THE SA IS UNDER SCRUTINY PART 1

The SA remains  one of the most respected organizations in the world. Those of us who wear a SA uniform hear daily from the general public, other NGOs, faith based groups and government agencies of the high esteem in which we are held. Due to poor oversight or demonstrating greater care in utilizing SA resources in certain SA locations we have come under scrutiny causing unnecessary embarrassment and costly disruption to the ongoing world-wide services we provide. 

The below details the ongoing disruption to the SA's work at its Stockholm, Sweden, Headquarters. The article is translated from the original by this blog's Administrator and will be shared in 4 parts. Comments and articles relative to the integrity of TSA's mission are welcome.

Sven Ljungholm
SA Soldier, Govan Citadel Corps
Scotland 

‘Cold Facts’, a Swedish TV investigative documentary program examines the Salvation Army
In March, Cold Facts continued its review of the Salvation Army. In addition to email exchanges with the Salvation Army Headquarters, they have also contacted the Ministry of Social Affairs and the State authority SST administering government funds to religious communities in Sweden.
They have also contacted IHQ in London and tried to get an interview with General Shaw Clifton and the incoming General Linda Bond.

At noon on 30 March I was surprised here at the Salvation Army headquarters (Sweden) when they wanted to meet someone in a senior position. However, there was no one in top management available at that moment. The TV Team had already begun to film and interview the receptionist. Moreover, they also filmed and interviewed a person who had just departed from a SA meeting.

All questions submitted (up to that date) to the Salvation Army leadership in Sweden had been answered, albeit maybe not always at the level of detail that Hard Facts demanded. It is was a conscious choice that we made.

Investigative Journalism

An example of the level of detail Cold Facts required us to answer was for us to decipher the preliminary income figures for 2010, divided into the following sources:

gifts - collections - wills
sale of collected goods
grants from government agencies and other organizations
Other allocations
Member contributions
Provision of care and training, as well as rental income

We therefore decided to present the figures that are available in, and presented in a similar form as found in our current Annual Report.

The item, 'grants from government agencies and other organizations' in 2009, was 124 million SEK (Swedish Kronor). The grand total that Cold Facts sought were expected to be presented in the following order:

How much of the sum came from the public sector, governmental, municipal grants?
What kind of contribution is this?
The exact sum from the authorities, grants?
How large are the contributions from each donor?

(we were then asked)
‘Once we have chosen to respond briefly, include the following:
A list of names of the authorities who made contributions?
A list of names of the municipalities that made contributions?

Clearly, even when we provide the requested details they demand ever more information seemingly never to be satisfied.

Accessibility and Transparency

Cold Facts say they have tried me by telephone on several occasions, however, I have seen any numbers which can be traced to Cold Facts and Swedish TV4 (on my caller ID). Of course, I answer the phone when I have the opportunity and return calls to the caller when asked to do so. In addition, we have always asked Cold Facts to forward their questions to me via e-mail. The reason for this is simply because we have other tasks and for this reason is better for us to answer all questions by e-mail.
The Salvation Army
Sweden

Bert Åberg
from fsaof.blogspot.com