Gondolier Booster Club

Update 6/11

June 11, 2010 admin No comments

Gondolier Booster Club
13000 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066
www.GondolierBoosters.com

June 11, 2010

To Venice High Faculty, Staff, Administrators, Club Sponsors, and Coaches:

We write today to update you on the status of the Venice High Booster Club’s missing funds. On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, the former treasurer of the Venice High Boosters pled guilty to one count of grand theft by embezzlement. As part of his plea agreement he has been ordered to provide full restitution to the Venice High Boosters. He made a partial payment of approximately 25 percent of the misappropriated funds and is required to repay the remaining funds in one year.

On Monday, June 14, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. in the faculty cafeteria, the Venice High Boosters will hold its June general meeting. The top item on the agenda will be distribution of the recovered funds. In order for the Boosters to properly allocate the funds we need to determine which member clubs are still in existence. The Board of Directors is relying on the June 30, 2009 treasurer’s report to determine which clubs are owed money. A copy of the report is attached to this letter.

We would prefer that a representative from each club attend next week’s meeting so that we can explain our process and answer any questions that sponsors may have for us. However, we understand that finals begin next week and each of you is busy with end of the year matters. Therefore, if you or your representative will not be able to attend the meeting, we would appreciate it if you could contact us via our email address info@gondolierboosters.com. We need verification from club sponsors so that we can make responsible decisions regarding the recovered funds. If we do not receive verification from a club, that club may not be allocated any of the recovered funds.

We are excited to have received this payment. We are looking forward to the coming school year and to reestablishing our relationship with the Venice High School community. We hope to see all of you next week.

Thank you again for all of your support,

Matthew Geller, Class of 1993
President
Gondolier Booster Club and
Venice High Boosters

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April 4, 2010 admin No comments

13000 Venice Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90066

www.GondolierBoosters.com

April 5th, 2010

To Venice Community:

The student groups of Venice High School need your help.

Founded in 1971, the Venice High Boosters served the needs of the Venice High community for almost 40 years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The Booster’s mission and purpose was to raise funds for academic and athletic programs at Venice. Over the years the number of groups supported by the Boosters grew. By 2009, nearly seventy Venice clubs utilized the Boosters’ services; from the French club to the band, the baseball team to drama club. For eighteen years the Boosters ran a monthly flea market on campus to raise funds for student groups. Each year the Boosters distributed the Gondo Community Cards that helped our clubs raise more than $10,000 yearly. Last year the Boosters hosted the 15th Annual Gondo Golf Classic fundraiser. The Gondo Classic has generated nearly $200,000 for Venice High since its inception. At the end of the 2009 school the Boosters had earmarked over $35,000 for the purchase of a new digital marquee for the front of campus. Further, the Boosters were holding an additional $125,000 for the rest of its member organizations.

However, in July 2009, the board of directors discovered discrepancies between the treasurer’s financial reports and the club’s bank account. Following an internal investigation, the Board determined that nearly $160,000 in Boosters funds were unaccounted for in its bank records. The Boosters’ funds had been nearly completely depleted. Following its investigation, the board contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and reported the missing funds. The LAPD, working with Boosters, Venice High, and the Office of the Inspector General of the Los Angeles Unified School District, conducted an eight-month investigation. That investigation culminated this month in the arrest of the former treasurer of the Boosters. He has been charged with grand theft by embezzlement in relation to the missing Booster funds.

In September 2009, the Board of Directors of the Venice High Boosters submitted their resignations. At the October 2009 Annual Meeting a new slate of directors was elected. Shortly thereafter the directors determined that it was necessary to wind down the Venice High Boosters and form a new entity. In December 2009, the Gondolier Booster Club was born.

The Gondolier Booster Club has the same mission and purpose as the old club, to support the academic, extra-curricular, and athletic programs, clubs, and teams at Venice High School. During the past six months the Board of Directors has worked hard to rebuild the Booster Club. The new entity has been formed in accordance with state and federal regulations. The Gondolier Booster Club has applied for tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization. The flea market has been reorganized as the Venice Antiques and Collectibles Market. This summer the Gondolier Booster Club will host the 16th Annual Gondo Golf Classic.

However, member organizations of the Boosters are still missing their funds. In order to make these clubs whole, we need the support of the Venice High community, including, alumni, local businesses, and parents. Please help us meet our goal of raising $150,000 to replace the missing funds.

You may make a donation via our website, www.gondolierboosters.com, our facebook page: www.facebook.com, or you can mail a check to the Gondolier Boosters at 13000 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90066.

Thank you again for all of your support,

Gondolier Booster Club

P.S. Come and join us at our monthly meetings. Our next meeting is on April 8 at 6:30 in the faculty cafeteria.

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Update 6/11

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