[Oe List ...] getting real

[larry at icatw.com]

Dear John

I agree that the board should not be used as a scapegoat and I assume 
that they agonized about these decisions quite a bit before making 
them.  I also realize as a foreign ICA staff I have no specific right to 
input on their process or even question their methods. 

If people at the meeting in Denver were informed of the total economic 
situation of the ICA USA and the strategy for moving forward I am 
surprised that it was not shared to this or other list serves. All I 
have seen stated with authority is the note from the board that it was 
needed and things will get better if we all work together.

I realize that the ex- staff members are required not to voice any 
opinion contrary to ICA USA Board or they would be refused the severance 
allowance and suffer other consequences but others who have knowledge 
even the board itself might have shared some information - All I have 
heard is rumors implying that they kept the buildings worth various 
amounts of money and fired all the staff except those involved in 
specific programs.  Those fired were then asked to sign a paper that 
they would never work with the ICA again nor speak ill of it or the 
board. Parts of this requirement were later withdrawn. 

While I agree the finance situation and refusal to deal with it over the 
long term was primarily the responsibility of staff neglect or refusal 
to deal with it. I think the board has some responsibility for the 
manner in which they carried out the closure and in which they governed 
over the past several years.

I thought David's attempt to describe his experience and his 
interpretation was very powerful and helpful. However it also occurred 
to me that legally the board has the power to do that which they will 
with the ICA resources (if there are any) and no one else really has any 
say in it at this point.  Until they make clear their need for support 
or input and specifically request it - everyone else is simply talking 
to the air. Once the request is specifically made then individuals and 
groups will have to decide whether they are moved to be a part of that 
new reality.

With respect, Larry

 

John Epps wrote:
> Colleagues:
>
> Another side of the ICA story that hasn't yet been told or appreciated 
> is the agony of the Board in making its RiFfing decision. This was not 
> done lightly or without considerable pain, though the members 
> themselves are not prone to parade that before us.
>
> In terms of "getting real," I have to take exception to David's 
> statement about "the conspicuous absence of illuminating communication 
> from ICA's board of directors." David and I were present on 14 
> December at a meeting of the Denver ICA team (which, incidentally, 
> remains strong and committed) in which Don Elliott of the Board 
> presented the situation and answered questions from the group for 2.5 
> hours. It was an occasion of considerable illumination.
>
> From the distance of half-way around the world, it seems that the 
> decision to dismiss paid staff was a purely economic necessity. As the 
> saying goes, "When your out-go exceeds your in-come, then your up-keep 
> becomes your down-fall." It did.
>
> Probably many are looking back and finding alternatives that might 
> have been taken. Certainly there was surprise and hurt and anger. 
> Venting is appropriate. But let's not make the Board a scapegoat.
>
>
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