Chris Flener resigns from Chamber board

BENTON — Citing a lack of professionalism and continued violations, Benton/West City Chamber of Commerce board member Chris Flener has submitted his resignation.
In an email sent to Chamber members Wednesday, Flener recommended the creation of a Benton Area Business Association and/or the removal of executives and possibly the board as a whole of the Chamber of Commerce. He also suggested an outside auditor be brought in to review past three years of financial records, pointing out, "There are clear errors that need to be professionally reviewed for impropriety."
Flener's resignation comes on the heels of a special board meeting on Tuesday called because new financial issues were discovered a week ago by the Chamber's executive secretary, Karen Mullins.
Flener said it was during that meeting that President Rhonda Gilbreath had transferred funds from a restricted account to the general operating account.
"This is a direct violation of the bylaws," Flener wrote, adding he left the meeting because, "I'd had enough of the blatant violations of the bylaws by this group."
Flener said the Chamber's financial issues date back to a time beyond the time frame when Vonda Adams became treasurer, adding, "It has been an ongoing issue basically the entire time the current president has been at the helm and spans at least two different treasurers."
Flener stated that Adams was not re-elected to the board prior to this information coming to light. She declined to seek re-election to the executive committee, adding the president and vice president were re-elected "in a ridiculous election" where everyone was afraid to nominate additional people.
Flener said the Chamber membership should not be paying for money owed and likely penalties and late fees, however the executive committee can, and should be held liable for their actions/inactions and be forced to pay such penalties/fees.
In his letter of resignation, Flener said, "I will not put myself, or my reputation, in a position of liability for an organization that does not adhere to its own standards and procedures."
He added, "Due to the lack of professionalism and continued violations of the Chamber of Commerce bylaws by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, I am submitting my letter of resignation to you effective immediately."
In conclusion, Flener stated, "I joined the chamber to be of service.  I wanted to make it better.  hese executives are not interested in that and have done their best to prevent their own errors/violations from coming to light (including attacking those who seek to inform).  My information has been accurate and confirmed by others on multiple occasions. The attacks on me have been personal in nature, unrelated to the actual issues and I believe that was intentional to divert attention away from the true matters at hand.  I hope the chamber members see through this and can come together to address the issues in the business community here in Benton."
Regarding the creation of a business association, Flener said many communities have gone away from Chambers of Commerce for many different reasons. However, a new association would give the community a fresh start and possibly bring in many of the old businesses who have left.
"Regardless of what this business community decides to do, I will be supporting it however I can. I will not support the Chamber of Commerce though."
In the email, Flener provided a "Chamber Issues update" and the status of questionable financial records.
The Benton/West City Chamber of Commerce was recently dissolved by the Secretary of State's office. Earlier this month, the chamber was notified it had been reinstated by the Secretary of State's office but is still not in good standing with the Attorney General's office.