Bend Community Center Faces Its Financial Difficulties, Seeks New Board Members

United Way of Deschutes County, in partnership with the Partnership to End Poverty and the Deschutes County Children & Families Commission, has engaged SGA Certified Public Accountants & Consultants to conduct an independent financial review to verify Bend’s Community Center’s financial position. 

 

Bend’s Community Center’s board of directors recently announced several recent developments to address its financial difficulties with hopes to restore the organization’s viability, credibility and community support.

Core programs continue…this includes the Sunday Feed the Hungry meal program and senior congregate meals provided Monday through Friday by the Central Oregon Council on Aging, hall rentals and Becca’s Closet.

The thrift store, job training, clothes baling, bike shed and diaper bank programs have all been discontinued as BCC programs.

A third party financial review is underway.  United Way of Deschutes County, in partnership with the Partnership to End Poverty and the Deschutes County Children & Families Commission, has engaged SGA Certified Public Accountants & Consultants to conduct an independent financial review to verify Bend’s Community Center’s financial position.  The auditor’s report is expected in mid-December.

In addition, Jessica Sotelo, executive director of Partners for Prosperity in Pocatello, Idaho, a nonprofit organization management expert, will provide a formal governance review and lead an all-day board retreat on December 8.

Current board members are Bruce Abernethy (grant writer for Bend-La Pine School District, Seth Anderson (architect with Ambient Architecture), Kalisha Fleischmann, (marketing manager for Vantage Clinical Solutions), Chuck Hemingway (executive director of Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, Kathleen Nielson (VP regional operations manager, Central & Eastern Oregon of US Bank who serves at BCC Treasurer) and Sarah Williamson (senior account manager at Koopman Ostbo Marketing/Communications).

“We are down to only six and in active recruitment mode so if you know anybody who might be interested, please have them contact me,” noted Abernethy. He can be reached at abernethy9@aol.com.

Linda Heatley is currently serving as BCC’s interim executive director.

Bend’s Community Center is seeking volunteers to join the board of directors and interested individuals are invited and encouraged to attend the December 8 retreat.

Speaking on behalf of the board, Abernethy offered the following comment.  “We are very grateful for the support the community has shown during this difficult transition period.  Some tough choices have been made, but they are putting us on a path to sustainability and will allow us to continue to provide critical services for those most in need.”

541-390-6837

lindaheatley@yahoo.com