FYI
Friends of Roseland Heights,
As friends one of the most important things we can do each and every day is find ways to help the people we care about (public servants could take a note from that page) I’m writing today to tell you about The RHCA meeting Oct. 26, 2010. As you may or may not know Richard Wooten (candidate for 6th Ward Alderman) was the guess speaker, along with appearances from Alderman Lyle and campaign Workers from Rod Sawyer also running for 6th Ward Alderman.
Here's the facts:
*Note: Alderman Lyle , currently serving as elected official, came to speak solely in a capacity other than as a candidate.
6th Ward website posting
It seems that there were two posting on a 6th Ward Blog stating that RHCA might loss their 501c status for endorsement of a political candidate and another blog implied that RHCA was jeopardizing city services, for Roseland Heights, by doing so. What??
No Endorsement from RHCA
Among many other restrictions, Section 501(c)(3) prohibits tax-exempt non-profits from explicitly or implicitly endorsing or opposing any candidate or political party. This means neither the organization nor someone (that would be officers) in a capacity of representing the organization may do so. RHCA nor any officers have endorsed or made implicit endorsements of any candidates. (neither have I) Nor have we trained volunteers to work on a particular,( or select group of,) campaigns, accepted financing from campaigns or political parties, sponsored events or allowed our facility (by the way we DON"T have one) to be used for a campaign event.
NO sponsored events for any Candidate (the facility (church) we use does not belong to RHCA)
Candidate Wooten appeared at RHCA regular monthly meeting. Just as Alderman Lyle appeared last month! There was a statement in the newsletter saying he would be there and there would have been a statement in last months news letter for Alderman Lyle had we known she was coming! Any flyers or post cards telling members of his appearance were paid for and delivered by Wooten's campaign.
Candidate Forums
RHCA did not invite candidate Wooten to our meeting. He asked if he could come and was approved for this month's agenda. He found us. It is reported that there are 7 candidates for 6th Ward Alderman. The only ones we knew of was Sean Washington and Rod Sawyer. That was the only criteria for an appearance at a meeting. If the other community organizations are willing to do a public forum all candidates will be invited to a public forum for the purpose of public education.
*Note: When Rod Sawyer's "Circulate Petition" worker appeared at my door Oct. 23, she was told of Oct. 26 meeting and told to contact us if he would like to come. How's that for impartial treatment of candidates? Again, the IRS has said (in a 1986 ruling) that "all legally-qualified candidates" must be invited to participate in candidate forums and debates. However, such all-inclusive participation is not an absolute requirement. Under certain circumstances, a 501(c)(3) may exclude particular candidates from a forum, if they fail to meet reasonable, objective criteria established by the 501(c)(3) organization for participation in the event.
C. Tucker
