WASI board member responds

This is in response to a Spectrum in the Jan. 25 edition of the Frontiersman written by Elsie O’Bryan, who identified herself as a member of Mat-Su Elder Watch, which has no affiliation with Wasilla Area Seniors Inc.

We show Ms. O’Bryan as an active member of WASI since June 2010. While we believe she has a right to express her opinion about our organization, we believe she should state facts accurately and completely about WASI. In this response we will share with readers and the Mat-Su community information that we believe is true and is contrary to what Ms. O’Bryan stated in her opinion piece last week.

Ms. O’Bryan’s reference to the fitness center’s change of schedule did not take into account our holiday schedule, which was posted within the center.

As to WASI business being “nobody’s business,” we have no idea where Ms. O’Bryan got this information and it is not true. The WASI bylaws clearly state anyone can “inspect,” not obtain a copy of, “official financial records.” The Alaska Board of Corporation statute states a corporation’s bylaws may define what is included as “official records.” WASI defines its “official records” as IRS Form 990 and the annual financial audit. WASI provided Ms. O’Bryan copies at no charge.

Ms. O’Bryan stated that the Wasilla City Council agreed to “defer funding until we could get better access to the WASI board of directors.” Per Wasilla Municipal Code 2.04.130 under ‘Council Voting,’ no less than four affirmative votes shall be required to carry any measure before the city council unless a greater number is required by ordinance. If Ms. O’Bryan’s attended the meeting when the Wasilla City Council was considering the request for $36,000 for the nutritional program (which included Meals on Wheels), the vote was two in favor, three opposed and one absent. The measure was defeated, but the need still exists for funding for the nutritional program and the WASI board of directors is available at any time to meet with the city council to discuss this critical need for many senior residents.

At the time Ms. O’Bryan received the WASI financial documents, the Club50 Fitness center’s Enhanced Fitness program was in question as to its future viability of services. Ms. O’Bryan went on to state a $135,000 grant was received in its entirety. This is not true. That particular grant is a progressive grant distributed over a three-year period.

With regard to Ms. O’Bryan’s statement, “United Way of Mat-Su had stopped funding WASI, presumably due to poor management practices,” this statement is untrue. According to our records, United Way was not funding new projects at the time of the granting process. Ms. O’Bryan acknowledged that her findings are made with only “bits and pieces” of information. This, of course, can often lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate statements, which we found throughout Ms. O’Bryan’s Spectrum piece.

Again, Ms. O’Bryan’s statement that volunteer leaders caused insurance concerns and closed the fitness center is simply not true and is inaccurate. Due to the growth of WASI, the fitness center added the Enhanced Fitness program for seniors. Any new program, especially one generated by a 501(c)(3) organization, will have growing pains. The old fitness center was closed temporarily for a couple of months due to the capital improvements reconstruction project. WASI is committed to moving forward to provide a sound fitness facility with CPR trained volunteers and contract instructors. WASI’s insurance is more than adequate for the programs to move ahead with all the services we provide.

Ms. O’Bryan stated WASI’s rental agreement emphasized that there is to be no alcohol on the premises, “no exceptions.” The WASI lease agreement clearly states that private parties may be exempt from the “no alcohol” provision in the WASI facility. Alaska Statue AS 4.11.240 provides it is permissible for a 501(c)(3) organization to contract its facility for private functions.

In closing, the board members of WASI are not compensated for their work on the board. This is a 100 percent volunteer position and many board members hold full-time jobs in addition to their work on the board. The board members give their time willingly to make the senior years the best possible for more than 400 WASI members. WASI extends a welcome to everyone to apply for a position on the board. We are especially looking for people who are skilled in legal, medical, low-income housing and marketing. Please fax your resume to 373-5170 or stop by to talk and drop a resume off at 1301 S Century Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654. Please drop in to our offices to discuss opportunities to serve on our board. We’d love to tell you more about the WASI story.

Stan Mitchell member of the board of directors of Wasilla Area Seniors Inc.