ACLU
of Florida Board of Directors Places
Central
Chapter in Receivership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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.