Our NPO's bank account has just been emptied...

The non-profit organization I belong to has just been notified that its bank account is empty. A check was written out on the account in the total amount of money available in the account, and it was written sometime in the last two weeks at the branch not normally used. No more information will be available until tomorrow.

We are bringing a major author to the area for a conference next week. FUCK.

Anyone ever been in a situation like this? Where do we even begin?

And any good pagan fundraising ideas?

LOL. There is not ONE single Pagan on this board with any ideas? Damn...

ourladyofthehighways said:

The non-profit organization I belong to has just been notified that its bank account is empty. A check was written out on the account in the total amount of money available in the account, and it was written sometime in the last two weeks at the branch not normally used. No more information will be available until tomorrow.

We are bringing a major author to the area for a conference next week. FUCK.

Anyone ever been in a situation like this? Where do we even begin?

And any good pagan fundraising ideas?

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get a copy of the check and look at the endorsement. is it forged? is it endorsed in a manner inconsistent with the endorsement card?

there's a possibility that the bank may be liable.

yeah, i'd have the bank check it again to make SURE it's all proper-like before panicing too much. if it turns out to be all proper and such, THEN start panicing with a vengance.

How much money are we talking about.

ourladyofthehighways said:

And any good pagan fundraising ideas?

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This is the best sentence ever written on the GeeBee. It deserves a thead of its own.

I've got 2 words for ya.. identity theft...

cast?

um


sorry to hear hon
sounds like it was on the inside or someone who was able to get details before going to the bank.

i am clean out of ideas today.

Considering they knew exactly how much was in the account, and which branch was not your regular branch, it was definitely someone on the inside.

I'm not sure how it is in the US, but if it was in Canada and they were the proper signing authority....you're screwed and not in the good way. The bank can't be held liable if proper procedures were followed. However, if the cheque required a double signature and they didn't have it, then the bank is liable.

If it is a good charity and worthwhile cause.....call a radio station or newspaper. If word gets out that you lost all your money for a fundraiser, you may be surprised at how many people come forward with donations.

Pamela said:

Considering they knew exactly how much was in the account, and which branch was not your regular branch, it was definitely someone on the inside.

.

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I agree 100 percent. It's not uncommon for non-profits to be picked clean - or at least skimmed - by someone in charge of the money. It happens all the time.
I'd guess something similar to this happens and is reported on in Las Vegas two or three times a year.

Pamela said:

Considering they knew exactly how much was in the account, and which branch was not your regular branch, it was definitely someone on the inside.

I'm not sure how it is in the US, but if it was in Canada and they were the proper signing authority....you're screwed and not in the good way. The bank can't be held liable if proper procedures were followed. However, if the cheque required a double signature and they didn't have it, then the bank is liable.

If it is a good charity and worthwhile cause.....call a radio station or newspaper. If word gets out that you lost all your money for a fundraiser, you may be surprised at how many people come forward with donations.

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What she said, you're probably screwed.

Ishmael

And if it was a trusted person in the NPO. someone allowed access to the account, don't be surprised if this isn't the first time the thief has done it.
I'd guess roughly 20 percent of the accounts of embezzlement I have read have indicated the suspect have previously been caught doing the same thing.
And having lived in a few states as an adult, I'd also have to say it might be a little bit more common in Nevada. Many of those who get caught are problem gamblers.

ourladyofthehighways said:

And any good pagan fundraising ideas?

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Well... it's not pagan in origin.. and I don't really know how well this will work with our group or even if it'll work at all. But, my work has a fundraising program. I'm not sure on all the particulars or anything, but you can find out all there is to know on www.hungryhowies.com and look under "FunRaiser". It's something like $2.00 of each pizza sale is set aside for the organization. It's worth checkin' into, if nothing else. I could also speak with the owner about this too. If I knew when he was coming in next....

Anyways, take a look at the site and let me know if it sounds plausible. From there, I'll do what I can to see it through if it's a cool idea. And, by all means, take it to Mr. Prez, see if he likes the idea too. Get as many cortex's together, we'll see what we can brainstorm up. Perhaps our activities chair may have some helpful input as to fundraising activities as well. There's plenty of things that can be helpful in accomplishing a replenishment of funds. We just need fresh ideas from those not totally stressed out about 17-25 page papers due this week.

Glad to know you're feeling well enough to get out of the apartment too, btw.

get out of town soon. use a fake id and only spend cash. if you were smart you have a valid passport with a fake name and will be able to travel to a country with and extradition treaty with the us of a. good luck

Lasher said:

This is the best sentence ever written on the GeeBee. It deserves a thead of its own.

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And here I was just about to take my ideas and to to another thread since they aren't "Pagan" ideas.

ourladyofthehighways said:

LOL. There is not ONE single Pagan on this board with any ideas? Damn...

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911 to Image quick!!!!

Pamela said:

If it is a good charity and worthwhile cause.....call a radio station or newspaper. If word gets out that you lost all your money for a fundraiser, you may be surprised at how many people come forward with donations.

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Or not.

I probably wouldn't donate to an org that was stupid enough to let this happen. Most well run orgs have various safeguards against this happening, such as dual signatures, limits on the amount a withdrawl can be, etc. - that is of course, assuming the balance was in the thousands and not $250 or some relatively paltry sum like that.