More on NYCOPSR Bylaws Dispute…

By Harry Weiner

The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees [NYCOPSR] has responded to my Work-Bites July 20 open letter and a similar letter in The Chief. (“Bylaws of Gravity, July 24).‍ ‍

I invited NYCOPSR to issue areply in the “Debunked” section of their website, which they did.

The heart of the issue is transparency concerning NYCOPSR’s bylaws and other documents. That members be actually informed of their right to view the bylaws and other documents - in compliance with the bylaws and Federal IRS filings, Marianne Pizzitola, President of NYCOPSR, wrote on Facebook that I am making NYCOPSR spend donations on a legal letter to me and the “newspapers” that I contacted with “unsubstantiated allegations.” That I should apologize and update them.

I stand by the content of my letter.

I assisted Marianne by forwarding or cc-ing her in emails that gave  journalists, editors and publishers a heads up. 

My response to NYCOPSR -

1) I received the Amended and Restated bylaws as adopted on September 17, 2023.  A request for Amendments is pending.

2) NYCOPSR hasn’t proactively provided members the bylaws, by email or via their website, or informed them of the right to request them.

(Or review other NYCOPSR documents pursuant to the bylaws and the most current IRS Form 990.)

3) Despite a denial, sections of the bylaws govern (voting and eligibility) rights of members.

4) I am advocating that the bylaws be proactively disclosed to all members even if not legally required.

5) It is important to distinguish NYCOPSR from the MLC - by being more transparent.

6) I haven’t doubted the integrity of the Board or NYCOPSR.

This is a difference of opinion over transparency policy.

8) According to my Membership account, I am a Donor-Qualified member of NYCOPSR, until June 23, 2027. 

As of this writing, NYCOPSR still insists on their website  that “A Donor Qualified means someone has donated, but not paid to become a member.”  

During the July 24 NYCOPSR weekly session (available on the YouTube channel and X) Marianne Pizzitola, President, stated that I was still not a member of the organization.

Adding that I’m eligible to be a member but haven’t paid dues to be a member.

I requested that a correction be made at the July 31 Weekly Update but one was not forthcoming.