[Oe List ...] Holiday greetings

Wed Dec 21 06:51:25 EST 2005

Thank you, Marilyn.  Phrases that particularly resonated:
-- an organization with a long history of remarkable, uncompensated, volunteer leadership and rich, global program accomplishments
-- segue into leadership of a rather mystifying organization
--  This particular organization (OE/EI/ICA) has innumerable, "invested," constituents who represent potential supporters.  We are still watching and waiting.  (my bolding)

I have just made the most substantial 3-year financial commitment in our modest family's history to ICA-U.S.  This was done for two major reasons:  
Gratitude, for the "remarkable, uncompensated" past contributions of this movement to us personally and to many we've known who have been called to lives of sacrifice, amazing effectiveness, and incredible richness because of this movement.  
And Hope, not that any particular programs would become famous or even survive, but that the culture and spirit of the organization that can be the heart of this movement will continue to evolve and find powerful and deeply significant ways to serve.

The future needs the tools and insights that have been won through so much life-blood.  So I've placed this bet on the future of ICA.  

Janice Ulangca

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marilyn R Crocker 
  To: OE at wedgeblade.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:16 PM
  Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Holiday greetings

  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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