What is the name of your state?OH
I volunteered for a non-profit organization, as a representative. This organization is governed by a board of Executive board members. Part of my duties as a representative for this group was to field and/or address members complaints and issues. This organization is a paid membership fee, pay money and your a member.
One member contacted me about mailing in his renewal dues before a membership fee increase. He claimed that he sent his check in, but had not heard anything as the date for the fee increase approached, concerned for the extra money with the increase. I contacted the Treasurer to see if he had received this members check yet, and was told that he had not. Well I got the member an extension on his membership via the E-board members... or so we thought. The member sent in a new and second check with the added dues raise.
I had told the E-board that the Treasurer said he had not received it, and the member said he sent it... to avoid being blocked from the members message board - could he be extended until the new check arrives. The Treasurer some how thinks I accused him of losing the check, but I argued that we had to take the treasurers word at being honest, the same as the members word that he sent it.
Time passes, a few months Jan to Jun, the same Treasurer went to resign and the same member was nominated for the opening treasurers position. By me. The leaving treasurer resigned but revoked his resignation, but promised to train the member in question to replace him in 2006. Everyone agreed.
Time passes again from Jun to now. The same member contacts me about if I heard anything about his training because he was trying to contact the Treasurer about it with no success. So on the message board, I vaguely hint to this matter and that the member would like contacted. A few days go by and still nothing, so I again vaguely mention it on the message board.
This time the Treasurer contacts me about how poor of a job I did as a representative because when I nominated the member in Jun, he was not a member since Jan... when I sent a Money order covering this members renewal back then. I responded telling the Treasurer that that was not the issue. The Treasurer ended up emailing me very foul worded, and thoughts about me and my performance and attractions to his body parts. And going on about the missing check and my ignorance of duty. I again informed him, the check was not the issue. He responded with more of the same, I again told him that the check was not the issue. In addition to emailing him my responses I sent a copy to E-board members to inform them of what was going on and his conduct. With no response from them or help, I resigned and filed what I called a formal complaint against the treasurer stating that I felt he violated an Ethical code in the performance of his duties (the foul words and insinuations). Because in the past members me included have filed complaints and they were basically blown off with us being told, he/she is on notice.
The E-board, president in fact, responded with conjuring up a trial/hearing at our annual membership meeting, with a board of six bias members and himself over seeing. To which I was supposed to offer my evidence to the charges if I did not drop them and apologize. The treasurer responded with that he will be cleared of the charges and sue me for Libel and slander. I do not understand the legal words and terms and issues they are putting towards me, and I did not want to risk a lean being put on our family home or paying out $$$ because I am not rich. We live on a limited income of disability... so I apologized.
They the president and the treasurer responded in telling me that my apology was not serious enough and that the treasurer was continuing to pursue to defend himself at that meeting and than sue me as stated for accusing him of loosing the check, and ruining his reputation.
Does he or would he have a case?
How do I know what to expect?
How do I defend myself?
How do I get help that I can afford?
How do I get answers to this and other questions?
What type of attorney do I look for? I called one who offered free consultation but he never called back.
Thanks,
I volunteered for a non-profit organization, as a representative. This organization is governed by a board of Executive board members. Part of my duties as a representative for this group was to field and/or address members complaints and issues. This organization is a paid membership fee, pay money and your a member.
One member contacted me about mailing in his renewal dues before a membership fee increase. He claimed that he sent his check in, but had not heard anything as the date for the fee increase approached, concerned for the extra money with the increase. I contacted the Treasurer to see if he had received this members check yet, and was told that he had not. Well I got the member an extension on his membership via the E-board members... or so we thought. The member sent in a new and second check with the added dues raise.
I had told the E-board that the Treasurer said he had not received it, and the member said he sent it... to avoid being blocked from the members message board - could he be extended until the new check arrives. The Treasurer some how thinks I accused him of losing the check, but I argued that we had to take the treasurers word at being honest, the same as the members word that he sent it.
Time passes, a few months Jan to Jun, the same Treasurer went to resign and the same member was nominated for the opening treasurers position. By me. The leaving treasurer resigned but revoked his resignation, but promised to train the member in question to replace him in 2006. Everyone agreed.
Time passes again from Jun to now. The same member contacts me about if I heard anything about his training because he was trying to contact the Treasurer about it with no success. So on the message board, I vaguely hint to this matter and that the member would like contacted. A few days go by and still nothing, so I again vaguely mention it on the message board.
This time the Treasurer contacts me about how poor of a job I did as a representative because when I nominated the member in Jun, he was not a member since Jan... when I sent a Money order covering this members renewal back then. I responded telling the Treasurer that that was not the issue. The Treasurer ended up emailing me very foul worded, and thoughts about me and my performance and attractions to his body parts. And going on about the missing check and my ignorance of duty. I again informed him, the check was not the issue. He responded with more of the same, I again told him that the check was not the issue. In addition to emailing him my responses I sent a copy to E-board members to inform them of what was going on and his conduct. With no response from them or help, I resigned and filed what I called a formal complaint against the treasurer stating that I felt he violated an Ethical code in the performance of his duties (the foul words and insinuations). Because in the past members me included have filed complaints and they were basically blown off with us being told, he/she is on notice.
The E-board, president in fact, responded with conjuring up a trial/hearing at our annual membership meeting, with a board of six bias members and himself over seeing. To which I was supposed to offer my evidence to the charges if I did not drop them and apologize. The treasurer responded with that he will be cleared of the charges and sue me for Libel and slander. I do not understand the legal words and terms and issues they are putting towards me, and I did not want to risk a lean being put on our family home or paying out $$$ because I am not rich. We live on a limited income of disability... so I apologized.
They the president and the treasurer responded in telling me that my apology was not serious enough and that the treasurer was continuing to pursue to defend himself at that meeting and than sue me as stated for accusing him of loosing the check, and ruining his reputation.
Does he or would he have a case?
How do I know what to expect?
How do I defend myself?
How do I get help that I can afford?
How do I get answers to this and other questions?
What type of attorney do I look for? I called one who offered free consultation but he never called back.
Thanks,
