Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
The swiftness with which the Northern Cancer Research
Foundation's board of directors acted after detecting
"irregularities" during an audit is testament to the
organization's commitment to staying a trustworthy group that
is deserving of continued support.Nevertheless, the recent
arrest of now former executive director Denise Plouffe, and her
subsequent fraud charges, will undoubtedly haunt the foundation
as it moves forward.
Not-for-profit organizations have a responsibility to donors
and volunteers to ensure that the funds to which they are
entrusted are used for their intended purpose.
According to the folks at Proviti, a global consulting and
internal audit firm specializing in risk and advisory services,
"even if an organization has adequate employee-theft insurance,
damage to a charitable organization's reputation can be
far-reaching and lasting. Charity officials say that they are
far more concerned about how donors will react than they are
about the short-term money they lost."
Donors and volunteers who are involved with the NCRF - and
there are few Sudburians who haven't helped out this
organization in some way - need to take a deep breath and focus
on the larger picture.
Yes, the former head of the organization has been arrested for
fraud and forgery charges, but that doesn't mean the rest of
the organization should be suspect as well.
Amadeo Parissenti, research director of the Regional Cancer
Program at Sudbury Regional Hospital, recently wrote in a
letter to Northern Life that he has "witnessed first-hand many
of the wonderful benefits that the NCRF has brought to our
local community.
"These include the support of nationally and internationally
regarded cancer research programs that are offering important
insight into the causes, prevention, classification, and
treatment of human cancers."
Charitable organizations thrive on their good reputation. A
good reputation ensures donor confidence and spurs continued
contributions. So it remains to be seen if the NCRF's
reputation will be tarnished by these allegations of fraud and
if there will be a decline in contributions.
From our perspective, as witness to the countless volunteer
hours and donations that flow from the ever-generous hands of
our community, the NCRF should survive this recent storm of
controversy.
The collective of folks who are now tasked with the job of
carrying on in the wake of such an abrupt and disconcerting
leadership change will overcome the challenges ahead. This is
not the first time this kind of thing has happened to a
charitable organization and, sadly, it won't be the last. But
no matter what kind of negativity surrounds this valued
community group, the force of its proactive supporters will
help it to sail through these tough times.
"I think people are rising to the challenge to continue to work
as they have in the past," said Maureen Lacroix, chair of the
NCRF board.
"We have a very hard working foundation with a very solid
board. We know things will be difficult for us for the next
while."
A realistic outlook, a positive attitude and making any changes
required to avoid "irregularities" in the future will go a long
way in helping the foundation as it recovers from this recent
blow. And, as tireless advocates like Parissenti are apt to do,
the community needs to be reminded of all the good the NCRF has
done - and continues to do - in Greater Sudbury.
"The NCRF provides important direct support to our high quality
treatment programs," Parissenti said.
"I strongly hope that, despite this recent occurrence, the
community will continue to support the work that we do through
its financial support of the NCRF. This support is critical to
our continued success as cancer researchers and as providers of
excellent care to our cancer patients."
As many cancer patients and their loved ones know first-hand,
worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties
today of its strength. Thanks to the proactive people in this
community, the NCRF is here to stay as a strong and solid
foundation.
Wendy Bird is managing editor of Northern Life.
