Thursday, April 8, 2010

Actual Complaint for NAACP Expulsion & Removal of Jerry Ann Hamilton

PETITION OF AN ARTICLE X COMPLAINT

ARTICLE X EXPULSION, SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

Officer: Jerry Ann Hamilton Date: August 25, 2009
4998 W. Dean Road
Milwaukee, WI 53233
________________________________________________________________________

The following undersigned members of the MILWAUKEE BRANCH NAACP hereby request an immediate investigation of the significant violations below.

When an individual becomes a member of the NAACP, that individual pledges to abide by the rules and policies of the Association and the decisions of the Board of Directors.

This complaint is being filed against the President of the Milwaukee Branch NAACP, Jerry Ann Hamilton. The Milwaukee Branch is located at 2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212. We the undersigned believe President Hamilton is guilty of conduct not in accord with the goals and purposes of the NAACP and these are continuing violations. It appears the National NAACP does not care about how President Hamilton violates the Bylaws for the Milwaukee Units of the NAACP.

Many of these allegations of improprieties have appeared in the local newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Many of those making allegations have signed this petition and have personal knowledge of the allegations; others believe the allegations have merit and feel compelled to exercise their rights as members to seek an investigation into the allegations that are filed in this Article X. We believe the allegations filed in this complaint are true and satisfy the standard that there is danger of harm to the Association (MILWAUKEE BRANCH NAACP) and that action is necessary.

Allegation 1 – Financial Audit/Mismanagement – President Jerry Ann Hamilton is derelict in her duties in refusing to submit to an audit.

The Bylaws state under Article V, Governance, p.28 Bylaws 2005, #19, “The books of the Unit shall be audited annually by an auditing system acceptable to the National Office.”

The Milwaukee Branch has not been audited in accordance with the above-mentioned Bylaws. The Branch has not been audited in over ten (10) years. There have been multiple requests for an audit and President Hamilton continues to ignore the requests. The Executive Committee passed a motion for an audit in November 2008 and nothing has been done by the President to obtain one. (see exhibit P)

A general pattern and practice of financial mismanagement continues to the present. The documentary evidence of financial mismanagement may not be available because the records are and have been for over ten (10) years under the control of President Hamilton, Ceola Mayberry, the Treasurer, Julie Carlisle, deceased, the Secretary and Linda Leaf, and Assistant Secretary. It is difficult to follow the flow of money because restricted funds are co-mingled with non-restricted funds and because of the many unauthorized transfers of restricted funds. An assessment prepared by Darlene Rose confirms this fact. EXHIBIT 1.

According to the Executive Leadership Training manual it states: “All funds received by a NAACP unit are to be identified as either “Restricted” or “Unrestricted”. Restricted funds are grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, funds for scholarships, programs funds (i.e. ACT SO, Back-to-School/Stay-in-School), and bequests that are letter-specific.”

The books of the Milwaukee Branch should be audited for the following reasons: Financial abuse warrants an audit for years 2005 to 2008, in addition to the requirement that the branch’s books be audited annually. See the supporting documents for the following statements at Exhibit 1:

No prior approval of the President’s expenditures by the Executive Committee and no receipts of the expenditures on the President’s credit card bills that the Branch paid.
Failing to report receipt of a $5,000 check from American Family Insurance Company (in an Executive Committee meeting, President Hamilton revealed she had received a check and later a letter requesting her to return the money; there has been no entry on the financial report of receiving or returning the money).
Excessive spending on advertising without Executive Committee approval.
President Hamilton’s refusal to discuss the Branch’s deficit of $51,000 at an Executive Committee meeting on May 17, 2007.
A letter dated November 13, 2007 signed by President Hamilton and sent without the Executive Committee approval to corporations, churches, etc. appealing for money and disclosing the dire financial straits of the branch.
A list of questions regarding the 2008 budget submitted to the then Treasurer which President Hamilton refused to answer due to an arbitrary 5:00 pm deadline, preventing the Executive Committee from obtaining necessary information before being required to vote on the budget.
Failure to provide meeting minutes for the Executive and General Membership meetings for the entire year this far.
Failure to disclose how $3,000 the Milwaukee Branch paid to the President for the Wisconsin State Conference on May 20, 2008 was spent.
Failing to inform the Executive Committee that the Branch was to receive $18,000 from American Family Insurance Company (President Hamilton disclosed to the Executive Committee at the June 20, 2009 meeting that the money would not be received, which the Executive Committee was not even aware the Branch was to receive).
Unauthorized and unreported transfer of $30,000 from Columbia Savings on May 13,2007, without Executive Committee approval (it appears the money was deducted from the account in April or May but was not shown until August financial report; a beginning balance was $77,835.18 in January 2007; May’s financial report shows a balance of $45,363.48 which did not change through the month of July; August shows a balance of $15, 363.48; it appears $30,000 plus is not accounted for).
An unauthorized transfer and deposit of $48,391.44 on December 16, 2008 that was paid out the same day (no approval by the Executive Committee and no full disclosure of the use of the money).
Improper accounting for the Charter Investment accounts.
Unauthorized and unapproved payment by the Branch of 1st Vice President Wendell Harris’s personal cell phone bill and the President’s personal cell phone bill.
Continued erratic spending by President Hamilton who has also paid her family members for volunteer work with Branch funds.
Permitting the Treasurer to refuse to answer question on the financial reports at Executive Committee meetings (financial reports are always placed on file for potential audit without any discussions; the Treasurer would instruct the Executive Committee members to call her home if there were any questions, thus preventing any discussion at the meetings). This method is a continued practice to date by the Branch and the Treasurer.
A motion passed at the October 2008 General Membership meeting for an audit; the President has taken no action on it.
An audit is necessary for full disclosure of the excessive spending for the Youth from the Branch’s general fund without Executive Committee approval. (secure all financial reports)
There has been no full disclosure of the money the Branch received from Workforce Investment to the Executive Committee. President pays her daughter thousands of dollars from this fund. (see financial report)
There has been no disclosure of the financial obligation the Branch has to a local radio station whereby the President has paid money to without the Executive approval. (see exhibit r, financial report for 5/26/09).

At the March 21, 2009 meeting, President Hamilton had her son Henry Hamilton, III, pass out the financial report and she told the Executive Committee members that they had only two minutes to look at them and her son would pick them back up. When one Executive Committee did not return the financial report, President Hamilton and her son confronted her with hostility. Members had to restrain the President from having direct contact with the Executive Committee member. Her conduct was unbecoming to the presidency and promotes hostility.

In 2001, Dr. Jerome Reide and Tom White used the same hostile tactics with the financial reports when President Hamilton was been accused of mismanagement of Branch’s funds. The reports were numbered, distributed and taken back up and the Executive Committee members were not allowed to take a report out of the room. Is this a tactic that the National Office approves?

According to the Bylaws: Article VII, Duties of the Treasurer, p. 37, it states the treasurer is “to submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the Executive Committee at all regular meetings, or whenever required by either body, covering the financial condition of the NAACP showing receipts and disbursements and outstanding accounts unpaid since the last report…” The Milwaukee Branch regularly violates this procedure. In a letter dated May 15, 2009 from members of the Executive Committee an audit was requested. This request was reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. EXHIBIT 2

Allegation 2 - Logo, and Letterhead usages

According to the Bylaws, Article III, p. 14 #7, it states, “The NAACP prohibits the personal use of the NAACP logo, trademark and letterhead.”

President Hamilton sponsored an Appreciation Luncheon in celebration and honor of her own volunteer work in the name of the Milwaukee Branch NAACP. This event was held on Saturday, June 14, 2008. The invitation was sent out to corporate sponsors for a $500.00 sponsorship. The invitation states: “To the People of Milwaukee Through the NAACP and Other Organizations.” Checks were to be made out to “Jerry Ann Hamilton Appreciation.” When asked by a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter about the money she received from this event, the President told her that it was none of her business, but yet this event was given through the NAACP using the name and logo for personal gain. There was no disclosure statement to donors or contributors notifying them that their contributions were not tax deductible. EXHIBIT 3

According to the Bylaws, it states a financial report of all such entertainment, contributions and fundraising activities shall be rendered to the Unit, the National Office and the public. This report must be submitted to the National Office, with the National Office’s share within 45 days following the date of the event. There were contributions obtained through the use of the NAACP and the use of the logo, which is in violation of the By-laws. There are no records that President Hamilton adhered to the Bylaws in this instance. Monies collected through this event were not reported to the Executive Committee and properly deposited.

During this time, the President was kicking off her campaign for the November 2008 election and she re-announced this in her booklet by using the ad from the June 11, 2008 Milwaukee Times newspaper. EXHIBIT 4

Allegation 3 – Undisclosed Donations

It is the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies of the NAACP Unit and promptly deposit the same in the name of the NAACP Unit: Article VII, Duties of Officers of Units, p. 36, #4. President Hamilton has violated the Bylaws.

President Hamilton refuses to disclose monies received in the form of a grant for someone to perform work services for her personal benefit. The President advised the Executive Committee that money was not placed in the budget.

At the August 2008 Executive Committee meeting, President Hamilton informed the Executive Committee that she had solicited a grant from anonymous donors to hire someone to get her personal papers filed and that she had hired her sister, Audrey Hamilton. From August to present Audrey Hamilton has and will receive payment for work from money paid out of the Milwaukee Branch general fund account. EXHIBIT 5

It appears the Milwaukee Branch has hired Ms. Audrey Hamilton, her sister, but President Hamilton did not follow the Bylaws relating to hiring Article VIII, p. 41, (g.). No legitimate job description has been brought to Executive Committee, no personnel committee has been formed for hiring, and no authorization for the work has been given.

According to the NAACP Executive Leadership Training 2009, p. 1-95, it states: “Grant Proposals and Requests for Approval by National Office, -- National Office must approve all grants for which the grantor will seek to claim a tax deduction for a charitable contribution prior to NAACP Unit acceptance.” President Hamilton did not comply with this directive and did not bring this transaction before the Executive Committee. President Hamilton is in violation of this provision.

Allegation 4 – Nepotism – President Hamilton Violates Lesson 6 of the NAACP Executive Leadership Training Manual

Lesson 6 of the NAACP Executive Leadership Training manual under “Ethics” states that: “Ethics is a philosophical term meaning character or custom. The definition is relevant to effective leadership in organizations in that it suggests an organization code conveying moral integrity and consistent values in service to the public. Ethical behavior is that which is morally accepted as “good” and “right” as opposed to that which is “bad or “wrong” in a particular setting.” President Hamilton has violated this standard of pattern and practice set forth in Lesson 6 – Ethics- in the NAACP Executive Leadership Training, p. 1-180-185. EXHIBIT 6

Nepotism is a violation of common sense and moral values. It is true that it continues to run rampant and that the President’s family, friends and close relatives are regular recipients of funds of various purposes. The same violations were reported in the first Article X filed against the same President in 2000 and nothing has changed. Although the National Office has not put a stop to this, we renew our request. In the May 2, 2009 meeting at the Milwaukee Branch, Rev. Ford praised President Hamilton for employing her family and said it was ok because President Obama did it when he hired Jarrett and Vice President Biden did it with his sons working at the White House.

Ethics is not a Bylaw or about following the law but rather a standard of behavior that tells us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves – as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionals, etc.

It is the responsibility of the President to hold high standards of integrity and ethics as it relates to the principles, aims and purposes of the NAACP.

Article VIII, 2 (g): “In the case of Branches, Executive Committee shall appoint, employ and enter into employment arrangements with employees of the Unit subject only to employment procedures and qualifications approved by the National Office.” This Bylaw has been continually violated in the employment actions taken by President Hamilton.

There are many family members and close friends being paid from the general fund account of the Milwaukee Branch NAACP without Executive Committee approval. Her daughter, son, husband, brother-in law, sister, grandsons, nieces, friends, cousin of former Treasurer as an Administrative Assistant were paid without approval by the Executive Committee. There was payment of an Executive Committee member and now first vice president’s cell phone bills for over a year. Her daughter is paid for coordinating a Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) summer program from NAACP Branch funds. EXHIBIT 7. The Branch funds have become a slush fund for Hamilton family and friends and it continues to be run as a social club with the President favoring her family and friends.

The Executive Committee approved none of the actions taken by President Hamilton regarding placing her family members and friends in these positions at the Branch that were volunteer positions but are now paid positions. It also violates the hiring procedures of the national office and securing prior approval of payment to these family members before payment. The President has continually appointed her daughters, son and other close relatives and friends over standing committees where large amounts of money are received, such as ACT-SO, Back-to-School, Freedom Fund, and American Family Insurance Trust Fund, etc. Presently her son is the trustee of the Community Benefit Trust Fund/American Family settlement where a large sum of money could be allocated to the Branch. This is a conflict of interest and reflects no transparency of funds received or their use.

Allegation 5 – Reported misuse of Branch Resources for Personal Gains

It is has been reported that President Hamilton has operated a business out of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch office and refused to give full disclosure to the Executive Committee. The NAACP Executive Leadership Training manual states that an unrelated business income must be separately reported in the year-end financial report filed by the NAACP units. There has been no reporting of this income.

It is reported that President Hamilton has operated a business, Life Impact Personal Development Center, out of the NAACP Milwaukee office. The name of the business is under the auspices of the NAACP located at 2745 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, the same address of the Milwaukee Branch office. The links to the business are:


Allegation 6 - Failure to make Full Disclosure of Programs Operated at the Milwaukee Branch

President Hamilton has not made full disclosure of UWM partnership, a coalition formed with the NAACP, and whether National approved the coalition in accordance with Bylaws Article II, #3 (a). No contractual agreement document has been brought to the Executive Committee for approval. There has been no proposal for implementing the program. It was budgeted and brought to the Executive Committee and General Membership for approval, but no contracts of any kind were brought to the Executive Committee for prior approval.

President Hamilton has not made full disclosure of money received to operate the MPS Summer School program. During the June 20, 2009 meeting, President admitted that the Branch could no longer afford to financially run the MPS School. The MPS School program has been paid with Branch money without Executive Committee knowledge and approval. EXIBIT 8

President Hamilton has not made full disclosure of the settlement involving a discrimination case at UWM. Did the Branch receive money? Branch financial obligation to radio station WGLB AM? Workforce Investment grant.

Allegation 7 - President Hamilton failed to hold an Election to fill the vacancies of the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Secretary

According to the Bylaws, Article VI, 1 (a), the elective officers of the NAACP shall be, the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary, etc. President Hamilton did not hold an election with a secret ballot to fill the vacancies. She appointed the individuals by listing them in her December 2008 President’s report. She violated the Bylaws in filling a vacancy of elected officers by appointing them.

Membership is no longer a single standing committee. It is combined with Life Membership. President Hamilton appointed Joshua Honey chairperson of Membership, which allowed him to become an Executive Committee member.

Allegation 8 – Youth Council – Appointments by President Hamilton not in Accordance to the Bylaws

Youth Work
Youth Work is a Standing Committee and President Hamilton appointed her daughter Beverly Hamilton-Williams as the Chair. She is an elected Executive Committee member and has been appointed the Youth Council Advisor and chair of the Youth Work by President Hamilton, thus holding three (3) Executive places. This is a clear example of nepotism and monopoly.

According to the Bylaws for Branches Article VII states: “The duties of the President shall be to appoint the Chair and members of all Committees not otherwise elected by the General Membership or the Executive Committee of the NAACP unit, except the Chair of the Youth Work Committee”. Page 32 of the Revised February 2009)

Under Article VIII, p. 44(f), it states: “The Committee on Youth Work for Branches shall consist of the Youth Advisor(s)…The Youth Unit Advisors and the Youth Unit Presidents shall choose the chair of the Committee.”

According to Article VII, p. 33(j.), it states: “Youth Unit Presidents shall represent the Youth Unit on the Executive Committee of the Branch.” The Youth President never attends Executive Committee meetings. The President is in violation of the Bylaws as stated above, respectively.

Youth Council Advisor –
President Hamilton appointed her daughter Beverly Hamilton-Williams to be the Youth Council Advisor.

According to the Bylaws, Article V, p. 25(b), it states the following:

“There shall be an Advisor for Youth Council in conformity with the rules of the Association. In jurisdictions where there is a Branch and a Youth Council, the Youth Council shall submit in writing the names of the elected Advisor to the Branch Executive Committee at the Branch Executive Committee meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Youth Council, which would be held between March 15 and April”. The Branch Executive Committee must accept or reject the submitted name within fifteen (15) days after the submission in writing to the Youth Council President.

The Youth Advisor and President of the Youth Council are members of the Executive committee of the Branch.

No Annual Committee Meeting was held and no names were presented to the Executive Committee to be selected as the Youth Council Advisor as required. President Hamilton is in violation of the Bylaws as stated above.

3. Junior Youth Council
President appointed Cheryl Gardner as a chairperson. This is not a Standing Committee according to the Bylaws for Branches revised February 2009.
Under Article V, p.26 #13, it states: “The Branch Executive Committee shall appoint the Advisor for the Junior Youth Council.” She is an elected Executive Committee member and was also appointed as chair of ACT-SO.

Allegation 9 – President Hamilton continues to run meetings without a Parliamentarian and Sergeant at Arms and does not follow Robert’s Rules of Order and has been allowed to defy the bylaws mentioned in this complaint and others that are defined by the National NAACP.

Allegation 10 – President Hamilton is operating the Branch without a budget for 2009. There has been no budget under the President’s administration adopted by the Executive Committee.

The Finance Committee is a Standing Committee. The Branch has a finance committee that consists of President Hamilton, Treasurer Ceola Mayberry and Assistant Treasurer Margaret Martin. According to the Bylaws, a Finance Committee shall consist of those three and one other. It shall study the financial needs of the Branch and shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget. The Committee should discuss the budget with the Executive Committee. Drafting the annual budget is one of the most important functions of the Finance committee. By not having a budget, it is impossible for the Executive Committee to keep apprised of whether the Branch’s expenditures are as authorized by the Executive Committee. All expenditures now being made are, therefore, unauthorized by the Executive Committee since no budget was approved.

Allegation 11 – Scholarship Funds

President Hamilton is an ex-officio member of this committee and she has not disclosed the procedures used in choosing scholarship recipients for the awards. Favoritism is been shown to family and friends in awarding of the scholarship. The Executive Committee has no input in any of the procedures being used in choosing the recipients or disbursement of monies. The scholarship is a restricted fund and consists of a large sum of money; the President and Ceola Mayberry control this money and committee. There is no check and balance using the process they have established, because the Executive Committee has no knowledge of the criteria being used. Financial report of 09/09/08 shows Edna Frye being paid $1,000 each for two scholarships. EXHIBIT 9

Allegation 12 – President Hamilton failed to discuss the Financial Affairs of the Branch with the Executive Committee to determine whether the Delegates for the National Convention would receive financial assistance

According to the Bylaws the Finance Committee is responsible for making provisions for Delegates to State Conference and National Conventions. President Hamilton is a member of the Finance Committee and works closely with the Treasurer on the financial status of the Branch. The President failed to adhere to this Bylaw.

On May 16, 2009, the Branch’s regular Executive Committee meeting was canceled without notice to the Executive Committee. 1st Vice President Wendall Harris conducted a General Membership meeting to select delegates. This meeting was not advertised to the General Membership. There were no minutes, financial report and agenda prepared for the meeting. The only item discussed was to vote for delegates for the National Convention. Mr. Harris informed the delegates that the President had informed him there would be no money for the delegates to go to the National Convention. The President and Treasurer failed to discuss the financial status of the Branch with the Executive Committee and General Membership. There is no budget approved by the Executive Committee and it is evidence that no money had been budgeted for delegates. President Hamilton told a reporter from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she was getting $3,000 from the Branch to go to the Convention. The Executive Committee has not/did not approved this money for the President. EXHIBIT 10. This action violates the duties of the President, and the President violates her duties as the executive to require the Treasurer with the aid of the Finance Committee to prepare a budget. There is no prior approval by the Executive Committee of any expenditure by the President.

Allegation 13 – President Hamilton Continues to violate Removal Procedures

President Hamilton failed to follow Removal Procedure of non-functioning committees, Officers, Executive Committee Members and Executive Members who do not take the mandatory training.

Article VIII, Section 10 (a)(b)– Removal Procedure

President Hamilton acknowledged in her President’s Report dated February 21, 2008 that during her attendance at the Annual Meeting of the NAACP in New York, February 15-15, 2008, a directive was given to take action on non-functional Executive Committee members in the Branches and proceed to remove them. EXHIBIT 11

At the April 17, 2008, two months later, a General Membership meeting, Felicia Miller-Watson made a motion that the Branch follow the provision in the By-Laws that any Executive Committee member/Officer who was not present for six consecutive meetings be removed. The President said she wanted to review the By-Laws and did not bring the motion to a vote. Instead a motion was made and seconded that the meeting be adjourned and the motion did not pass. EXHIBIT 12. Ms. Miller-Watson was attempting to have the Secretary removed along with others and the President would not entertain the motion. Ms. Miller-Watson attempted to have the Secretary removed in October. Had she been able to remove the Secretary on those occasions, President Hamilton would not have been able to use the Secretary’s illness as a pretext to avoid having a Nominating Committee. The Secretary had been absent well over 50% of elected time served.

The President was given a directive to follow the By-Laws and she did not. That is a direct violation of the By-Laws for the removal of an officer from duty.

Allegation 14 – President Hamilton violated the rights of General Membership when she did not notify them of her change in the Election procedure for 2008 election.

The Executive Committee was not aware that they were being required to resubmit their consent form to run for office until they arrived at the Executive Committee meeting.

Allegation 15 – Electioneering by the President, disregard of the Nominating Committee process and hostile treatment of Executive Committee members who disagree with her has destroyed the right to elect members of our choice.

Because of the pattern and practice of the President of thwarting the Nominating Committee process since she had been in office, we feel compelled to address this issue in an effort that this activity will not occur again; we want to protect our voting rights in the local Branch elections. We believe the set of circumstances display manipulation of the outcome by the President and unfairly deny us our right to select those we wish to lead us on the Executive Committee.

In December 2008, President Hamilton listed the names of the elected Executive Committee members who ran on her so-called slate and were assigned chairmanship of more than one standing committee. Executive Committee members who were not named on the President’s slate were not given a chairmanship position for a Standing Committee, while those on her slate are holding two and more positions. EXHIBIT 13

The Executive Committee members’ democratic participation has been thwarted by the President’s retaliatory behavior. She continues to create dissension among the Executive Committee members and creates a hostile environment for many who vote or voice their opinions in opposition of her viewpoints. Most Executive Members and members have been forced to resign or just quit and stop attending meetings due to being isolated, ignored, ostracized and retaliated against for speaking out in opposition to the President’s viewpoint or asking questions relating to the Branch finances. This tactic has been used by the President to stop members from asking questions and attending future meetings.

The new Executive Committee members were not interviewed before they were elected or selected to be an Officer or Executive Committee member. Membership was not verified. It is believed that none of the newly elected members had attended a NAACP meeting within the last two years and did not know the operational procedures of the Branch or election procedures, but were nominated to supervise the Election Supervisory committee.

The election procedures were seriously flawed and violated. We would suggest to you that the President behaved in a clandestine manner during this process.

The repeated behavior of the President to thwart the Nominating Committee is extremely unfair. In September 2008 the Nominating Committee attempted to do their job and was prevented by the behavior of the President. EXHIBIT 14

The evidence is being provided that will show that their efforts were thwarted. The President refused to provide a current list of members, despite repeated requests made by candidates who wished to contact members of the Branch to seek support in the upcoming election. Evidence will show deliberate actions taken to prevent the only duly nominated candidate for Treasurer, who had consented properly and timely, from being listed as a candidate. EXHIBIT 15

In conclusion:

General Membership and many former and current Executive Committee members are not willing to sit back and watch the Milwaukee Branch become a monopoly for the Hamilton’s. Many of the undersigned have been supporters of President Hamilton but are no longer willing to stand by and watch the erosion of the Branch’s finances, the dictatorship management style, and family members, friends and others being paid for serving in a volunteer position.

There is no transparency of the fiscal operation of the Branch affairs. The President has not executed a plan of action for the Branch to overcome her destabilizing the efforts to keep the Branch’s integrity. The Branch does not embrace its core principles and projects. The Branch has become the Hamilton Family Industry of donations, funding, sources and selective activities at their discretion. The President’s continued practice to go around and outside the Executive Committee by filling committee and officers’ seat assignments improperly and without the Executive Committee approval makes the Executive Committee non-functional. Some members are deciding that the Milwaukee Branch is irrelevant. An editorial writer of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote an article about the Milwaukee Branch exposing many of these allegations. EXHIBIT 16

We will no longer be abused, intimidated and insulted by the National Office personnel staff for opposing the President’s opinions or viewpoints. Membership and Executive Committee members will not be intimidated by being told repeatedly how the National office will get rid of you for speaking out against wrong doing. Members will no longer accept being intimidated and referred to as hamhocks, chief chitterlings, and pork chops when you oppose the President, as Dr. Reide stated during the May 2, 2009 meeting. He should no longer be able to tell any President to throw people out who scrutinize financial reports and recommend that the financial reports be taken up and these are people who just like to throw mud and distract because that’s their only business.

We will no longer be ridiculed by the President on the radio arrogantly stating to the listening audience as she read an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the three people who sent a letter to National ought to know they need to file an Article X and that they should have come to her because she probably would have sign it, just to get it on the way. She also states “I think everyone who questions the way I run the organization is disgruntled. You are either with me or not.” See Exhibit 2.

It is being reported that President Hamilton has publicly stated that she was told by National to ignore the e-mails and complaints because they will not do anything to her. That could explain why Rev. Ford gave the chair of the Communications, Publicity and Press a directive at the May 2, 2009 meeting to issue a news release exonerating the President of the e-mail messages that were sent out to a large quantity of people.

It is being reported that the President and others are publicly stating that National will not do anything to her and they love her because she brings in the money. The National Office is implementing a job for the President in the Region that involves securing money for the National Office.

President Hamilton reported at the December 2008 meeting in her President’s report that the Treasurer was not seeking re-election and that National made the following statement, “ It has been stated by our National Office that she has been one of the most productive finance persons we have had.” Not following the Bylaws as the Treasurer should not be rewarded. That is why an audit by an independent source is required and is being requested in this complaint.

We the undersigned are requesting under Article X, p. 78 (4) that President and CEO Jealous exercise his authority to suspend President Jerry Ann Hamilton due to the danger of irreparable harm to the Milwaukee Branch NAACP pending a full investigation.

We the undersigned hereby request a full hearing. We hereby request that effective immediately that President Hamilton cease from handling all monies of the Branch and that all monies to be spent must follow the Bylaws set forth in Article VII, p. 36 (4).
We urge you, Benjamin Todd Jealous, as President and CEO to exercise your authority to order President Hamilton to be suspended pending a full hearing. We also are requesting an independent audit from an outside source.

We the undersigned hereby request to be effective immediately that a Compensation/Reimbursement Subcommittee be appointed to the Milwaukee Branch to review and approve all reimbursements for the expenses incurred on behalf of the Association by the President, members of the Executive Committee, family members, close relatives, as National has established as a standard of operation.

We the undersigned hereby request to suspend the use of the President’s credit card that the Branch is paying. These expenses are not disclosed and have no prior approval by the Executive Committee.









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1 comment:

  1. Teresa MecheleJune 5, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    After reading the entire 13 page document, I pray the NAACP Milwaukee Branch is operating under ethical leadership.

    ReplyDelete

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