The president of the board of directors of the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps turned down demands to quit from former Troopers on Sunday.

"I am not resigning from the board," Ted Gilbert told the nonprofit group's board of directors and former Troopers gathered at the organization's bingo hall at 535 N. Beverly St.

Some former Troopers, board members and staff have blamed Gilbert specifically for long-term financial problems that lead to the expulsion of "Wyoming's Musical Ambassadors" from Drum Corps International in late September.

DCI cited "internal and external compliance issues, spanning several years" such as not filing Internal Revenue Service Forms 990, which are required of all 501(c)3 charities except religious organizations and those that receive less than $25,000 a year in gross revenues.

The expulsion, failure to file the 990s, and persistent debt were among the reasons why the Troopers board of directors voted Oct. 2 to not field a corps for the first time in its 48-year history.

Gilbert, who has been with the organization for years, was elected to a three-year term last year and made president, he said.

However, he may be standing down from the president's job after his term ends with the next election of directors, he said after the meeting. "The reason I've been president for so long is because nobody else wanted the position."

Ten of Gilbert's opponents wrote letters distributed at Sunday's board meeting.

Coleen Makin, who marched from 1972 to 1974 and was an instructor in 1975, wrote the board saying that the Corps faces the most grave situation in its history.

"I would implore the Board to remove any of their members who have promoted the secrecy leading to the removal of the corps from DCI. While their inexperience can be forgiven, any poor judgement in not soliciting help or addressing the corps financial and filing matters is inexcusable."

While calling for Gilbert's resignation, she believed he still can be a valuable non-voting member of the board, she wrote.

Former Troopers brass staff member Matthew Parker of Lakewood, Ill., complimented Gilbert's work as a volunteer and parent of children who marched, but failed as a board member to oversee the organization's administration. "Under your tenure, you neglected to ensure that 4 different Directors filed 990 tax forms for 9 consecutive years," he wrote.

After the meeting, Parker voiced his disappointment that Gilbert didn't resign.

"I am appalled, of course, that a person whose job it was to oversee the directors and failed to do so will stay on the board," Parker said.

During the meeting, Gilbert said that the board has four vacancies.

Some former Troopers who are not on the board said they had not been made aware of the vacancies and called for better communication.

Kathy Gerdom said she had not received a newsletter in a long time.

Gilbert's wife Traute, who is the Troopers' administrative assistant, said the organization has not been able to afford a newsletter.

While the Troopers won't field a corps in 2006, Gilbert wanted to see the organization have a presence in the community and state next year, he said.

Interim director Mike Ottoes responded that the organization needs to get a handle on its finances before the Troopers get involved with any programs.

However, new board member Milward Simpson said many former Troopers have expressed their support for the organization since the expulsion from DCI and this is the perfect time to reach out for financial help and to recruit new members.

"It's gotten people back in touch with their positive feelings about the Corps," Simpson said. "Give them a plan and a way to help them do that; we're going to want a ton of outreach."

Reporter Tom Morton can be reached at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@casperstartribune.net.