Here are the public known facts about Invent Tomorrow, a nonprofit company:
Cheri Becker is the executive director of Invent Tomorrow. Husband, Mark is deputy mayor of Fort Wayne
Invent Tomorrow has the same address as Carson Boxberger Law Firm in One Summit Square building.
Invent Tomorrow is a nonprofit LLC
If they want credibility here in the Fort Wayne community then they should answer the following questions.
A list of the board of directors of Invent Tomorrow?
A list of people/companies funding this nonprofit?
What industry does this nonprofit represent?
Most nonprofits and groups who promote themselves as community leaders are proud as to who their board members are. They know by disclosing their board members, it will often convince the public of the group's credibility.
Here is their site if you want to check it out. Someone please tell me who, what, and where of this group is?
http://www.inventtomorrow.com/
Cheri Becker is the executive director of Invent Tomorrow. Husband, Mark is deputy mayor of Fort Wayne
Invent Tomorrow has the same address as Carson Boxberger Law Firm in One Summit Square building.
Invent Tomorrow is a nonprofit LLC
If they want credibility here in the Fort Wayne community then they should answer the following questions.
A list of the board of directors of Invent Tomorrow?
A list of people/companies funding this nonprofit?
What industry does this nonprofit represent?
Most nonprofits and groups who promote themselves as community leaders are proud as to who their board members are. They know by disclosing their board members, it will often convince the public of the group's credibility.
Here is their site if you want to check it out. Someone please tell me who, what, and where of this group is?
http://www.inventtomorrow.com/
Posts
12 comments:
Why don't you just ASK them? They have an hyperlink on their site where you can ask a question. Or, give them a call. What's with inuendo? If someone incorporates a business, whether it's non-profit or for profit, are they supposed to mail out a list of their board of directors to everyone in the county? Are you suspicious of EVERYBODY? Hell, you can probably get that info off the Secretary of States website. Sheesh!
If they want to be the leaders they claim they should be proud to tell who they are. Who they are is who directs and puts up the money.
No one asked them to mail anything to anyone. They have a web site where the information should be listed at no additional cost.
As you said "Sheesh"
Just fill out the form to "request information on their website, and I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you. What is the big deal? Are you trying to insinuate something? Are you against people trying to make FW a better community? Were you without anything else (perhaps more important) to blog about that day? Are you upset that the deputy mayor is a part of this non-profit? If this is a 501C3, you should be able to look all this information up yourself. Just do the research, it's FREE!
Double Sheesh!
Hmm...In a matter of a couple of minutes, I was able to find their 990 EZ form online. On pages 13 and 14 it lists their officers, directors, trustees and key employees. Not a hard thing to do.....
Here ya go. See if this works for you. I'll even make it easy...
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/050/608/2006-050608001-032e0f78-Z.pdf
Hay thanks, I didn't know groups being for the community would figure everyone would go to their tax filing information out.
I glanced over the data real quick and noticed many of their board members are members of other groups as well.
I also did not see where their money come from. I see it in their as a lump sum. Maybe you can help me out in telling me what I am missing of seeing who is footing the bills? Not how much, but who?
Again thanks for the info and I will post in the next day or so what I think.
Who is their source of funding? I see that Invent Tomorrow doesn't have a huge bank account but more of the size to pay someone to be a lobbyist. So why do we need this group?
Twenty four board members. Wow that is one heck of a board. One of the biggest, I have ever seen!
Let see, there are six (25%) who work or have retired from the schooling segment. These people have worked in the world that is in part or total supported by the unending supply of tax dollars.
No one! I repeat, not one person representing a manufacturing segment of our area that I could figure out.
The committee is loaded with service type industry people.
Most of these people could be moved out of town by just loading up their computer and desk in the back of a pickup truck.
See, Invent Tomorrow failed when they came back just bubbling over all the great things they have learned from their previous visits to Greenville and Providence. They forgot to tell everyone we may be able to use a couple of things these cities did but that we are not Greenville, Providence, or Chattanooga
Here is a MAJOR issue with Invent Tomorrow
Invent Tomorrow sends out their press release includes a list everyone going on these "impression-gathering trips." No problem there.
Their press release lists what company each traveler works for, as to show these people are the official representative of an endorsing company. Wrong!
Invent Tomorrow is trying to pull one of the oldest tricks in the books. It is like a special interest group making a promotional video showing the old, the young, the doctors, the blue collar workers, and minorities all support a particular community issue. However, when someone does the digging they find out a great many of the people providing the endorsements have one common tie to one another. They belong to same political party and are trying to push the agenda through of one elected person.
When the real leaders, whose businesses actually produce something, who worry about them continuing to complete in the world market, and has millions of dollars at risk here in Fort Wayne is when I will listen to what they have to say. I will not be listening to a bunch of people who have lived off tax dollars, or are short timers in the area, and have no real capitol investment in Fort Wayne.
What else is interesting is how many of these people serve on boards the involve Don Willis. Once again the name Don Willis shows up.
JQ, I'm going to address you by responding after each of your paragraphs. This should make it easier to follow.
JQ Writes:
Who is their source of funding? I see that Invent Tomorrow doesn't have a huge bank account but more of the size to pay someone to be a lobbyist. So why do we need this group?
Truth Responds:
I believe I read who their sponsors were on their website. It does not give a total of how much each entity gave, but some were "in kind" services. They do not legally have to provide that informtion. However, it's relatively easy to find that information, it you want to spend the dough to find out. I don't see a 'lobbyist' listed anywhere. I do see ONE employee who receives a salary, which is normal for a 501C3. Why do we need this? Perhaps we don't, but since this is a charitable organization, you have the freedom to either donate or not. So, what exactly is your point?
JQ:
Twenty four board members. Wow that is one heck of a board. One of the biggest, I have ever seen!
Truth Responds:
Yes, it is a large board, however I believe some of those folks were listed as 'past' board members. I don't believe there is any limit on quantity of board members an organization is allowed to have. For an organization this size, I will concede, that's a lot of board members. Looks like they were trying to get a well-rounded group of people.
JQ:
Let see, there are six (25%) who work or have retired from the schooling segment. These people have worked in the world that is in part or total supported by the unending supply of tax dollars.
Truth responds:
Since part of this organization's acitivities are geared towards education, it's not surprising that they would have retired teachers on their board. It makes complete sense. Okay, their salaries, as teachers, was from tax dollars. Is there a point you're trying to make?
JQ:
No one! I repeat, not one person representing a manufacturing segment of our area that I could figure out.
Truth:
So? Perhaps no one from the manufacturing industry has displayed any interest in being a part of this organization. Or perhaps there is, but they are just not on the board. Again, your point?
JQ:
The committee is loaded with service type industry people.
Truth:
This town is full of service industry folks. Again, I wish when you make statements, you would also provide some meaning with them.
JQ:
Most of these people could be moved out of town by just loading up their computer and desk in the back of a pickup truck.
Truth:
The statement you made above makes no sense at all. So, are you saying a factory worker would be any different? Hell, at least they wouldn't have to pack up a desk. I'm still not sure what you're getting at.
JQ:
See, Invent Tomorrow failed when they came back just bubbling over all the great things they have learned from their previous visits to Greenville and Providence. They forgot to tell everyone we may be able to use a couple of things these cities did but that we are not Greenville, Providence, or Chattanooga
Truth:
Dude, you're trying (and failing) to make this group out to be a waste of time. First, why are you concerned? Not one dime of yours is going into this group. Second, at least they are trying to make a difference in this community. Third, you even state "we may be able to use a couple of things these cities did". Okay, great. I guess the trip wasn't worthless then? I'm sure everyone know we are not those cities, however getting ideas on how to improve our city seems to have been the goal of those trips.
Triple sheesh!
I will tell you why, because they are trying to say they are part of the community leaders. Which they are not!
They have stamped the Harrison Square and North River project as being part of the community leaders. They are not.
I wonder how many of these people even live close to downtown? Oh, I could tell you but you already know how many live out on the far southwest or northeast side of town. You know in the real upscale homes.
I am sure you know how many of them depend on tax dollars or donations to keep the groups they are associated with going. Don't you?
I will agree they have the right to stand up as a group and say what they want. Just be totally clear to the public who they are, who they represent, and their connections to downtown. At that time I would say let them speak!
If you want to get into names, community groups they support, where they live and all of that we can.
It is a group of self promoters who have little risk at stake. If these projects fail and fall back on to taxpayers they some will only remember Invent Tomorrow but not the players.
Truth,
You question why J.Q. is concerned about Invent Tomorrow. Indeed, if they are privately funded, then what cause for concern is there?
Well, in a couple of years, the city may decide they want to spend some of J.Q.'s money to install streetcars. It is even conceivable, based upon past actions taken by the city, that they might propose using some of J.Q.'s money to subsidize an auto sharing venture by a private company.
So, if J.Q. would be opposed to such measures, then he certainly has cause for being interested in Invent Tomorrow. But the real question then is why doesn't he just wait until the city makes such proposals until he starts complaining.
Suppose he follows this approach. And suppose two years from now, the City tells J.Q. they want his dollars to implement Invent Tomorrow's suggestions. So, he reacts then by publicly speaking out against such proposals.
Representatives of the City would likely respond to J.Q.'s "Do-nothing" mentality here with the following statement.
"We've been working on this plan for a long time. In fact, Invent Tomorrow's proposals were put forward two years ago. If J.Q. really cared about this issue, and our city, then why did he wait until the last minute to get involved?"
Bottom line - J.Q., and others, have legitimate concern for being interested in Invent Tomorrow - today!
I will, however, agree with you that he kind of jumped the gun with his innuendos of a conspiracy. Thanks for providing some of the information that he was seeking.
His disregard for affluent suburbanites was also unwarranted, but I think you matched this with your implication that factory workers don't own desks. Amazingly, illegal immigrants somehow missed the wrath of both of you.
Phil,
Thanks for bringing out the issues you did.
See, I never used the word rich neighborhoods because many of the neighborhoods, even members of Invent Tomorrow come from, are not "rich." Middle class and up would be the truth.
I was trying to make the point in that they are living a great distance from the "core" for a reason. What each person's reason was their own. They could have located on the near West Central area, Lake Side area or any of a number of others that offer nice homes but afford the "city core life."
Why am I concerned about things before they happen? Let see, Harrison Square had no real input that was listened to from outsiders. Some of the same people in Invent Tomorrow where great cheerleaders for Harrison Square.
I find it hard to believe that the wife of Mayor's deputy Mayor would come out opposed to anything the Mayor says he likes. Look around at all the community groups in Fort Wayne that proudly show their board members and who contributes to thier opertaions.
By the way, many factory workers own desks at home and have them assigned to them in their work place. Many are highly educated in their field also.
Invent Tomorrow has talked about all the great things they have seen in Greenville and Providence. They have not talked about the massive daily employee influx/outflux that goes on. That part of the "rebirth" is the small mom and pop shops in the downtown area. Many of these businesses are closed on the weekend. Not all, as the ones very close to the "park areas" do a decent weekend business.
Jumping the gun is done in attempt to raise the issue of the people to look before it happens. Once it happens, then it is a little to late. If groups like this where out front the very issues I have raised for the most part could not even be raised. They would have been already answered.
Phil, go to their site and tell me the real who, what, and where of Invent of Tomorrow. There is a bunch of words but answer the who, what, and where? What have they accomplished in Fort Wayne?
You raise the issue illegal immigrants and to be honest I just was reading about it before jumping on here. It is an issue to the people of Greenville are now facing.
You have not read one post where I am opposed to Harrison Square or North River in concept. You will find posts against money grabbing, conflicts of interest, and self promoting.
Not one of these cheerleading groups to North River have said a public word about the site being cleaned up prior to purchase. Not one of these support groups have said a public word about the problems with the St. Mary's River.
Keep in mind Greenville, Providence, and Chattanooga all have rivers. But our river is not even in the same sport, let alone league, as these other cities. The only thing they share is they are rivers and contain water. That is it.
There are many things we could be doing right now to start attracting both our local residents and out of town visitors downtown but we fail to.
You can call it "innuendos of a conspiracy" but when you see missleading information published tends to support conspiracy.
Post a Comment