Looking Good
But at any time an
organization makes a seriously wrong decision, its leaders should call for an
intensive postmortem. Such learning opportunities are too often overlooked. The
tendency is simply to call on the public relations department to spin the
mater, to make another inadequately thought-out decision, and perhaps to
scapegoat, even fire, a few staff members. Because most companies cover up
their mistakes instead of learning from them, systemic flaws in information
flow tend to remain to do their damage another day.” (pp.
22-23) Transparency: How Leaders Create
a Culture of Candor (2008). Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O'Toole, and Patricia
Ward Biederman
.
Update
One: The Petition. There are now
nearly 100 signatures on the Shine the Light online petition (see previous entry below). The petition is a call
for integrity and action, for transparency and accountability regarding the NCI
fraud. It challenges many of the organizations and people affected by the NCI
fraud, especially those who publicly represent themselves as followers of Jesus
Christ. The petition will thus continue to be available online (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shine-the-light-together/), giving
people the opportunity to get accurate information about the fraud and to help
by signing/sharing the petition. Members and donors of the organizations listed
on the petition are specifically requested to help. So far there has been no
response from the organizations listed in the petition.
.
Some comments from signatories:
.
Update
Two. The Process. Informing the
public, seeking justice, and confronting the fraud, spin, and cover ups are
simply not going to stop. Looking good—or looking the other way—is never a
substitute for doing good. There is plenty of light shining (e.g., court documents)
in order for people to take responsible and ethical action.
.
Some comments from signatories:
.
"We and the
institutions we lead are judged more by our actions than our words."
.
"My prayers are
with those who have been conned and are now working to get the truth out."
.
"Integrity is
vital and your zeal in promoting it is worthy of commendation."
.
"Ignoring or
discounting fraud only perpetuates it and increases the likelihood of future
incidents. It is for this reason we support this call for accountability and
action."
.
"This is a great
opportunity to get informed, step forward, and help right the wrongs. It is my
hope that healing and justice prevail as we seek and embrace the whole truth in
this far-reaching debacle."
.
"I care a great
deal what happens to personal resources but I also care equally that the church
(in this case support and sending groups) be cleansed and pruned so that they
can once again become healthy, vibrant units. We should do this lest the
supporting ministries perhaps become categorized with "men who loved
darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." "
.
.
*****
Here are three items that are filled with “comments”
regarding honesty, integrity,
transparency, and good financial stewardship..
To
whom it may concern
.
Finally
I will give a statement after many years of silence in this unfortunate
process.
.
In
the beginning about four years ago I still tried to communicate to some of the
investors but when I realized that my emails were forwarded to the authorities
I had to stop.
.
I am
deeply sorry and do not find words how to apologize to all who have suffered in
this process.
.
Never
could I imagine that this would happen. I don’t even try to say that I can
understand the agony you have been through and still are going through.
.
It
is a constant pain in my heart and I am committed never to give up before I
have repaid all involved. I have been working all the time in this respect and
continue to do so with the help of others now when I will be even more limited.
At this moment I will not disclose any further facts, next time you hear from
me it will be more concrete.
.
Today
I must enter the “open institution” near my home (only 10 minutes by car) and I
don’t know exactly how long I must stay there, as it is a matter of negotiation
how to make best use of this time. But after a while I will be granted leave of
absence for week-ends so I can communicate again with the world outside. I have
of course access to make phone calls but I cannot receive calls.
.
How
could all this happen? I don’t have the answers but I know one thing for sure:
.
I am
no criminal and the so called NCI scam was not what Kelly & Co and others
try to make out of it.
.
Unsuccessful
business and failure to complete transactions does not automatically mean
criminal intent and activity.
.
The
allegations against me and Erik Spruyt, that we would have planned all this
with an evil intent to rob people is absurd. That is actually what Kelly &
Co claim and all this work with “Petra
people” is a big shame. But I am not bitter against Kelly and others, I have
forgiven them. Unfortunately their actions have created an extended delay which
has been harmful to all. I tried before
the process to advice Kelly not to proceed in that direction but he was not
willing to listen.
.
The
main judge in the higher court (Hovrätten) the so called “Referent Judge”
wanted to free me total and wrote as much as 18 pages in the verdict with
references made to the laws why no sentence should be made in this case.
Unfortunately the other two judges did not agree with her.
.
The
whole process has harmed all of you as it has made it difficult for me to work
out solutions for repayments. Those investors who came to the court fell in
trap of the prosecutor, believing that if they cooperate with her they will get
their money sent back to them. I have seen such letters sent to the prosecutor.
.
Almost
all tried to do their best to make it look like I had cheated them with intent.
.
Some
made statements that were absolutely not true.
.
But
the truth is that my sole intent was to help finance mission projects and
support missionaries.
.
And
as I said before I will continue as long as I live to make those efforts come
true.
.
I
have now seen how the Swedish legal system works and it scars me. The judge
(chairman) in the Uppsala court was acting very unprofessionally. He was from
day one angry, irritated, acting like a third prosecutor. My lawyer and many
visitors were astonished over his behaviour.
.
I
don’t intend to go into more details at this point but sometimes later I will
write a full story of the “scam” the system performed trying to make me a
criminal.
.
What
is the result of all this? My time in the institution does not repay you and is
no real punishment to me. The real punishment is that I could not yet repay and
that I have carried with me already some years and will continue to carry until
I have fulfilled my obligations.
.
I
will try to be as effective as possible while in the institution to accomplish
steps toward a solution that will gain all of us eventually.
.
Never
give up! I stand now and forever on the promise in Rom 8:28. Something good
will eventually come out of this all.
.
Please
understand that I cannot answer any questions or make any further comments at
this time.
.
You
may respond of course but don’t expect anything back from me during the coming
8-12 months.
.
With
warm greetings to all of you
.
--------------------------
.
Youth With a Mission (YWAM)
These two items are from the
“ywamlife” website. We have added the yellow highlights for emphasis.
.2. The Good Name Pledge
YWAM's Global Leadership Forum as well as all
operating location leadership teams will be using the Good Name Pledge as an
orientation and regular teaching opportunity. Interactive dialogue and
discussion should take place at least once a year on best practices, highlighting the values of YWAM
openness, honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability.
.
Good Name
Pledge
I
covenant before God—together with my brothers and sisters in YWAM—to honor the
name, the logo of YWAM and walk according to its foundational values and
covenants. “A good name is more
desirable
than great riches and favor more than silver or gold.“ Proverbs 22:1
Name:
Signed/Date
Witness: Signed/Date
Witness: Signed/Date
.
These principles of stewardship apply generally to all
of YWAM, even in locations where the name cannot be used openly.“God is light
and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light as He is in the
light then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His son,
cleanses us from all unrighteousness”.1 John l: 5-7. One of the most important aspects of stewardship
for a non-profit (or charitable) ministry entity is transparency. We should
always remember that expectations of both the law and the general public should
provoke us to complete transparency. All YWAM entities are obliged to
meet the requirements of the law in the nation where they are incorporated; in
addition we need to be transparent within our own teams or communities.
Transparency is practically translated into several principles and practices…(click
the title above to read the entire document).
.
Doing Good
Truth is
the conformity of mind to reality,
and not the other way around.
and not the other way around.
.
