According to a BU source members of the National Association of Barbados Organizations (NABO) based in the USA have been voicing displeasure at the way the Executives of NABO have been managing its business. “Specifically, they failed to provide proper financial statements and reports; they refused to respond to numerous requests for information and explanation for the record; they refused to allow for proper inspection of the records by members; they were in violation of the Constitution and Bylaws in numerous areas; and they were not complying with tax laws of the United States of America.”
The current controversy centres around how money was spent to host a conference held in Barbados in 2008; surprise surprise.
“NABO’s main activity since its existence has been to sponsor an annual convention of Barbadians and Barbadian organizations, usually on the American Independence Celebration weekend. The convention is essentially a forum of Barbadians, people of Barbadian heritage and others interested in Barbados, to discuss the issues which affect them in their communities in the USA, and those which affect their families in Barbados…” (extracted from NABO’s website)
Our understanding is that NABO is an umbrella body which represents several Barbadians organization scattered across North America.
“On Sunday, March 8th, 2009 the Board of Directors of the National Association of Barbados Organizations (NABO) held a Special Meeting in accordance with Article XIX, Section I of NABO’s Bylaws.
At that meeting, it was decided by majority vote that the executives named below did not properly execute their duties. Specifically, they failed to provide proper financial statements and reports; they refused to respond to numerous requests for information and explanation for the record; they refused to allow for proper inspection of the records by members; they were in violation of the Constitution and Bylaws in numerous areas; and they were not complying with tax laws of the United States of America.”
Here are the names of the NABO Board members referred to above who have been removed: (when last we checked the names supposedly removed continue to be displayed on the NABO website. An indication of the confusion maybe?)
Earl Ashby – Chairman
John Ellis – Vice Chairman
Martin Greenidge – Treasurer
Janice Bispham – Public Relations Officer
Mike Cummins – Immediate Past Chairman
BU received a document which details how NABO spent $290,000.00 to stage its 2008 conference which coincidentally was held in Barbados and seems to be the cause of the fracas. As Barbadians we should all be concerned at the accusations being leveled at NABO for several reasons:
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NABO is an organization which represents Barbadians in the Diaspora. The current government along with several businesses in Barbados have and will continue to court organizations like NABO as a means to maintain a close liaison with Barbadians overseas. It is the declared policy of the government to establish a government unit to lead the strategy to encourage investment from Barbadians overseas. A NABO reputation and credibility tarnished by the ongoing accusations could derail the effort of the government in North America.
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A review of the financials for staging the NABO conference in Barbados after much prodding by members reveals that the Barbados Tourism Authority was one of its many Bajan sponsors to the tune of $40,000. The donation of Bajan tax dollars makes the accusation of financial misdeeds our business.
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Historically Barbadians have garnered an enviable reputation when living as ex-patriates. If the allegations we are hearing that NABO funds were used not as directed e.g. the Chairman having his hotel accommodation paid contrary to arrangement, the 2008 Financials to host the Barbados conference not accurately representing true costs, or NABO operating outside of its remit by contravening US laws regarding how entities should engage in financial activity, Barbadians including the local media should investigate this matter.
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More disturbing is the fact that the source documents used to support the financials which were finally produced by the old NABO Executive were allegedly signed by a Notary Public in the USA without full knowledge of the transactions.
BU hopes that by exposing this matter it will help to bring focus on this matter and lead to a resolution which would ensure NABO continues to meet its objective on behalf of Barbadians.
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in Palm Beach good quality canidates were running for office but Mr.E and his thugs from the North took care of that. Then the wanna B.and the back and forth conv. took care of the others…..Now going back on who could have taken charge and all that happen look how a great org. was shreaded.now look at the new elections the same treas. that kick greenidge to the curve and kept the cash and all of Cummings cronies and they expect to bring respectful humans back – NO WAY.
TRANSPARENTCY CUMMINGS you pompus piece of garbage you kill a good thing and regardless of Ms melbourne or not u still calling the shots N.A.B.O died before and came back but this was a slap in the face and not the dignity of the Bajan way.
BU hopes to continue getting reports on the functioning of NABO. It is an issue we will comeback to from time time to make sure all is not forgotten.
Sealy, and dem 3 goverment people must feel like dog poop. Dem really don’t know who dem dealing wid. Cummins and he crooks smarter dan alla dem. Looka mu money gone.
I am not surprised by the outcome of the elections. Although Roslyn Sealy was present, and her opponent was not, she was still beaten out of the seat for Regional Director South. lol
Michael Cummins has shown that he still has total control of NABO. The Director South vote was put to the body several times. The first two times the count was even (13-13) and it was declared a tie. Then came the Cummins report.
Mike Cummins stated that he would have nothing to do with NABO if Thompson, Foster (who he called Clarke), Husbands, Craig, and the said Sealy were ever on the board. Then, when the vote was put to the people once again, Sealy was barely scrape up a few votes.
It boggles the mind why these wimps are so afraid of this man. Everyone crumpled and gave in!
And then there is the matter of finances. The credit card is well over $14k. It was reported that since no payments were being made by NABO, the bank took over John Ellis’ personal account and began to withdraw $1000.00 increments from it. An agreement was finally made, and poor Ellis is now forced to pay $190 a month of his personal money on the account. He will get the money back if and when NABO makes money. So, it will be up to the sponsors to fill up those coffers so that John can take his money back.
Can we say that he is looking out for his own interests by taking on the role of NABO treasurer. Or, is it a conflict of interest of sorts? He will definitely make sure that he pays himself back, but who will be watching?
No real questions were asked or answered at the meeting. Looks as if the people have decided to let bygones be bygones and start all over again. Ms. Bispham will get to warm the seat until Cummins reclaims it once again.
On a sad note, for those of you who knew personally or had come to know John Licorish whose name has been mentioned in the mix of the NABO debacle, he has passed away.
May he rest in peace.
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