Theos-Talk Archives (January 2006 Message tt00089)

Here's a copy of a message that went out to many people regarding the Tacoma
Lodge of the Theosophical Society. Since that lodge's situation has been
discussed before, but there's not been any message from the other side of
the situation, and since the message appears to be intended for public
dissemination rather than private in nature, I'm forwarding a copy to
theos-talk.

Eldon

-----Original Message-----
From: natsec@theosophical.org [mailto:natsec@theosophical.org] 
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 2:22 PM
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Subject: Tacoma

Dear fellow Theosophist,

In response to the e-mail sent by John Scott to lodges and other members in
regard to the lawsuit filed by a group of local members in Tacoma, naming
him and others as co-defendants, I am sending you the following information,
in order to clarify national's involvement with these proceedings. 

I visited the group in late October 2005, in one last attempt to reconcile
differences but John Scott was adamant that they were establishing an entity
independent from the Theosophical Society in America. We have no choice but
to continue with the current course of action, which does involve national's
support of the lawsuit filed against the former Tacoma Lodge officers and
board named as co-defendants. 

The lawsuit alleges that the officers and trustees of the Tacoma Lodge have
not honored or followed their 1941 bylaws as a lodge of the Theosophical
Society in America.

.	John Scott and co-defendants addressed the national board of
directors with articles of secession declaring Tacoma's independence
from the American Section and International Society.
.	Defendants have not been in compliance with the official bylaws of
the Tacoma Branch (registered with TSA in 1941). 
.	The defendants have made clear their intention to sell the lodge
property and set up an unaffiliated organization. 
.	The defendants have allowed a member (minor) to use the lodge as a
private domicile to the exclusion of accessibility to all lodge
members.
.	Accounting records of expenditures are inadequate, including
disposition of a known $10,000 bequest. 

While it is important for each lodge or local group to function as an
independent entity and to manage its own affairs, there are certain
safeguards that are important to the ongoing integrity of the property's
usage which has been contributed to and built up by members of the
Theosophical Society for the lifetime of the lodge. 

The national center does not want nor need local properties, but serves as a
safeguard, assuring members that their contributions to local work will not
be diverted to some alternate use. In fact, if any group dissolves for any
reason, national holds its assets in trust for the future benefit of
Theosophical work in that area. The inclusion of an asset clause in all
local bylaws should be a priority to every group, as it assures there cannot
be a takeover of a Lodge's assets for anyone's personal agenda. 

The new group has held elections, begun meeting, and continues the work of
the Theosophical Society in America in Tacoma. We wish them every success.

If you have any further questions you can direct them to Jeffery Forth,
National Secretary, or to myself-Betty Bland, National President. 

With all best wishes,
Betty


Jeffrey S. Forth 

National Secretary
Theosophical Society in America
PO Box 270
Wheaton IL 60187
(800)669-1571 ext. 321

(Vision)
has a vision of wholeness that inspires a fellowship united in study,
meditation, and service.
(Mission)
encourages open-minded inquiry into world religions, philosophy, science,
and the arts in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, respect the
unity of all life, and help people explore spiritual self-transformation.
(Ethic)
holds that our every action, feeling, and thought affects all other beings
and that each of us is capable of and responsible for contributing to the
benefit of the whole. 

Not only does the Society have a vision of union with one another, and a
mission of exploration, but also an ethic of putting these high ideals into
action. We invite you to explore with us and join us in the great adventure.