Carol Giambalvo's Cult Information and Recovery

A History of FOCUS/reFOCUS

In 1982, a group of former cult members conferred by phone about forming a support network for people who had experiences in controlling, totalistic groups, cults or relationships. At the time, those individuals felt ex-members had specific needs that were not being addressed by CAN (Cult Awareness Network). CAN consisted mainly of parents of present and former cult members. The individuals who wanted to form a support network felt that CAN, while having pure motives and intentions, tended not to be sensitive to recovery issues of former cult members. They felt strongly there was a need for a support network run by ex-members for ex-members in which we could support each other through the recovery process, be a resource to those just exiting destructive groups and relationships and, at the same time, be sensitive to recovery issues. A group of individuals met at the home of Hope Evans in Dallas, TX to form such a network. Some of the persons at that initial meeting were David Clark, Vanessa Weber, Kathy Hansen, John Hulla, Larry Bisman, Bob Brandyberry, Lynn Schwartz, Hilly Zeitlin, Ian and Marie Haworth.

During that meeting, they discussed the needs ex-members shared. They felt ex-members had legitimate experiences to share with one another and often these experiences were not being heard by CAN. At times, these ex-members felt CAN was treating them as children. It was felt ex-members needed a place where their experiences could be shared and confirmed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. Priorities in forming such a support group were recognized: communication, formation of local support groups, conference workshops for former members only, the need to address spiritual issues of former members, funding, and setting up a board of directors. This meeting ended with the formation of FOCUS: FOrmer CUltist Support Network. At the 1982 national conference in Washington, DC, several committees of FOCUS were formed: archives (Dave Clark, chair), FOCUS Journal (Vanessa Weber, chair), support groups (Paul Engel, chair).

At the 1983 Los Angeles conference, Paul Engel joined the National Board of Directors of CAN and became the "National Coordinator" of FOCUS. Paul Engel remained as National Coordinator until 1985. FOCUS was a very loosely knit organization, and in this formative stage, needed to be so. Several issues of the FOCUS Journal were published. Paul formed a network of "contact persons" in different parts of the country to help coordinate. He reports it was difficult finding people willing to put the time and commitment into the organization. FOCUS was funded by CAN in the amount of $500 to cover annual expenses plus an allotment of $500 for expenses of the FOCUS conference chairperson. A separate bank account for FOCUS was established in Oceanside, NY. FOCUS had a vote for the CAN national board of directors.

In 1985 at the national conference, Steve Hassan was asked by Paul Engel to replace him as National Coordinator.

At the 1986 National Conference, the President of CAN (Ron Loomis) and the FOCUS representative on the CAN Board (Paul Engel) asked Carol Giambalvo to become the National Coordinator. She stated she would be the Interim National Coordinator, but FOCUS needed to have its own bylaws and elect its own Board of Directors and National Coordinator. Ron Loomis agreed. Following the conference, a large group of FOCUS members met and discussed forming additional committees. Bob Brandyberry and Margaret Long volunteered to serve on the Bylaws Committee to draft a set of bylaws by the next conference. Several people served on a nominating committee to provide a slate of people for election to the first Board of Directors.

At the 1987 National Conference in Pittsburgh, the draft Bylaws were presented to all FOCUS participants present. Since much discussion took place, approximately twelve people agreed to meet during the conference to develop a final draft. The final draft of the bylaws was approved unanimously and the first Board of Directors was elected, who then elected Carol Giambalvo as National Coordinator. After the conference, the board met with other interested FOCUS members to discuss and critique the conference, form committees and discuss future plans. These meetings after the national conferences became a tradition and served to help improve the programs and to better serve the needs of FOCUS participants.

In 1988, Carol Giambalvo was elected to the CAN National Board as the FOCUS representative, filling Paul Engel's expired term. The years 1988-89 saw an 80% increase in FOCUS participants, correspondence and phone calls, largely due to the publication of Steve Hassan's "Combatting Cult Mind Control", which listed FOCUS as a resource. Carol Giambalvo developed a mailing list for referrals of FOCUS participants. The FOCUS questionnaires remained confidential and in the possession of the National Coordinator.

In response to FOCUS participants' feedback at the end of the 1989 conference, FOCUS organized and operated the first pre-conference recovery workshop at the 1990 national conference in Chicago. That year, Nancy Miquelon was elected to serve as National Coordinator. Carol Giambalvo remained the FOCUS representative on the CAN Board. Ron Taggart offered to print a FOCUS newsletter, gratis, for one year in order to increase FOCUS participation and activity and, hopefully, to raise some funds for other projects. Marty Butz became Vice-Coordinator and served as the FOCUS representative at the National CAN office. At this point, in order for Marty to be able to make referrals properly, he was given mailing list and copies of the FOCUS questionnaires.

In 1991, Paul Martin was nominated to the CAN Board of Directors, replacing Carol Giambalvo. Paul was not on the FOCUS Board of Directors. CAN's bylaws called for a CAN board member to be "an active member of FOCUS, the former cult member organization." FOCUS' bylaws read: "The Board of Directors (of FOCUS) shall appoint from its board a director to the CAN Board of Directors for a term of three years." The two bylaws were in obvious conflict. For the first time, in 1991, FOCUS was not given a vote in the election of the CAN Board of Directors. However, FOCUS was assured the CAN bylaws would be amended to reinstate its vote. This never occurred. While having every confidence in Paul Martin and his support of FOCUS' goals, the Board of FOCUS felt strongly that it needed to be represented on CAN's Board by someone on the FOCUS Board.

Due to these conflicts, for the first time a joint FOCUS/CAN Board meeting was held. At that meeting, the CAN Board advised FOCUS that, for the interim year before an amendment could be made to the CAN bylaws, FOCUS could have a liaison representative attend the CAN board meetings. The liaison would have no vote and would not be reimbursed for their expenses. A contribution was made by a donor to cover the travel expenses of Keith Mader and Nancy Miquelon to attend CAN board meetings in 1991-92. Following the 1991 conference, Cynthia Kisser determined that FOCUS should not have its own bank account but that all contributions should go to CAN and be designated "FOCUS funds."

At the 1992 National Conference, CAN amended its bylaws to read: "The Board shall consist of no less than nine (9) or no more than fifteen (15) members as determined by the current Board for the next term. At least one member of the Board shall be nominated by the FOCUS Board of Directors, the former cult member organization."

Corey Slavin was then elected to represent FOCUS on the CAN National Board. Due to the threat of possible law suits aimed at FOCUS, it was determined by the CAN board that FOCUS was not covered under their insurance. The CAN Board recommended the Board of FOCUS dissolve its bylaws and board and become a standing committee of the CAN Board in order to be covered by insurance. FOCUS followed that advice, voicing this was an interim measure until such time as it could reorganize. CAN's bylaws were again amended.

At the 1993 national conference in Minneapolis, Rick Seelhoff was elected FOCUS Chairperson. The third joint meeting with the CAN Board occurred. During the course of the conference, FOCUS met several times to discuss the newsletter, fund raising and outreach.

In June 1994, each member of the FOCUS committee received a letter from the President of CAN, William Rehling, announcing the CAN Board decided to reorganize the FOCUS committee and had appointed Arnold Markowitz, a member of the CAN Board, (and not an ex-cult member) as the chairperson of the FOCUS committee, replacing Rick Seelhoff. Arnold would be organizing a new FOCUS committee and subcommittees.

Rick Seelhoff made rounds of calls to committee members to determine what course of action (or inaction) should be taken in response to this situation. The majority were in favor of trying to reconcile the differences with CAN, but if that were not possible, we should reorganize ourselves as a Board of Directors independent of CAN. It was strongly felt that FOCUS was founded for the purpose of having a support network for ex-members that was self-determining and autonomous. While FOCUS relied on CAN financially, CAN benefited from conference panels and speakers and other FOCUS resources. We have been grateful to CAN for their support in the past and certainly wish to maintain a cooperative relationship in the future. However, the goals for which FOCUS was founded would not be served by having CAN operate FOCUS, however altruistic CAN's goals. Based upon the fact that the President of CAN determined there would be no change in their position, FOCUS reorganized as a Not-For-Profit corporation during the summer of 1994. The new Board of Directors consisted of: Rick Seelhoff, National Coordinator; Nancy Miquelon, Vice-Coordinator; Carol Giambalvo, Secretary; Mary Krawiec, Treasurer, John Wick, Ginger Zyskowski, Wally Shiel and David Clark. New bylaws were adopted in December, 1994.

At a meeting with the CAN Board of Directors in November, 1994, the FOCUS Board was advised it could not use the name FOCUS since CAN had recently applied for a service mark on the name and would be using it . The CAN Board requested the new board of FOCUS submit its incorporation papers, a list of its board and officers, its goals and purposes and a "wish list" prior to the CAN Board's meeting in February so they could determine what their relationship to the "new" organization would be. Following the February meeting, we were advised that CAN would be using the name FOCUS, would not be willing to share mutually updated mailing lists, and refused our offer to continue organizing FOCUS pre-conference and conference workshops normally held in conjunction with the CAN National Conference.

At the March 1995 FOCUS Board conference call, the new name of reFOCUS (recovering FOrmer CUltists Support) was adopted. In April, 1995, Rick Seelhoff stepped down as National Coordinator and Nancy Miquelon became the new National Coordinator, with Rick Seelhoff serving as Vice-Coordinator. In June, 1995, Vanessa N. Weber joined the Board. In 1995, Wally Shiel was replaced with Maureen Griffo. In 1997 Madeleine Tobias consented to be our Advisor, Carol Giambalvo replaced Nancy Miquelon as President and we received our 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS.

In retrospect, the takeover of FOCUS was extremely traumatic to the board of FOCUS. However, it forced us to stand up for the purposes for which we existed and to reorganize separately and take on the new name of reFOCUS. When CAN was forced into bankruptcy, and its name taken over by representatives of the Church of Scientology, reFOCUS still stands.

Carol Giambalvo

P.O. Box 2180

Flagler Beach, FL 32136

Phone: 386-439-7541 Fax: 386-439-7537

carol2180@aol.com