A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF FUNDACION ALTO AL CRIMEN TO THE COMMUNITY
By now most, if not all, of you have seen an announcement from Rodny Moreno about the launching of a new Hotline service for the Boquete area. Alto al Crimen (AAC) had no prior knowledge of this development, and Rodny had not contacted us in any way about terminating his relationship with AAC.
We have waited for the "dust to settle a bit" and also because we needed to confer as a board about something that was dropped on us and the community with no notice. Now we want to provide our information and comment to the discussion. Please be aware that the discussion on .ning (as with most discussions on .ning) is filled with a lot of guesses, misinformation and innuendo and that those discussions are among a tiny percentage of all the people affected by this situation. As with many areas of politics and discussion there is a very large silent majority.
To the very best of our knowledge there has been no compromise of the AAC database since it was not kept or maintained on Lee Zeltzer's computer. Moreover, the circumstances of the disappearance of Lee's computer do not suggest that it was the result of burglary or ordinary theft.
Lee was personally opposed to using a different software program for AAC because he was personally very familiar with and comfortable with the one being used. The cost for the program that has been mentioned by Rodny and in discussions is around $1000 to $1500 per year. There is a similar program that is free of cost and there are others with fairly low one-time costs that will do the same job as the expensive subscription program. Changing to one of those so-called "membership" programs has been being considered by AAC since Lee's death. The changes and registrations that apparently fell through the crack were mostly sent to Rodny, though some others apparently went to Lee. Others on the board recently heard about them. David van Harn, our webmaster, was asked to take over that area and straighten it out.
Those of you familiar with small volunteer organizations know or should know that it is seldom possible to make significant changes instantaneously because of the need for discussion and the need for the volunteers to deal with their personal schedules, transportation limitations, etc. As of today,there have been only 17 days since Lee's death, hardly enough time to have revamped AAC and cured all its ills.
Subsequent to Lee Zeltzer's death, AAC has been working to enhance its services. We have had nine people to volunteer to assist AAC with seminars, home security inspections, publicity and membership, administration, firearms-related advice and training, etc. We have also been addressing the inequities in the funding that have resulted in about 92% of our registrants receiving their Hotline services at no cost. We have been discussing a plan whereby a contribution of $20 per year would fund the Hotline operation and provide additional funds for AAC administrative expenses and occasional private investigator fees.
With our current number of registrants (close to 600), the $20 annual contribution would provide about $12,000 per year for our budget. Half of that would be for operation of the Hotline and the remainder for other budget items. If we increased the numbers of registrations, which was the subject of another project that would concentrate on promotion other than through BCP meetings which reach only a fairly small fraction of our expat population, there would be greater income. At some point the greater income might allow us to drop the annual contribution to $15. Our goal is to provide good service at the lowest practical price.
We feel that a fee of $80 per year is somewhat excessive. With the same number of current registrants as AAC it would yield revenue of $48,000 per year. This make it a significantly for-profit organization.
We have also been looking at ethical matters such as our wish to provide true emergency hotline service for medical emergencies, house fires or crimes in progress regardless of paid status. People SHOULD pay, of course, but would YOU refuse to send an ambulance for a person with a heart attack just because they had not paid $20? We also wish to continue having the Hotline available for tourists and short-term visitors who are not registered or paid but who need help while they are here. Arriving at fair and equitable approaches to these matters is a challenge, but is important to the image the Boquete expat community projects.
Alto al Crimen was started around four or so years ago and hired Rodny as an employee because of his bilingual skills. In early 2014 Rodny expressed a wish to form a company that could provide Hotline services to Boquete and two other communities. He formed a company called EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS 4, and Alto al Crimen signed a contract with that company on February 14, 2014 for Hotline services with a payment of $500 per month (which was considerably more than the former salary to allow for Social Security, decimo and a compensation increase) with automatic annual renewals if neither party objected. The current contract will expire in February 2016. Rodny has not contacted AAC but has made a public statement saying he will terminate his contract in February 2016. The contract provides that in event of termination, the database with its contents and the Hotline telephone number remain the property of AAC. We certainly appreciate the very good service Rodny had rendered to our community and wish him well in any path he chooses to follow, including, if he chooses, renewing his AAC contract and continuing as before. He mentioned that he will now be operating his own business, but, in fact, he has had his own independent business since early in 2014. During that time he has provided similar hotline services to the communities of Coronado and Volcan, both of which pay him monthly for his services in addition to his contract with AAC, which has been paying him $500 per month. If he is definitely determined to relinquish his contract with AAC, it may be best to do that soon to avoid conflicts of interest and double payment. If, based on community feedback, AAC should decide to wind up its operations, we could negotiate turning over the database and telephone number. We do not want this to be a confrontation but a good solution that will best serve the interests of our expat friends and neighbors.
Though some may not think so, practically everyone COULD pay $80 per year for Hotline service. The question becomes whether or not it is necessary in order to have such service or whether a much smaller amount would suffice. Another question is what would happen to other services of AAC? There are businesses and public-spirited individuals who may be willing to fill the gap of home security inspections and seminars to educate people about how to lessen the chances of becoming crime victims. They would have no central coordination, but that might not be the end of the world.
Our community, like others, tends to "vote with its feet." If hundreds of people beat a path to the door of "Rodny Direct," that will be the best indicator that it is the way most people want to go.
For example, if, say, 200 people subscribe to "Rodny Direct" and no other alternative is offered by AAC, those 200 people will pay $16,000 per year, which will provide Rodny $10,000 more per year for providing service to 1/3 as many people. But the other 2/3 of the people would have no service. Two separate services could operate effectively, but not as economically and efficiently. The public will be the decider. AAC stands ready to continue all of its services, including the Hotline, and for a cost of no more than $20 per year per registrant, but it is not our intent to help little old ladies across the road if they don't ask or if they don't want to go.
AAC is a volunteer public service foundation that exists to serve the community. It has never "taken a cut" as mentioned in the announcement by Rodny. Of course we all know that Rodny did not actually write the announcement. As a foundation, AAC is not even allowed to take a cut.
If AAC is not needed or not wanted, it can easily fade away. You are the deciders.
The Board of Alto al Crimen
Rodrigo Marciacq
Caesar Sharrard
Bob Gregory
Replies
No need to be defensive, Susan. I haven't posted on this subject. for while - since I laid to rest the falsehoods about the integrity of the AaC database.
Unfortunately the new lie bout being required to un-register with AaC is part of a pattern of apparent attempt to damage and/or destroy Alto al Crimen, and not to simply compete with it. When people feel that it is necessary to attack the "competition" rather than simply offer what they think a better service and a better value, something is wrong.
I believe that it is a myth that significant numbers of people will clean up their own records. I have seen no hard evidence that user-administered databases are better than centrally administered databases - other than Wild Apricot's advertising hype. Quite frankly, it seems logical that a centrally-administered database that is monitored and regularly verified would ultimately be more accurate than having essentially 600 separate administrators who may or may not be diligent about updating their personal records. I'm still waiting for the first insurance company to move to a customer-administered database.
For small organizations (less than a thousand records), databases can be easily managed by dedicated volunteers. All e-mails are now being responded to within 24-48 hours now, and previously ignored e-mails are being followed up. As soon as that is done, we will follow up on all records, using semi-automated systems and e-mail - which is not that difficult to implement by former corporate IT administrator like myself. I will make sure that the AaC database is regularly audited and updated.
There are a lot of people in this community who want Alto al Crimen to survive and re-invent itself - a process that is currently taking place. Alto al Crimen exists to serve the community - all of it - not just those of means and provide more than just a hotline.
Just as my stepdaughter and her husband use ADT private security services when in addition to having 911 services available, Alto al Crimen and Rodny Direct can co-exist. Why do you want to see Alto al Crimen destroyed?
I was discouraged at first - not just by the competition from RodnyDirect hot-line, but by the attack mode under which it was announced.
However, so many people have come forward to offer encouragement, support and donations, that I decided to stick it out and do what I can to help make Alto al Crimen an organization that again effectively serves the community of Boquete.
ROTFL!!!
"I'm still waiting for the first insurance company to move to a customer-administered database."
What fun you are! Good chuckles are more rare in the waning years...
As I finished school, the person who snagged the best paying job signed on with an insurance outfit. Actuary. When your only business is money and risk, you can't afford to be stupid.
Best,
Yep, sorry for any lack of clarity. I pay attention to the formatting of the ning software and I suppose that could be supported further with personal pointers. I see other forums use "@Fran", or such. You're the big dog. How do we make it more clear without adding too much noise?
With all due consideration Fran, scroll back one page and see the relevant post beginning:
"Ordinarily I just shrug the shoulders and move on..."
Ordinarily I just shrug the shoulders and move on. However, since it is you, Fran, I should point out that after your initial post of the email, I clearly was involved in a conversation only with "Susan and Pat".
Following through the indentations now, I still don't think there is any reason for you to think that I have been addressing you further. And, thank you for your clear and unequivocal original reply!
Cheers!
I was replying to B&A in Brisas.
What made this "into something" was a statement by Fran that removal from the AAC database was represented to her as a requirement by Rodny Direct based an Rodny's contract with AAC. My purpose was and is to set the record straight by letting everyone know that there is no such provision in the AAC contract with Rodny. I have posted a copy for anyone who wishes to read.
The data base is quite functional and is used regularly when people call the hotline. As with most things, it can probably be improved, and our new webmaster and site administrator has been working hard to improve a number of things after he took over the job about a month ago.
A client administered data base is a wonderful thing for people such as you who are detail oriented and computer oriented, but it is only as good and reliable as the people who take the responsibility for updates. If they forget, the database still has the outdated information. Experience shows that a lot of people just do not remember to update such files when a telephone number, email address or other information changes.
Sounds like another bunch of b.s. just like the made-up stories/speculation about the AaC database being not secure.
It is obvious that an effort is being made to not simply promote Rodny's new private, for-profit hot-line business, but to also "destroy" Alto al Crimen. Therefore it does not surprise me that false claims about the contract requirements are being made that when implemented would reduce Alto al Crimen registrant numbers.
The hot-line business venture "RodnyDirect" has a right to ask that you request that you be removed from the AaC database when you purchase their services from them, and indeed, you will be removed without question if you ask.
With regard to semantics, Bob is technically correct - we do not officially call our registrants "members." However, the colloquial use of the term "members" is valid based on the dictionary definition. From Merriam-Webster:
"Registrants" are added added to or deleted from the AaC database based solely on requests by the registrants themselves. Registrant records are also deleted if the persons in the record can no longer be reached via by their registered e-mail or telephone.
Bottom line, I don't care what other groups or businesses you are also registered with. If you ask to be added to the Alto al Crimen registrant database, we will do so, and if you want your record deleted, we will also do that.
Well, "Geez".
I missed your posted copy of that email requirement to cancel AAC...
Could you please be kind enough, and tolerate my error to post that again?
Susan, we also chose to go RD. But, we would NOT have cancelled our membership with AAC except for the message stating that it was a requirement of Rodny's contract.
We want AAC to reestablish itself as a viable community service. We may choose to go back to hotline service there if they get their act together. But, I still envision other services that AAC could provide that I would be more than willing to support at financial levels well beyond what we are paying for the RD subscription if those services are something that do not involve funding lawyers and private investigators.
So, I want to know the truth on this issue. Did RD blow smoke up our ass, is Bob G missing something in the contract, or is there a reasonable basis for different interpretations.
Rodny acted on the advice of Panamanian counsel. There is a confidentiality clause in the contract which potentially could be violated in the intermingling of ACC and RD data.
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