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News & Information |
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Friday, December 8th, 2017
Dear Supporters,
Equine Outreach is pleased to share that we have reached an agreement with our landlords/founders, Gary Everett and Joan Steelhammer that covers our back rent owed and will allow us to begin to move the assets that will get us started at the new location, including panels, hay and much more. We are thrilled that Sundance Meadows, a 900 acre non-profit ranch that is one of the best kept secrets in Central Oregon, is allowing us to use a section of their beautiful property. While this is great news, such a move is a daunting task, and we need the help of the community to pull it off quickly before snow starts flying!
Starting on Saturday, we will be organizing daily work parties at both the Silvis Road ranch and Sundance Meadows about 8 miles away to the south. The goal this weekend is to get the infrastructure set up allowing us to begin moving horses sometime next week. We need help at both locations loading and unloading panels, hay and other supplies. We also need help with building (and paying for) fencing and shelters, pens, moving rocks, clearing brush and more. Specifically, we still are in need of:
- 500' of no-climb fencing
- solar fence charger
- burn barrel
- portable shelters
- a warming shed for volunteers
- hay - we will be moving about 33 tons, but will need more to get through until 1st cutting
- additional panels - we will be moving about 60, but will need more to set up/subdivide the space.
If you are interested in helping this weekend or anytime in the future, please send an email to volunteers4eoi@gmail.com. Be sure and let us know if you have a strong preference on which location you would prefer to work. You may also go to Signup Genius and let us know the time you will be coming.
We would like to express incredible gratitude to the Board and staff of Sundance Meadows for offering a portion of their beautiful ranch on Arnold Market road for Equine Outreach. They have been incredibly helpful and friendly as we have been setting up, with some staff even helping on their days off.
Thank you for all the amazing support!
Equine Outreach Board of Directors
Bill Inman, President
Mary Shrauger, Vice President
Monica Daeumler, Treasurer
Nancy Baldrick, Director
Dear Supporters,
Equine Outreach is pleased to share that we have reached an agreement with our landlords/founders, Gary Everett and Joan Steelhammer that covers our back rent owed and will allow us to begin to move the assets that will get us started at the new location, including panels, hay and much more. We are thrilled that Sundance Meadows, a 900 acre non-profit ranch that is one of the best kept secrets in Central Oregon, is allowing us to use a section of their beautiful property. While this is great news, such a move is a daunting task, and we need the help of the community to pull it off quickly before snow starts flying!
Starting on Saturday, we will be organizing daily work parties at both the Silvis Road ranch and Sundance Meadows about 8 miles away to the south. The goal this weekend is to get the infrastructure set up allowing us to begin moving horses sometime next week. We need help at both locations loading and unloading panels, hay and other supplies. We also need help with building (and paying for) fencing and shelters, pens, moving rocks, clearing brush and more. Specifically, we still are in need of:
- 500' of no-climb fencing
- solar fence charger
- burn barrel
- portable shelters
- a warming shed for volunteers
- hay - we will be moving about 33 tons, but will need more to get through until 1st cutting
- additional panels - we will be moving about 60, but will need more to set up/subdivide the space.
If you are interested in helping this weekend or anytime in the future, please send an email to volunteers4eoi@gmail.com. Be sure and let us know if you have a strong preference on which location you would prefer to work. You may also go to Signup Genius and let us know the time you will be coming.
We would like to express incredible gratitude to the Board and staff of Sundance Meadows for offering a portion of their beautiful ranch on Arnold Market road for Equine Outreach. They have been incredibly helpful and friendly as we have been setting up, with some staff even helping on their days off.
Thank you for all the amazing support!
Equine Outreach Board of Directors
Bill Inman, President
Mary Shrauger, Vice President
Monica Daeumler, Treasurer
Nancy Baldrick, Director
Wednesday, December 6th, 2017
We are pleased to share that we met yesterday afternoon with founder/landlord Gary Everett and came to a preliminary agreement, pending Board approval, that has allowed us to settle the back rent owed. We will be able to move the horses and enough resources to get us started in the new location. It is still going to be a massive undertaking to accomplish the move, but if the weather cooperates, the horses will be settled in at the new location before the end of the year. We are still in need of donations for infrastructure and continued feed for the horses. More details to come soon on the specific relocation plans. Thank you for all the support! - Equine Outreach Board of Directors
We are pleased to share that we met yesterday afternoon with founder/landlord Gary Everett and came to a preliminary agreement, pending Board approval, that has allowed us to settle the back rent owed. We will be able to move the horses and enough resources to get us started in the new location. It is still going to be a massive undertaking to accomplish the move, but if the weather cooperates, the horses will be settled in at the new location before the end of the year. We are still in need of donations for infrastructure and continued feed for the horses. More details to come soon on the specific relocation plans. Thank you for all the support! - Equine Outreach Board of Directors
Monday, December 4th, 2017
Dear Supporters,
A heartfelt thank you to a coalition of Central Oregon horse rescues coming together in support of Equine Outreach, Inc. (EOI) and its Board of Directors. Today, EOI is announcing a formal separation with the founders and landlords, Joan Steelhammer and Gary Everett, and the continuation of our non-profit mission with the collective effort of 7 other non-profit organizations and numerous individuals.
In early November, we announced that we would be dissolving the non-profit at the end of the year unless an angel stepped forward to allow us to continue our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses. We are pleased to announce that many angels appeared in the form of a coalition of non-profits including Equine Community Resources, 3 Sisters Equine Refuge, Oregon Rescue Challenge, Mustangs to the Rescue, Sound Equine Options, Skydog Sanctuary and numerous individuals who feel that Equine Outreach needs to remain a community resource. We have secured a 30 acre property that will allow us to relocate the horses, and volunteers from the coalition have been working diligently to prepare the property for the move.
When we communicated our plan to move the horses to Joan and Gary, their response was negative: we have been barred from access to the property and the horses, and no trespassing signs have been posted. We are unable to access the critical feed and equipment, paid for by donors and owned by the non-profit, to care for the horses at the new location.
We need immediate help to make this move happen as soon as possible. The coalition of rescues is standing by to help as soon as we say go. We need the support of YOU, our community in the form of donations to replace the necessary items and supplies to care for, feed, and properly house the horses. The following items need to be either purchased or acquired via donations:
Please call us at (541) 419-4842 to schedule a time when we can pick up donated items for the horses, or meet you at our new location to unload. We have also setup a post office box to ensure all monetary donations are received and applied directly to this effort of caring, feeding, and housing the horses at this new property. (Equine Outreach, Inc. PO Box 6054, Bend, OR 97708)
Despite threats to the contrary, Joan and Gary did allow volunteer haulers to take 6 horses to new homes yesterday. Some of those will be going to a rescue in California, but the total cost of required vet checks and hauling is close to $2K, a cost shared with the California rescue. They did not, however, allow the hauler to take the orchard grass hay necessary for transition feed. In the last month, we have found amazing new homes for a total of 24 horses. As a result, we will be moving about 35 horses to the new property, with the intention to care for them until we find great forever homes.
Your continued support and the incredible outpouring of encouragement as we work through this difficult time is immensely appreciated. If you have any questions, concerns or would like more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you prefer to work through another 501(c)3 non-profit to help, please contact Equine Community Resources or 3 Sisters Equine Refuge and note that this is for "EOI Relocation."
With gratitude,
Equine Outreach Board of Directors
Bill Inman, President
Mary Shrauger, Vice President
Monica Daeumler, Treasurer
Nancy Baldrick, Director
Dear Supporters,
A heartfelt thank you to a coalition of Central Oregon horse rescues coming together in support of Equine Outreach, Inc. (EOI) and its Board of Directors. Today, EOI is announcing a formal separation with the founders and landlords, Joan Steelhammer and Gary Everett, and the continuation of our non-profit mission with the collective effort of 7 other non-profit organizations and numerous individuals.
In early November, we announced that we would be dissolving the non-profit at the end of the year unless an angel stepped forward to allow us to continue our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses. We are pleased to announce that many angels appeared in the form of a coalition of non-profits including Equine Community Resources, 3 Sisters Equine Refuge, Oregon Rescue Challenge, Mustangs to the Rescue, Sound Equine Options, Skydog Sanctuary and numerous individuals who feel that Equine Outreach needs to remain a community resource. We have secured a 30 acre property that will allow us to relocate the horses, and volunteers from the coalition have been working diligently to prepare the property for the move.
When we communicated our plan to move the horses to Joan and Gary, their response was negative: we have been barred from access to the property and the horses, and no trespassing signs have been posted. We are unable to access the critical feed and equipment, paid for by donors and owned by the non-profit, to care for the horses at the new location.
We need immediate help to make this move happen as soon as possible. The coalition of rescues is standing by to help as soon as we say go. We need the support of YOU, our community in the form of donations to replace the necessary items and supplies to care for, feed, and properly house the horses. The following items need to be either purchased or acquired via donations:
- 50 tons of orchard grass hay
- Panels to allow for the set up of at least four 30'x48' pens
- At least 500' of No-climb fencing to subdivide large pasture spaces
- Feed and water troughs, bowls, etc.
- Trough heaters
- Horse shelters (one large one is already in place, along with plenty of trees, but additional shelters are needed)
- Hoses/extension cords
- Camper trailer for ranch hand housing
- Solar fence charger
- Trenching and electrical wiring to get more power to the area
- Feed truck
- Golf cart or ATV/UTV
- Wheel barrows, manure pitchforks, rakes, shovels, & other tools
- Warming shed with wood stove
- Firewood
Please call us at (541) 419-4842 to schedule a time when we can pick up donated items for the horses, or meet you at our new location to unload. We have also setup a post office box to ensure all monetary donations are received and applied directly to this effort of caring, feeding, and housing the horses at this new property. (Equine Outreach, Inc. PO Box 6054, Bend, OR 97708)
Despite threats to the contrary, Joan and Gary did allow volunteer haulers to take 6 horses to new homes yesterday. Some of those will be going to a rescue in California, but the total cost of required vet checks and hauling is close to $2K, a cost shared with the California rescue. They did not, however, allow the hauler to take the orchard grass hay necessary for transition feed. In the last month, we have found amazing new homes for a total of 24 horses. As a result, we will be moving about 35 horses to the new property, with the intention to care for them until we find great forever homes.
Your continued support and the incredible outpouring of encouragement as we work through this difficult time is immensely appreciated. If you have any questions, concerns or would like more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you prefer to work through another 501(c)3 non-profit to help, please contact Equine Community Resources or 3 Sisters Equine Refuge and note that this is for "EOI Relocation."
With gratitude,
Equine Outreach Board of Directors
Bill Inman, President
Mary Shrauger, Vice President
Monica Daeumler, Treasurer
Nancy Baldrick, Director
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Letter from the Department of Justice regarding the investigation of Joan Steelhammer and Gary Everett, Founders of Equine Outreach, dated 10/25/2017 and received via email 10/30/2017:
Dear Sirs: Equine Outreach, Inc. (EOI) is an Oregon public-benefit corporation located in Bend, Oregon that provides rescue and care to abused or neglected horses. Equine Outreach was founded in 2004 by Joan Steelhammer and Gary Everett (the founders). EOI's operations are located on real property owned by Ric-O-Chet LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Everett, and currently leased by EOI on a month-to-month basis. In October 2016, the Oregon Department of Justice, Charitable Activities Section, learned that the board of EOI had resigned following a dispute with the founders. The Department issued an Order to Attend and Produce Documents to EOI seeking documents and information that should be maintained in the ordinary course of business. After granting several extensions of time to respond, counsel for the founders produced some documents to the Department. After reviewing the documents, the Department notified counsel of the deficiencies in the production by letter dated August 1, 2017. Counsel produced additional documents to the Department on September 11, 2017, and acknowledged that EOI's recordkeeping had been lacking. During the Department's investigation, the founders recruited new board members and resigned from their positions as officers and directors of EOI. The new board of EOI and Ric-O-Chet have been unable to negotiate a new lease, and counsel for the EOI board notified the Attorney that the board had voted to dissolve EOI on October 17, 2017. The EOI board is currently in the process of assessing its assets and liabilities and seeking to rehome as many horses in EOI's care as is possible. Information about closing and dissolving a charity in Oregon is available at https://www.doj.state.or.us/charitable-activities/starting-or-closing-a-charity/closing-and-dissolving-a-charity/. I have enclosed a Closing Form to assist EOI in that regard. In light of the planned dissolution, the Department is closing its investigation without further action. Although the Department is closing its investigative file, we remain concerned about the founders' past governance and administration. Our investigation revealed significant failures with respect to corporate recordkeeping. For instance, EOI was unable to produce complete board meeting minutes prior to 2015, never produced balance sheets or detailed transactions for balance sheet accounts, produced incomplete credit card statements, and produced incomplete accounting records for payments made to the founders. Those failures not only constituted violations of Oregon law, see ORS 65.771, but they have hindered the Department's (and the board's) ability to determine whether EOI's assets have been properly expended and whether the conflict-of-interest transactions were fair to the corporation. The records EOI did produce reflect deficient accounting practices. EOI operated on a cash-basis accounting method, where liabilities are recorded only when satisfied, not when accrued. For example, credit card charges were not recorded until the bills were paid, leaving the board unaware of outstanding balances. In-kind contributions, valued at approximately $900,000 during the period under review, were often not recorded at all, nor were the corresponding expenses and capital improvements. Depreciation expense was also not recorded in EOI's books, resulting in assets being overstated and expenses understated. Transfers of funds between EOI's two checking accounts were incorrectly booked as revenue and expenses. Such practices resulted in financial statements that did not provide the board of directors with a true picture of the overall financial health of EOI and rendered the current board unable to effectively develop a budget and plan for EOI's financial future. Under the founder's leadership, EOI also did not observe internal financial controls, including by causing EOI to engage in improperly documented conflict-of-interest transactions. During the period reviewed by the Department, the founders received improperly documented reimbursement for personal credit card expenses of approximately $124,000 and made over $12,000 in other undocumented payments to the founders. While these reimbursements may have related to EOI expenses, due to a lack of appropriate documentation, we are unable to conclusively determine the nature and purpose of these payments. EOI also leased property from Ric-o-Chet LLC, and EOI paid for capital improvements to the property. Again, due to inadequate recordkeeping, we are unable to determine whether those conflicted transactions were properly approved or fair and reasonable to EOI. While the founders made personal and financial contributions that benefitted the organization in addition to receiving payments from EOI, the organization's lack of records has made it difficult to assess the net value of the transactions between the organization and the founders. The past lack of compliance with ORS 65.361, which sets forth procedures for handling conflict-of-interest transactions, may have contributed to the parties' current situation and difficulties in reaching agreement on the terms of a lease. Unfortunately, even when conflicted transactions seem initially beneficial to the organization, it is not uncommon for charities that depend heavily on business relationships with their founders to collapse or close suddenly when the founders withdraw or are unable to provide further support. Charitable fiduciaries that have business ties to the charities they oversee often fail to make appropriate succession plans or to develop alternatives arrangements to their own continued involvement. In the long run, organizations that develop and grow through relationships with unrelated parties are often stronger and in a better position to withstand changed circumstances. We are not aware of any plans by Mr. Everett and Ms. Steelhammer to establish or serve in a fiduciary capacity for another horse rescue or other charitable organization. However, should they consider such activities in the future, we strongly encourage them to consult with legal counsel and obtain other training to ensure they understand and are able to comply with their legal responsibilities. EOI has provided needed services to Central Oregon, and it is regrettable that the new board will not be given the opportunity to continue to provide those services. The Department urges the founders to cooperate fully with the board's efforts to wind up EOI's corporate affairs. Sincerely, Heather L. Weigler Senior Assistant Attorney General |
The Latest NewsEquine Outreach press releases and Facebook posts, KTVZ articles and videos, stories by The Bulletin newspaper, and more...find them all on our Latest News page.
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Board of DirectorsEquine Outreach is in the process of ceasing operations. If you have questions for the Board, please contact us.
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The Costs of RescueWe can't do it without you. We need your financial support to continue rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for horses from our Central Oregon community. Read more...
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