Financial Accountability
This page is the homepage for the Financial Accountability Working Group (FAWG). Please fill this in with pertinent information and resources for newcomers. Use the Discussion tab above to start discussions.
[Note: can we delete the old page? please migrate all relevant info from Finance Specialists. thank you, --OneKarma 15:20, 9 November 2011 (EST)] YES - you can delete the old page. The minutes have been saved and will be reposted to this page at some point. -Lisa
Email list: ob-finance@lists.mayfirst.org
Join the list and view message archives at https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/ob-finance
VOLUNTEER BOOKKEEPER(S) NEEDED - PLEASE EMAIL ob-finance@lists.mayfirst.org
FAWG Meeting Schedule
Sunday: TBA
Monday: 6:00 - 8:00 PM, South Station Mezzanine
Wednesday: 6:00 to 8:00 PM, South Station Mezzanine
Thursday: 3:00 to 5:00 PM, 470 Atlantic Avenue (rear public meeting room)
FAWG MInutes
11/14/11 10/26/11
Current Financial Accountability Working Group Members
B (Food)
Bruce Ehrlich
Lisa Goldstein (Media) occupylisa AT gmail.com
Linda Jenkins, occupylinda @ gmail.com
Matthew Krawitz (IT), OB-FAWG AT theherbalcurrent.com (Credit Union Account Signer)
K. Eric Martin (Logistics), 857-236-2734, occupyeric@gmail.com
Gregory Murphy (Facilitation) 617-413-6472, gsjmurphy @ gmail.com (Credit Union Account Signer)
Michael Petit
Rene Perez (Logistics), occupyrene@gmail.com
Rita Sebastian (Info)
Current Financial Accountability Working Group Consultants
Daniel Paradis, tax lawyer - occupybostongc@gmail.com, 617.470.5049
OccupyBoston Internal Revenue Service and Banking Structure
For Occupy Boston to open a credit union account to track donations to the general fund, and any resulting OB expenses, OB needed an Employer Identification Number, provided by the IRS. Gregory Murphy obtained an EIN in the name of OccupyBoston. OccupyBoston's IRS address is OccupyBoston P. O. Box 51162, Boston, MA 02205 .
For the same reason and per credit union requirements, Gregory Murphy obtained a Certificate of Business from the City of Boston. That certificate lists Gregory Murphy dba (doing business as) Occupy Boston Financial Accountability Working Group. This is a temporary measure, simply to get an account open. OB's Financial Accountability Working Group is researching different potential organizational structures for OccupyBoston, and, at some point, will make a recommendation to the GA, in the form of a proposal.
Also, per a mediated Agreement (signed 11/1/11) with Paul Carnes and Sydney Sherrel, Mr. Carnes signed a Withdrawal of Business Certificate for the dba Occupy Boston, filed in his name. That certificate sits in escrow with mediator David Kelston, awaiting the fulfillment of all the terms of the Agreement. FAWG contends that FAWG, Mr. Carnes and Ms. Sherrell have satisfied the terms of the Agreement and that Mr. Kelston should deliver, to FAWG, the Withdrawal of Business Certificate dba Occupy Boston. Mr. Carnes and Ms. Sherrell contend that FAWG has violated the terms of the Agreement, have secured legal counsel, and are petitioning Mr. Kelston to return the Withdrawal of Business Certificate dba OccupyBoston to them. Mr. Kelston has called for another session (tentatively) set for Monday, 11/14/11, to come to terms with the dispute.
Once FAWG secures the Withdrawal of Business Certificate dba OccupyBoston, it intends to file the certificate at the City Clerk's office, and then, as soon as possible, secure a new Business Certificate dba OccupyBoston, to hold and protect, in the name of OccupyBoston, and as consented to by OccupyBoston's General Assembly, on 11/3/11.
On 10/25/11, members of FAWG opened an account at Liberty Bay Credit Union, in the name of Occupy Boston Financial Accountability Working Group, with a total deposit of $15,819.44, which included $5 LBCU gave OB for opening the account. As of 11/10/11, FAWG is in the process of moving funds donated to the WePay General Fund (over $30,000) to LBCU Savings Account. We wil decide, the week of 11/13, whteher to move the WePay Legal Fund (over $11,000) to a second savings account at LBCU, or to a trust, administered by FAWG consulting tax counsel.
General Fund Activity (checking account)
Monthly Credit Union Statements
Procedures for Workgroups and Individuals to Obtain Funds
FAWG Background Check Procedures