My Nonprofit Reviews

I am always amused by comments people make that have no basis in fact (especially comments by Mike who tried his best to control the Chat-N-Chow funds through absent proxy vote majority for day-to-day Board business). I do however applaud Mike for signing and taking responsibility for his comments. It is unfortunate for those at the Kingman Senior Nutrition Center that funds being accumulated with the hope of building a new Senior Center in Kingman have moved to a new location. However, the number stated is inflated and very inaccurate. For those so inclined, all you need to do is attend a Chat-N-Chow board meeting and you can ask what the fund amount is or was. One thing that needs to be understood is that, while saving for a new center is noble, the cost to purchase land and construct a new facility is immense. The money saved through sales in the thrift store and fund raisers would not cover the architect’s fees. Building a new center with the Chat-N-Chow funds could never happen in any of our lifetimes. All of the turmoil surrounding the decision by the Chat-N-Chow to move its not-for-profit to a new location was in fact a move to protect their hard earned funds. For the entire time I supervised the Kingman Center, Brad Bixler (Senior Programs Manager) and his supervisor, Patty Mead (Director of the Department of Public Health) worked hard to consume the Chat-N-Chow savings to supplement the Senior Programs budget. I have a wealth of documentation to support that. It was through the efforts of those seniors whom were aware of the constant threats to curtail meals for seniors and the pressure to open their purse so their funds could be consumed by Bixler and Mead moved to protect their funds. It ultimately came down to a choice from the County to give control of the Chat-N-Chow funds to the County or move… The wise choice was to move. Regardless of how you feel about the new structure and organization of the Chat-N-Chow, you cannot disregard the fact that seniors are still benefiting from their service to the community. They would welcome your participation. Mohave County has gone on to create a new not-for-profit to operate out of the Kingman Center and you can bet that they will never raise enough funds to build a new center and you can be certain that the money they generate will be controlled by the County, if not overtly then covertly. It was reported to me those in attendance at the first meeting of the new council received a clear understanding as to how their funds would be managed and who would control decisions. It was also reported that seniors in attendance at his Board Meeting were asked to leave as they were not welcome to participate. This did not surprise me and if anything I would urge those members asked to leave to contact the Arizona Corporation Commission and apprise them of this violation. During my tenure at the center the Chat-N-Chow donated unprecedented levels of financial support. We tried tirelessly to purchase food as other County run Senior Center not-for-profits’ had been doing but the County refused to allow the Chat-N-Chow support instead, demanding the money be turned over to Bixler so he could choose how to use it… or take their not-for profit somewhere else. In conclusion I suggest that those few submissions seeking to diminish the work of the Chat-N-Chow visit them at their new center and take a look at what they are doing. Ask questions and get involved. Get the facts straight and then enjoy your freedom of expression. You might discover a lot of good, caring people giving to this community… not taking from it.

More Feedback