Board of Inquiry, Andy Dietz vs. Beth Golder
The AWMA BOI Committee convened on Monday, March 10, 2025 to examine the BOI submitted by Andy Deitz against Treasurer Beth Golder. The charge was conduct prejudicial to the AWMA.
After a thorough review of the matter, we, the BOI Committee, have ascertained that the complaint lacks validity and does not merit further investigation.
Claim #1:
Mr. Deitz's stated that Ms. Golder "demonstrated a complete disregard for our bylaws, proper procedure, and the best interest of the AWMA", that she was "manipulating and
withholding information, weaponizing what is available, a deliberately fostering discord and division within the organization." Mr. Deitz also stated that Ms. Golder was "falsifying information, lying, withholding critical information, issuing threats, and a blatant disregard for the AWMA constitution."
The BOI Committee found it alarming that Mr. Deitz made such claims but never provided proof of any of these statements in his BOI report. Mr. Deitz provided further statements that: "we have 165 words in the Treasurer's description in the bylaws," and "according to a quick Google search, there are currently 74 national banks in the United States."
As no evidence to support Mr. Deitz claim (claim #1) was provided, these concerns are found irrelevant and not sustained.
Claim #2:
The complaint alleges that Ms. Golder moved the financial assets without proper board designation and that Ms. Golder references her knowledge of the bylaws. Screenshot
message between former President Teri Robinson and Beth Golder (no date or time stamp), that were circled by Mr. Deitz for relevance, show Beth stated: "I know everybody that's ignored everything for the last four years is all the sudden concerned about the bylaws and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that's read them 500 times in the last two years", as
evidence that Ms. Golder understood the AWMA bylaws.
Written statements were provided in Mr. Deitz’s BOI complaint, which contradicts Mr. Deitz's original complaint.
One statement from an Executive Board member stated:
"I remember that we discussed issues of transferring treasurer documents and accounts and that the discussions included that the outgoing treasurer still had some clean up to do
before forwarding the books to the new treasurer, as well as the fact that the AWMA bank account(s) were at a bank that only had offices on the east coast, so doing signature
card(s) and performing other banking in-person would be impossible for the new treasurer."
Another statement from another Executive Board member stated:
"I do not remember any objections to this process; rather board members, in general, voiced agreement that this made sense to do. To the best of my remembrance, the new Treasurer acted in good faith by informing the board of the problems faced, stated a solution to the problem, and then proceeded to implement the solution based on the virtual discussions (during which no objections were raised)."
Another statement from another Executive Board member stated:
"I can attest that during our October meeting Beth advised the Executive Board of an issue with the old AWMA bank and offices on the east coast, so doing signature card(s) and performing other banking in-person would be impossible for the new treasurer. I do not remember any objections to this process; rather board members, in general, voiced
agreement that this made sense to do."
Another statement from another Executive Board member stated:
"I can attest that during our October meeting Beth advised the Executive Board of an issue with the old AWMA bank and not being available in Colorado, asked the Executive Board if the bank could be moved and there was no disagreement by any single Executive Board member. I can also attest that during our November meeting, Beth advised the Executive Board that she and Helen would begin the transfer shortly and answered all questions that were brought up during that meeting. When I read Brigitte's statement that Beth had never discussed transferring the AWMA funds, I was flabbergasted, because Beth did so via our Zoom meetings, our Facebook discussions, the Gaggle and Andy's Team account."
Another statement from another Executive Board member stated:
"I was present for a virtual Board of Directors (BOD) meeting wherein Beth Golder,
Treasurer of the AWMA requested permission from the BOD to open a new bank account for the organization at a national bank to make access easier, especially during years of transition. The option was discussed, and no dissenting opinions were shared by other BOD members. It was my impression that the BOD was in agreement that Beth should move forward in switching the bank accounts for the AWMA over to a more accessible bank."
As such, Mr. Deitz’s claim that Ms. Golder moved the AWMA finances without Executive Board knowledge or designation is false, and Mr. Deitz, himself, provided multiple witness statements within his BOI complaint that proved that Ms. Golder had discussed moving AWMA finances on multiple occasions and that there were no objections during any of those discussion.
As the evidence for claim #2 shows, Ms. Golder did not move the finances without board consultation and discussion, these concerns are found irrelevant and not sustained.
Claim #3:
Mr. Deitz states "we had four board meetings to date, all without financial reports from the treasurer. 10/7/24, 10/8/24, 10/29/24, and 11/14/24".
The 10/07/2024 meeting called by President Teri Robinson (copy of minutes provided in complaint by Mr. Deitz) was a meeting discussion on handling AWMA 2024 National Championship and The National Disciplinary Committee. No other discussions were had.
The 10/08/2024 meeting called by President Teri Robinson (copy of minutes provided in complaint by Mr. Deitz) was a meeting discussion on the same AWMA Nationals
Disciplinary Committee and other ramifications due to the 2024 AWMA Championship events. No other discussions were had.
Both meetings appear to be specialized calls for the sole purpose of discussion regarding a possible disciplinary issue for AWMA Nationals and not an Executive Board meeting with
officer or committee reports.
The 10/29/2024 meeting called by President Teri Robinson (copy of minutes provided in complaint by Mr. Deitz) shows a Treasurer Report was given and noted within the meeting minutes.
The 11/14/2024 meeting called by President Teri Robinson (copy of minutes provided in complaint by Mr. Deitz) also shows a Treasurer Report was given and noted within the meeting minutes.
As such, Mr. Deitz’s claims that no Treasurer reports were given for 4 meetings is not factual as the meeting minutes that Mr. Deitz himself provided show that a Treasurer report was
given and other detailed reports and information by Ms. Golder were given to the Executive Board.
As the evidence for claim #3 shows, Ms. Golder did provide Treasurer reports at any Executive Board meetings (aside from disciplinary hearing/calls, where no officer or committee reports were given). These concerns are found irrelevant and not sustained.
In conclusion, and after careful consideration, the Board of Inquiry finds this complaint to be irrelevant and not sustained.
Sincerely,
BOI Committee