John,
I think this is what causes concern for several.
Excerpt from AOBA's 7/22/05 announcement (full text below provided by Jess)
"The best part of this announcement is the cost involved. The rental rates
for this office and similar offices in the immediate area are in the $70,000
to $80,000 per year range."
Yet AOBA's 2006 Auditor valued the property at only $35,390. (page 9 of the
2006 Audit Notes section)
The problem is, what did the board know. Did they know the real value and
then mislead the membership or were they themselves mislead because they
failed to perform due diligence. I agree the gift of even $35k is
wonderful. My concern is two-fold; 1) the pattern of directors failure to
perform even rudimentary level due diligence on most topics 2) the rental
rate was what facilitated the decision to go with our own offices which from
all appearances has cost AOBA a lot more money than using a management
company.
Jerry, Jennifer Orr and myself were the Board members who reviewed the
feasibility of our own offices vs a mgmt company in 2003 when the Hoberts
resigned. Jerry offered the same building at this time as well and it was
rejected.
Hope all is going well. Are you up for re-election with AFCNA this year?
If so are you running again. They've come a long way with your help.
Ana
_____
From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Acres of Love
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 5:10 AM
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] TN building
Minutes
Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Nashville, TN
Monday & Tuesday, July 11 & 12, 2005
Come to order: Amy called the meeting to order at 8:00 am.
New Office Location: The Board reviewed potential office space for the new
AOBA office. After the walk-through, the Board returned to the meeting room
and discussed the lease offer of a donated three-year non-renewable lease
from Western Reserve and Magical Farms. After discussion on full disclosure;
costs of operations; advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives - Steve
moved to accept the donated 3-year lease from Western Reserve and Magical
Farms. Second by Anthony and motion passed unanimously. Amy will work on
wording for an email blast to the membership.
------------------------------------------------
AOBA membership email blast dated 7/22/05:
"Dear AOBA Members,
As you are aware, the AOBA Board of Directors and Association Headquarters
agreed not to extend the management contract when it expires at the end of
this year. We feel a freestanding office, with our own employees, will best
be able to meet the needs of our membership. The decision was a difficult
one which required a great deal of thought and deliberation but we
unanimously agree it is the right decision for our association, the members
and their future.
With that decision made, the task of locating a future home for the office
began. Board Members recently combined a face to face planning meeting with
a trip to visit a location for the new office. There were several office
spaces available that would have been adequate for our needs, but we were
overjoyed when we found one that is in virtually "move in" condition. It is
located in the southwestern portion of Nashville, Tennessee, approximately 5
miles from the Nashville International Airport (BNA).
The best part of this announcement is the cost involved. The rental rates
for this office and similar offices in the immediate area are in the $70,000
to $80,000 per year range. We have agreed to execute a three year lease
with no cost to AOBA thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the building
owners, Jerry Forstner of Magical Farms and Rob Frost of Western Reserve
Alpaca Farm. When these two members offered the use of the building at no
cost, we closely examined all possibilities, and once assured there was no
possible financial gain for either of them, we felt totally compelled to go
forward with the site as quickly as possible. We thank them both for their
wonderful gift and sincerely appreciate their help in building a strong and
exciting future for our association.
Nashville is an exciting city with plenty of entertainment, hotels, shopping
and fabulous restaurants to enjoy when you come to visit the new office
location. We are thrilled to have this opportunity and hope all of you will
be as pleased with the new office as we are."
----------------------------------------------
The AOBA HQ Nashville office lease arrangement, along with ownership of the
building has been a closely held secret. You must be an AOBA member, visit
the password protected members' site and read the BOD minutes to have access
to the information. The "secret" information was also the subject of an
email blast to AOBA membership on 7/22/05. You just can't trust anyone, not
even the AOBA BOD, to keep a secret any more.
Jess
Jess & Cookie Bowers
Acres of Love Alpaca Ranch
Acres of Love Alpaca Transport
11006 N 92nd East Ave
Owasso, OK 74055-6531
(918) 327-3519
Fax (918) 272-0969
WWW.Acresoflove.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shouvlins" <bluebirdhills@ <mailto:bluebirdhills%40voyager.net>
voyager.net>
To: <AlpacaTalk@yahoogro <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com> ups.com>;
<alpacapolitics@ <mailto:alpacapolitics%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] TN building
> Enough of the inuendo...
>
> An "Association Board Member" owns at least part of the building, or at
> least did in 2006. This was mentioned in the 2006 Audit, although it may
> have been sold in 2007. The building is leased to AOBA for free for this
> term of the lease, which I have heard is for 3 years, but I have not seen
> and do not know that for sure.
>
> This information was related in the audit report of 2006 on page 9, I
> think.
>
> https://www.
<https://www.alpacaowners.com/Financials/IndependentAuditorsFinancialReport-
2006.pdf>
alpacaowners.com/Financials/IndependentAuditorsFinancialReport-2006.pdf
>
> Back to your regular scheduled programming (kvetching)
>
> Laurel
>
> Tim & Laurel Shouvlin
> Bluebird Hills Farm
> 3617 Derr Rd.
> Springfield, Ohio 45503
> bluebirdhills@ <mailto:bluebirdhills%40voyager.net> voyager.net
> www.bluebirdhills.com
> 937-206-3936
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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