OLM BOARD FLEXES IT MUSCLES,  FREEZES OLM's ACCOUNT

For some time now Kerper Dwanyen has rained disrespect on the Board and disregarded it in the decision making process. This time around the Board has demonstrated that enough is enough. The OLM Board of Directors has therefore flexed its muscle and has put a freeze on the OLM account.

In a letter to the OLM President, Mr. Kerper Dwanyen, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Arthur Zakama writes:

"Mr. Kerper A. Dwanyen
President
Organization of Liberians in Minnesota

Dear Mr. Dwanyen:

Please be informed that on April 10, 2009 at approximately 11:07am, the Board of Directors put a freeze on OLM and LCA’s accounts at the Twin Cities Federal (TCF) bank. The purpose of the freeze was due to your administration’s determined refusal to submit to the Board of Directors Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 budgets and to add the chairman’s name to the organizations’ accounts.

As mentioned, the Board of Directors being cognizant of its fiduciary responsibilities was constrained to act based on your administration’s action, which violates the constitution, jeopardizes OLM’s 501c (3) tax Exempt Status and undermines transparency and accountability.

In view of the forgoing, in order to have these accounts re-activated by the board of directors, the following conditions must be adhered to: that;

1. The administration submit 2008 and 2009 budgets for review and approval

2. The administration add the Chairman’s name to the organizations’ accounts

3. The administration agrees to be audited by an Independent Audit Committee (IAC) within thirty days of its establishment

4. The administration withdraws Mr. John Jenkins Bartee, Jr. as Vice President and follows the constitution as enshrined.

Based on the abovementioned conditions, we are asking the administration to understand that the intent of the Board is not to undermine the operation of the administration but to guarantee transparency and accountability and to restore collaborative partnership between the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee going forward."

Sincerely,

Chairman - Board of Directors
Organization of Liberians in Minnesota

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. ~ Paul J. Meyer quotes

It can be recalled that OLM Board recently involved the Liberian Ministerial Association in what is describe as malpractices, abuse of power and misappropriation of the OLM funds on the part of Kerper Dwanyen.

The Board says despite numerous attempts to work with Mr. Dwanyen in instituting policies that will put check and balance in place, Mr. Dwanyen continues to run the organization unilaterally on the following: 1) unapproved budget for 2008 and 2009; 2) illegally signing checks to himself for non-contractual rent, 3) violating the Constitution by illegally appointing a Vice President.

The Board and the Executive met with the Liberian Ministerial Association on Sunday, February 22, 2009 agreed upon certain conditions to move forward; those conditions agreed upon were:

To have the Chairman’s name on the organization’s account by Saturday February 28, 2009 at 10:00am

The President to submit his Vice Presidential nominee to the Board for confirmation

The President and Treasurer to submit 2008 and 2009 budgets by April 15 2009;

The President to submit Draft Constitution by the end of April.