[Oe List ...] Holiday greetings

[Marilyn R Crocker]

Dear Elizabeth Houde,

I read your note to David Dunn (copied below) and decided you deserved
some honest feedback from a longtime ICA constituent.

The OE list serve was created by members of the Order Ecumenical (AKA
EI/OE/ICA staff) after our reunion in the year 2000 during which some of
the most intimate and profound experiences of our 40 plus year journey
were shared, agonized over and grandly celebrated.  We decided quite
intentionally to establish this communication link so that our "extended
family" might continue to dialogue.  To date this has not been a list for
business, nor for formal business monikers, but rather for a "movement."

The list was never intended to be exclusive.  However, I find it
disconcerting that you, who are a quite recent "employee" of an
organization with a long history of remarkable, uncompensated, volunteer
leadership and rich, global program accomplishments, would even begin to
suggest "ground rules" for our communicating with you or with any other
newcomer, for that matter.  Those of us on this list serve who built and
embodied the OE/EI/ICA as a movement never stood on any such ceremony,
and usually eschewed reference to titles or advanced degrees, as did JWM
our founder (AKA The Rev. Dr. Joseph Wesley Mathews). 

I am sure you are working to segue into leadership of a rather mystifying
organization and are perhaps doing a wonderful job, given the daunting
challenge.  However, you need to know that David Dunn is a highly
regarded colleague who needs not to have his editorial wrist slapped in
public, as I and others inferred from your note below.  

We may have misunderstood what you intended by your corrective "note",
and if so, we apologize. 

However, as you know, honoring the culture of an organization is the
first step toward becoming grounded. This particular organization
(OE/EI/ICA) has innumerable, "invested," constituents who represent
potential supporters.  We are still watching and waiting.

In our minds there is absolutely NO difference between Betsy and
Elizabeth -- nor should there be for you.

In appreciation and with hope,

Marilyn

(AKA  Dr. Marilyn R. Crocker, EI/OE/ICA 1965-1989)


123 Sanborn Road
West Newfield, ME 05095
Tel. & FAX: (207) 793-3711


 
On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:36:33 -0700 "Elizabeth Houde" <ehoude at ica-usa.org>
writes:
> Just a short note - I always use Elizabeth instead of Betsy on all 
> messages
> from me for business.
> 
> Thanks, Betsy
> 
> Elizabeth Houde
> Chief Executive Officer
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OE-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:OE-bounces at wedgeblade.net] 
> On Behalf
> Of David Dunn
> Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 1:46 PM
> To: OE Community; 'Dialogue' Listserv
> Subject: [Oe List ...] Holiday greetings
> 
> 
> Dear friends,
> 
> I've posted a short holiday message from Betsy Houde, ICA's new 
> Chief
> Executive, on our website--just click the link: 
> <http://www.ica-usa.org> .
>  
> Clicking on Betsy's note online brings up the witness from John 
> Patterson
> that touched many of us, including Betsy, so deeply. Blessings of 
> this
> season and for the new year from all of your colleagues with ICA.
> 
> David Dunn
> 
> ---
> Director of Publishing, Institute of Cultural Affairs USA
> 
> "ICA's mission is to release the capacity to create positive 
> sustainable
> futures in every individual, organization and community."
> 
>
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