My Nonprofit Reviews
Tigeramous
Review for Junior Golf Association Of Northern California, Modesto, CA, USA
Was a former board member a while back when C.O. was the executive director. The problem was that the organization had financial irregularities which the IRS at one time threatened to remove its tax exempt status. And its books were never audited despite my urgings. There was no transparency as financial statements were never made available to the public as required by law under Sec. 501(C)(3). And what's also troubling was the nepotism was rampant and most other board members were rubber stampers. In fact, some activities with organization with respect to tournaments, were used as disguise for vacation at the expense of the organization. There was no oversight and no oversight until after the fact. Additionally, so little was given back to the junior members to help them compete at a national level such as USGA tournaments when members qualified. Other than a few tournaments, about 4, all the other tournaments are all self-contained and received no financial support from the organization. Relationship between the parents and C.O. was never good. She was viewed as arrogant, aloof, and vindictive. She ran the organization as her personal fiefdom and resented any inquiry dealing with her running of the organization. As a school teacher, she was used to treating everyone as a schoolchild. But the organization started by Len Ross is a good one and serves a wonderful purpose. But because its members are kids under 17 they know little nor are interested to know anything more than playing golf tournaments and know what their points are. It really needs oversight with parents on the board and board members shouldn't serve longer than three years. Additionally its books must be out for the public to exam on its website. Furthermore, auditing must be conducted on its books for prior years and all irregularities must be disclosed and resolved in a responsible and professional manner. Until more parents are involved with the organization and more transparency is provided with its finances, I won't donate a penny.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
as parent of two junior members and as a board member.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Replace the board with parents of the junior members, more transparency in operation, finances, and donations. There also must have a mechanism or forum where parents and junior members can have a say on various issues dealing with the organization itself. There was too much self dealing and no nepotism should ever be allowed.
