After hearing the latest accounts of the swirling controversy at the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, former Executive Director Jill Svoboda is defending both herself and her staff in response to statements issued by the organization’s Board of Directors.
Jill responded today to my email requesting more background into the entire series of events that led to her departure and that of several fellow staff members. At first she was reluctant to directly address the board’s accusations, but said she finally came to the realization that she needed to ride to her own defense.
Here is what she has told me this evening: “There are so many wrongs here, it’s hard to write it all down. Ron Klemm (Board Chairman) stacked the board with his friends and they bullied and harassed me causing a toxic environment for staff. They threatened litigation against employees over a logo. Ron makes decisions on his own without board approval, which goes against the bylaws.”
She goes on to say, “The Friday before I resigned, I reached out to board member, Heidi Duncan, to see if we could resolve some of these issues but she did not answer nor did she return my calls. So I wrote my letter of resignation, but never heard from a single board member until they started issuing statements. I was left alone defending the humane society from itself, the Board.”
Jill suggests, “These board members have zero experience in animal welfare nor any sweat equity in the new shelter. This board decided that the best way to lead the workers was by fear and harassment. The staff deserves better! I am standing up for what I believe in, the animals, the community and the great donors who support us! I don’t believe in Ron Klemm.”
Svoboda was particularly distraught over the board’s allegations of finding “irregularities.” She wants it crystal clear, “I’ve never had access to Humane Society bank accounts. The only access any staff member had was to make deposits. I hadn’t personally made a deposit in more than 8 years, it was always another staff member. (Board Member) Alex Schaefer’s accounting firm Kruggel Lawton, gets paid to do the books and has for years. That is a conflict in and of itself. Alex Schaefer and Ron Klemm’s name are on the accounts. I have never been on the accounts for this very reason. The article you wrote is untruthful and slanderous. I realize you are publishing their statement, but you should know that. The Humane society has been audited for years and there have never been any “irregularities” reported.”
The reality, she says, is that, “The only irregularities are board members not following their own bylaws and just letting friends join the board with no vote, no application or even being listed on a meeting agenda. I have email proof of all of that.” Further, she contends, “The bad culture was brought in by Ron Klemm and his buddies that have zero experience in animal welfare or shelter operations.”
She admits, “The last straw for me was when Ron Klemm threatened litigation in a $100,000 case against employees that make $12 an hour, over a logo, if that gives you an indication of intelligence or lack thereof. These are the people who are in charge now.”
She says that after raising $277,000 in 51 days during the pandemic to help keep operations going at the shelter she was chastised by Klemm for “doing my job to keep funds coming in, because you know money is a continual need for operations, and we rely on generous donors to keep the animals safe.”
Jill concludes, “Pat, you know that I was passionate about my job, but this board wanted to harass and threaten me until I quit. They shouldn’t have been surprised, as (former Board Member) Don (Blackmond) tried to tell them that you can’t harass or threaten staff, but they decided they had enough money and power that they could do whatever they wanted. I’d like to remind you, that these folks never stepped foot into Crystal Avenue (the former long time home to the shelter prior to the new building on M-139) or even knew I worked there. Five people do not resign if it’s a great working environment and they certainly don’t walk away from a dream that was 13 years in the making.”
