October
8, 2012 – Eight
nurses and 12 other Chiweshe residents that were arrested during protests
against Dr. Thistle’s dismissal in August have been accused of inciting
violence. The group was back in court, where four Salvation Army officials
testified against them. A source who was in court Monday told SW Radio Africa
that the testimonies from the four officials provided conflicting information
about events at the protest. He said testimonies were given by Majors Makiwa,
Nyahuma and Ncube, and Colonel Moyo. The case meanwhile had been remanded once
again, until October 19th.
October
26, 2012 – The
Salvation Army IHQ issued a press release regarding the situation at Howard
Hospital dismissing all claims about fiscal mismanagement and loss of
donated materials. According to the press release: 1) there was no sign that
donated funds had been diverted from their original purpose, and 2) donated
goods, falsely reported to have gone missing, were all accounted for. This
press release was followed up by a transcript of the press conference question
and answer period.
Dr. Thistle told his mother that he would not leave Zimbabwe until he knew the fate of his nurses and the Army provided answers to the other vital questions: where was the money raised in Canada and where did the Army intend to place him? Until he had solid answers about his own future and the fate of his nurses, he stood resolute in his beliefs, determined to help and support the people of the land he grew to love.
October 8, 2012 – Eight nurses and 12 other Chiweshe residents that
were arrested during protests against Dr. Thistle’s dismissal in August have
been accused of inciting violence. The group was back in court, where four
Salvation Army officials testified against them. A source who was in court
Monday told SW Radio Africa that the testimonies from the four officials
provided conflicting information about events at the protest. He said
testimonies were given by Majors Makiwa, Nyahuma and Ncube, and Colonel Moyo.
The case meanwhile had been remanded once again, until October 19th.
October 26, 2012 – The Salvation Army IHQ issued a press release
regarding the situation at Howard Hospital dismissing all claims about fiscal
mismanagement and loss of donated materials. According to the press release: 1)
there was no sign that donated funds had been diverted from their original
purpose, and 2) donated goods, falsely reported to have gone missing, were all
accounted for. This press release was followed up by a transcript of the press
conference question and answer period. Major Pallant stated that The Salvation
Army was in the process of the appointment of a new Chief Medical Officer at
Howard Hospital. At the moment Dr. Aaron Museka, Zimbabwean doctor, was acting
as the Chief Medical Officer.
November 2-4, 2012 – General Linda Bond arrived in Toronto to
participate in the “All-Ontario Salvationist’s Rally” on November 2nd. On November
3rd, she received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Tyndale
University College in Toronto.
The Interfaith Friends of Howard Hospital (IFHH) learned of Bond’s appearance and advertised on the Internet that they were going to hold a demonstration outside of the rally to expose what The Salvation Army had done in Zimbabwe / Howard Hospital.
The Salvation Army Canada HQ learned of the planned demonstration by IFHH and asked IFHH to cancel it. In exchange, Canada HQ offered IFHH a chance to meet one-on-one for a 30-minute meeting with General Bond after the Friday rally and the Saturday award ceremony activities were concluded. Dr. Silverman felt they should not appear to be unreasonable and agreed to the meeting.
The meeting was not
held in a private location but was instead held in the public chapel at the
Toronto Pearson International Airport. Because it was a public venue, it was
not closed off to the public and therefore there were people in the chapel who
had no relationship with either The Salvation Army or the IFHH.
IFHH sent 4
representatives to meet with the uniformed Salvationists – General Linda Bond,
Commissioner Brian Peddle and other unidentified officers.
Ray Richardson,
representing the Rotarians, reported that they were lectured by Bond. Larry
Gillman and Sarah Zelcer said the meeting was appalling, lasting less than 20
minutes before the General’s “handler” whisked her off.
The IFHH
representatives reported that General Linda Bond actually raised her voice at
them in a public place as onlookers observed in the airport chapel. IFHH
reports that Bond would not listen to them and quoted her as saying that
nothing they could say “would change IHQ’s decision to remove Paul Thistle from
the Howard Hospital”.
November 8, 2012 – The Salvation Army Canada issued a press release
providing an update on Howard Hospital. In it they stated:
Over recent months,
The Salvation Army has been maligned and falsely accused of wrongdoing.
Allegations have been made concerning the administration of donated funds and
goods at Howard Hospital. In response, The Salvation Army’s International
Headquarters sent a fact-finding team to Zimbabwe to examine the processing and
use of donations to the hospital.
The team reported
that:
• There was no sign
that goods or funds donated directly to The Salvation Army in Canada for use by
the Howard Hospital were diverted from their original purpose.
• The hospital
continues to operate with qualified medical personnel serving thousands of
people each month.
• Media reports that
the hospital is functioning at 10% are false. Patients continue to be treated
at Howard and more difficult cases are being referred to other facilities.
They also stated
further on in the release:
Reports have
circulated in the media that the Thistles were moved because they brought
accusations of corruption against The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe. These reports
are simply not true and at no time were such concerns shared with Salvation
Army leadership by either of them.
The decisions related
to Captains Dr. Paul and Pedrinah Thistle are final. The Salvation Army, like
most denominations, does not discuss personnel moves in a public forum.
The Salvation Army
Canada remains committed to the work of Howard Hospital. Over the past few
weeks and months, the organization:
• paid for a shipment
of medical supplies worth $300,000;
• paid overdue
bills totaling $30,000 to keep the electricity on;
• paid $15,000 for
much-needed pharmaceutical supplies.
They also addressed
the question of a Chief Medical Officer:
The Salvation Army’s
International Headquarters is in the process of appointing a new Chief Medical
Officer at Howard.
November 11, 2012 – Photographer Doug MacLellan arrived in Harare,
Zimbabwe
November 16, 2012 – Doug MacLellan was refused permission to take
photographs at Howard Hospital
November 22, 2012 – The Salvation Army stripped the Thistles of their
officership and terminated their employment. The official reason given to the
Thistles was stated as “Persistent refusal to carry out lawful orders and
instructions”.
Late November/Early
December 2012 – Major
Gillian Brown, Director of World Missions for The Salvation Army Canada and
Bermuda HQ sent an email with an update after her visit to Howard Hospital. In
this email, Brown asserted that communications and relationships were being
rebuilt with the Chiweshe local leaders of the tribes in the areas around the
Howard, which represent a large number of the patients treated at Howard.
Further assertions
stated that Howard Hospital had not been “financially sustainable over many
years” and that there may be changes in the next 6 months; a project was in
place to stabilize the hospital and provide an opportunity for plans to be put
in place for a “long-term institutional support project”. She stated that this
was not unusual and that many other Salvation Army schools, homes and medical
facilities were supported in this manner.
Brown reported the
donation of a new ambulance to Howard Hospital on November 19th from the Canadian Rotary Club. She stated that is was one of “many signs”
that underline the continuing support of Howard Hospital by donors and the
international Salvation Army. (Author’s note: this ambulance donation project
was initiated and carried through by Dr. Thistle).
She (Brown) stated
that funds processed through The Salvation Army bank accounts had been
accounted for, although she didn’t identify which Salvation Army bank
account(s) the accounting comes from. She stated that other funds had been “harder
to track”, which was a veiled implication that monies and donations not
processed through the various HQs involved had been mismanaged.
Addressing the report of building materials stolen, she states that these materials have been fully accounted for with receipts and photographs. However, no one who has asked has seen the receipts or the photographs of said located materials.
There was a statement
about cement that has been paid for but not delivered, as the cement would only
be delivered at time of construction. There was no mention of when said
paid-for cement will ever be used.
The email concluded
with statements of IHQ’s commitment that Howard Hospital would continue to
offer a ministry that was expert and compassionate. She stated support from a
majority of the staff and much of the community for the future of the hospital,
and that the local corps, which was involved in the protests of Thistle’s
dismissal, was once again thriving.
December 6, 2012 – A Zimbabwean newspaper article described the
donation of anesthetic and surgical equipment by Commissioner Chigariro to
another (the other) Salvation Army hospital in Zimbabwe:
Salvation Army-run
Tshelanyemba Hospital in Matobo District, Western Zimbabwe, received an
anaesthetic machine and surgical led light.
The equipment is
expected to reduce the number of referrals to overburdened Bulawayo hospitals.
The anaesthetic
machine is used in all operations while the surgical led light is essential to
provide different light colours during operations. FSAOF SPECIAL REPORT, AUGUST 2013 PAGE 18
The machines valued
at USD49,000 were donated by outgoing Salvation Army Territorial Commander,
Commissioner, Vinece Chigariro, at a farewell ceremony held in Bulawayo
recently.
Presenting the
state-of-the-art equipment, Chigariro said it was part of the church’s vision
to provide affordable and quality healthcare to all. “I am happy to be
presenting these two machines to Tshelanyemba Hospital. And I am sure they will
go a long way in saving lives of many in this part of the country. I would like
to thank the church’s women’s ministries which raised money for these machines.”
In an acceptance
speech, an official at the hospital, Major Edward Jeremiah, thanked Chigariro
for the equipment. “We thank the Commisioner for the timely donation because
our machines were outdated and we could not perform major operations at our
institution. This will ease pressure on Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo
Hospitals and [Catholic-run] Mater Dei where we used to refer patients.”
January 1, 2013 – The Howard Hospital website was shut down. A message
directed people to contact The Salvation Army directly.
Mid-December/Early
January 2013 – The Thistles
were in Canada for the holidays and would remain until they could work out
their next steps. They remained committed to return to Zimbabwe.
January 31, 2013 – A Zimbabwean news source printed an article that
Dr. Paul Thistle had joined the surgical team at Karanda Hospital, a few hours’
drive from the troubled Howard Hospital. The article also described how the
international funds provided by donors were going to Karanda Hospital, now that
Thistle was serving there.
February 3, 2013 – Dr. Norman Fenton met with the Secretary of
Salvation Army THQ Harare, Lt-Col Varughese and Major Angeline Kapere in Harare
in order to collect medical equipment (worth approximately $7000) originally
transported by SHUMBA to Howard Hospital. None of the equipment
provided to Howard Hospital for SHUMBA use was found. The medical
equipment presented to Dr. Fenton as the supplied equipment was of significant
vintage and poor quality and complexity - not the original SHUMBA set.
February 11, 2013 – Dr. Fenton arrives at Howard Hospital and met
with Major Gillian Brown from Toronto (THQ), Major Dean Pallant (IHQ), Major
Angeline Kapere (Harare HQ), Sister in charge of theatre, as well as the new
hospital administrator, assistant administrator and hospital matron. Dr.
Fenton reported that Major Pallant asked him to not wander around the hospital
premises “as there had been a lot of mistruths spread about the hospital situation,
and with the overall sensitive nature of my visit, it was better that way.”
Dr. Fenton’s driver
did not have the same restriction about wandering around the hospital. The
driver reported that there were about two and five patients in the male and
female wards respectively, and few patients in the children's ward.
Additionally, Dr. Fenton noted that more noticeable was the lack of booths and
people hanging around on the road around the front entrance of the hospital
(the so-called market) and the courtyard of the hospital. Normally, this was a
busy location but since Dr. Thistle’s dismissal, people no longer come to
Howard Hospital.
February 24, 2013 – Zimbabwean press published an article entitled “RelZim
reporter witnesses Howard Hospital’s demise”. The article outlined how the
hospital now runs out of medicine, and that after Christmas no painkillers were
available. It also quoted Chiweshean villagers as saying they now travel to the
Karanda Mission Hospital (where Dr. Thistle is now serving), a distance of
almost 200km.
A staff member, under
the protection of anonymity, said that things have changed drastically. She is
quoted as saying: “The inflow of patients, the general working conditions and
the morale has changed. Patients are now very few. We used to have floor-beds
but we are now admitting a maximum of 12 patients and not many of them are
staying for many days.
Jolinda Cooper
Jolinda Cooper
39 comments:
As far as I have been able to ascertain, there is still NO surgeon nor any qualified medical doctor who has the skills above a limited general practitioner. The promised surgeon, albeit acting as the hospital administrator is not onboard yet either.
There has been no confirmation that the HIV/AIDS or TB programs have been running at the levels they were prior to August 2012.
Where is the concern for the people of Chiweshe on the part of the IHQ?
The SA has been mute for months - But their silence has not thwarted the unraveling of this human tragedy and SA travesty!
New York
There's a lot to digest on this article - but I'd just like to pick up on one point about the court case regarding the riot in support of Dr Thistle:
'....four Salvation Army officials testified against them. A source who was in court Monday told SW Radio Africa that the testimonies from the four officials provided conflicting information about events at the protest. He said testimonies were given by Majors Makiwa, Nyahuma and Ncube, and Colonel Moyo'.
By the ranks given, we can assume that these four officers have been in Salvation Army service for many years. We can also assume that they gave their testimonies under oath.
Yet their evidence was said to be 'conflicting'. How could that be, I wonder? Someone must have told lies.
What price truth for Salvation Army Officers? If these four are an example, what about the others involved in this case?
Just wondering.
"They" Is You and Me
God is just. It's His character, who He is, and it's something He wants us to pursue.
Justice seeks to make wrong things right. It is us working throughout our lives to fix injustices in the world around us. Every time we see something that's wrong, our first response should be to pray about it. Our second response should be to ask ourselves, "What can I do about it?"
However, it doesn't even occur to most of us. It's like we look at things and think that it's someone else's problem, and we wish "they" would fix it! We wish "they" would do this and that.
Have you ever stopped to ask, "Who is they?" I think "they" is us, you and me! You may not be able to fix everything, but you can do something. Don't look at injustice and do nothing. You must do something because God did not create you for inactivity and passivity. He created you for enthusiasm, zeal and passion. He put gifts in you to be used for His glory and to help other people. Live a life of justice today.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, don't allow me to sit around wishing "they" would do something about the injustice in the world when I can do something. Fill me with boldness, and show me how to right the wrongs in the world around me.Psalm 89:14 NIRV
Your kingdom is built on what is right and fair. Your truth and faithful love lead the way in front of you.
FORMER DE UKT
No, we cannot do something about every injustice. In this case:
We cannot apologize for IHQ. They have to do it.
We cannot authorize the use of the ambulance to transport the seriously ill from Chiweshe to Karanda. They have to do it.
We cannot send money and be sure that it is spent on fuel for the ambulance. They have to do that.
We cannot apologize to the Thistle's. They have to do that.
We cannot apologize to outside donors and volunteers who supported the HH so generously with time and money for so many years. They have to do that.
We cannot discipline officers who caused and contributed to this tragedy. They have to do that.
In the face of this gross injustice, we cannot do much except keep pressure up on IHQ to do these things listed above. But frankly, the only time IHQ has shown any response was when the pressure came in the form of the threat of public demonstration against them. They didn't want that to happen.
Well said. But the pressure we place in our prayers is far greater than anything. GOD will make our humble prayers the vehicle for the actions needed. We need to call things in by faith ... My God shall supply ALL my needs ... what are our needs ... answers from IHQ. God is in the praises of His people ... give HIM the praise ..
. God we know you love the people involved you are awesome we as according to your Holy Word ... bind the people responsible for causing harm at HH. We therefore loose the power of your Holy Spirit to restore the broken lift up the fallen and empower the weak. We ask that the deeds of those responsible in TSA are fully brought into the light and justice flows like a never failing stream. In the precious name of Jesus tge author and finisher if our faith. Amen.
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. All we need is to pray in agreement. The Word tells us to do this in the name of Jesus. So
The General is at a series of meetings in the Southern hemisphere surely questions can be asked there?
In the UKT the big collection is on this month. Is it not possible to voice concerns divisionally as collectors and donors.
When we pray, we do not speak but we listen. Be careful what you ask for as it could provide a massive unwanted backlash on the one who prays. More often than not we are the main solution to our own prayers, something that scares the wits out of many.
"In the UKT the big collection is on this month. Is it not possible to voice concerns divisionally as collectors and donors."
The collectors and donors are of course largely unawares of this matter. Some collectors may have heard a little about it via via but Joe Public who will keep on donating generously has not got a clue what you are on about.
Are you suggesting that when you knock on some ones door that you will engage and inform the one who answers the householder?
People have been very generous again towards the work of the Salvation Army and it is finished for another year in my corps. Happy collecting!
Personally, my enthusiasm for 'The Big Collection' has dissipated in this ongoing saga. It has shown to me that TSA is not a good steward of the resources that I work so hard to provide it with. No, I'm not wasting my shoe leather this year on a Christian organisation that shows no true Christian values to the vulnerable. If they had at least TRIED to restore a measure of the healthcare in Zimbabwe that they threw away so casually, I would have more respect, but I'm staying indoors this September and giving my personal contribution to Karanda - the people actually 'doing the most good' in this region.
The Big Collection is not about personal contributions, it is about raising much needed financial resources from the public to sustain on going social and community projects - amongst some of the most vulnerable people - in the UK. Deliberately washing your hands of it in protest is like robbing the poor.
People have always looked for, and found excuses not to go out and leave it up to others to complete their part as well. This seems to be classical and predictable case.
Often the ones who have done least have most to say and quickest to withdraw. Those that have the best interest at heart rise above circumstances, have the ability to see the bigger picture and get on with it regardless.
Regards and happy collecting
'Robbing the poor'? Isn't this what TSA has done in Zimbabwe? I don't see them rushing to supply that community with much needed funds. 'Lead by example' springs to mind.
Our opinions are obviously worth nothing to the great might of TSA - seems our financial contributions are much more worthy of a protest. An instant one at that.
Then you must find an avenue to spend your few bob where it will do most good in Chiweshe if your real concern is with that population group ( forget about the SA channel)
The real or perceived failure of TSA as an organisation does not absolve any of us of our personal commitment to whatever. If not through TSA then find other ways to support your cause through third parties or directly.
No good moping and moaning, get on with it!
Someone should also report on Chagariro's behaviour in Kenya East where she is now TC. She is an arrogant bully.
I have not suggested telling people on the doorstep. But we as the feet on the beat has a duty of care. In that we represent the armys fsce at the door. Therefore if we knowingly take a donation large or small knowing that funds don't always reach the people its for via the system of administration in TSA we have a duty of care.
The duty of care is a difficult conundrum in that we must weigh carefully the basic tenants of ethics in that... which causes the most harm. Collecting knowing the appropriate eventual outcome will be a good outcome or, in doing so we maintain the deceitful practices of TSA herein mentioned for some months.
Giving direct to another source that is direct from giver to reciever and can be accounted fir is a safe option. Therefore I will give my gift to the Thistles work. Knowing that gift is used wisely in the kingdim.
TSA needs to be far more transparent across its whole mission. I hope this new Incumbent General will be another General Burrows; if not we will become more and more insular.
FORMER DE UKT
One must do what one feels comfortable with, according to conscience.
Giving directly from giver to receiver can also be fraught with potential pitfalls of abuse of trust with little or no accountability in place. Sending someone on an intercontinental journey with $20.000 donated cash in a proverbial brown bag, probably not even declared at point of entry, does not seem very ethical practice either.
As one directly involved in the accounting for and distribution of SA received public funds, there is no conflict of conscience on my part as the appointed SA representative.
Blessings
Just to make it very clear - any monies brought to Zimbabwe by visiting volunteers were directly receipted into the Howard Hospital books, along with a receipt provided to the donor (person or organization). The same procedure was followed with any monies given to Dr. Thistle in Canada which went with him to Zimbabwe; the monies were receipted into the HH books and a receipt generated.
We are not privy to the methods of transport of monies, but Zimbabwean customs regulations allow for an individual to bring in amounts of less than $10,000US without making a declaration. I'm sure than those coming back into Zimbabwe with any financial contributions are well aware of the requirements and have worked within the legal limits.
On the Thistles own webpage provided by this noble blog there is a link to sending funds whichis via a safe medium.
One can also use other means like: paypal.
Regarding funds by cash so long as the funds are aaccounted for through clear book keeping and reciepting there is no problem.
TSA has in someway over the HH saga mismsnaged funds from breathren in Canada and perhaps until this is revealled to all ir repaid to those asking for its return credible actions by fund handlers maybe seen as dubious. Previous TSA situation in regards to investment have been raised on this blog. Therefore even with the best will in the World doubt will prevail.
Doubt caused by the leaders who have been appointed by peers and not rank and file who fund and keep the work going at the front line.
Surely the recent posting regarding new governance is perhaps more poignant that we may think.
Many organizations are doing a far better job than the Amy with much less admin fees. The tithe system of the Army can mean an admin fee of 30% as money passes though 3 HQ's, if it gets to the destination at all.
Also in Canada it has been pointed out that advertising for Partners in Mission is somewhat fraudulent. It advertises the money as going to development projects but Partners in Mission goes to supporting our top heavy infrastructure.
Wake up people. A good steward considers wisely what to do with their donation money and many charities are doing a far better job. In Canada the magazine Money Sense rated Canadian charities and TSA did not get any A ratings in any category, one B rating (forget the category) and all the ratings were C's and D's. Other charities are doing much better.
So why would a Christian give to a 3rd and 4th rate charity? How can anyone with a conscience give to TSA when a hospital was built to the tune of over a million dollars right next to the HH, was never completed, and was let go to rack and ruin to the point the building was condemned. I wonder how the family would feel who donated that legacy if they knew? I wonder if the general public would be so generous with TSA if they really knew how money is wasted and mishandled and just disappears?
The safest method to transfer funds is using a bank wire transfer. Costs incurred are the cost of the transfer, typically a higher fee on the part of the sending party's bank than the receiver's; $40-50.00 is typical. It's worth doing a little research as the currency exchange can vary by as much as 10%.
One advantage in carrying cash is that one can 'buy' local currency using hard currency (USD, DM, GBP, etc.) and enjoy a much better rate tha those offered by a bank. Also, if paying for goods and services, hard currency will often provide a much better return.
Paypal accounts are often hacked in 3rd world countries. Paypal is currently tracking a donation I sent to the SA in a former SU country. The address was entered correctly, however, it ended up in a completely unknown account. Soviet mafia...
"The tithe system of the Army can mean an admin fee of 30% as money passes though 3 HQ's, if it gets to the destination at all."
This is just not true and is a false misrepresentation of the system. Get off your high horse and get at least your facts right based on audited and certified accounts. I one want to find fault, one sure can!
Example: for a corps setting - £100
The Tithe is just that: 10% at source to DHQ = £10.00
DHQ then Tithes to THQ 10% of original £10= £1
THQ then Tithes to IHQ 10% of £1 = 10 pence
The original £90 keeps it value intact for the intended and stated purposes.
Interesting excellent information from Charitywatch.org:
TSA is deemed an overall top US charity:
Salvation Army – Central Territory A–
Salvation Army – Eastern Territory A
Salvation Army – Southern Territory A–
Salvation Army – Western Territory A–
Excellent link...look for Salvation Army top rating!
Top-rated charities perform favorably in relation to CharityWatch benchmarks:
1) A charity should spend at least 75% of its budget on program services.
2) Charities should spend no more than $25 to raise $100.
http://www.charitywatch.org/hottopics/Pakistan_Flood.html
Do I trust the Salvation Army with financial integrity measured against stringent independent criteria? I sure do!
Try this one:
Every single occasion A rated!
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?pageid=r&id=9936682&query=salvation+army&ics=1&ds=1&fr=10
NS
'Every single occasion A rated!'
Interestingly, MoneySense's 2012 Charity 100 issues reveals how charities spend their money. Among Canada's 25 biggest charities (bringing in more than $33 million annually from donors) only five received an overall grade of "A" or higher. and rated TSA with a 'C' rating. In The Salvation Army, the only one of the 10 biggest to receive a "C", just less than 63% of all donation and fundraising revenue goes to program spending.
Strange how statistics can be misleading. They are all subjective.
'Do I trust the Salvation Army with financial integrity measured against stringent independent criteria? I sure do!'
I love your positivity, However, a quick search of the internet allowed me access to at least 10 articles reporting financial scandals that TSA has been involved in. I won't name them because strangely, even in the light of this humanitarian debacle, I don't want to further embarrass the organisation I have served in for many years. It really doesn't deserve members' loyalty.
It just goes to show that you can produce statistics to show your 'pet' favourite in an absolutely positive light, but organisations are rarely as perfect as they are portrayed, and TSA is definitely no exception..
Who do you lot think you are? God?
God judges and will call people into order - you have no need to.
'He that is without sin cast the first stone'
"I love your positivity, However, a quick search of the internet allowed me access to at least 10 articles reporting financial scandals that TSA has been involved in. I won't name them because strangely, even in the light of this humanitarian debacle, I don't want to further embarrass the organisation I have served in for many years. It really doesn't deserve members' loyalty."
I am very much aware that many officers and lay staff have robbed the SA blind through material and financial theft and subsequently had their vocation and employment terminated. Many would have been serving time if it had not been for the TSA.
It is very easy for any charitable organisation to be taken for a ride by external and internal forces for much is based on trust and, in order to keep the donors happy, administrative expenditure have to keep down to a minimum.
Where administrative expenditure is claimed to be very low, the administrative control checks are likely to be minimal too.
A scandal is not always a scandal when dissected and loaded and emotional headlines are taken out of the equation. In the UK there was a matter in 2011 about how much the outside operator was paid to manage the massive recycling business on behalf of the SA - some say it was a scandal, other say the SA, as a separate business trading company, got a very good deal without having the costly logistical nightmares to consider themselves. It only became a 'scandal' when other external operators did not get the chance to get their hands on the lucrative contract.
Whether we like it or not, it is high finance, politics and big business all round when you deal in £ billions and £ hundreds of millions annually with a payroll of 100.000 people plus.
Look at the overall organisational picture and not just a single incidental occurrence of system or personal failure. Whilst HH is a very regrettable emotional and practical matter, it must be seen in a much wider context locally and economically.
Do I trust TSA as a credible world-wide organisation to do business with and identify with and serve in as my Christian church fellowship? Yes!
NS
No-one died or suffered in the clothing scandal - statistics can be subjective, and in that particular case TSA was a 'net' financial gainer. We (TSA) need money to survive - everyone knows that - it's obvious - but it has lost much more morally with the HH episode than with any of these other 'material' scandals. Figures shouldn't be used to glorify an apparently perfect image that can be dissected into less-than-perfect parts. Figures can be undone so easily.
The scandals reluctantly referred to indicate that while TSA has altruistic motives, it shows utter naivety regarding the necessary associated accounting controls. Time after time TSA has been blamed for not having enough financial controls in place, and many of those scandals could have been avoided had they been more careful with resources - so said the court decisions - not my words.
Time after time TSA says it will 'do better' - but never does, and the HH saga shows the same abysmal lack of financial control, but this time the difference was that it was within the organisation by people who should have been more transparent. That TSA found no irregularities there is obvious to anyone that the 'accountants' involved in the investigation showed blind loyalty to the TSA leadership over the reality of the financial acrobatics that were taking place at territorial level.
Key personnel were transferred instead of being disciplined - I've read another damning complaint about the good lady Chigariro - as the old song says 'When will they ever learn'?
And to coin another phrase - 'you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time'.
So please - don't try to portray this very human organisation as one that has no faults and which walks on water - clearly this isn't the case.
You may think our beloved treasure (TSA) is well thought of by the public, but as with many people entrenched in its traditions and culture, you fail to see the 'enemy' creeping up on us. There are many people who despise what they see as the 'double standards' operated within its ranks, and as secularism increases, so this attitude will prevail. As regular donors - both inside and outside of the ranks - see more of these financial 'banana skin' occurrences, they will question the wisdom of donating to an organisation that manages to lose such large amounts, and will redirect their gifts to more trusted causes.
Take off the rose-colured spectacles - the reality isn't how you see it.
No rose coloured specs worn here! Just practical experience and personal involvement - I realise that these may well be different from yours from your perspective.
Please point us to the relevant court decision to underpin your assertions?
We can all find cases where systems have failed - TSA is not exempt from this and will adjust accordingly. It is all about implementing and operating within clearly defined and externally accepted auditable system boundaries.
The following says it all very clearly and succinctly - this is the reality:
"I am very much aware that many officers and lay staff have robbed the SA blind through material and financial theft and subsequently had their vocation and employment terminated. Many would have been serving time if it had not been for the TSA.
It is very easy for any charitable organisation to be taken for a ride by external and internal forces for much is based on trust and, in order to keep the donors happy, administrative expenditures have to keep down to a minimum. "
NS
........two scandals at The Salvation Army. In Ottawa, $240,000 went missing, and in Toronto $2 million worth of toys were stolen from the organization's warehouse. In both cases, senior management was allegedly responsible.
To the person who said 'Who do you lot think you are? God? God judges and will call people into order - you have no need to. 'He that is without sin cast the first stone'.
I'm not sure what you mean, and I can't understand your incensed response either. What I wrote was just a reasonable statement that the Salvation Army isn't the perfect organisation that it's made out to be. I recognise the omniscience of God, and you are quite right in saying that He will be the judge of all our deeds.
But the purpose of this blog is to express opinion - mine is with the blogger who said 'How can anyone with a conscience give to TSA when a hospital was built to the tune of over a million dollars right next to the HH, was never completed, and was let go to rack and ruin to the point the building was condemned. I wonder how the family would feel who donated that legacy if they knew? I wonder if the general public would be so generous with TSA if they really knew how money is wasted and mishandled and just disappears?'
My belief is that today's members of the public haven't got the first-hand experience of TSA in wartime, and no longer have the rosy view of TSA that they had back then.
And speaking as a member of TSA, I have a genuine concern (and frustration) that we ourselves are still living on the coat tails of our well-earned wartime reputation and not acknowledging that the world has moved on.
If people don't raise challenges, nothing will move on or improve.
One of the first Gowans and Larssen musicals was 'Take over Bid'. In it was a song which said 'We have a gospel that matches the hour'. Sadly, I think TSA has lost the ability to move forward - we're still in quaint uniforms where we stick out like a sore thumb and although some still respect 'the uniform' (whatever that means), as one who walks to the Army every week, it's my experience that people view it with suspicion as well as ignorance. Young people think I'm a policewoman or traffic warden, because they don't even know what the Salvation Army is. And we're still stuck in this intransigent hierarchical structure where no-one can challenge its 'authority' which is not what God intended a church to be.
I have a conscience that impels me to challenge what I perceive as wrong - God has given me that conscience to use. I'm sorry if my remarks offended in any way, but if they are the springboard to get others thinking, then they will have achieved their intention.
"........two scandals at The Salvation Army. In Ottawa, $240,000 went missing, and in Toronto $2 million worth of toys were stolen from the organization's warehouse. In both cases, senior management was allegedly responsible. "
I think that fits very neatly in this category:
"I am very much aware that many officers and lay staff have robbed the SA blind through material and financial theft and subsequently had their vocation and employment terminated. Many would have been serving time if it had not been for the TSA.
It is very easy for any charitable organisation to be taken for a ride by external and internal forces for much is based on trust and, in order to keep the donors happy, administrative expenditures have to keep down to a minimum. "
Blessings
I think we all post here to get other people thinking and possibly include to see things from a different perspective, Each perspective is of course of equal value and is, more often than not, based on (clouded by?) personal experience and prejudices.
NS
Before we use the inflammatory word 'scandal' too glibly and become 'scandalmongers': people who stirs up public outrage toward someone or their actions by spreading rumours or malicious gossip
"an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage"
Oxford Dictionary
No-one here has ever claimed that the TSA is THE perfect organisation and that it can do no wrong.
In that sense we make a good match as any organisation is only as good as its members and staff ( sinners, totally depraved and as such justly exposed to etc etc etc......;)) and remembered only by its last single failure nullifying previous thousand successes.
Such is life eh! ;);)
To the last
TSA doesn't really take its own advice, though, especially in this case.
In its 'Practical Responses' section of its positional statement on the Use of Power, TSA states this:
Consistent with its theology and history, The Salvation Army continually seeks opportunities to bring relief and justice to people who are suffering, poor, marginalized and oppressed. The Salvation Army seeks to empower those whose power is constrained, and it employs its people, resources and influence at every level of society and government so as to improve the lives of men, women and children who would otherwise remain neglected, isolated, and unaware of the love of God.
The Salvation Army seeks to help people discover, develop and enjoy their God-given capacities for abundant living. This is one of the principal objectives of its evangelistic mission and social programmes.
This doesn't really marry with their actions in the HH case.
If the above blogger, with his/her entrenched viewpoint of blind loyalty to our organisation can admit that the HH episode is one of its failures, then TSA should admit that and get on with the restoration programme it says it is doing.
'rumours or malicious gossip'? Every article reported on this subject has been backed up by published evidence.
'Who do you think you are' was not aimed at any person who has commented but at FSAOF and it's administrators. You have come across an horrific experience and one for which TSA ought to hang their heads in shame and do everything they possibly can to put right. But, you are not judge and your constant referring back to this and keep stirring is more destructive than positive. Didn't someone say: 'Overcome evil with good' I don't see that on these pages.
But surely if no-one raised any concerns this would just be swept under the carpet. Do you think that's healthy? As well as the humanitarian tragedy the matter is one of church discipline - as I see it - putting the organisation and its hierarchy before Christian principles and actions. and the reason it is recurring is because it attracts far more comments than any other article whenever it appears, because people who worship at the Army and who have served in its ranks for many years have been horrified at the events. This decision touches each of us. WE are the Salvation Army, not the leaders. Any decisions they make are reflected onto us, and we share them by virtue of just belonging.
I'm not comfortable with this, so that's why I want to make my view known. Many others share my thoughts, too, but we have no voice except this blog. The Salvation Army shows a distinct lack of concern for its members' opinions, and has haughtily remained silent. It is this silence, too, which is fuelling the flames of the subject. It's frustrating when there's no response to perfectly reasonable questions.
As Christians, when we make mistakes, we are taught to acknowledge them and to repent of them. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you see leaders not doing this.
I'm not sure what 'good' we can do to overcome this 'evil', but another phrase is that the only thing for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
As long as this matter is unresolved, it will be like a festering sore on TSA.
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