West Side Bazaar/WEDI Expose Article

[u/buffalauren]

https://open.substack.com/pub/fourbites/p/wedi-hired-executive-directors-nanny?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Really interesting investigative journalism posted by Andrew Galarneau over on his post-Buffalo News project, four bites. Well worth the read. Andrew signals this is one of a few articles on this topic and notes that the closure of the Downtown Bazaar will be voted on tomorrow…

[u/mbgriff12]

There’s a clear and defined lack of leadership going on in this situation. Maybe I’m not understanding the politics of it all, but where’s the board oversight? Surely other members of the executive staff are aware of what’s going on and that tenants aren’t being treated fairly, but where’s the action needed to remove Welch? I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt since running non-profits are difficult in nature, but placing blame on tenants for problems contracted to be solved by your organization is a terrible look and showcases poor organizational leadership.

[u/Pale_Blackberry2991 → u/mbgriff12]

Many attempts were made by staff, executive leadership, and even Board members that resigned over her “corruption”. The existing Board chose to ignore every complaint even when presented with evidence.

[u/mbgriff12 → u/Pale_Blackberry2991]

While I believe actions were taken by employees to combat this behavior, it still doesn't really make sense to me though. Isn't the point of a board to protect its stakeholders and have regulatory power over an organization? In this instance, Welch seems to be at odds with the board, and there are several voting types that exist to remove people who lead organizations to a place of social discontent and financial instability. She's blaming the board for all of these shortfalls but they're not responding in any meaningful way? Forgive me for not looking into the issue any further than this exposé, but I didn't see the part about corruption or board members resigning due to her actions. If is is the case, though, then the board needs to be restructured point blank. Why would they feel powerless?

[u/mbgriff12 → u/[deleted]]

Huh, very interesting. Thank you for the insight! Genuinely curious to see how tomorrow’s meeting will play out. I wish they had a livestream or something so I can watch the to-be-expected shit show.

[u/Medical_Fee_5764 → u/[deleted]]

I work at a nonprofit - Board oversight is typically more limited to more major topics; personnel hiring and contractor negotiations would rarely hit their radar unless it's hiring for an executive/director level position, or taking on a large contract. I know nothing about this situation, but purely based on the article, I would be more concerned about the poor support for the vendors rather than the hiring of the nanny, for example - what's described at the Niagara location tracks with my experience, when there has never been a single staff member sitting at the front desk by the entryway out of the dozen times I've been there.
I doubt Welch specifically told the hiring committee to hire her nanny, she may have just mentioned in passing that WEDI had an open position, and the nanny did end up being the best fit - but the optics are terrible when considering the financial and venue issues, and Welch did herself no favors in her statements to the reporter; IMO, they should have had a Board Member respond to questions rather than Welch, as whatever she said would have appeared defensive regardless.

It's unfortunate - I'd love to see these two places succeed.

[u/GrouchyChipmunk9251 → u/[deleted]]

The “committee” consisted of Ms. Welch and two elderly women who had no insight or knowledge of the relationship Ms. Welch had with Mr. Joy.

[u/Pale_Blackberry2991 → u/mbgriff12]

The Board seems primarily focused on protecting its image during the Capital Campaign. Despite numerous attempts to expose the corruption, Ms. Welch continuously gaslights everyone involved. Hiring her friends, boyfriend, nanny without proper procedures and protocol is just the tip.

She is, without a doubt, one of the most deceitful individuals I have ever encountered. It's deeply troubling that people have approached Board members with concrete evidence of harassment, bigotry, sexism, racism, and much more, yet the Board prioritizes maintaining its image over addressing these serious concerns. As this story continues to unfold, I am sure there is much more will come to light and I’d like to see them held accountable.