What happens when:
Among those who left Joppa over the spring and summer, according to employees: Joppa's director of client services, the chief operating officer, communications director, volunteer director, a case worker, the director of donor relations, a grant writer and an executive assistant. A board member and major donor who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, Diana Clay, also resigned, as well as several volunteers. Clay could not be reached for comment.
Just one full-time employee remains other than founders Joe and Jacki Stevens, of Polk City.
Yup - the city starts raising questions and the press comes on scene. The subject of the above Des Moines Register copy is the JOPPA homeless organization that has a plan to create a "tiny house" community near airport property. While some money is requested the shelter really needs to ok from the city to proceed with its build. The organization appears to do just fine raising money but the development permission is critical to the future plans. But all these departures is shaking the confidence of Council members and a major donor and a board member. Something is clearly not going right.
All this to say, all the best plans in the world don't make up for a well run organization that can demonstrate it's house is in order. If I were JOPPA, rumors need an all-out media campaign where board members pitch-in as spokes people to put the place in the best light. Of course, all that may not be right also needs some address by the board. High staff turnover is indicative of something not being right.