Snippets about Lake Tahoe
• South Lake Tahoe’s interactive snow removal route map is online.
• Have you ever wondered what a League to Save Lake Tahoe tax return looks like or what former Executive Director Rochelle Nason was paid or what her severance package was? If yes, then click on tax return to see the League’s 2011 document.
• Impersonator McAvoy Layne will perform Mark Twain’s “Secrets to Longevity” on Nov. 30, 6-8:30pm, at the Incline Village Recreation Center. A wine and cheese party will follow. Tickets are $25.
• The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter House at the Truckee Airport will be offering free aviation-related movies Dec. 7 at 6:15pm.
• Tahoe Regional Young Professionals will roast s’mores and sample fondue, soups and hearty treats at Basecamp Hotel’s recently opened bar in South Lake Tahoe on Dec. 12 from 7-10. Admission is free for TRYP members and $5 for non-members. For more info, email TahoeTRYP@gmail.com.
GPS on the plows – what a waste of money. All one has to do is poke your head outside and listen to see if they’re in your neighborhood.
Regarding the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s tax return, while I found their 2011 Form 990 PF somewhat interesting I was disappointed that there was no back-up documentation/schedule included that was related to Part IX-Statement of Functional Expenses, Line 7–Other Salaries and Wages (page 10), since the total expenses for that single line item were $442,439 and was the League’s largest single expense. That’s a lot of money spent on Other Salaries and Wages for Non-Employees and more specificity as to whom it went would have been enlightening. Since the League shows a zero amount expended on line 11-b, Fees for Services (non-employees) Legal, that leads me to the conclusion that their Program Service Expenses and all associated costs must be for attorney’s so I guess their Program Objective must be to initiate lawsuits. It’s unfortunate that those detailed manually prepared back-up documents that tie to those specific line item amounts aren’t included in these on-line returns since that type of information is pertinent.
I wish we had better grading and reviews on charitable organizations.
Some tax free charitable organizations run on very little, pay a low salary to their CEO, and spend very little on fundraising, while others pay an exorbitant salary, and reap great benefits from huge fundraising budgets.
2011 League To Save Lake Tahoe Tax Return
(Tax Free, mind you!)
$1,160,424 Total Revenue
$2,272,033 Total Assets
$181,015 Rochelle Nason
$59,592 Rochelle Nason Severance
$442,439 Other Salaries
$32,116 Travel Expenses
$50,046 Fundraising Expense
$84,105 Membership Education (What?)
My impression of the return, is the League was mainly about padding Rochelle Nason’s pocket book, and enhancing her life with paid travel expenses, and fundraising parties.
In my opinion, it is our responsibility to be more investigative, and selective about who we donate money to.
Just because an organization gains charitable status, doesn’t mean they are saints, as there is a wide range within that classification.
It still remains to be seen, what the League to Save Lake Tahoe is evolving into. More of the same?, or a new true guardian of the lake. One that is willing to work cooperatively with other entities as well as citizens, based on concrete scientific knowledge.
If I had ever contributed a donation to “The League to Sue/Starve Lake Tahoe” I’d definitely be miffed… but fortunately for me- I’ve never given them so much as a penny; there are so many other worthy local charitable causes to support. Locals should pass on the “League”; let their rich, elite, “one-percenter” Bay Area socialite supporters shoulder the financial burden for all the lawsuits, greed and stupidity conducted in the name of “Environmental Awareness”.
WOW…. I am flabbergasted by Rochelle’s salary, the severance, and even the amount of “other salaries”! Thanks for the eye-opener!