Defending the Ministry or ????

In a recent Letter to the Editor of the Belleville News Democrat, (See Below) Jess Bronow claims to be defending a ministry that he has worked "along side of" for the past several years.

What Mr. Bronow does not explain or disclose, is that he himself is a member of the board of Small Victories ministry.

He is listed on their 2010 990 tax filing as a member of their board.

View it here: http://smallvictoriesexposed.com/page4.html

Since Mr. Bronow is a member of the board, his letter is less a neutral third party defense of his friends' ministry, and more of a self serving defense.

With this in mind. Mr. Bronow has not only the RIGHT but also the RESPONSIBILITY to view and report to the public and their donors on the contents of the financial documents and dealings of the ministry.

Transparency breeds trust.

The best way to defend oneself against accusations of financial misdealings is to provide the records, ALL the records, for public examination.

Or better yet, provide a clear independent third party audit of the finacial records.

Now we have to ask the obvious question.

Has Mr. Bronow disclosed that he is a member of the board to potential donors he has approached for donations?


If not he may be in some legal trouble.

Trustees and Board Members have very specific duties required of them by Illinois Statute 769 ILCS 55 and Federal Tax Codes that require them to disclose their relationship, before seeking or accepting donations for the charity they are working for or with.

Something to think about.





Defending this ministry
Once again I write in defense of Small Victories and the Michaels, with whom I have worked for 14 years. I have heard slanderous attacks concerning their financial accountability. When do the Michaels have time to misuse funds? They are at the Hope Clinic in Granite City five days a week.
Many individuals and groups, including Christian ones, criticize but have no idea about the saving actions the Michaels take to clothe, feed and shelter babies and their mothers. How can someone criticize without knowing the whole truth?
At the Labor Day parade in Granite City, the Madison County sheriff approached Angela Michael and thanked her for being there to represent the mission to save babies. A little girl who attended the Highland picnic thanked Angela for saving her from abortion at the Hope Clinic.
Those who send in anonymous comments have no clue. Who are these people? If they know something negative, let them identify themselves so the Michaels might defend themselves.
Policemen often send girls under 18 years of age to the Michaels because other agencies and shelters will not take these young women. I have witnessed the Michaels give pregnant girls money to buy something to eat after they have ultrasounds. Ultrasound viewing has saved many, many lives.
I know that any money donated to Small Victories is well-spent and used only to save and help babies.
Jess Bronow
Collinsville

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2011/12/21/1987504/letters-1221.html#storylink=cpy

Comparing Apples to Nuts!

The leaders of Small Victories USA are very fond of pointing out that “pregnancy centers have not saved a single baby” or “Pregnancy centers do not save babies” and “not one woman walking in to a pregnancy center is thinking of having an abortion”.

Isn’t this like saying, “No transmission shop has ever rebuilt an engine” or “That transmission shop has never repainted a single car body, and “no car owner has walked in to a body shop to have their engine rebuilt.”

You see the statements they are making are flawed, because, while the pregnancy centers do perform ultrasound, and do provide counseling, they of course do not try to convince women not to have an abortion, in their offices. By the time the women have come there they have already made the decision not to have an abortion.

The pregnancy centers have different goals, and ideals to work with, than the sidewalk counselors and sidewalk heralds have.

Think about it, if literally everyone had the same job in the pro-life movement, once we convinced a woman not to have an abortion, and to choose life, where would she go?

Who would give her counseling to take care of herself during the pregnancy? Who would help her to have the baby? Who would help her have her baby adopted?

My point is, if you are going to compare something, compare apples to apples, and not apples to oranges.

If the point is that the money goes to raising children and not saving children, then yes, give to the organization that is doing what YOU want the money to go to.

Then verify where it is going.

How?

By asking for the accounting of the funds given, Federal and most state laws require that these be given to donors and potential donors within 72 hours of the request.

Refusing to give this information out is grounds for prosecution and loss of charitable status.

Yet, Small Victories has in the past howled at the very thought of someone outside of their board looking at their financial records, other than the records their treasurer wants you to see.

Did you know that by law, all 501 C 3 organizations must show you their bank statements issued from the bank, not just an 8.5 by 14 piece of handwritten paper given to you by the treasurer? They also have to allow you to view the books of the organization as well.

Have you ever asked Small Victories USA for proof of where your donations have been going?

If so what did you get?

Reading List

A new book to consider, I have read it cover to cover and it is very good.

It covers many if not all aspects of the trouble in Granite City from a secular perspective.

The Sociopath Next Door
By Martha Stout PHD.


Buy it at Amazon for Kindle or in hard copy here

http://www.amazon.com/Sociopath-Next-Door-Martha-Stout/dp/0767915828/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275457492&sr=1-1

Publisher: Broadway (March 14, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0767915828
ISBN-13: 978-0767915823


Another good book about this situation is

Confronting Jezebel: Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control By Steve Sampson




A very good look at the situation from a Christian perspective.
If you have spent any time in Granite City in front of Hope Clinic get ready for a shock.

Publisher: Chosen (August 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800793455
ISBN-13: 978-0800793456

You can also still buy this at Borders Books and most of the local bookstores and Christian Book stores carry this or can order it pretty quick.

These are the main Jezebel characteristics.
But not all Jezebels have all of these traits.
Sound like anyone we know?

1. Refuses to admit guilt or wrong doing.
2. Takes credit for everything.
3. Uses people to accomplish its agenda.
4. Withholds information.
5. Talks in confusion, speaks but never really clarifies a point.
6. Volunteers for everything.
7. Lies. Sometimes for no apparent reason about the smallest of things.
8. Ignores people that could disagree with them.
9. Never gives credit or shows gratitude.
10. Criticizes everyone.
11. Upstages others.
12. Controls information.
13. Uses information.
14. Talks incessantly.
15. Spiritualizes everything.
16. Is insubordinate.
17. Is pushy and domineering.
18. Is clairvoyant. Even to the point of knowing things no one else could
possibly know.
19. Uses the element of surprise.
20. Sows seeds of discord.
21. Commands attention.
22. Is vengeful.
23. Attempts to make you look like you're the Jezebel.
24. Insinuates disapproval.
25. Knows it all.
26. Is over ambitious.
27. Manipulates through gift giving.
28. Is independent, accepting or having no other authority over it.
29. Is super religious.
30. Can hide(appear normal), and strike without warning.
31. Will take advantage of the most easily lead.
32/ Wants or tries to make everyone believe they are the only ones that can do the job or task. Indispensable

The Jezebel may be Male or Female.
Jezebel controllers are almost always motivated by insecurity, and can't tolerate rejection.