I'm asking this on behalf of a friend (she has limited access to a computer). She's been sent a Concerns Notice via email today with a note that she'll be mailed a hardcopy in the next day or so.
To set the scene here (and trying to be as brief as possible), imagine a small school of only 125 students. It has a very small P&C committee, where incoming monies are mostly grants, very little fundraising is done as it is also a below average socio-economic area.
The Treasurer caused a lot of problems, ended up fracturing the committee, gossiped about everyone, would talk to any and all parents about his suspicions that the tuckshop convenor was stealing money, the president was covering it up, no-one followed procedures, he struggled to track/control spending, etc... Basically just badmouthed everyone involved in the committee. He is also a Book-keeper running his own business.
My friend wrote a letter of complaint to the P&C Secretary to outline his behaviour and her opinion that it was an unacceptable way for an executive member to conduct themselves. All of her points were factual and can be proven. This was emailed directly to the Secretary, who then shared the document with only the rest of the executives on the committee.
It was tabled at a meeting as incoming communication and explained that as it was a complaint, the details would not be discussed at the meeting and the sender would not be identified. It would be dealt with privately and discretely.
The Treasuer resigned from his position three days later. Now, three months later, he has sent my friend a Concerns Notice citing Defamation and that her "published" letter has caused him to be "shined and avoided" by fellow parents and could potentially damage his private business.
There is reams of evidence to support my friends statements as the committee has kept impeccable records throughout the year.
His request is that she publish a retraction/send an apology letter. Her original complaint wasn't published, but discretely sent to the secretary. So what is she to do?
To set the scene here (and trying to be as brief as possible), imagine a small school of only 125 students. It has a very small P&C committee, where incoming monies are mostly grants, very little fundraising is done as it is also a below average socio-economic area.
The Treasurer caused a lot of problems, ended up fracturing the committee, gossiped about everyone, would talk to any and all parents about his suspicions that the tuckshop convenor was stealing money, the president was covering it up, no-one followed procedures, he struggled to track/control spending, etc... Basically just badmouthed everyone involved in the committee. He is also a Book-keeper running his own business.
My friend wrote a letter of complaint to the P&C Secretary to outline his behaviour and her opinion that it was an unacceptable way for an executive member to conduct themselves. All of her points were factual and can be proven. This was emailed directly to the Secretary, who then shared the document with only the rest of the executives on the committee.
It was tabled at a meeting as incoming communication and explained that as it was a complaint, the details would not be discussed at the meeting and the sender would not be identified. It would be dealt with privately and discretely.
The Treasuer resigned from his position three days later. Now, three months later, he has sent my friend a Concerns Notice citing Defamation and that her "published" letter has caused him to be "shined and avoided" by fellow parents and could potentially damage his private business.
There is reams of evidence to support my friends statements as the committee has kept impeccable records throughout the year.
His request is that she publish a retraction/send an apology letter. Her original complaint wasn't published, but discretely sent to the secretary. So what is she to do?
