Post by hendrimike on Feb 16, 2012 11:29:34 GMT -5
Statement from the Match Donor to the 99% Declaration:
I wish to set the record straight.
I donated the $18,000 Match specifically to be used for Public and Delegate Outreach and Education. Mr. Pollok misdirected it and used it for a payment on the PA Convention Center.
The matching funds were specifically stipulated to be targeted to Delegate and Public Education and Outreach for the 99% Declaration. This was agreed to, in writing, by the Board Treasurers. Mr. Pollok has unilaterally cut off the Board and Facilitation Committee from access to corporate accounts, "fired" the Board, and misdirected the $18,000 match funds to a payment on an expensive venue for the 7/4 Event, The PA Convention Center, rather than for Education and Outreach, as specifically required by me, the donor, prior to the distribution.
To clarify, I am an ardent supporter of the People's effort to draft a Petition for Redress, as well as a firm believer in the Occupy Movement. My place in this Movement is likely somewhere at the top 3% of the 99%. But I could be seen as a sympathetic 1%er. There will be those with some means, and in positions, who can and will support this effort from the "outside". I have been a child welfare advocate all of my life, but I don't have to be six years old to support their interests. So, I've come to this to facilitate what is very much YOUR Movement. In that regard, there is a place for Anonymity. There have been silent allies tipping the scales in favor of Revolutionaries throughout history. It's how Wars are fought and won.
I believe that the MOST important piece of the Declaration effort is in providing Education and Outreach to citizens. To awaken them to the need to come together and have a unified, harmonious Voice on the problems effecting our Nation today.
I made the Match donation Pledge at a time when there was no money to continue this effort. Mr. Pollok was threatening to refund all donations made online and walk away. So I stepped up. The Match Challenge was posted, and in the end, the People supported continuation of the Declaration process.
However, the entity that was overseeing this effort, the 99% Working Group Ltd., did not evidence the very principles promoted in the Movement. As a donor about to infuse my entire savings into this entity, I insisted that corporate and financial protocols be implemented, that laws and IRS regulations be complied with, that financial transparency be instituted, and that a group decision making process be implemented prior to the distribution of funds. AT NO TIME was there a deadline for forwarding the Match Funds, the only deadline was one unilaterally declared by the holder of the 99% Bank account, Michael Pollok. While a Board and Facilitation Committee OF TRUE MEMBERS OF THE 99% formed and organized to oversee the funds and direct the Process, Mr. Pollok repeatedly announced that the Match donor had "reneged". This was false. I at no time "reneged". I did require institution of a transparent system of corporate and financial compliance with all regulations, and a group conscience decision making model. I was not about to put $18,000 in the hands of one man for spending wherever he unilaterally determined. Mr. Pollok's resistance to that change was the only thing causing delay. Mr. Pollok gave me multiple opportunities to walk away, with my donation. If I had done so he would have refunded all donations online and ended the entire Project. I want this project to happen. I always did. And the promised funds were at all times being delivered. But I wanted those funds to be used for direct democracy, not for the unilateral corporate Agenda of one man. (Google: "Founders Syndrome"...it explains it all).
The matching funds were specifically targeted to Delegate and Public Education and Outreach. This was agreed to, in writing by the Board Treasurers. Mr. Pollok has misdirected those funds and put them toward an expensive venue for the 7/4 Event, The PA Convention Center.
There was no "scheme" to move funds from the venue and election fund. There was a direct, acknowledged stipulation that the matching funds be used for Delegate and Public Education and Outreach to further the Declaration, and not for a venue or expensive voting system company. I wanted the funds to DIRECTLY help The People develop the Points. No window dressing, no HBO Documentary, no pomp and circumstance...just grass roots outreach, education and collaborative dialogue. People helping People.
I have NOT requested the money back. I have requested that it be used for it's designated and specified purpose: Outreach and Education. The "fired" Board and Facilitation Committee are ready to put that money to good use, and finally engage the Delegates and the People in the Process. I have demanded that the matching funds go to them for oversight.
There is a developed Outreach and Education Plan that would facilitate Delegate Candidates connecting with Volunteers and constituents in their Districts, coordinating with other Districts, and creating a Town Meeting structure to engage citizens in meaningful dialogue about the Points for Redress at the District, State and Regional level to facilitate development of the Points for redress, with DIRECT involvement of the People. This cannot happen because the funds designated for that purpose, the $18,000 Match funds, have been spent unilaterally by Mr. Pollok on the venue. In addition, the Board and Facilitation Committee has been denied access to the website and Delegate and Volunteer data. This is why there has been no contact between the "National" 99 Declaration systems and you, the Delegates and citizens who wish to begin the process of developing the Petition.
Far from auditing the books and finding nothing wrong, there is EVERYTHING wrong with this process. The Match donation that was specifically earmarked for Education and Outreach has been misdirected and spent unilaterally on a payment to a venue that very specifically stated in negations it did NOT want an "Occupy-related" event held there. The Genesis of this Document was in OCCUPY. It does not belong to any individual or corporation or group. It belongs to The People. The Board and Facilitation Committee (25 people, all 99%ers) were "fired" by the "Corporate Owners" (Michael Pollok and 2 of his friends).
Additionally, A Contract has been negotiated for a Documentary, to film the NGA For Profit, WITHOUT the approval of the Delegates. It is not my place to weigh in on that decision, but IMO the Delegate candidates should have been consulted for approval of this. This is what the Match funds should have been used for...systems to allow for the Delegates to make their OWN determinations and direct this process. It is my feeling that this system is being manipulated, and Delegates given NO REAL OPPORTUNITY to come together with their constituents and other delegates, so that the only real outcome is to have an end product that is basically what Mr. Pollok himself drafted online, with a few minor changes.
The "Board" has been fired. And "replaced" with "vetted Professionals". The matching funds specifically designated to be used for Education and Outreach have been misdirected by Mr. Pollok and spent on a bright, shiny corporate-owned venue payment.
This is a People's Movement. The matching funds should have gone to reaching out to the People, as agreed upon and promised in writing, and not to a venue.
I would here ask my fellow donors to ask of this man, this corporation...where is your money? Where are the hard earned dollars you pledged to create a Voice for the PEOPLE? Would you want your donation to go to a $20,000 venue (there are charitable, inexpensive alternatives) and a $60,000 voting mechanism (there are many virtual alternatives) as a backdrop for HBO's documentary, or would you want it to go to Town Meetings, tools for Delegate Candidates to reach out to their Constituents, systems that will directly allow for input and meaningful dialogue, direct participation by you, and your neighbors, in this process? And do you want this to be directed from the top down, by Mr. Pollok and two of his friends, or run by a group of 99%ers with many working Committees, who fully plan to allow the DELEGATES to direct the decisions being made...if only they had the funding that was to be directed for that.
I gave the $18,000 Match for Public and Delegate Education and Outreach for the 99% Declaration. Mr. Pollok spent it on the The Convention Center. That's it.
I donated to this cause with complete benevolence, with a heartfelt desire to give the People a Voice. I have been accused of "reneging", "defrauding" my fellow donors, "extortion", "funneling money" and "schemes". I have been called "shameful" and "despicable". This Is this abuse, where there should be gratitude. I am not one of Mr. Pollok's white collar criminals he defends. I am a good person with only one motive: to help put the Power in the hands of The People, and to give them A Voice.
No good deed goes unpunished.
I wish to set the record straight.
I donated the $18,000 Match specifically to be used for Public and Delegate Outreach and Education. Mr. Pollok misdirected it and used it for a payment on the PA Convention Center.
The matching funds were specifically stipulated to be targeted to Delegate and Public Education and Outreach for the 99% Declaration. This was agreed to, in writing, by the Board Treasurers. Mr. Pollok has unilaterally cut off the Board and Facilitation Committee from access to corporate accounts, "fired" the Board, and misdirected the $18,000 match funds to a payment on an expensive venue for the 7/4 Event, The PA Convention Center, rather than for Education and Outreach, as specifically required by me, the donor, prior to the distribution.
To clarify, I am an ardent supporter of the People's effort to draft a Petition for Redress, as well as a firm believer in the Occupy Movement. My place in this Movement is likely somewhere at the top 3% of the 99%. But I could be seen as a sympathetic 1%er. There will be those with some means, and in positions, who can and will support this effort from the "outside". I have been a child welfare advocate all of my life, but I don't have to be six years old to support their interests. So, I've come to this to facilitate what is very much YOUR Movement. In that regard, there is a place for Anonymity. There have been silent allies tipping the scales in favor of Revolutionaries throughout history. It's how Wars are fought and won.
I believe that the MOST important piece of the Declaration effort is in providing Education and Outreach to citizens. To awaken them to the need to come together and have a unified, harmonious Voice on the problems effecting our Nation today.
I made the Match donation Pledge at a time when there was no money to continue this effort. Mr. Pollok was threatening to refund all donations made online and walk away. So I stepped up. The Match Challenge was posted, and in the end, the People supported continuation of the Declaration process.
However, the entity that was overseeing this effort, the 99% Working Group Ltd., did not evidence the very principles promoted in the Movement. As a donor about to infuse my entire savings into this entity, I insisted that corporate and financial protocols be implemented, that laws and IRS regulations be complied with, that financial transparency be instituted, and that a group decision making process be implemented prior to the distribution of funds. AT NO TIME was there a deadline for forwarding the Match Funds, the only deadline was one unilaterally declared by the holder of the 99% Bank account, Michael Pollok. While a Board and Facilitation Committee OF TRUE MEMBERS OF THE 99% formed and organized to oversee the funds and direct the Process, Mr. Pollok repeatedly announced that the Match donor had "reneged". This was false. I at no time "reneged". I did require institution of a transparent system of corporate and financial compliance with all regulations, and a group conscience decision making model. I was not about to put $18,000 in the hands of one man for spending wherever he unilaterally determined. Mr. Pollok's resistance to that change was the only thing causing delay. Mr. Pollok gave me multiple opportunities to walk away, with my donation. If I had done so he would have refunded all donations online and ended the entire Project. I want this project to happen. I always did. And the promised funds were at all times being delivered. But I wanted those funds to be used for direct democracy, not for the unilateral corporate Agenda of one man. (Google: "Founders Syndrome"...it explains it all).
The matching funds were specifically targeted to Delegate and Public Education and Outreach. This was agreed to, in writing by the Board Treasurers. Mr. Pollok has misdirected those funds and put them toward an expensive venue for the 7/4 Event, The PA Convention Center.
There was no "scheme" to move funds from the venue and election fund. There was a direct, acknowledged stipulation that the matching funds be used for Delegate and Public Education and Outreach to further the Declaration, and not for a venue or expensive voting system company. I wanted the funds to DIRECTLY help The People develop the Points. No window dressing, no HBO Documentary, no pomp and circumstance...just grass roots outreach, education and collaborative dialogue. People helping People.
I have NOT requested the money back. I have requested that it be used for it's designated and specified purpose: Outreach and Education. The "fired" Board and Facilitation Committee are ready to put that money to good use, and finally engage the Delegates and the People in the Process. I have demanded that the matching funds go to them for oversight.
There is a developed Outreach and Education Plan that would facilitate Delegate Candidates connecting with Volunteers and constituents in their Districts, coordinating with other Districts, and creating a Town Meeting structure to engage citizens in meaningful dialogue about the Points for Redress at the District, State and Regional level to facilitate development of the Points for redress, with DIRECT involvement of the People. This cannot happen because the funds designated for that purpose, the $18,000 Match funds, have been spent unilaterally by Mr. Pollok on the venue. In addition, the Board and Facilitation Committee has been denied access to the website and Delegate and Volunteer data. This is why there has been no contact between the "National" 99 Declaration systems and you, the Delegates and citizens who wish to begin the process of developing the Petition.
Far from auditing the books and finding nothing wrong, there is EVERYTHING wrong with this process. The Match donation that was specifically earmarked for Education and Outreach has been misdirected and spent unilaterally on a payment to a venue that very specifically stated in negations it did NOT want an "Occupy-related" event held there. The Genesis of this Document was in OCCUPY. It does not belong to any individual or corporation or group. It belongs to The People. The Board and Facilitation Committee (25 people, all 99%ers) were "fired" by the "Corporate Owners" (Michael Pollok and 2 of his friends).
Additionally, A Contract has been negotiated for a Documentary, to film the NGA For Profit, WITHOUT the approval of the Delegates. It is not my place to weigh in on that decision, but IMO the Delegate candidates should have been consulted for approval of this. This is what the Match funds should have been used for...systems to allow for the Delegates to make their OWN determinations and direct this process. It is my feeling that this system is being manipulated, and Delegates given NO REAL OPPORTUNITY to come together with their constituents and other delegates, so that the only real outcome is to have an end product that is basically what Mr. Pollok himself drafted online, with a few minor changes.
The "Board" has been fired. And "replaced" with "vetted Professionals". The matching funds specifically designated to be used for Education and Outreach have been misdirected by Mr. Pollok and spent on a bright, shiny corporate-owned venue payment.
This is a People's Movement. The matching funds should have gone to reaching out to the People, as agreed upon and promised in writing, and not to a venue.
I would here ask my fellow donors to ask of this man, this corporation...where is your money? Where are the hard earned dollars you pledged to create a Voice for the PEOPLE? Would you want your donation to go to a $20,000 venue (there are charitable, inexpensive alternatives) and a $60,000 voting mechanism (there are many virtual alternatives) as a backdrop for HBO's documentary, or would you want it to go to Town Meetings, tools for Delegate Candidates to reach out to their Constituents, systems that will directly allow for input and meaningful dialogue, direct participation by you, and your neighbors, in this process? And do you want this to be directed from the top down, by Mr. Pollok and two of his friends, or run by a group of 99%ers with many working Committees, who fully plan to allow the DELEGATES to direct the decisions being made...if only they had the funding that was to be directed for that.
I gave the $18,000 Match for Public and Delegate Education and Outreach for the 99% Declaration. Mr. Pollok spent it on the The Convention Center. That's it.
I donated to this cause with complete benevolence, with a heartfelt desire to give the People a Voice. I have been accused of "reneging", "defrauding" my fellow donors, "extortion", "funneling money" and "schemes". I have been called "shameful" and "despicable". This Is this abuse, where there should be gratitude. I am not one of Mr. Pollok's white collar criminals he defends. I am a good person with only one motive: to help put the Power in the hands of The People, and to give them A Voice.
No good deed goes unpunished.