Salvation Army International Headquarters London United Kingdom 1 July, 2013 An Open Letter To The Salvation Army, My name

is Jennifer Fair, and I'm writing to make a most sincere and accurate statement regarding the harmful and illegal actions of an individual within the Salvation Army. Her name is Caroline Brophy-Parkin, who from what I know recently attended the William Booth College officer training program in London after her previous assignment as "Territorial Envoy" of the Birkenhead Corps, Merseyside UK. This is a statement AGAINST her character, which I strongly feel is in stark contrast to the ideals and ethics of such a good and noble organisation as I believe the Salvation Army is. My statement is proved by supporting facts and communications, which I feel must still be brought to light. In the interest of justice and accountability I'm compelled to do so because of lack of proper accountability, action, and lack of cooperation from certain officials in the Salvation Army who I submitted my grievance with and sought redress. They did nothing to provide me with clear answers or resolve the matter I'm now bringing to wider attention, to which Parkin caused me the greatest personal distress and loss. I was assisted thru a tough time by the good folks at the Birkenhead Corps in the UK over the summer of 2011. Everyone I met there was incredibly kind. I didn't know what to expect from a religious aspect, but being raised Catholic I could identify with the spiritual decency of the Salvation Army even though I wasn't necessarily looking for such guidance. I expressed my problems and needs in general terms, what I did speak to I was honest about with those I came to know. A few really took me to heart, and I was always more than happy to return the kindness by helping out when and where I could. My fundamental appreciation as a decent and ethical person was quite genuine. I'd been affected by a dodgy landlord, and was assisted with my personal belongings since I'd no immediate place to go. Even though that aspect was a great benefit, it also led to the problem with Parkin to which I'm writing in order to bring this to wider attention. I want her to finally be held fully accountable for her grievious, unethical, and illegal actions against me. Sufficed to say, certain additional issues required me to return to the US abruptly in late 2011, and so was not able to sort out the disposition of some personal belongings, consisting of clothing and personal items in duffel bags. I couldn't retrieve and take everything, and so left them in what was an understanding of safekeeping (going on Parkin's "word") and made it repeatedly very clear to her that I would be in contact and make arrangements to retrieve my belongings as soon as possible. Therefore, she should not be able to claim she was under any illusion that my belongings were being abandoned or donated, nor that she had any permission or right to do anything with them whatsoever.

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As soon as I was able to, given I had few resources and limited communication on returning to the United States, I emailed Parkin to explain and confirm my ability to retrieve my belongings thru offered assistance, and thus resolve the matter right then. I offered to put them in touch with her to make such arrangements, but it wasn't until I received her reply that I realised what a hateful person she was, and what a threatening and personal mindset she'd taken against me. Her response was entirely full of vitriol about my "dishonesty" and "bad nature" to the extent that immediately raised my concern that I was now dealing with an unstable person who had the ability - and intent - of being vindictive and spiteful towards me. I expected she'd be unhappy but agreeable to concluding our association at most. Though I apologized and once again made it clear arrangements were being made, her response was not the norm. I realised from then I'd have to address this more abruptly and enlist help in dealing with her. I responded not to threaten me or my property further, and sought to report this to her immediate supervisor, Major Michael Highton of the NW UK Division. Unfortunately before his response I learned from Parkin that, according to her, my belongings were "disposed" without any explanation, apology or regret. Highton later responded he would look into the matter, but it was some time before learning more. His answers were inadequate and suspicious to the extent that I felt he had prior knowledge of her actions, or was also complicit in the destruction of my property. I then sought to write to the Salvation Army's "Legal Services" Department, not knowing who'd receive it and how it would be handled. I'd no idea if Major Highton or anyone had spoken with them, or what might have been conveyed. I wanted them to hear directly from me and not through anybody's assumptions or rhetoric. However, this "Legal Services" was a farce as I received only an unsigned reply dismissing my points without any depth of understanding, appreciation, or explanation. I further decided to petition the UK Territorial Office in London last year, in particular (then) Commissioner John Matear. I'd hoped that, as head of the UK Territory Office, it would be in his purview and best interest to know what happens amongst the "divisions" he oversaw. As such in my case, that he should be aware of the dubious and insolent tact of regional "officers" (the aforementioned NE Division leader Major Highton) who failed to handle my complaint properly, and I strongly feel covered-up for Parkin and her activities, as well as his own. Instead, it was handled by a staffer (a Lt. Col. Carol Telfer), but remained hopeful that I'd finally been given the respect and attention that I and my complaint deserved - and still deserves. Through our initially amicable dialogue, I tried to convey more directly the human impact of Parkin's actions against me and exactly what I was seeking from the Salvation Army in terms of accountability. I sought her assurance and confirmation that Commissioner Matear (Later Commissioner Andre Cox) were aware of the matter, secondly that Parkin had in fact been "disciplined" as was her claim (though she refused to be specific), and also of my reasonable concern that the folks in Birkenhead were failing (perhaps refusing) to respond to my efforts to try to "clear the air" because Parkin had "poisoned them" against me before departing as her final (and expressed) insult and threat. However, what I had thought was a close resolution and understanding became skewed to the extent I wondered how seriously she'd taken my complaint, and if she was speaking to Parkin out of turn and disclosing things she shouldn't that were in confidence with me. It seemed to me that she was forgetting it was my complaint - I was the victim - and I was the one to be accountable to. I felt she was actively giving Parkin a pass and criticizing me. That became very unsatisfactory. I was - and am not about to let it be the last word or result of this.

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I must additionally express that it was disconcerting that then-Commissioner Matear didn't bother to respond to me himself, nor express any concern before departing his position with (presumptive) disregard to such a complaint involving extensive malfeasance taking place. Nor, I must add, did Commissioner Andre Cox who was UK Territory leader until this year, when I understand he was appointed (seemingly promoted) as Chief of Staff. Also, the insolence and dis-concern of the administration of William Booth College is also disgusting. Accountability seems to be a sorely lacking value in the Salvation Army. As all along, I've been handling this on my own with no support to help me pick up the pieces as to what happened to my belongings because of Caroline Parkin. Though nobody's been on my side, I vehemently refuse to leave the matter at this, because it's also a matter of conscience. She sought to attack me by her words and actions, and then destroy my property without any cause whatsoever. She insulted, threatened, and then sought to engage in a campaign of slander in order to demean me to others within the Salvation Army in both the UK and US. She deliberately sought to make my efforts difficult to recover my belongings while in the UK, and impossible from the US amidst already extremely difficult circumstances to which she was aware. Parkin had no consideration for anything but her own self-important and self-serving attitude and actions - which are expressly evident in her correspondence to me and what I learned through my own efforts - all because she felt "slighted" or "betrayed". That's far from the example of compassion to which the Salvation Army is noted for. I've proved this - and still nothing is done - so perhaps wider accountability must be sought. She must now be named and shamed. That's precisely why I seek redress of this grievance at the highest levels of the Salvation Army. Because your General Linda Bond has sought to leave her job without response or taking responsibility, I ask current leader Commissioner Andre Cox and your "High Council" to respond and resolve this. If you truly value compassion, justice, and accoutability then Caroline Parkin must be held fully accountable for her behavior and egregious - I argue illegal - actions against me. The public must know as well that the Salvation Army has thus far failed to hold these sorts of people accountable. Surely all of the other parties are also liable for their gross failure to properly handle my legitimate complaint and failure to appreciate the impact of such actions. I've been greatly distressed - now 2 years on - being deprived of my personal property, denied justice, and being treated with such additional disdain. Civil legal action notwithstanding, proper redress of this grievance by the Salvation Army must achieved even if it regrettably brings the Salvation Army into disrepute by association. I'm a benign person, and she had absolutely no cause or right to attack me and my property as she did, nor to do so to anyone by any measure. It was an act of pure malice. This must not be allowed to stand. I certainly hold the Salvation Army to be a noble organization consisting of fine and decent people. I hope it's agreed that its officers and leaders must uphold the best traditions of charity, decency, and ethics not only in how they interact and help people, but in the manner by which they conduct themselves and account for their actions. Parkin apparently has aspirations to be an officer. I say in the strongest terms that I do not believe she deserves that. I do not believe that she represents the best interests, ethics, and morals of the Salvation Army. That's why I've chosen to make all of this known. I will leave an open channel for YOUR response, but this is not an indefinite overture. I will not stand for this to continue to be dismissed, ignored, or "passed off" likely to the very people I named as the cause of this, only to be discarded again. The choice is yours if you wish the Salvation Army to continue this insolent tact, which I assure you will bring certain disparagement if not handled in a proper and respectful manner to myself. Signed,

Jennifer Fair jenniferfair@hotmail.com * It has come to my attention subsequent to this note that Parkin has been assigned to the Hawick Corps, East Scotland Division. * This note was written and sent prior to the August 3, 2013 election of Commissioner Andre Cox as "General"