[Oe List ...] Board Decisions Affecting the Future of ICA/EI

[Norm and Judy Lindblad]

Dear Order Ecumenical Community,
At the request of President Dick Wilkinson and the ICA-USA Board on
which I serve, I am forwarding a letter regarding actions that are
currently underway.  The format may not transfer well for which I
apologize.
Grace and peace, Judy Lindblad


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