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Central Chapter
(Orange, Osceola,
Seminole and Lake
Counties)
To get involved with the ACLU of Florida Central Chapter, please
contact the Central Regional Office at: (407) 340-3550 or centralregion@aclufl.org
ACLU
of Florida Board of Directors Places
Central Chapter in
Receivership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ACLU of Florida Board of Directors Places
Central Chapter in Receivership
Saturday, December 6,
2008
CONTACT:
Brandon Hensler, Director of Communications,
(786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
NAPLES, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida’s Board
of Directors, at its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting, today voted to
place the Central Florida Chapter (which is comprised of members residing in
Lake, Osceola, Orange and Seminole Counties) in Receivership. Receivership
means that the current Board of Directors is disbanded and a Receiver shall be
appointed.
The State Board has attempted to resolve
problems with the Central Florida Chapter Board for several years. These
problems have included internal controversies and led to resignations and
grievances from members of the Central Chapter Board. During this
period of transition and into the future, the ACLU remains fully committed to
maintaining a strong and vibrant presence in Central Florida.
The following statement was made by Jeanne Baker,
President of the State ACLU Board of Directors. Ms. Baker, of Coral
Gables, is an attorney.
“Contrary to claims made by some current
Central Chapter Board members, this is not about free speech or someone’s
choice of t-shirt; this is about ending years of Chapter Board dysfunction and
flagrant disregard for ACLU policies and procedures. The Board of Directors of
the ACLU of Florida, which oversees the 18 local Chapters throughout the
state, has responsibility to ensure that Chapter Boards operate in accordance
with the policies and procedures of the ACLU. At our quarterly meeting
today, the State Board made the difficult decision to intervene in the
administration of the Central Chapter Board.
“The ACLU of Florida is committed to a
strong and vibrant ACLU presence in Orlando and Central Florida.”
While in receivership status, the following will take
place:
·
All communications
related to the ACLU in Central Florida, whether regarding ACLU activities in
Central Florida or State or National ACLU activities, shall be directed
to/from the ACLU of Florida Communications Office at: (786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org. No person previously on
the Central Chapter Board of Directors is authorized to speak on behalf of the
ACLU of Florida, or on ACLU policies, lawsuits, or other ACLU matters;
·
The current Board of
Directors has been removed and will cease to serve as directors. A Receiver
will be appointed to administer the Chapter’s
funds and supervise its ACLU activities, which will continue forward as
normal, until such time a new Board is put in place;
and
·
An interim Chapter
Board, which will work toward
re-attaining full Chapter status, will be appointed.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: www.aclufl.org