Although we have not been sending updates, we have been very active in our efforts to keep the Y from being sold to private developers and Northeastern University.
SOME OF OUR EFFORTS:
Legal Challenges: In one effort, two lawsuits have been combined into one case to challenge the right of the developers to avoid the proper zoning procedures. The cases challenge the ability of the private developer to use the cover of the Northeastern’s zoning exemption under its fourth Institutional Master Plan to construct a dormitory.
Let us all rally to support their efforts and encourage their fight against business as usual in the neighborhood. The appeal is underway and could send the sale and planning process into a proper zoning process.
YMCA Election Process: After many hours of legal research, we have found that in the relative recent past, the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston YMCA may have eliminated the ability of YMCA members to exercise their democratic rights to elect the very board that seeks to sell all or parts of the Central Branch. The board claims that members have no right to determine how the Greater YMCA is run, spends members’ dues/contributions, or what services/facilities are available for members’ use.
On the occasion of July 4th – Independence Day – we should all remember how very important democratic rights are. We need our voice to be heard.
Many people wonder how they can help to SAVE THE BOSTON Y:
- Please visit savethebostony.com and offer comments/suggestions.
- Please send this e-mail to everyone you know, especially any Greater Boston YMCA member, user, or donor. Send it here and everywhere in the country.
- Support and encourage the current legal challenges to this development
- We are considering establishing a legal defense fund to assist in our efforts. If you are interested, please email us back at [email protected]
- We can still use some help on the legal side. All our efforts to date have been done pro-bono by very passionate and committed YMCA members but we all have day jobs! So if you know anyone in the legal profession or a law professor with domain expertise in non-profit law, corporate governance, real estate and zoning who might be willing to help in our cause, please send an email to [email protected] This material would make a great case study in local zoning issues or travesty in non-profit corporate governance.
- Publicize these efforts both locally and nationally to win the public relations side of this struggle. If you know media outlets that may be interested in learning more, we would be happy to tell the story.
- Go to Charity Navigator and post a review of this organization. Over the past 10 years, Charity Navigator’s free charity ratings have enabled millions of donors to access relevant information before they make a donation. So please make your opinion count – this service is a very important resource for large donors and they should be aware of the input from members. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.reviewsorgid=5963
- Keep using the Y. The YMCA management has reduced services and poorly maintained the Central Branch for two decades. They have eliminated many programs that have resulted in members leaving. They then cite the decline in membership to justify the sale of the building. This YMCA is out of step with YMCAs around the country. So keep using the Y and recruit new members to show how vibrant and diverse our community is and how much the current facility should be renovated and expanded rather than destroyed and services and facilities reduced yet again.
- Write to all your politicians, the YMCA board members, and NEU trustees to communicate your needs. We will post these addresses for you.
- Stay tuned for more information, we will keep you up to date.
