To YFT Board of Directors:

It is with regret that I formally resign from the board of directors of Youth First Texas effective 7PM on Monday, January 9, 2012. While this decision may come to some on the board as a sense of relief and joy, it is written with a great deal of concern and sadness, mixed with a high level of frustration.

Since joining the board, I have worked to ensure that the board has acted in good faith and fulfilled its legal obligations to our community, our donors and our youth (primarily through my role as Governance Committee Chair and member). While the board has had some lively discussions, and made some hard decisions, the board – for the most past – has acted professionally and respectfully, and met those obligations. It is only in the last six or so months that I have seen the board disintegrate as factions have formed, and discussions (and some decisions) have been based on alliances to individuals and not always in the best interests of the organization.

The most evident of these was in the handling of my concerns expressed about both co-chairs, TJ Wilson and Chris-James Cognetta, and my board complaint against both for misleading the board, misrepresenting the use of organizational funds to the board in relation to the Black Tie Dinner (as was the case with the documented issue against TJ), among other issues. The intent behind the complaint was to remind the board of its role to maintain a check and balance on all of its directors and its officers, and it saddens me that the majority of the board has ignored repeated requests to address these serious and substantiated concerns. Instead, the (now) majority of the board is focusing on seeking revenge and retaliation against members of the board with whom they disagree, and who have raised concerns in an effort to protect the organization’s integrity and status within the community. This is not a board acting judiciously to protect our organization, but a board acting out of spite.

It is the knowledge that the majority of the board has decided to act in this manner that has contributed to my (and others) level of frustration and my decision to tender my resignation. It is the fact that a large part of the board is now aligned to 1 or 2 individuals, and makes decisions based on that loyalty, rather than to the organization itself, that makes it impossible for me to be effective and remain on the board. All efforts to reach out to work with these individuals have been futile given that it appears the goal of the alliance on the board has been to simply remove those members that don’t play by their rules, or don’t agree with them. This has become most evident in the past 2 months amongst many board members. It is worth noting that I have attempted multiple times to meet with or talk with board members on the rare occasions when issues have arisen; no other board member has ever reached out to discuss their concerns directly with me.

While I do not doubt that with my resignation the complaint against the co-chairs will fail to appear before the board again, it is my hope that some of you on the board will see that continuing the lack of accountability expected of our co-chairs could lead to further misrepresentations and possibly jeopardize the organization more than they have to date. It is up to you all to ensure that the board does its best to always protect the organization’s interests above those of any one individual. That is the basic duty that each director has.

The organization appears to be once again heading into a downward spiral, and rather than working together to protect our organization (including honoring our own mission, vision and values), some have chosen to work to fuel the negativity and encourage board members to ignore a commitment to dignity and respect (both of the person and the diversity of thought) that each board member should have.

While I am sad to tend my resignation, I am proud of the work that I have done during my first term on the board, including successfully adding a youth representative on the board (thereby providing an active voice for our main stakeholders); leading the changes to the organizational mission, vision and values that better reflect the organization that Youth First Texas had grown into over the past ten years (as part of the strategic review for the organization); enhancing the effectiveness of our meetings through modified meeting procedures; streamlining the communication and document management for the board and the organization through the transition to Google Apps; and working to change the strategic direction of the organization to better provide services and programs for our youth. These are my legacy, and each one supports and confirms my commitment to my belief that Youth First Texas is, and should always be, the strongest organization of its kind in the North Texas region, and the state. WE owe it to the youth that we serve.

I hope that the organization will remain strong for the youth that need YFT and the safe space that we provide. It is in your hands.

Respectfully,
James Nunn

I genuinely hope that the organization will move on and become stronger, but it will take a change in the current personalities on the board to make that happen. I am doing my part to make that a reality.

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Many of the decisions appear to me – at least – to be self serving (this is where my bias comes in).

Take for example the latest decision by the board to install small custom made signs at the entrance of the community. These signs tell the viewer that they are not allowed to trespass, they are not allowed to fish and they are not allowed to loiter. The intention behind these signs is for the common area within our community, however the placement of these signs don’t suggest just that. The placement suggests that people can’t trespass on the city streets that run through our community (something which the HOA board has no control over).

This action by itself is not the reason for this post. This is just one of a few actions that the board has taken over the last couple of years that make me wonder if our HOA board didn’t get the message about (1) being good neighbors, or (2) being Texas-friendly.

About 8 years ago, the then board place soem very nice signs in the green belt that advised visitors that the area was private property and for the use of residents of Plantation Springs. Both signs were placed in an area that was noticeable. Of course, many people ignored this, and the infractions by non-Plantation Springs residents ate away at a couple of members of the board. So about a year ago, the board moved the signs to more “prominent” places, which were not prominent at all. One of these signs were almost deliberately nestled among the branches of the trees that lined the creek. I questioned the decision at the time, and was told that it was a great community project for a local boy scout troop. I guess that made it alright.

Then one of the signs got damaged, and the board advised that they would be repairing this and replacing this this sign. For months now, there has been a wooden pole sitting in the ground with no sign. The board were “working on it” advised the property manager when questioned a couple of months ago. Perhaps the tiny metal signs were the replacements. Questionable.

Did I mention that one board member actually attaches flyers to cars that park in the street to warn them that they are not welcome? Yeah, we are a real friendly bunch here.

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As you may know, I serve on the board of Youth First Texas. This year, I want to ask that if you were planning on celebrating my birthday with me that you take a moment to consider making a donation to Youth First Texas in lieu of any gifts. Of course, if you weren’t planning on buying me anything, perhaps you would still consider making a small contribution regardless.

Like many other nonprofits in the community, Youth First Texas has experienced a greater need for services over the last few years, and a decrease in level of financial resources that has been available to it. The YFT board has made, and continues to make, decisions to keep our expenditures low, including reducing the hours of operation of the Dallas Youth Center’s hours, one of the only safe spaces for youth in the metroplex.

Even with these decisions, the financial situation for YFT is not good. During these next few months, we are continuing to carefully navigate through this financial squeeze, however Youth First Texas needs your help.  Please consider making a donation today. Any amount will help YFT continue to provide safe space for our LGBTQA youth.

You can support Youth First Texas financially by writing a check (payable to “Youth First Texas”), or making an online credit card payment https://giving.youthfirsttexas.org. Either way, any amount is appreciated and welcome.

Warm regards,
James Nunn

P.S. Your contribution is tax deductible, so your birthday gift will help you out next year

About Youth First Texas
Youth First Texas is the only non-profit organization in Dallas exclusively committed to providing social services, education opportunities, recreational activities and leadership development to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth through age 22.

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I’m bowling for Big Brothers Big Sisters and I need your support. I have set a personal goal of raising $1000 in sponsorships to help my team (“Northern Lights”) in the BBBS Employee Bowl for Kids’ Sake event on July 18, 2008. Can you support me?

Your contribution will help raise funds for BBBS, and the many programs that BBBS does to impact the lives of our youth throughout our community. Any amount is welcome, and you can contribute by clicking on this link and making your contribution now.

As many of you know, and some of you may not, not only do I work for BBBS, but Chris and I also have been matched with our Little Brother since March this year. For me, this has been an incredible personal journey, and has really impacted my life in a positive way, and far more than I first imagined. Not only do I get to do fun things that some may think I’m too old for, but I am (re-)learning the importance of appreciating the enjoyment that life has to offer.

If each person that receives this email could donate $10.00 then I could easily meet my goal. Of course, donations of any amount are always welcome, and I’m very happy to exceed my goal should that opportunity arise. Can you support my efforts for Bowl for Kids’ Sake today?

Your support is appreciated, and I encourage you to forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues to seek their support for this Bowl For Kids’ Sake program.

For information on the Bowl for Kids’ Sake program, please visit the website at www.bowlforkidssake.org.

Thank you for any support you can offer.

James Nunn

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