The Momentum Center is hosting training sessions for its staff, board members and volunteers on how to build effective community organizations. While this seems like a logical move for any organization, the way this is being done in Grand Haven is a scary prospect. The issue has to do with the Momentum Center’s desire to partner with government entities; Grand Haven City Government, Ottawa County Government, and the Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
Does it make sense for a non-profit to work hand-in-hand with a government entity? What if the non-profit has a political motive? What if they are pushing an idea that is controversial? It is the government’s job to protect the rights of the individual. It is not the government’s job to assist non-profits with agendas.
What if those non-profits are donating large amounts of money to the government agencies? If that happens, does the government agency answer to the voters or the donors? What if the government starts changing laws and budgets to align with the goals of the non-profit?
What if the non-profit benefits from connections and resources of the government entity? Then policies that involve Conflict of Interest become relevant.
This is precisely the situation we have in Ottawa County with the County Commissioners, and in Grand Haven City Government, and in Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
In addition to the concerns mentioned above, this training is even more concerning based on the organization providing the training. CARE – Community Action for Racial Justice and Equity. The organization itself seems to have a political agenda.
The following email is between The Grand Haven Human Relations Commission (part of the Grand Haven City Government), the Ottawa County Commissioners, Brian Wheeler from GHAPS, and several other key community members. It mentions Ashley Latsch, another member of Grand Haven City Government, and Al Vandenberg, from Ottawa County. This demonstrates that they are working hand-in-hand.
Representatives from the Momentum Center are already influencing GHAPS budget decisions. The following email is downright shocking. It is from the GHAPS Director of Instructional Services Mary Jane Evink inviting Barbara Lee VanHorssen from the Anti-Racism Task Force at the Momentum Center to help determine how GHAPS will spend $3,000,000.
With these types of working relationships, it is difficult, if not impossible for the citizens rights to be protected and to remain in charge of their own local governments and schools. This is a problem.