[Dialogue] Board Decisions Affecting the Future of ICA/EI

[RICHARD HOWIE]

Dear Dick et al,
Dick and I appreciate knowing the current situation of our EI/ICA and  
continue our support for the years ahead.
Thank you all for your leadership, commitment and as you say,  
'provision of fiduciary oversight of our finances, mission and  
programming' as our current board of directors.
We stand present to the awesome commitment of our staff, colleagues,  
volunteers along with their family members who provided the servant- 
leadership in our world since our beginning and give thanks and  
graditude for all that has been and is to be in the future.
Grace and Peace, Ellen Howie.
On Oct 9, 2006, at 9:58 PM, Norm and Judy Lindblad wrote:

> Dear ICA/EI Friends and Stakeholders,
>
> Because of the journey many of us have shared over the years we are
> writing to apraise
> you of some recent developments.  The Board of Director's meeting in
> Minneapolis
> this past weekend was tough.  All Board members were fully engaged in
> their care for ICA/EI and our collective future.  In reviewing the
> recent organizational assessment
> and the stark financial reality we face, it has become clear that
> ICA/EI cannot continue in its current configuration or with its
> current proliferation of program activities.  Our cash flow does not
> sustain day-to-day operations.
>
>
> Confronted with these facts, the Board has decided to recast, refocus,
> and simplify our approach to making the gifts of ICA/EI available to
> the world.  Our decisions were unanimous and include both layoffs and
> a new business model. The ICA/EI that will emerge will look very
> different and have far fewer staff than today.
>
> Details of these decisions will be announced to staff in Chicago,
> Denver, and Phoenix next Monday, October 16.  While layoffs are
> inevitable, as we have been saying since the beginning of the
> assessment process, the Board has taken steps to provide as much
> transition support as we can within the financial constraints we are
> facing.
>
> By endorsing a new business model that relies on a much smaller core
> staff to implement, we believe we will be putting ICA on a course that
> has much promise.  There are, of course, no guarantees. You will also
> hear about this emerging business model next week.
>
> In all of its decisions, the Board is responding to a legal mandate it
> cannot duck—to provide fiduciary oversight of the finances, mission
> and programming of ICA/EI.
>
> We are under no illusion as to the magnitude of the decisions we made
> this weekend. All our actions were informed by our heads, our hearts
> and our love for ICA/EI.  Though the assessment and the financial
> reality paints a difficult picture, the Board is well aware that the
> staff of ICA/EI has been stalwart in continuing its work in bettering
> the lives of others.
>
> We will keep you abreast of developments as we move into the future.
> Thank you for your support.
>
> On behalf of the Board,
>
> Richard Wilkinson
> ICA/EI Board President
>
> Members of the Board:
> Suganya Sockalingam     Lela Jahn     Rachael Swanson     Don Elliott
> Carolyn Antenen     Kathleen Joyce    Jay Kurtzman    Judy Lindblad
> Tim Lush
>
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