Question 11. "Why didn't the "new" team just start their own group instead of co-opting the original MMHCA?"

Answer: We are not sure who you mean by the “new” team and who co-opted the original MMHCA.
The elected MMHCA Board took part in an election that was decided on by the entire board that was in place in the fall of 2023 (and most of those on Mr. Blundo’s current board participated in the planning of the election and as candidates in the election.) When the election concluded, we had no idea that Mr. Blundo, Dr. Schaeffer, Dr. Ametrano, Dr. Emde, and their group would act in such ways and refuse to accept the election results and refuse to turn over the organization’s property. The elected board was elected through a thoughtful, legitimate process authorized by a vote of the majority of the Board - a process in which Mr. Blundo was included. Mr. Blundo favored the election until the candidates he favored didn’t win the election. Therefore, the elected Board is the rightful governing body of MMHCA.

Our opening statement gives the broad details and history of what happened last fall. The elected board of MMHCA never imagined that Mr. Blundo, Sue Schaeffer, Irene Ametrano and Robyn Emde would refuse to follow the will of the Board and the will of the membership who elected the Board. But they have ignored the bylaws of MMHCA, and the wishes of the membership, and the results of the election. It is a very troubling thing to witness.

We have no way of knowing their motivation. Anyone can start a new organization, but the DBA Michigan LPCs group does not have the right to say they are MMHCA just using another name. Nor do they have the right to declare that MMHCA members are somehow automatically part of their new organization without members’ consent. Additionally, the DBAMichigan LPCs group is trying to keep MMHCA assets including bank accounts, website, logins/passwords, financial records and access which is not acceptable.

The election was initiated to address crucial flaws in the operation of the organization by holding a fair and open election that was decided by a vote of the Board; which included those individuals. Elections are how Board membership for most positions are decided in most non-profit organizations. The current elected board of MMHCA is composed of dedicated volunteer members who have been involved serving on MMHCA’s Board for several if not many years.