Oregon Coast Community Action chairman, Brenda Brecke, has written the following community letter providing some insight into the board choice to treat partner matters with confidentiality.
Dear Community,
At ORCCA we work with thousands of individuals, and hundreds of groups and organizations everyday on matters of human dignity with a common goal of helping our community thrive. As with any broad coalition of diverse groups, differences of opinion, personalities, and operational structure may occur. At ORCCA we believe it is in everyone’s best interest to work through these challenges politely, in a dignified manner and in keeping with our obligation to confidentiality.
We are disappointed that some of our partner organizations have chosen to try to solve their grievances through a public venue, but we must maintain our own standards, keep our nose to the grindstone, and continue our efforts to help those in need. To that end, the ORCCA Board of Directors decided to move forward working with our partners through a confidential mediation process.
Every year there are more individuals who find themselves in need of food. We estimate that in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, we will be distributing 2 million pounds of food to our network, 1.2 million more pounds than we were moving just 5 years ago. ORCCA raises funds through donations and grants to cover 70% of the cost of transporting food in the most efficient way possible. In fact, during this holiday season, ORCCA is moving 115,000 pounds of food at no cost to our partner agencies due to several grants we have been awarded. Our partner agencies pay only a small handling fee on some items ($0.14 – 0.18 per pound).
We are not willing to compromise our organizational values around how we work with the people we serve and tear individuals or organizations apart in the newspaper or any other public venue. If you are concerned or have questions, please feel free to contact us. The best way to reach us to communicate a concern is to boardchair@orcca.us.
Sincerely,
Brenda Brecke
ORCCA Board Chair
I have to admit that when I first read the World’s story, I was about to write another check to the food bank but held off until I knew more. Once this was made public, ORCA owed its contributors an explanation.
I disagree, Colandrio, this is a confidential matter made public by one side and there is no reason why ORCCA should be forced to participate in someone’s private agenda played out in a public forum
I had to re read this letter after reading the shouting responses below it. I must admit that I find it insufficient in explaining ORCCA’s actions. I expected better, especially coming from Brenda Brecke whom I always felt respected the public. The whole story is overdue.
“Again, if this was the Port or the World or the SCDC or the Chamber rather than ORCCA, this board would be livid. The server would crash. You can’t tell me that’s not true.” Mark M.
Yes she can.
and Mark would be the first to defend the indefensible.
Wow, Mark comes in here, with hatchet swinging away. Why is it he doesn’t use the same skewed eye on theworldlink, SCDC, COC, BOC, and all the other organizations that Jon Barton runs? That’s the answer to the question. Has Jon and friends promised their support for your upcoming run at elected office, if you will agree to be his hatchet man, covering the dem side of his corrupt empire? When are you going to announce your plans for running? Why are you intent on ruining this organizations reputation? Is someone there not playing along with Jon and friends? Are these questions as valid as yours?
If the Charleston Food Pantry “has some problems” why is ORCCA going to mediation NOW after already having terminated its relationship with it? Why has ORCCA changed its mind? (Unless “working with our partners through a confidential mediation process” doesn’t refer to Charleston.)
Again, if this was the Port or the World or the SCDC or the Chamber rather than ORCCA, this board would be livid. The server would crash. You can’t tell me that’s not true.
“Sorry, Brenda. I like you. I applaud ORCCA. But this is an insufficient response”
Sayeth who?
Let’s just imagine that the Charleston Food Pantry has legitimate grievances against ORCCA.
Why Mark?
Why not imagine that the Charleston Food Pantry might have some problems.
Why the jump to accuse someone when you don’t know anymore about the facts than anyone else does.
But you assume Orcca has done the wrong.
Amazing thought process .
Let’s just imagine that the Charleston Food Pantry has legitimate grievances against ORCCA. The Pantry is denied mediation. It is totally cut off. Then it is not supposed to not say anything to anybody because it has a confidentiality agreement with ORCCA?
Does that really make sense to anyone?
But now that everyone knows about it, ORCCA is willing to go to mediation. What does that tell you?
Sorry, Brenda. I like you. I applaud ORCCA. But this is an insufficient response.