[Dialogue] Communication from ICA-USA Board on Restructuring

Sat Oct 21 06:27:39 EST 2006

I would be interested in knowing which ICA offices will continue to  function 
around the world.

Cynthia

In a message dated 10/20/2006 11:11:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
nj.lindblad at gmail.com writes:

The  following is a communication from the ICA-USA Board that I  am
forwarding.  We are seeking to reach as many stakeholders and  friends
as possible.
Thank you, Judy Lindblad for the Board

DEAR  ICA COLLEAGUES,

As we move into the future, ICA-USA has, and will  continue to be, a
thought leader in the world of participation and  community change.  As
you may know, for the past few years, ICA-USA  has struggled
financially and programmatically to survive.  There have  been many
attempts to remediate the financial situation to no avail.   At this
point, the ICA no longer has the cash resources to continue  its
current programs and staffing configuration.

Recently, the  ICA/EI Board, faced with a dire financial reality,
commissioned a thorough  organizational assessment and then met for
three days to make strategic  decisions about the organization's
future.  The outcome of that  meeting was the decision to reorganize
ICA/EI to ensure its mission  survives into the future.  At the same
time, the Board of Directors  began to articulate an emergent vision of
a transformed  ICA-USA.   This new direction impacts the staff, the
board, the  volunteers, clients and other stakeholders of ICA-USA.

In order to  serve the stakeholders of the ICA-USA and to turn around
this serious  financial situation, the Board has undertaken a  dramatic
reorganization.  At the Board retreat, all of these decisions  were
made by consensus. True to the deepest values of  participatory
processes, the Board unanimously agreed to these difficult  measures.

The board meeting culminated in the creation of an emergent  vision of
a transformed ICA and also in the unanimous decision to reduce  the
ICA-USA/Ecumenical Institute staff by 40%.  That staff  reduction
occurred on Monday, October 16, 2006.  This was a difficult  but
necessary decision. The entire ICA-USA organization is grateful  for
the incredible contributions of every staff member.  The truth  is:
ICA-USA could not sustain itself in its  pre-consolidation
configuration.

It is hard to stand in the middle  of profound change. Yet, it is the
doorway that we have to pass  through.  The choices that were made are
not a negative appraisal of  past performance – it is a new journey
that must be undertaken by the  organization.

The key elements of the emergent vision of a transformed  ICA-USA
articulated by the Board include:

Convene and Support  National & International Participatory Partners

The Board has begun  to imagine building networks of partners who
engage in authentic  participatory practice; this includes both
individuals and organizations.  The Board hopes to capitalize on the
strong practitioner networks the  organization already has in place
while building strong new networks.   In addition, the Board has
affirmed the importance of engaging in  international work.   The Board
recognizes that at this point,  before fully re-engaging in
international work, a substantial amount of  capacity building must
occur at home to stabilize and prepare the  organization for success in
the future.

Research and Development for  the Future

The Board has envisioned a return to ICA's roots in research  and
development to further participatory methods and projects both at  home
and around the world.
•    Once stabilized, the  organization will engage volunteers, staff and
ICA-USA leadership in  research and development programs in order to
work effectively with  communities, with underserved populations and to
re-engage the organization  in vital international work that is the
legacy of ICA.
•     ICA-USA will continue to operate the Learning Basket program in
Chicago as  part of its renewed commitment to research and development.

Responsible  Stewardship of Contributions

The Board has committed itself to honor  and cultivate the
contributions of the many people who have engaged in the  work of the
ICA, and those who will engage in this important work.  Returning again
to its roots, the Board imagines ICA-USA as a hub, engaging  people who
care about the mission of the organization and who seek to give  of
their time and resources.

Best Practice Governance &  Leadership

The Board is taking a stronger stand as the governing body  of the
organization, and will implement best practices in  nonprofit
management and leadership. The Board understands itself to be  stewards
and among the champions of the ICA legacy.

In the next few  months, the Board has committed to engaging
stakeholders in continuing to  create the vision for the transformation
of the ICA-USA.

One  dramatic new development at ICA-USA is that all in-house  training,
facilitation and organizing programs have been  discontinued.  ICA-USA
is committed to assisting former staff and  others in the field to
build successful consulting practices.
•   The organization will put its energies and resources into  building
participatory partner networks both at home and abroad.
•   Staff that formerly delivered these programs will have  the
opportunity to build successful independent businesses using the  ICA
tools and methods.
•    ICA-USA will convene, nurture, and  provide marketing and other
support to assist its networks to be  successful.

ICA-USA will develop new strategic directions, program  priorities, and
a plan that will guide its work.  This plan will be  created using a
participatory framework and will engage with stakeholders  across the
country.  It is clear that without a plan, ICA-USA is  unable to raise
funds, determine its future and measure the impact of its  work.
Therefore, ICA-USA  is putting new fund development efforts  on
temporary hold until the organization has clear strategic goals  and
outcomes.
•    ICA-USA will continue to develop and plan  the Living Legacy Project
to inspire and engage constituents and supporters  in the work of the
organization.

The Board is clearer now about the  role of real estate in the work of
ICA-USA. The Board feels the role of  real estate is still a part of
our mission.  It is how we deliver that  part of the program that is
changing.

•    A Board Asset  Management Committee has been established to look at
the Kemper Building to  ensure that ICA-USA is maximizing the revenues
from the operation of the  building.
•    There is no plan to sell the Kemper Building at  this time.
•    ICA-USA is continuing to contract with an outside  property
management firm for the Kemper Building.
•    ICA-USA  will work to develop new partnerships and ways of working
with our tenants  in the Kemper Building as part of building
participatory  networks.
•    The International Conference Center will  discontinue operations
November 15, 2006.
•        The Keystone Community, while no longer an ICA-USA program, has
been given  the opportunity to remain in the building as a tenant.
•     The Phoenix property will be sold.

The Board of Directors  is determined to find a way to sustain the
mission of the organization,  honor the contributions of the past, and
engage stakeholders in the work of  the future.  We look forward to
keeping you abreast of our work as it  develops. Thank you.

Sincerely,

The ICA US Board of  Directors

Richard Wilkinson, President
Suganya Sockalingam, Vice  President
Rachael Swanson, Secretary
Lela Jahn, Treasurer
Carolyn  Antenen
Judy Lindblad
Don Elliott
Tim Lush
Jay  Kurtzman
Kathleen Joyce

Cynthia N.  Vance
Strategics International Inc.
8245 SW 116 Terrace
Miami, Florida,  33156
305-378-1327; fax 305-378-9178
_http://members.aol.com/facilitationfla_ 
(http://members.aol.com/facilitationfla) 

Want  to build your own facilitation skills? 
Want to meet facilitators from around  the world and in your own backyard? 
Mark your calendar for the International  Assoc. of Facilitators Conference 
2007 
Portland, Oregon -- March 8-10, 2007.  See _www.iaf-world.org_ 
(http://www.iaf-world.org/) 

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