Submitted by BPWCCUL Concerned Members Coalition
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Paul Maxwell,Treasurer of BPWCCUL, a Director of CAPITA, a Director of BPW Financial Holdings and was recently named as CEO of CAPITA - accused of conflict of interest
Members of the Press
The Annual General Meeting of Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union will be held on June 18th 2011 and will be a watershed as a large number of fed up and concerned members will be there to let their voices be heard.
The major issues are:
- Two cases of fraud which are being covered up by the Management, Board and Supervisory Committee. These fraud cases were not reported to the external auditors or to the regulator as required by section 215 of the Cooperatives Societies Act. Indeed the CEO and Management did not follow the procedures set out in their own anti-fraud policy — which should have seen the Internal Auditor immediately alerted and the necessary investigations conducted. Two staff members have lost their jobs so far and dozens of members whose cards were created by one particular individual are at risk. While these two staff members are no longer with the organisation, there is evidence that they did not act alone. The members are therefore concerned about any involvement by others including supervisory and management staff.
- Excessive travel by Paul Maxwell, a member of the Board who is also Treasurer of BPWCCUL, a Director of CAPITA, a Director of BPW Financial Holdings and was recently named as CEO of CAPITA. These also represent major conflicts of interest. He is already booked to attend conferences AFTER he vacates his seat on the Board on June 18th in contravention of a Board Policy which was used to get rid of then member Mr. Caswell Franklyn. Mr. Maxwell was instrumental in bringing down Mr. Franklyn now is completely ignoring the rule he created to oust Mr. Franklyn at the time.
- The recent naming of Mr. Maxwell as the successor to Ms. Clorinda Alleyne – current CEO. In a recent memo to the Board, she named Mr. Maxwell and another member of staff Natalie Holder as her choices to succeed her. Ms. Holder as General Counsel if she is interested would be fine but the naming of Mr. Maxwell is offensive to the members. The Credit Union management positions are not part of Mr. Maxwell’s fiefdom to be handed down from one friend to another. AT this stage we would recall the fact that Mr. Maxwell contrary to the organisation’s policy used the CEO’s and other BPWCCUL vehicles while he served as President with no regard for the organisation’s rules.
- Excessive travel by a member of Staff – Tracia Pounder (search for photos of her travels on facebook) She (as a supervisor) has travelled more than any member of staff including the Chief Executive Officer during the last year. Only one other person has travelled more and that is Mr. Maxwell.
- The ineffectiveness of the Supervisory Committee. this committee is chaired by Cedric Murrell, the chairman of CTUSAB, VP of the NUPW, Chief Air Traffic Controller, Director of NISE, deputy Chairman of the St. Philip South Constituency Council, Regional Executive Director with the International Association of Air Traffic Controllers. He also plans to run for the Board – How can this represent good governance? How can he assure members that he will have the time needed to be an effective Director? There is a conflict between his role as a leading trade unionist and the potential role as employer/Director of Barbados’ largest Credit Union.
- The fact that Mr. Maxwell encouraged a Kieva Cadogan to run and mis-led members into supporting her as a Director when he knew that she was a BANK INSPECTOR at the Central Bank. Under the Financial Institution’s Act, CAP 324A at Section 52, as the owner of CAPITA, BPWCCUL is subject to regulatory authority from the Central Bank. How can she therefore sit as a Director of BPWCCUL and effectively perform her role as a Bank Examiner. In past years the Central bank has actually carried out examinations of BPWCCUL in association with the substantive regulator. Ms. Cadogan should do the decent thing and resign as a Director. The Central Bank Governor should also be asked to explain this clear conflict.
- The fact that one Director Ms. Marilyn Mapp works outside of Barbados in Grenada (as Finance Officer of the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network) and therefore cannot attend Board meetings with any regularity. Our information is that she has not declared this information to the Board and while she travels back for a few meetings (4 during the last year) she also travels on behalf of the credit union regularly notwithstanding her very poor attendance.
- Why does the credit union have to pay for nearly the entire Board to attend a short 1 or 2 hour ceremony to formally launch a 7 or 8 million dollar business in St. Lucia (CAPITA Launch on Friday). Could the Credit Union not be adequately represented by one or two Board members and a couple Managers??
- Well-documented relationships between prominent Board Members and members of Staff who are rewarded with oversees trips to conferences as a result of their compliance with Directors’ requests
- The fact that the Credit Union President Mr. Terrol Inniss went on a birthday bash to Hawaii unknown to most Board Members. It was the Credit Union Executive Society’s Symposium 2011: A CEO/Chairman Exchange. It was held at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa from February 6th to 12th.
- The Concerned members also wish to know whether a Group Strategic Plan has been devised to streamline the operations of the Group?? If not why not?
- We also wish to know when was the last appraisal of the Chief Executive Officer carried out by the Board? Given the concerns previously expressed by the regulator was an appraisal done this year? If one was not done is it the Board’s intention to continue to pay the CEO their share of the profit-sharing plan in the absence of any documentation of their performance?
- What is the status of the Credit Unions Investment in Cooperators General Insurance?? Was this investment approved by the Registrar in keeping with the requirements of the Act in terms of such investments? If not what sanction can be imposed on the members of the Board?? Was this a prudent investment given the credit union’s existing investments in Insurance Corporation of Barbados?
Sincerely,
BPWCCUL Concerned Members Coalition
Barbados Underground 
@David
It seems then that you have decided its Ok to overlook some wrong doings and not others….Caswell Franklyn can take the money of the Credit Union members and feel no need to pay it back but then “steal” confidential information and publish it in the public domain and try to get us to believe that the individuals are doing something wrong…the man by his own admission took the money and paid it on his credit card and when told he was not going on the trip anymore made no arrangements to refund the monies to this day it seems…and you’re ok with that and you feel comfortable believing everything that he posts with his “unbiased” perspective…Interesting how you want to steer the discussion away from a clear fact to discuss something that is pure conjecture on man’s part. And just out of curiosity , @Caswell was this trip one similar to what you’re complaining about with these other persons..is it that simnce you can;t go then noone should???? Makes one wonder you’re true motive..
Still waiting for the scanned copy to show that you repaid the credit union’s members’ money
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Fraud Police
I do not know about all the allegations, but certainly the one under my name are absolutely true.
You are so right when you said, “Stop bringing how banks and white companies are run this is about the funds of the NCC, MTW worker and the average civil servant.”
Everyone seem to forget that a credit union is supposed to be a voluntary organization and officers should not be expected to be paid for their voluntary service. What about Ralph Boyce who took over the credit union with 55 members and brought it to where it is . He was not paid. We now have a situation where volunteers manipulate mattters where their only source of income would be stipends from the credit union and can live comfortably without working for five years or more.
@bajanguy
At this stage BU has given more weight to those practices at the organizational level which maybe seen as undermining the governance culture of the organization. BU and others will form they own conclusions about Caswell at the personal level. Is it true about the purchase of the broad street property as accused by Caswell? Is it true that the credit union flouted a directive by the Registrar of Cooperatives about withdrawing credit cards issued to Directors? Is it true that there is a culture of volunteers securing stipends in situations which are questionable?
How do you feel about Paul Maxwell and Cedric Murrell’s roles in the credit union and perceived conflict of interests?
Bajanguy
It appears that I struck a nerve with the truth, but first let me clear up some of your untruths. From what you have written It is clear to me that you are one of the CROOKS attempting to deflect attention away from the real issues.
The only information in a credit union that is confidential from members is the personal financial information of other members. So the information that I published should have been in the public domain, not hidden to protect the guilty. By-law 81 states:
The records of the Society shall be open to the inspection of any member or person having an interest in the funds of the Society, but no person other than the member himself, a member of the Board or any one of the Supervisors or officers of the Co-operative Department, shall be allowed to see the personal account, loan agreement or passbook, or the register of papers relating to the loan of any member without the consent of such member in writing.
When did I publish any confidential information? and, How could I steal information that I requested and that was passed to me in accordance with By-law 81? You are obviously a liar attempting to tarnish my name.
You appear to be attempting to post my personal financial information. I expect to have the matter of my owing any money adjudicated by the Courts so I will not even attempt to discuss the matter here. Only to ask: If I owed money to the credit union and has not paid it back since July 2008, why has the Board not taken steps to recover it through arbitration by the Registrar or through the Courts? I have not received a summons.
Bajanguy, you are one of those in control of the credit union, care to tell the public why.
Attack me all you like, I am impervious to your stupidity. I am looking forward to seeing you in court. By the way, the truth is never biased or unbiased. I challenge you or anyone to show where I have even attempted to mislead by bending the truth. Everything that I have written is the unvarnished truth.
Bring it on, I am not afraid of you: I have nothing to hide. Can you say the same?
@David
I am going to the meeting and ask some of the questions, especailly the one about the building, and i cant recall a specal/extra-ordinary meeting being convened to give currency to the the purchase of the building. i am beginning to think that the directors believe the power lie with them and not the members.
yes caswell should have paid back the money, but apart from that I want members to be reminded that they have the power and come to the meeting if they have concerns.
@caswell your up to your old tricks agin as usual I see. Ya cant coem to the Credit Union meetings anymore with these issues when convenient to you – like when you not in control – so you stirring up these folks to do your dirty work for you. Good going.
It seems that bajanguy struck a nerve with you instead of the other way around cause now he’s one of the crooks..guess you have proof of that too..just like the other “proof” of wrong doing…appears that anyone that challenges you is a crook or corrupt.
Yet I note with interest as I read your post that you said none of the membership (of more than 50,000) stood with you when your membership was revoked.
Well like some of the others here I will be going to the meeting to hear the answers to these queries. I would wish that someone publishes a post after the meeting with the responses to these allegations.
queen you can publish it –will you be standing for elections –Paul will ensure you win as you is his and cedric friend . you have never stand up for the truth , watch your glass house
On the expectation that some of these matters will be discussed at the AGM, will they be accommodated from the floor?
Why is this Operative ” BajanGuy” so defensive. Your slip is showing. You are probably one of those benefitting from poor governance. Stop the BULLSHIT DEFENCE.
@David
You try to link them with minutesof the matters of the last AGM, or you have the any other business, all the concerned members have to do is stategise, that is keep asking related questions so that they cannot get away from answering them. That was a strategy we the then concern mutaul policy holders association had used.
@David
I printed the blog and I am reading it carfully, have to get my rule book.
We have a lot of johnny come lately who are just interseted in using instituions like the movement, two or three years ago I had to remind dean st. hill that i was in the movement long before he was born and we the members are the movement, in fact i would boldy say that i have more to protect than 99.9% of the members and that is why every year the auditors select me for verifying my account.
for that reason, icant miss that meeting for all the tea in China.
@Caswell
Just concentrate on putting the facts, sometimes you get to detailed and tal about your sellf, that is why some people will think you have an agenda.
Please desist from that approach, as it turns off some people and you message is lost.
@fraud police @Wilma
You two seem to be the mindless lackies of this Caswell Franklyn man , who is yet to be taken seriously by anyone in this country for all the noise he keeps under the guise of being watchful when his “slip” of pure personal vendettas comes out.
Am I defending or just trying to ask how come these “concerned” people only surface now at the AGM time? Where were they all along? Did the so called infractions only now happen? Did they write the Credit Union before asking for these issues to be addressed through the various channels they have as members? Some of these things they are referring to they state happened since 2007 where they not asked about before?
Who am i defending…I think you two need to go back to 11+ comprehension.
You two are pathetic mindless followers….Or are you two the cowards that started this whole post with innuendo and baseless charges? Or as the old people say you’ll “throw out a sprat to catch a whale”….I too hope it comes up at the meeting and that you two have the guts to come back if proven wrong and say you were wrong following someone who by their own admission hasn’t paid back monies he got yet to the Credit Union and now added another excuse to it saying that the Credit Union hasn’t asked him back for it.
@David should remind you’ll of the saying “innocent until proven guilty”. That’s what I’m defending. If the people are guilty then let them face the consequences.
I should really get someone to demand of the Board why they have not followed through and get back the member’s money from Caswell Franklyn.
I would really hate for you people to end up on a jury in this country with someone’s life in your hands.
@ Bajanguy
Your heart may well be in the right place , but you surely fail to grasp the essence of the co-operative movement.
Any comparison of expectations between managers like COW and Bizzy with leaders in the credit union betrays this.
The strength or weakness of a private company often results fully from the resources, contacts, leadership and personalities of the people like COW, Bizzy.
The strength of the co-operative is in the INVOLVEMENT of the individual members. Co-op leaders are really there to
harness this collective synergy. To achieve his end, the rules ENFORCE that such leaders are VOLUNTARY; that they are COMPLETELY OPEN and transparent in ALL dealings; and essentially that they operate in a diametrically opposite manner than does your referenced models.
Many of the current crop of co-op leaders seek out these positions precisely because they have visions of being little COWs and Bizzies. The regulators in the movement are no sharper than those who should have addressed the CLICO matter, so from a purely conceptual standpoint, people like Caswell Franklyn have been INVALUABLE resources in the guidance of the local movement in the last 20 years. THIS IS WHY IT HAS SUCCEEDED.
It is not surprising that many of those in leadership positions do not like Caswell, he has an uncanny ability to read and understand legislation; along with a healthy distrust of 99% of those with whom he interacts; a total disregard for personal threats; and a strong commitment to truth and justice.
Any ‘leaders’ who are unprepared to be challenged, questioned, audited, probed and assessed – have no place in the movement.
The Co-operative response from Maxwell and his associates is to communicate openly with members explaining all the issues, the plans, the benefits to members and soliciting the members endorsement … not attacking Caswell or the members with questions (even if the questions are offensive or silly)
By the way, terminating Caswell’s membership (if indeed this was done) would have been an excellent step towards cooperative suicide by PWCCUL….
It is sad what we are hearing about the goings on at the BPWCCL because it is an institution which has been seen as a bastion of Black success.
The fact that it is the largest credit union should given many cause for concern.
Let us hope the membership are encouraged to attend the AGM and participate in running their business.
Bajanguy
You may be one of those young leaders who see the coop movement as a vehicle to which you can advance yourself at the expense of the hard working members who are not as educated as you.
But let me tell you something this is not about Caswell and no credit card loan. This is about the leaders making decisions that are outside of the rules of the credit union.
Again the regulators are asleep at the wheel.
Bajanguy in this new technological age no one can hide my friend. Wiki leaks are an example of it reaching into even government secrets.
Greed
Look -dont touch my rasshole money yeah !
@Bajanguy you are a operative of Paul Maxwell and Caswell Franklyn may be a shitehound but he seeks honesty. What did you get or are you getting? Are you the building contractor who charges what he likes and pays a kickback, you get a job, a loan or a dinner? Don`t you think the three jobs of Paul is a conflict? Do you think the fraternizing among management and the excessive trips accompanied by friends while dividends declining is not of concern.
I have a friend who is in the RBPF Fraud Squad and he promise me if ever he get to be the arresting officer he gine ensure de handcuffs tight. Time is off essence. Greed, Ignorance, Nepotism, Dishonesty and poor Governance.
Clorinda Alleyne you were had by a kid so disappointing. I hope your heart is strong as the next salvo of information will be coming the Friday before the AGM. The whole board will have no choice but to resign, It would be nice if the arrests can be made at the AGM. It will be drama.
Stay tune for the TopUP & Go and Paul Maxwell
Bay & Wellington and Paul Maxwell/Clorinda Alleyne
Casa Nova Paul Maxwell and Tracia Pounder & Clorinda Alleyne & Dawn Blades and how governance was compromised!
This blog on this issue is becoming inteterting, I hope all this talk will be followed up by action. I have too much to lose and I dont want to have to withdraw my investing in the movement having been with it from its infancy.
I dont care who post the blog, i have printed it out and will be taking it to the agm as long as i am alive, and i encourage others to have copies of it as well. make sure that you okay yourselves with the rules of the movement and come prepared.
@ David
It is sad what we are hearing about the goings on at the BPWCCL because it is an institution which has been seen as a bastion of Black success.
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What is sad?
This is EXACTLY how it is supposed to work David. You may be just as guilty as others who may be comparing what happens in the cooperative movement with what happens in business.
All of the Bushman’s money is in the credit union PRECISELY because this is how it has always been…. (just that it has been confined to the meetings before LOL).
Openness and transparency at its best.
Questions getting asked and answers HAVE to be given or OUT you go!!!
You think that CLICO would be in such jobby now if they had meetings like this every year?
The other sweet part is that the show-off, flashy, pretenders do not last too long….. they can’t handle the scrutiny ….. (thus the great value of Caswell et al LOL)
….it aint sad D, It is WORKING!!!…… and BU has now taken the level up by about 5 notches.
Whosoever want to can take off they money (and give it to the secret bankers to thief quietly)…… Bushie putting mine where questions get asked….. and answered…
Bush Tea
Whoever you are, THANK YOU. After what you have written about me I feel that I would be letting you down if I did not explain why I ignored calls to repay the money that was given to me to travel to Hong Kong in 2008.
The other members of the Credit Committee selected me, as Chairman, to represent them on the delegation at the convention of the World Council of Credit Unions. There was an election just prior to the the convention and I did not retain my seat. However, it has been the practice in these circumstances that you would still travel to the convention.
I had already been issued with a non refundable airline ticket costing $5,831.60; overnight accommodation in England (both ways) costing 295 pounds, also non refundable, had been paid; registration of US $1,228 was paid and not refundable or transferable after May 19th; and a non refundable charge of US $327.50 was also paid to the hotel in Hong Kong. In addition on June 3, 2008, I was paid $7,119.01 which represented the remainder of the hotel bill and per diem.
On June 24, 2008 I received a letter of even date, written by the CEO advising that the board had taken a decision on June 23rd that persons who are no longer elected officials should not represent the Credit Union at the convention. She also asked me to return the money that was paid and advised that all arrangements for attendance will be cancelled. That was only the second time in the history of the credit union that the board cancelled confirmed travel arrangements for a person who was no longer an elected official. The first time was in 2000 and the person who was scheduled to travel was (you guessed it) Caswell Franklyn.
I did not have $7,000 lying around since I had already put the money on my credit card which reduced my balance to $8,000. I was not and still am not prepared to borrow $7, 000 at 21% interest to further compound my weak financial state.
No one has given me a reason for cancellation of my travel arrangements on June 23rd but I believe that it had something to do with the fact that, on June 12, 2008 I wrote to the Registrar, Commissioner of Police, DPP and the Minister reporting that five out of the nine board members had misappropriated credit union funds. Those persons had taken individually: $24,466.90; $4,619.34; $12,462.38; $4,390.88; and $656.07. (I am not hearing Bajanguy asking to have that money returned)
A very senior policeman called me and appealed to my blackness in an effort to persuade me to ease up. Whatever happened the police did not bring charges.
Emboldened by the inaction of law enforcement, eight board members hired a lawyer who wrote to me seeking a retraction and an apology within a specified time. The apology never happened. Eventually, on March 27, 2009, two of the directors filed a writ in the High Court against me, seeking damages for defamation of character. I was hoping to have my day in court to expose all the wrong doing at Public Workers Credit Union but unfortunately they have not taken any steps beyond filing the writ.
These same people then sent me a letter purporting to revoke my membership in the credit union. They have no such authority and I have ignored their foolishness. Failing that I would have to hire a lawyer to fight them in court: I don’t have the money: if I did I would put it to much better use and refund the credit union, but they can always sue, and I would eventually get my day in court.
@Caswell
Your last comment needs some time to ‘digest’. Is this the mentality of the decision makers at the largest credit union in Barbados?
You are correct Bush Tea, David pleads guilty to being a simpleton on this matter, it is mindboggling.
We need to start discussion as Just Only Asking alluded to earlier, what is the strategy members from the floor need to employ at the AGM.
We shoulfd put this blog at the top of the page for a while.
BAJANGUY –CASWELL SAYS WHAT HE MEANS AND CAN SURPORT WITH DOCUMENTS —WHO IS MINDLESS ETC (you bajabguy )FROM READING YOU SEEMS TO BE DEFENDING PAUL AND COMPANY ,AND ATTACKING OTHERS WHO SEEK TRUTH ,ONE WONDERS WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM THEM – ITS SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS ORGANISATION AND THE NUPW HAS BEEN RUNNING BY A MONEY HUNGRY PERSONS – BOTH TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF FRAUD ,LETS SEE WHO ARE SOME OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT SHARE COMMON IN BOTH ORGANISATION ,IT WILLBE VERY INTERESTING TO KNOW .
THIS SO CALL BAJAN GUY U ASSUME THAT WHAT HAVE BEEN SAYING IS NOT SO – I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT BUT JUST SUPPOSE IT IS SO WILL U COME AND SO THAT IS SO . NOW 85% OF MY MONEY IS THERE (CLICO HAS $250000) BELONG TO ME ,AND MY CHILDREN SO TELL ME WHY I MUST NOT SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THIS ORGANISATION RUNS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND ALL BAD MANAGERS GO , I DO REPRESENT CASWELL ,WHEN HE DOES WRONG THINGS I WILL TELL HIM SO BUT DONT ALL OF US DO GO ,HENCE DOES THAT MAKE HIM WORST THAT ANY OTHER PERSON –YOU ATTACK HIM BUT YOU HAVE NEVER SAIS THAT YOUR FRIENDS ARE WRONG OR WERE WRONG AND SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED ,WHEN THIS ORGANISATION FAIL WE ALL WILL SUFFER HENCE ALL EFFORTS MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT FAIL,WE ASK OF YOU DO YOU HAVE THE WELL BEING OF THE ORGANISATION AT HEART OR SEEK TO PROTECT OTHERS , IF YOU HAVE THE ORGANISATION AT HEART ,THEN ALL OF US MUST SEEK THE TRUTH , AND THEN MAKE THE NESESSARY ACTION , I WILL BE OUT OF THE ISLAND BUT HOPING TO BE BACK LATE THE FRIDAY NIGHT OR EARLY THAT SATURDAY -SO I HOPE YOU AND D JENNYM WILL PUT THE ORGANISATION FIRST .
LOL @ David
“You are correct Bush Tea….”
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Man David, one would have thought that by now you would have taken this as a given…. LOL (Of course you are more concerned about BT’s ‘rightness’ about grandma Earth and her imminent demise….)
@ Caswell
Now you see the problem with using your real name? No matter how many good points you make, persons focus on your personality – and none of us are perfect….
You did not need to explain the situation to the bushman, you would be surprised how much Bushie knows about you, BPWCCUL, and its operations…. and the Bushman still has very high regard for you (LOL)
Bushie would have done almost EXACTLY as you have in the above circumstances – except perhaps there would have been a lot more cat piss and peppa involved….
Keep up the good work.
Very few of the real revolutionaries who ever lived were liked, or treated well, by the establishment.
… wuh duh even crucify Bushie’s big brother….
Bush Tea
I am aware of the dangers of using my name: I do so because everything that I post is the truth and can prove what I say with documents in a court of law if necessary. Some of the things that I write are so incredible that no one would believe them if they were written under a pseudonym. Let me give you one example.
Would you believe that three years ago Pearson Bellamy, David Gittens and Caswell Franklyn were elected unopposed as directors to serve a three year term. We were the only people that completed the nomination process in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, the Chairman of the elections declared three other persons as having been elected.
I took the matter to arbitration. I represented myself and the credit union was represented by a queen’s council. Not boasting but I cleaned up the floor with him and won the case. The credit union then took the Registrar and the arbitrator to court to prevent us from occupying the seats while the case is pending. The case is still pending.
Paul Maxwell is one of the directors that was elected in this process.
Another titbit, The Chairman for the elections was Delisle Hurley. You may recall that I wrote earlier that after taking advice from professionals, the credit union refused to purchase the property on Broad Street for $4.4m but turned around and offered $6.5m a year later, again also with professsional advice. Interestingly enough, one of the professionals that advised against the purchase was Delisle Hurley, and one of the professionals that advised the credit union to purchase was Delisle Hurley. The credit union purchased Clico Mortgage Finance Co. without obtaining a resolution of the members, and I notice that one of the directors of Capita, as they now call it, is (you guess it) Delisle Hurley.
I draw no conclusions: for what it is worth , I only stated facts.
@Caswell
Surely whether to satisfy the regulator or an internal policy the purchase price you mentioned would have required a qualifying statement?
@Bush Tea
I agree with you. Caswell means well, but sometimes he goes to far and that is why he might have detractors, i know him to be honest, but he has to sometimes look at how he deals with the matter, but then again that is his personalaity so you have to like him or hate him.
As I said, the only time I have disagreed with him is that relating to the retun of the money, i migh not always agrere with his style, but i am one who can look past style, and deal with the merits or demerits of the case. a lot of people are not trained to do so. If they hate you nothing you do can be right.
keep it up caswell, but lsten to advice soemtimes.
@Wilma
Girl you mek sure you get back here, cause me and you got a lot of money in that organisation, and if i am not satisfy, i gine draw off every cent and buy a little house boosie.
You try and dont come back tired, cause i gon be vex, vex you aint come to that meeting. I wish bonny was a member to, casue i know she would buse the.
@Caswell
advise the members how they should keep asking questions after questions and follow up questions and how do you move a noconfidence motion at the meeting, in case that you have to do so.
@David
I want you to contune to give this thread prominence. I know what Caswell is saying is true as gospel. now that i went back further in the blog and see why he refused to pay back the money, i support his stance.
@Bajanguy | June 2, 2011 at 9:48 AM |
“I should really get someone to demand of the Board why they have not followed through and get back the member’s money from Caswell Franklyn.”
if you read caswell’s comments, you will understand why the Board have not followed thru. they can’t, cause they are aware that caswell will expose them in court. He will be able to bring to light all their wrong doings. it is fools like you that should stay of of banking institutions… you would see your boss thiefing people money and make the excuse about blackness and innocent until proven guilty. this is inspite of the open evidence before you. your eyes are wide shut.
I am reading with interest! I will attend the next AGM! I anxiously await a response from BPWCCUL represenatives whom I am sure are reading this blog!
To Alll
Go on the BPWCCUL’s website and pull down the rules and stanind orders I think that is what you call them.
Caswell, do the BPWCCUL members have the authority to force the Board to distribute more of the undistributed surplus. Since BPWCCUL shares cannot be sold at “market value” to realize a share of the undistributed surplus, it appears as if much of the surplus earned with the current members’ funds may accrue to future members.
@fREEMAN
the members must decide on how the surplus is to be distributed, they can agree or disagree with what the board recommends. That is how it is normally done. Am I correct Caswell? Havnt looked at the rules for years.
A. Freeman & Just Only Asking
I am sorry to disappoint you but members now have little to no control over dividends which come out of the undivided surplus.
In 2007, some very smart leaders of the movement managed to get Government to make changes to the Co-operative Societies legislation purportedly in order to comply with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 32. Those changes took control away from members. I contended then and still do that those changes were unnecessary since IAS 32 did not override national law. It specifically stated that you did not have to follow that standard if national law stated otherwise. Those players tricked a gullible Government into changing the national law. At Public workers you now only have $120 in shares on which to base your dividends. The rate cannot exceed the bank rate by more than 2%.
You are now paid interest on your deposits which is the sole discretion of the board.
While most members were not looking those players had changes made so that they can control the movement. You have only yourselves to blame. You were too trusting, while others were conspiring to get rich out of voluntary work at the credit union.
We have one volunteer whose only work for 5 years was “volunteering” at the credit union: he was able to travel the world. I only have figures for 2007 – 2008: his per diem and accommodation for that period was $60,112.59.
I do not have figures beyond that because they fired the audit assistant who prepared the breakdown on instructions of the Supervisory Committee. As a result those figures are no longer compiled and available to members
watching and reading
@Tina
You need to do more than watch and read, you need to do. We need to disseminate that there is an AGM 18 June and members should make the time to attend the meeting. As advised earlier armed yourself with the rules and standing orders. Sure Caswell for a fee can guide concerned members.
I have been following the comments and realize a number of important things have been overlooked while minor issues have been flogged to death.
I have a couple of questions regarding the issue of Mr. Franklyn’s travel being cancelled. I am not saying that credit union funds given to Mr. Franklyn should not be repaid, however, if as is customary for persons traveling on business, the funds were indeed placed on a credit card, the finance charge associated with the removal of those funds should quite easily have been covered by the credit union and the matter could have been solved long ago. That MINOR issue required no more debate.
But on to more important matters.
1. Is it not customary for travel and accommodation cancelled so close to the date to be NON-REFUNDABLE?
2. Was Mr. Franklyn the ONLY committee/board member whose travel was cancelled for that particular trip? By his own admission, Mr. Franklyn outlined the costs associated with his travel:
“I had already been issued with a non refundable airline ticket costing $5,831.60; overnight accommodation in England (both ways) costing 295 pounds, also non refundable, had been paid; registration of US $1,228 was paid and not refundable or transferable after May 19th; and a non refundable charge of US $327.50 was also paid to the hotel in Hong Kong. In addition on June 3, 2008, I was paid $7,119.01 which represented the remainder of the hotel bill and per diem.”
If that is the case and he was NOT the only person whose trip was cancelled, we as members need to know exactly how much of our money the credit union lost because of that decision. I personally would like someone to answer that.
The one f…king goood thing that has help black people to obtain a measure of hope in land purchases, homes, cars and other necessities is now tarnish by corruption. I am starting to believe that we are masters at destroying a good thing and creators of demise and divide. Another were there is black expect it to be slack
@ queen | June 2, 2011 at 6:42 AM |
“caswell your up to your old tricks agin as usual I see. Ya cant coem to the Credit Union meetings anymore with these issues when convenient to you – like when you not in control – so you stirring up these folks to do your dirty work for you”
what dirty work is caswell stirring up people to do idiot? it is obvious, u have an agenda. he was not the one who published the article… he was one who offered comments and facts… are u retarded or do u spend so much time with the foolish and blind, u have become just like them?
Mr. Franklyn raised an interesting point once again that people seem to be ignoring for petty nonsense.
He said “We have one volunteer whose only work for 5 years was “volunteering” at the credit union: he was able to travel the world. I only have figures for 2007 – 2008: his per diem and accommodation for that period was $60,112.59.”
No one finds this disturbing? There are members of the credit union that don’t make that much money in a year.
If that is true and it did in deed occur for five years, where is the spread sheet showing a similar analysis for each board member over a similar period? The information should be made available for a proper comparison and analysis to be done by the members. Then, if that individual’s travel expenses were well in excess of other board members, the management of the credit union should be asked to explain why one person is receiving perks above and beyond what is considered prudent for an organization such as a credit union.
@david
My dead staring to hurt me, every month i deposit 20% of my net income with the movement for the last 35 or 37 years so you would undersatnd my concern. What I can assure after this month I am not sending another cent there.
I feel like i will sharpen my clooins and take to that agm just in case. when we were pushing the movement we could see all those pretty talkers, but now um got a lot a money that people could thief and misapprriate yah could see all them opportunist. This is a serioud matter and let mah tell you i serious as hell and i hope the members come out and ask question asfter question and bring along the friends and family to ask question too, casue i think i gone pay bonny to buse the, cause she know wah ta tell dah.
This is sad. So sad. It is evident that there is wrong doing here. Some of the information presented is quite alarming. But this is not the forum. We are very upset when WICB airs their dirty laundry in the press, and yet, here we are. I have money in the Credit Union, I even worked there some time ago, and I am quite pleased/proud to be associated with this homegrown organisation.
Why do we always have to look at what other people are doing, Williams OWNS his own company, if he wants to pay himself all the money, thats his business; the credit union is OWNED by ALL of us, thats why our deposits are called shares, so any spending of OUR money MUST be told to us before it is spent and then we must be told how the monies that were approved for spending are actually spent, we should accept nothing less.
But this kind of venting will not help. At the appropriate time and place we can lash them with our ‘X’ but this is not that time nor place.
@Roger
It is interesting the word ‘we’ is used in situations like this but come the AGM a quorum is the hardest number to muster.
Roger
What you are talking about is the ideal situation. However we have a situation where corruption is endemic.
The whole concept of a co-operative has been lost. The law requires that part of the surplus should be, “used to educate members, officers or employees or the general public in the principles and techniques of economic and democratic co-operation”. This is no longer done apart from the yearly Olive Trotman Lecture and a yearly contribution to the league’s education fund.
The credit union has now become a cash cow for a selected few who milk every opportunity to get undeserved money. To achieve this, they rigged every election since 2000. Members became unwitting acomplices to changing the rules that have allowed ballot box stuffing. When members complain to the Registrar their concerns have been ignored. I had the unpleasant experience on February 20, 2008 where the President stood up before a special general meeting and said to me that I had complained to the Registrar but she had called him and told him and at least one other director, pointing out that I could not do anything with him.
On another ocassion I reported a matter to the Police and the board was able to get their hands on a copy of my statement and they were bold enough to quote from it when the disciplined a member of the Supervisory Committee. That is truly remarkable when you consider that the board of directors have no power to discipline any member of the supervisory committee. The Supervisory committee has power to suspend members of the board :not the other way around, but members just sat there and allowed this nonsence to go on. Incidentally, the Police took no action against them or the person who stole my statement from District A police station.
Members have lost control of Public Workers Credit Union. A select few play musical chairs with the seats on the three elected committees. To ensure their election over the years staff were given generous bonus payments one day before the AGM for a number of years. Also a week or so before the meeting a large selected group of members are treated to a feast, including wine, and encouraged how to vote on various issues. The members will have little chance to change the culture of corruption that pervades the credit union. Government would have to intervene, but there is little likelihood of that happening, since the Government owes the credit union board a favour.
Government could not put any more money in CLICO so they used Public Workers Credit Union to channel National Insurance funds to purchase Clico Mortgage Finance. I heard the then Prime Minister say on television that he had approved the sale to the credit union. That was remarkable since the members were never called upon to approve a resolution to purchase that company with their credit/money. The Office of the Registrar is supposed to approve these investments and should ensure that such a resolution is in place before approval is granted. The board is assured that their bad behaviour would be sanctioned at the highest level , so my dear Roger you have little chance to make any meaningful change at Public Workers Credit Union.
These guys are protected since they know that neither the Police, Registrar nor the Ministry will take steps to prevent or punish their illegal behaviour.
Thee issues have been longstanding and have become worse with time. The main reason is because the messenger with much of the information has been Caswell. Ever since 2002 Caswell has been afforded scant respect within the BPWCCU Ltd and some quarters of this society. So while in some instances he may be correct, his one misstep has cost him the little credibility he had left.
In 2008 the credit card mess came to the AGM and I had read the information in the papers like all other members there. I distinctly remember a female member asking board members, twice, if what she read in the papers was true. They said no. A QC was at the head table to assist them in replying to questions. Sadly nobody pursued the issue then. But as a result of the expose the Registrar requested limits be placed on these cards among other things. Nothing has been done to date. Can you imagine Paul Maxwell’s credit card bill was $24,000, approximately $2,000 per month, and in many of the months that the spending took place he did not travel. Why would a non-executive director be spending that kind of money locally? Because he can.
The comparisons with a company like Sagicor are fallacious. The directors of PW do not work there! They serve. Check the literature re the philosophical groundings of a credit union.
Subsequent to the credit card spending revealation, they fired the audit assistant, a competent woman with nearly two decades in the organisation. They also put a member of the Supervisory Committee out of the CUnion, accusing her of leaking the info to the press. It was untrue, but she never fought it.
I suppose people are now getting uptight because of CLICO, but I always was disgusted with the apathy of members who had the power to intervene but did nothing once they got their measley dividends. Meanwhile Paul Maxwell and his clique continue to lick out their money. I will now list all the things that just should not have been allowed; issues that members KNEW about.
1. How is it that the CEO of this credit union makes almost $20,000 per month, inclusive of allowances. More than the Prime Minister of this country? More than what some executives of private sector banks and insurance companies earn; more than some executives who have to perform and are appraised on performance. She also receives leave passage – the type that longstanding civil servants receive- holiday with passage paid for by the members. They have smartly sat down and crafted an exceptional salaries and benefits package for Alleyne who adds no value to the institution if you were to review her performance. Her salary is almost 6 thousand dollars more than her deputy the Legal Counsel. Those gaps in salary ranges are highly unusual. The CEO of the PW credit union has no financial qualifications, save for the credit union courses, and was a less than stellar attorney before joining the organisation as its Legal Counsel, yet through the machinations of Paul, and certainly not on ability or skill she is the head of this organisation.