individual with a disability who has actually experienced discrimination and oppression or as its consumer member "point person" in the advocacy battle. The ED is the leader, who is trusted, respected and others in the organization look to, to do the "right" thing when times are tough. NILP, as an ILC, and as a not for profit is the complete opposite of not for profits such as the Red Cross, MDA or a host of other disability specific not for profits.
ILC's are grass roots organizations that aren't in it for the money. They're in it for social change at the local, state and national levels through advocacy and supporting people with disabilities to live in the community. ED's of ILC's aren't (and shouldn't be ) in it for the money. The guidestar.com site does show the salaries of all the ED's in MA if you take the time to look at the IRS990's (thanks for the site) and you can get the name of all the Mass. ILC's at many sites. But don't bother because I did the research and the IRS 990's for 2006-2007 show the highest paid salary of an ILC Executive Director in MA was at BCIL at $90,346 with 18 years experience as ED in 2 ILC's. The ED with the largest budget (Stavros) earned $88,000. Two ILC ED's earn less than $50,000. The average salary across all ILC's is $67,827.
ALMOST EVERY ILC DIRECTOR IN MA EXCEPT ONE (who is now gone) HAD WORKED 5 OR MORE YEARS IN AN ILC BEFORE BECOMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
So the board not only hired someone with no ILC experience to be the Executive Director but way out of the salary range of the existing ILC's.
Did the board do any research before it posted the position, interviewed candidates and negotiated a salary?
The board needs to come to the realization that they made a mistake. Other centers have. THEY MUST NOW HAVE THE STRENGTH TO MAKE IT RIGHT. We learn our most important lessons from our mistakes.
So now do the right thing and step down and make way for new blood.
I am a person with a disability that has worked in more than one ILC (not NILP) and have worked for both disabled and able bodied bosses. There was just no comparison in their understanding of the culture and needs of people with disabilities. The abled bodied boss made business decisions, the disabled one looked at the need for the service and whether it was vital to people living in the community.
On more than one occassion the able bodied boss made big mistakes around accommodations. One time a meeting was held and no interpreters were available so they sent the deaf people away. Another time they held meetings so early in the morning that no one who used PCA's could attend. Staff and consumers alike had their rights denied.
But the disabled boss not only knew the law but how to implement it to meet the different needs of people whether deaf, physically challenged or those with brain or psychiatric disabilities.
Don't compromise on getting a boss who understands IL philosophy and how to serve people with disabilities.
Good luck
I could not believe my eyes at the SILC conference.I had to double take what I saw. The Executive Director of NILP addressing Commissioner Charlie Carr (as Paul Spooner and Steven Higgins looked on) in front of everyone, in an aggressive ,tasteless and disrepectful manner.Who the hell does she think she is.Does the Board of Directors know how she is representing NILP. If they saw what I saw and everyone else in the room they would be second guessing there choice.I hope the board is aware of this blog I could not believe what I saw reprenting them in that manner.
Where the Hell does she come from? To all the employees at NILP my heart goes out to you all!!!! If this is any representation your "leader" I can not imagine how you are all baring this.
I am calling for IL centers and advocates to rise up and not only save NILP but show support for your peers as they bear this great disrepect to there agency.The Board of Directors needs to seriouslly reconsider what they have done.
To all the advocates or anyone who reads this blog send your letters,show up and protest this. We all need each other to keep our mission alive and NILP is in need of immediate advocacy.We need to ban together and help them change this.
There is a famous poem by Martin Miemoeller called "They Came"...
"They came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist
Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew
Then they came for he trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist
Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic
Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up."
NILP consumers you have a voice and a vote. Will you stand by and watch the new ED make decisions based on financial considerations because she doesn't understand the IL philosophy and the services necessary for people with ALL types of disabilities needed to live and participate in the community?
Will you watch and not speak if ASL interpreters are not available for meetings?
Will you watch and not speak if materials are not available on disk or braille?
Will you watch and not speak when the LOVE group is no longer welcome at NILP?
Will you watch and not speak when the PCA program is handed to another agency because it costs too much?
Now is the time to speak up at the October annual meeting. You have the vote. Use it.
All for one and one for all.
all for one and one for all
your point relates to the staff as well as consumers.
are you speaking up when changes are made which you know will negatively us, the people you serve?
are you speaking up when a staff person is singled out for speaking up?
your voices also need to be heard. don't think this doesn't effect you and continue on. all of you are and will be effected.
speak up .
all for one and one for all
NILP should have an ED with a disability or have lots and lots of PROVEN experience with an ILC and/or independent living philosophy. The fact that this new ED gets paid far more than any other ILC ED in the state underlines the problem. NILP has a long proud history; they and the people in their service area do NOT need to have an able bodied ED who makes more $$$ than any 4 staff combined!!! What the heck was the Board thinking when they made this hiring decision???
Where's an ADAPT chapter when you need them?
The people united
will never be defeated
I am dismayed by what I read and hear about the NILP board and decisions regarding the new ED. Over the years I have made small donations to the organization. The next time I get an appeal for funds I will think twice about where my money will go.
The same thing happened to us at BCIL years ago before Bill became director. The board hired a non disabled executive director with no independent living experience. The disability community said no way and challenged the board. Fortunately the woman realized what she was up against and that both she and the board had made a big mistake and she resigned. We later got Bill and although he does not have a disability he had a lot of IL experience.
Stick to your guns.
Paul - I remember that well. Before that, when BCIL was just starting out, the "residents" that lived in the dormitory at BU got together and voted out the entire board and installed themselves. The rest is history! Perhaps history will repeat itself - let's hope so.
The right thing for NILP's Exectutive Director to do is to resign and negotiate a settlement now. The Board of Directors shouls also resign and make way for a Board that is committed to the IL vision.
A friend from Cape Ann
I received a copy of the NILP newsletter today and read the Welcome to the new E.D. At first read you can see why the board might have considered her qualified to run the agency. But with all her degrees and board experience she has no background in disability rights or independent living.
I agree with Veronica D., this was just the wrong organization for her to apply to. She should go run an ARC or a medical or health care program-that's where her expertise is.
We need a QUALIFIED person, preferably with a disability, to run NILP.
The newsletter included the invitation to the annual meeting to be held Oct 21 at the Wyndham Andover Hotel. It asks for $10 for a participant meal but if you don't want the meal you can still come to the meeting for free. The annual meeting runs from 7:30-9:30.
Come and vote in people to the board that represent your belief that the center should be run by someone with a disability who knows what they are doing.
Call the center ( 978 687 4288) if you need interpreters, transportation or other accommodations.
I just received the newsletter and annual meeting flyer, why am I just finding out what NILP's Board did? I am outraged at their lack of history and basic understanding of IL.We have fought so hard for so long and overnight they have dismantled OUR TRUTH! I want to have a leader who knows where I am coming from and will always hold the philosophy before MONEY!!!
My life depends on it and so does yours. Show up and vote, i know i will be there.
a non disabled person to run nilp.
are you kidding me bod.
i herd the new ed has or had a disabled family member.
so with that thinking i should go ask my brother if he wants to go to bcil and run the co.
NILP consumer- $8,208 per year- crumbs
NILP skills trainer- $26,000 per year- hamburger
NILP ED- $102,000 per year- filet mignon
Way to go board!
Although it's already been said by others, I too want to voice my anger at the board for making the choice it did for the director. The board failed in its responsibility to hire a person with a disability who will be our leader and spokesperson. They also failed to do their homework in determining an appropriate salary level. As the economy is negatively impacted both nationally, state and local I am sure NILP will feel the effects in reduced funding and donations to support the organization. The cutbacks should come right off the directors salary and no place else.
The board should step down and let more responsible people, who care and have the time to devote to the center take charge.
I receive services from NILP and I only no the staff. Who are the people on the board and how do I get a hold of them?
The next Board of Directors meeting should be verrryyy interesting...are there any media folks friendly to the cause?
I would like to know how you all know she doesn't have a disability? Did she tell you? Or is it because she doesn't use a wheelchair? I thought consumer choice also meant you don't have to disclose your disability if you CHOOSE NOT TO!!
And if her salary bugs you, why don't you take a look at how much the new Commissioner of MRC is making. Did any of you know he always used the NILP van for his own personal use?
The last comment made - that person can't be too bright. If the new ED had a disability don't you think she would be smart enough to say YES I do have a disability and then it would no longer be a question, would it.
About the salary the NEW ED has a very very limited budget, runs an office of about 30 people (MRC about 800 people), and 102k NILP's budget cannot handle this and others that have taken place there.
If you don't take the correct action NOW you will pay for it in the long run. Look up the history of IL and see how far Independent Living has come over the years.
A couple of things I don't get:
If this NEW ED is such a professional then why is she not smart enough to say I don't belong here and step down like a real professional.
The people that think this is the right decision what are you thinking. Ask questions on here someone on here will answer you. Go to the annual meeting this month and please give it some serious thought before you vote.
Use your own head. Be a leader not a follower.
Why should she have to say anything? I have a disability that's "hidden", and I don't go around telling everyone I meet. I don't let my disability define who I am.
Maybe you should personally call the new ED to find out some more about her background and experiences with the disability community.
Generally speaking, self disclosure is a personal matter. There are many good reasons why people with disabilities don't make them known; like discrimination, prejudice, and generally being oppressed in a world that lacks enlightenment even in 2008. It becomes completely different however in the context of a social movement like independent living, which is based on smashing down the discrimination and prejudice referenced above. Independent living is about pride and power. It's about struggle and feeling safety in knowing that having a disability is "normal" and a part of life that doesn't define but serves as a bond. Together we celebrate ourselves as people with disabilities and don't feel the need to hide who we are. We know that our power and strength will serve to overcome the small minded people that would keep us down and out of sight, the ones that would silence us to speak up and fight for what is rightfully ours--NILP.
Anonymous,
You suggest calling and asking the ED whether she has a disability and her experiences with disability. I believe the very first day she met the staff they asked that question and she said no.
I really don't get why a person with a disability (hidden) wants to be the leader of a disability movement but not want to self identify as part of the group she represents. Sounds like she is not ready to assume that role in the IL movement if she wants to remain in the "disability closet".
Looks like we've got the traitors on the run. Uncle Tom Hale has his hands full now. Imagine getting up in front of everyone at the annual meeting and defending the board's reckless actions? One stupid blunder after another! Unbelievable. Heard it's an armed camp at NILP. Brown nosers and stooges vs. the freedom fighters. Hang in there kids... the community is behind you. We know you're putting it all on the line for us and we're there with you. Always.
How can the president of the board stand up in front of people at the annual meeting and have the audacity to go there and say I am area director for the Mass Rehab Commission in Lawrence and also president of the board of directors here at NILP.
Mr president I feel you should not be in the position you are in at MRC, and you should not be on any board related to disabilities.
How can you even acknowledge that you work for an agency that finds employment for people with disabilities.
Mr president bow out gracefully and do something good for people with disabilities.
A friend from washington:
I just received this blog from a friend and I am outraged and saddened to see what is going on. I worked in the disability community in Massachusetts for many years. This decision of the Board speaks to a national crisis of ILCs and SILCs not planning for succession of leaders with disabilities. We must re-examine and committ to bringing up young folks with disabilities to be the next generation of leaders. We must ensure that every person involved in an ILC understands the history of IL. Remember what happened at Gallaudet when they tried to install a hearing president. It was met with protest and outrage from the students and community. That was simply because it was the wrong thing to do. We must safeguard our futures and ACT NOW!
I ask that the BOD and the new ED truly examine their collective conscience and do the right thing by stepping down. The important issue here seems to be not whether or not the ED has admitted to having a disability but the fact that she has had no relevant experience in IL.
The Federal government funds many contracts in ILCs they want to know that an ILC is first and foremost dedicated to advocacy. A leader of an ILC must come into such a position with the knowledge and history of IL firmly entrenched in their being. That is obviously not the case here.
I call upon all those committed to the movement to stand up and right the wrongs!Know that you have a friend in washington who supports you.
Washington, Billy the Kid, disgruntled employees and all others...
I am very saddened to read your view of NILP without your seeking the opposing view or getting your facts stright. You have had every opportunity to participate in or attend meetings...to make a difference and you did not!
Perhaps you depended entirely on former ED Charlie Carr to speak for you
Well let me inform you that Mr Carr left the agengy with one month's notice that included 2 weeks vacation,and left no status report...didn't even clear his desk. He strongly recommended that a nondisabled employee be made interim ED over a disabled employee. Many employees who speak in this blog agreed with this decision and were very open about it.Perhaps their feeling guilty??
Then the new commissioner appointed this nondisabled employee
to an impressive financial position at MRC. He then appointd a nondisabled person
as deputy commissioner in charge of Voc rehab
Clearly these are not the actions of somone who claims to be a true advocate for the disabled
So I think as professional adults with disabilities we need to get our facts straight. I know I did.
Concerned
Wow! "Concerned" must have taken a double dose of stupid pills!!! Trashing Charlie Carr is beyond poor taste. Besides, the issue is not having a disability versus being able bodied, it is about representing people with disabilities in a world where there is discrimination and oppression. An advocacy organization needs to be represented by a person with the passion born of experiencing that oppression. This Executive Director just doesn't get it and neither does the Board. "Concerned" needs to get his or her head out of the sand.
cape cod freedom fighter:
concerned,
sounds like you know a lot about nilp, are you sure you're not a disgruntled employee? If you truly knew about IL philosophy then you would know that no one person is responsible for moving us forward. It is about persons with disabilities, who have unfortunately experienced injustice, oppression and discrimination, banding together to speak out about those experiences. We have many leaders who we do not rely on to be our voices rather our conscience and strength. If you are a person with a disability, then what happened to hurt you so badly? You seem to have a lot of anger that appears misdirected. If you are an employee then you should count your stars that you are employeed as you know the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is staggering.
Hitler too had those who had forsaken their hearts by aligning themselves with him. This is about no one person but the collective belief that people with disabilities will no longer be devalued or oppressed.
When I got the most recent NILP newsletter I immediately thought that the economy is not the only thing going to hell in a hadbasket! I was born with CP and thrust into an able bodied world being the first and only person in my town to attend public school with a physical disability (in 1975).
It wasn't until I earned my Bachelor's Degree and stumbled upon NILP looking for work that I learned the TRUE meaning of PEER SUPPORT and advocacy. Working at NILP under the former director, I found my voice, my colleagues with disabilities helped me develop the self-confidence and pride that every person with a disabiilty should have! THEY GET IT AND THEY GET ME...IN A WAY NO ABLE BODIED PERSON EVER WILL.
This brings me to my beef about the board's choice of a new ED. What happened to the BY in "BY AND FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES"? Did we abandon the original mission that the founder laid out for us and worked so hard for (for far less money)? If so, why wasn't I consulted as a consumer? What happened to "no one knows us better than ourselves"?
It appears that the ED's successor is a nice enough person with decent credentials. This is NOT personal affront. She has a public health background for goodness sake! She just doesn't get it and no amount of literature or "sensitivity training" will help her or us!
I feel strongly that WE as consumers who have reaped the benefits of the founder's life work have a moral and ethical responsilibity to ban together and uphold the original mission of the agency. We have come to far to go back now. Remember...BY AND FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES...STRENGTH IN NUMBERS! I for one will not take this lying down. Please join me before it is to late. USE YOUR VOICE BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR VOICE!
Norman Page said...
I am totally against the hiring of the new ED, the board has made a huge mistake hiring someone with zero experience on disability matters and a to give a salary of 102,000 to someone who will drive this program into the ground is just outrageous and not very well thought out. What i see is that the NILP program will be ruined by this hiring and the board needs to correct this mistake by not hiring this ''disability issued challenged'' person. Please hire someone with at least 5 years experience with in depth knowledge on all forms of disabilities and what it takes to keep this agency running smoothly and correctly.
I have been living independently and proudly for over 20 years with the help of the NILP program, please do not allow this great organization to be ruined by the hiring of this unqualified person. Thank you.
October 3, 2008 2:44 PM
NILP consumers who are unhappy with the board's decisions. WE NEED YOU. You have a vote at the annual meeting.
Please email us directly at savenilp@gmail.com to find out how you can make a difference.
You don't need to register for the meeting. Registrations are for the meal only, please come at 7:30 (no charge) and let you vote be counted.
It is my opinion that the individual in that position should be a qualified person with a disability. It is important that such a role model in that post, especially if s/he puts into practice demonstrated examples of living independently in the community.
Furthermore, a $102k salary is way out of line.
Tonight's the NILP annual meeting where at least 7 board positions will be filled. If you are an NILP member come to the meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Wyndham Marriott Hotel in Andover and cast your vote for change.
There is a catch phrase common in the disability movement which says, "nothing about us, without us". Well the election of the board of directors at NILP, your disability rights organization, is about you. Come and speak your mind.
Well, now that the farce is over, the real work begins. Can you believe they had two cops at the meeting. I think there was an undercover guy too! Good luck to the people who want to come onto the board. They'll bury them in advance. So bottom line is where'd money go? There's a half million bucks gone that nobody could explain. No audited financial statements. This stinks on ice. Pretty sure it's illegal. I guess Uncle Tom Hale lives to see another day but you know what they say about giving someone enough rope. Someone should drop a dime.
2 COPS Nice Explain to me how that represents what NILP stands for.
We are a grassroots organization that has had to fight for our rights!!!!!!!!
Were they there to
OPRESS US!!!!!!! From advocating for our philosophy?
Was this the decision of the new ED?
Nice, Lets get the COPS to shut up the consumers.
Nice Real Nice,
Oh and who paid for them?
NILP.
We need to take a look at the other side.
Where is the new ED spending our money?
Police officers to Control us from speaking, asking questions and standing up for our rights.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I was at the meeting and found it to be a big joke. Lots of unanswered questions. 4000k down to 50k this need to be questioned. Proxy votes outnumbered the yes votes, ask them to prove any different. Count the proxy votes against the yes votes and the two members up for re-election are OUT.
Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting based on a majority vote. That should be the bottom line - NOT full consideration of the nominee by the Board of Directors. NILP belongs to the members NOT the BOD or it's ED.
No one should be able to stop any member from being able to vote. Anyone receiving services from NILP is a voting member.
Advocates do NOT end this here, you have rights. Because they had a lawyer, TWO cops, someone from EOHHS don't be intimated by this, continue with your quest and do what is right for the Independent Living Movement.
Get up, Stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, Stand up
Don't give up the fight.
THE MEETING WAS ONE BIG JOKE.
At NILP's annual meeting the Board showed their true colors:
1. Unnecessary presence of 3 police officers (2 uniformed, 1 undercover). Ostensible purpose to prevent disorderly conduct by disgruntled employees. Real purpose to intimidate participants opposing the Board and current ED
2. Attempt to disenfranchise some participants by denying the right to vote to staff and to others known to be in opposition to the Board. The right to vote of participants guaranteed by By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation to all current and past participants.
3. Ramming through of a draft, not audited, version of the Corporate Financial Statement. Questions from the floor stifled, report accepted without being voted on.
4. Right of participants to elect new Board members hijacked by Board. Board given obligation to fully consider elected members altered to a screening and selection process with no time limit or accountability.
5. Attitude of condensation revealed by Board members interrupting participants having the floor, considering the members at annual meeting incompetent to select Board members, and by current ED’s use of the word “consumers” rather than participants or members.
The above actions reveal the Board’s intent to assume all the power for governing NILP, to do as they please without regard for member’s needs or expressed wishes and disregard the morality of established and legal procedures guaranteed by the By-Laws and Articles of Corporation and established parliamentary procedure. Their irresponsibility extends from the exorbitant salary allocated to the current ED, and to the hiring of the 3 police officers for purposes of intimidation at the annual meeting. While the high praises of the current ED are being sung, she is alienating key staff with harassment. She has not demonstrated even minimal good management qualities nor has she made progress with strengthening existing contracts or making new ones. She has done nothing to merit her exorbitant salary.
Something is very wrong with this picture. We pledged allegiance to the Flag including the phrase “with liberty and justice for all.” What happened to that? What are the missing pieces?
Keep an eye on what services will be emphasized or expanded and which will decrease in importance as NILP moves forward. If you are concerned about a program not listed as a priority, make your voice known, especially if you are an adult with a physical disability. You could wake up one morning and find that your program has been phased out.
Power comes from that which is right.
Some things are just right and some are just wrong! You don’t have to be a theologian or a philosopher to figure that one out. No matter what your religion, spirituality or philosophy of life is, there are some basics, some common ground.
One of the “right” basics is that each person needs to become fully whom they are, to self-actualize according to your own understanding of what that might mean. It is “right” to help each other in this process. That includes the “right” to self-determination. It includes the “right” to succeed or to make mistakes. Each person is created or evolved with the power to do that. Power can be gained or lost in the process of life. We gain power by doing what is “right” and by helping each other to do so. When we attempt to gain power by taking it away from others, we actually lose power. That may not be apparent right away, but when it becomes apparent, the only solution for those who chose that route is to take more power away from others.
This is a moral issue. The Independent Living Philosophy is right. It promotes the “right” of self-actualization in the highest sense. Working in this philosophy increases your power. It also attracts those who would parasitically take away your power for themselves.
NILP’s Board of Directors and their Executive Director are trying to take away your power. We need to not only oppose that in every way possible but we also need to review and recommit ourselves to that philosophy. Participants in Independent Living Centers and all those who support them need to be living that philosophy and actively involved in promoting it. There certainly is a battle and there will be casualties. We need to remember not to be complacent when a victory is won and that if we don’t risk the battle we are all casualties anyway. There really is nothing to lose.
THESE are the times that try our souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from their service; but he and she that stand by it now, deserves the love and thanks of all. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. The Board of Directors, with an Executive Director to enforce their tyranny, have declared that they have a right (not only to control our Annual Meeting) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Tommy
tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick......
What is happening here, did u guys drop the ball. You need to re-group. Alot of unanswered question. Where is your 350k. Why were you not able to vote at the annual meeting? Was the two people voted out, you still have more no votes with the proxy's then they can prove yes votes. Get a lawyer, If you need donations I don't have much but will be glad to help, just post it on here. I think billy the kid is trying to tell you something with tick, tick, tick.
I was asked to take a look at this blog, and to be perfectly honest....I find most of it hilarious in the comment department, but disheartening in most other aspects. The fact, that an organization that deals with the needs of the disabled.....does not employ the services of a disabled person for the Director's posistion is just plain wrong!!!
That just does not make any sense to me as an outsider.
I am sure that there are many disabled individuals out there with qualified credentials to oversee such an organization.
Someone who has compassion and understands the needs of everyone involved. I know that if I were disabled and needed NILP's services that I would feel more at ease knowing that there was someone running the place who knows what I may be going through.
I don't see how an ablebodied person could put themselves in a pair of disabled shoes to understand fully.
And what's up with the Salary increase???? Is that a cost of living raise?? I sure wish I could get one like that!!! YIKES!!!
Why does the ED need a personal secretary..Why does the personal secretary need an assistant? Has the board seen what is going on within NILP or are they still refusing to admit that they made a big mistake.
I think ALL of the staff (not just a couple) should have gotten a pay raise just for hanging in there this long.
Anyone need service don't call NILP.
Do any consumers go to the regular Board Meetings and observe?
Do any consumers have a friend on the Board?
As you can read from the above it does not matter. The board made a mistake and will not admit to any wrong doing. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and please stay tuned we will be having some sad news to report regarding the happenings at the NILP. Loss of staff, the interim assistant directors take on an important tenth anniversary Olmstead Act rally at the state house, and other important issues.
This sounds like the kind of agency I would give a donation too. People giving money to this place should be donating it to other agency's who use the funding appropriately, not to pad their own and others pockets. I cannot believe some of the stories I have heard about what is happening at this place. Where is the Board of Directors, and if they are not going to do anything about this why don't you people go above their heads? I have to agree with one of the bloggers here I don't want my tax dollars supporting a losing cause.
If anyone is afraid of leaving comments on here please send them to savenilp@gmail.com and they will get posted on here.
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