Know Your Rights!

Major Dean A. Millard, USMC (Ret.)

OCF is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Recently, I received a brochure from them which contained a "Donor's Bill of Rights." I thought it was so good that I wanted to share it with you and show how we at OCF are doing our best to guarantee your "Rights."

You have the right to:

Know how the funds of an organization are being spent.
Every year we publish in COMMAND magazine a summary of our independently audited Financial Statements (see Page 14) to show what funds were received and how these funds were spent in accomplishing the tasks which the Lord has given us. We also can provide a copy of our audited Financial Statements to anyone who needs greater detail.

Know what the programs you support are accomplishing.
We feel that this is critically important. We try to communicate what the Lord is accomplishing through OCF through COMMAND magazine, thank-you letters, the executive director's quarterly letter, and other communications.

Know that the organization is in compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws.
A major help with this is the independent CPA firm that annually audits our accounting methods and procedures. Experienced with not-for-profit organizations, the firm is invaluable in making sure that we comply with all applicable laws.

Restrict or designate your gifts to a particular program.
I consider it a major duty of mine to ensure that the funds that are given to OCF are used for the purpose for which they are given.

A response to your inquiries about finances and programs. We feel that it is honoring to the Lord to be as open as we can be about our finances and programs. If you have any questions, let me know.

Visit office and program sites of an organization to talk personally with the staff.
Please come visit us! It's an absolute joy when people visit the Home Office.

Give without being high-pressured by the organization.
We like to use the "What Would Jesus Do?" principle. Jesus didn't use high pressure, and neither will we.

Know that the organization is well managed.
The Lord has blessed OCF with a wonderful council that sets the tone for and gives oversight to OCF.

Know that there is a responsible governing board and know who those board members are.
Elected from the general membership, the entire OCF Council meets twice a year.

Know that all appeals for funds are truthful and accurate.
The only way we can honor the Lord is by being truthful and accurate.

In all our dealings we quietly depend upon the Lord for His help, and not on our own skills (2 Cor. 1:23).

If you have any questions or need any more information on the finances or the programs of Officers' Christian Fellowship, please call me at 1-800-424-1984 or e-mail me at dean@ocfusa.org.