A Brief History of Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is a resident-led community-based organization founded in 1967 to improve the livelihood of the residents of the Ivanhoe neighborhood. The neighborhood itself is made of majority Black residents and extends from 31st to 47th Street and from Prospect Avenue to Paseo Boulevard.
The council is known for offering programs and events like legal aid support, cooking and technology classes for seniors, Harvest Days, and a weekly farmers market and numerous youth programs.
In 2010, Ivanhoe leaders, committee members, and their partners at the University of Kansas and Kauffman Foundation began developing a 100-point strategic plan to address community needs and improvements.
Since then, the council has executed their strategic plan with the aid of grant funding to rehab community centers, build a new playground, launch the Positive Alternatives for Youth Program, and implement other community events and programs.
The Board Member’s Betrayal
On Wednesday August 14, members of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council received a notice that they were no longer employed. For many, this decision was unforeseen. But according to Board President and Treasurer Arthur B. Johnson, the council ran out of funds due to delayed Jackson County COMBAT tax funds.
Residents were caught off guard not just by the sudden firings, but also by how the board chose to deliver the news–mere written letters.
“Letters were left on receptionists’ desks saying that the market was defunded and that was it,” said longtime Ivanhoe community member and former Interim Executive Director Alana Henry who spoke directly with The Defender. “There was no conversation, there was no bringing people together.”
Henry–who was voted to serve as Interim Executive Director before being terminated by the board– provided an exclusive interview with The Defender and refuted Johnson’s claims that the council ran out of money.
“The reason cited in the letter was financial and economic conditions, and I have a whole lot of issues with that reasoning.”
Based on the most recent tax filing records the organization has garnered nearly $2.8 million in assets in the last several years mostly through federal grants. The expenditures reported–while under the asset totals–range anywhere from $600,000 to $1.9 million for that same time period.
Fiscal reasons aside, the decision to fire all of its employees left the Ivanhoe community confused, upset, and concerned about long-standing programs like the Ivanhoe Farmers Market. The market had been operating for over 10 years and with steady momentum.
“We have seen a significant increase in not just the vendors who have participated in the market, but also the community partners that are there in support.” says Henry
The market was also a way to provide for community members residing in a food insecure neighborhood with alternative, healthy, and affordable food options.
“For a long time, there was no full service grocery store,” explains Henry on the importance of the market. “Starting the Farmers Market was one of the ways that Ivanhoe sought to meet that need for the community”
The Council Responds
Just one week after being fired by the board, members of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council held a community meeting to address the board directly and hold them accountable for their lack of consideration for the community.
The meeting was held on August 25 and community members gathered and spoke one by one to voice their frustrations.
“Missouri is an at will state.” said one speaker who spoke directly to the board, “most people, even in the most difficult situations, don’t get fired on the spot.”
In an 'at-will' state, employment is considered to be at the will of either the employer or the employee, meaning that either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, as long as it is not illegal or discriminatory.
The Ivanhoe Community was prepared to do more than just talk and provide warranted criticism to the board. They were ready to take action and next steps.
Attorney Stacy Lake was present at that meeting and hand delivered the notice of breach of fiduciary duties to the board. Lake expanded on the board’s failure to adhere to fiduciary duties including holding improper meetings without the Executive Director Alana Henry present and terminating her position without notice, both of which are direct violation of their bylaws.
In a Facebook video posted by Henry, Stacy Lakes read aloud to the room of Ivanhoe community members and board members a list of bylaw violations. In that video, Lake explains that in addition to violating their own bylaws, the Board of Directors violated Missouri Statutory Law by failing to record minutes of meetings.
To some of the meeting goers’ surprise, the Board–according to the notice–also improperly sold property.
“They have improperly and unlawfully allowed the transference and selling of land without notice,” Lake continued reading. “There is an allegation of undisclosed conflict of interest when it came to the transference of land.”
Alana Henry also spoke directly to the Board of Directors and their alleged mishandling and lack of enthusiasm around fundraising for the community.
“This cause is too important and not one time did they workshop a plan for Ivanhoe.”
For several months Henry attempted to speak to the Board Chair about a fundraising plan and strategic plan but was routinely dismissed.
“Every time I put ‘strategic plan’ on the agenda for the board meeting, [Board Chair] would say ‘take it out of there. We’re not talking about that’ and that’s the truth.”
In order to rectify these fiduciary failures caused by the board, the community was set forth to make the necessary changes as the Notice of Breach of Fiduciary Duties also included a vote for the board’s removal.
The Council’s Resurgence
The vote to remove the Board of Directors was held on Saturday, September 28. By an overwhelming vote of 68 to 11, Ivanhoe community members voiced their lack of confidence in board leadership and officially removed the board.
In The Council’s Facebook post following the vote, they listed their main concerns were:
- lack of communication between the board and partners, funders, and the community before and after terminations
- the alleged improper removal of the interim Executive Director
- multiple breaches of fiduciary duty
In addition to the board’s removal, Alana Henry has been reinstated and is currently working to rehire staff.
“We have an advisory council who is supporting Ivanhoe during this time and will be assisting with the stabilization phase we are in right now,” said Henry in a follow-up conversation with The Defender.
While The Council navigates this transitional phase, they are also resuming community programs like their legal aid which does not only aid Ivanhoe residents, but any resident in Jackson County with title work and beneficiary deeds.
On October 26, The Council will resume their monthly meetings to formalize Henry’s return and empower the advisory council with board recruitment as they are actively seeking new board members.
Following the meeting they will be holding a property tax workshop on October 29 for seniors to ensure that residents age 62 and older properly complete the paperwork for their tax credit and quad payment program.
For Halloween, The Council will host a Trunk-or-Treat on October 31 from 5:30 to 7:00pm.
Unfortunately, due to the actions of the former leadership that not only stalled programs, and jeopardized grant funding, but also halted fall planting, Ivanhoe will not have produce for this Fall. However, Henry is working diligently with Kambe’s Market in effort to obtain fresh produce.
The community has responded to the changes with great support and gratitude. Henry, who has spoken directly with stakeholders in the community attest,
“They’re supportive of Ivanhoe and want Ivanhoe to be successful,” she explains, “There’s going to be some challenges, but we’re working hard and have some great things on the horizon.”
The story of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council exemplifies the power of community organizing, empowerment, and collective powerbuilding. Despite facing adversity and turmoil, the community rallied together to hold their leadership accountable, demand change, and ultimately restore joy, purpose, and renewed hope among residents.
This narrative underscores the vital role of community engagement in effecting positive change, showcasing the resilience and commitment of individuals coming together for the greater good and striving towards a brighter future. The successful mobilization and transformation of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council serves as a testament to the enduring strength and impact of united community action.
