ATTN: Everyone, concerning Riley and his position as CFO

[Neisa Alibrylla]

When we were closing on our house, we had electronic signatures on our documents- done with our mouse/tablet/stylus whatever. The person we bought from lived in Texas, and instead of faxing (another way to sign things across country), it was done through the internet and electronic signing.

I agree that Serenla will be developing a system, and a system that will work, but I just wanted to point out from my own personal experience that signing for things across country is not difficult and is completely do-able.

 

[Xylianna Paladina]

I too have served on the board for a nonprofit group in which we required two signatures for anything over $20, but then, we were all in the same city. I'm glad to hear that thru the wonders of modern technology, such checks and balances might be possible regardless of geographical location of board members/account signatories.

I've had more time to think and process this all and this post serves no real purpose but to get my feelings out there in commisseration with all of you. I am amazed, pleased, and not at all surprised to see how well we all are pulling together as a community. That makes my heart smile. I am sad, but mostly angry, at the theft. I don't know Riley as well as many of you, but I respected him, and he just stole our money. I don't care how good a person he is. As soon as a 'good person' crosses those lines into dishonesty, I lose all respect and want him punished. Having problems is NO excuse to treat others so reprehensibly. If you are struggling you reach out and ask, you don't deceive and just take what you want. The beliefs I hold in life tell me that you get back what you put out into the world, so I know that the karma bus will be visiting him, even if there is no action we can take. And I'm so incredibly overjoyed that a solution was found so quickly for the Fall Ball folks, and I watch to see if there's a fundraiser any time soon. I donated what I could in the earlier one. I'll donate what I can again. Tai'shar TarValon.Net. :fistbump

 

[Jodea Kegan]

I only have one more addition to this thread, and that is to say there is a lot of demands floating about, and judgement. I have been a member here for nearly 11 years and have seen people stay with NO repercussions for things I would personally deem FAR worse than stealing money, which is replaceable. Betrayals abound here, and somehow we always manage to keep our heads and not flip the hell out. When we have kicked people out, there have been times we have let them back in.

Is this bad? Yes. Is it a huge betrayal? well of course. Should Admin entertain demands from members for this or that. No. no they shouldn't. When a course is decided I am certain they will let us know what it is and we will not all like it. Tantrums and demands for your own way is, forgive my language, total bullshit.

 

[Meirah Zaïde]

I think most of us have just been expressing our thoughts and opinions, not making demands or having tantrums.

 

[Hilwa Katir]

Jodea,
I understand what you are saying but I also agree that my first thought were that people are not making demands or having tantrums, just expressing their feelings and throwing around ideas ... we all have faith in our board and am certain that this too shall pass.

 

[Marivea al'Corriyi]

While I see your point and its validity, Jodea, I don't believe that the other 'betrayers of trust' (sounds like some title in a book ) had committed actual crimes. Riley's actions constitute a felony in all of the 50 states.

That for me, in and of itself, doesn't necessarily change my opinion of what I think the proper actions in regards to him should be, but it might change what TarValon's actions as a non-profit entity need to be in order to maintain status, et cetera.

And +1 to Helane. I haven't seen anyone throw 'a tantrum' yet, or even be overtly forceful with their opinion, despite the range of emotions floating around.

 

[Vallah al'Dera]

I don't believe that the other 'betrayers of trust' (sounds like some title in a book ) had committed actual crimes. Riley's actions constitute a felony in all of the 50 states.

There have been others that committed crimes illegal in all 50 states that were banned and then permitted back. Crimes that could be considered worse than theft just so you know.

 

[Ariadne Davion]

Probably, but not done so publicly as this. :/

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

Or targeted to the community like this.

 

[Rowanne alMaeve]

I am also deeply saddened by this I'm sure that the reasons Riley did what he did ... well I just don't see him as having done this without a great deal of agonizing. That said, I praise the work of the Hall, the Board and Mother. Together we will get through this.

 

[Andwin de'Gothia1]

To bad. Well I hope he had great fun using our money as it has cost him a lot of friends. I do not understand why he didn't trust any of the people her to help him out in stead of stealing.

Well life goes on and I think the Tower will recover from this.

 

[Emerald ní Róhan]

Here's sort of weird thing for me. I have had desperate financial problems in the past. No amount of access to money that's not mine could ever have made me do something like this. EVER. So you would think that I would have little sympathy for Riley.

I have great sympathy for those whose money was stolen, that is for certain.

However I spent some time thinking about the article posted about the consequences for this crime. This is not considered a Class A felony, by Alabama standards. As far as I can tell, it would be Class B. This, of course, carries a lower level of consequence. However, there are forms of rape, one of the most traumatizing things one human can do to another, that are considered Class B felonies.

Did he steal money? Yes. From a number of people? Yes. Of a fairly significant amount? Yes.

Does this compare to rape? I don't think so. Not by a long shot. This does not lessen the scope of Riley's crime. And I do not mean to lessen or trivialize anyone's pain or outrage over this. It's just some personal perspective for myself.

Perhaps that is why I can find sympathy for Riley's situation. I shouldn't. I tend to hold people to my own moral standard and look down on those who cannot meet it. But I can't do that here. I just can't summon the anger.

 

[Miridyth Al'Landerin]

Yes, sadly I was not Riley's Aes Sedai...It was Ismene and another. But I liked your comments Marty.

 

[Zashara Sho'am]

I can't believe we're making rape comparisons and what crime is worse than others. That's just completely and utterly ridiculous. If anyone feels like laws were broken by anyone, here is what you do: report it to the authorities. This is not the place to bring it up.

I believe most everyone has be civil in this thread. If the board doesn't like what we are saying they will address it themselves. I'm going to stick to discussing this rationally with others and try not to be divisive. Everyone has their opinion. It is awesome that the administration is being patient with us and letting us express our feelings.

Thanks again guys for handling the situation to the best of your abilities. You guys have been awesome.

 

[Emerald ní Róhan]

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be divisive or argumentative. I was just presenting some thoughts that came into my head when I was mulling this over last night. I'm sorry I presented it poorly.

 

[Sa'areah Britthorn]

Thank you Zasha.

 

[Alyria Ess]

If Zashers has to beat you into submission, it's gone too far D:

But true words, these.

 

[Chalisea t'Venatrix]

That is all I have to say.

 

[Myralin al'Ser]

It's lovely Sea

 

[Ajailyn Morrivinna]

Jodea,
I understand what you are saying but I also agree that my first thought were that people are not making demands or having tantrums, just expressing their feelings and throwing around ideas ... we all have faith in our board and am certain that this too shall pass.

+1

Added to it, yes money can be replaced, but just because it was something that can be replaced, doesn't mean the trust can be. Not just trust in Riley, but it hurt the site as well, and while we all feel our Board will put in place a checks and balance system, his actions will linger in the members minds, and some of us will always worry, will my event I paid for still fall into place (future events as Fall Ball was covered), will my donation go to the site as I hoped it would? You can't remove that small worry, and for some of us that hurts us more than just the financial loss to our community.