accessibility of SLM members and others at board meeting tomorrow?

[sabrina a]

Hi Eric,

I wanted to confirm that there will be space tomorrow for SLM members to attend.  I understand that there are space issues at the law offices, but it is my understanding that the meeting does need to be public because of Lyon Martin's 501c3 status. Please confirm that there will be space available.


Thanks so much.

Sabrina

[pike on a bike]

Hi Sabrina,

I have already contacted Peter, Dan (the lawyer) and Eric about this, so am waiting to hear back. I think that legally they only have to make one meeting per year open, but the point is that LM's lack of transparency has been really damaging, so it is in everyone's best interest for SLM folks to be able to attend. Peter tried to push back on me with it but I think my response made it clear that he needed to make sure there was space for folks tomorrow. He is the one who will be chairing the meeting, so I'm trying to deal with him as much as possible. Also, I think Eric doesn't check his email as much. In my last email, I gave all three of them your name and email address and asked them to please let you know that you are on the list.

Sorry about all the confusion; it's very frustrating.

Pike

--
Do you believe that access to health care is a right, not a privilege? Support our local women's and transgender clinic, Lyon-Martin, to ensure that they will be able to provide health care to our community for many years to come. Please visit www.savelyonmartin.org for more info!

[sabrina a]

Thanks so much Pike! I really appreciate your diligence. I totally understand...

Sabrina

---

Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 13:47:43 -0700
Subject: Re: accessibility of SLM members and others at board meeting tomorrow?
From: vega...@gmail.com
To: save-lyon-martin-fund...@googlegroups.com

[Manish Vaidya]

Hey y'all,

In case anyone feels weird about trusting LM's lawyer or just wants to geek out on nonprofit corporate law (good times):


"Question
Is it a requirement that board meetings of a non profit are open to the public? I know we can still have closed sessions for confidential information.

Answer
Generally closed meetings are fine (unless the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or any resolutions specify otherwise).

Open Meetings Laws in Different States. Sunshine laws
501(c)(3) organizations are exempt from the State Sunshine Law
See www.rcfp.org/ogg/index.php

As for your state law on Open Records and Open Meetings
See www.rcfp.org/ogg/index.php?op=browse&state=mn
but change the last two letters from mn to your state's two
letter postal code (unless yours is in Minnesota)
specifically at "Open Meetings" about 1/2 the way down the left
column at 1.C.4 "Nongovernmental bodies receiving public funds or
benefits" is the applicable discussion.

Harvey Mechanic
Attorney At Law"

- from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Nonprofit-Law-2266/2008/6/Board-Meetings-1.htm



xo
manish

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From: sabri...@hotmail.com
To: save-lyon-martin-fund...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: accessibility of SLM members and others at board meeting tomorrow?
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 13:50:31 -0700

[sabrina a]

Thanks for this Manish.

It would be a good idea to look at changing the bylaws for LM on this one perhaps?

-sabrina

---

From: socialju...@hotmail.com

To: save-lyon-martin-fund...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: accessibility of SLM members and others at board meeting tomorrow?

Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 14:06:20 -0700

[Manish Vaidya]

Hey y'all,

I'm in the process of rereading my past emails to SLM and to LM folks, and reflecting on my privileges and (mis/)communication.. Here's one of my accountabilities:

I'm sorry I wrote "In case anyone feels weird about trusting LM's lawyer...". What I really meant to say was "I've heard this issue of open vs. closed board meetings come up in the past. It seems to me like it might be helpful if SLM folks had access to the laws about open vs. closed board meetings. So if you want to read those laws for yourself, here are some links to start."

I'm sorry my words might have added to some unnecessary hurt. Please email me or call me (415-570-1071) if you want to check in with me about it.

Thanks!

xo

manish

---

From: sabri...@hotmail.com
To: save-lyon-martin-fund...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: accessibility of SLM members and others at board meeting tomorrow?

Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 14:08:20 -0700

[Rick Hauptman]

Thanks Manish.  I much prefer your message to all the defensive ones that arrived in droves today.   It is a 501c3, it was next to death, and we saved it.  Attending their Board Meetings shouldn't be a challenge they should consider it a gift.  Pretty darn simple concept, not sure why all the drama.   Rick --- On Thu, 5/26/11, Manish Vaidya <socialju...@hotmail.com> wrote: