[Reading-hall-of-fame] actions at IRA

P. David Pearson ppearson at berkeley.edu
Wed Feb 11 13:49:06 GMT 2009 

I like the idea, BUT from what I know as a member of the California  
Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the NWP Board, to ask the  
officers and the board to engage in this sort of off the record and  
informal deliberation would be asking them violate the federal  
regulations (it's got a name--Sarbane's Oxley???) governing public and  
quasi public boards and other governing bodies--not to mention  
ignoring legal counsel's STRONG advice.

But make the offer to the current president (Barbara Walker, right?)  
and to Alan. We have lots of past presidents and board members in the  
RHF.  I can think of many who might be able to negotiate options not  
currently on the table.  Having but one choice, with an up or out  
decision (which appears to be what is currently on the table), seems  
less than optimal.

But it's the damned secrecy--not only about the charges but even more  
about the process--that angers me.

David


On Feb 11, 2009, at 4:06 AM, jim hoffman wrote:

Is it too far fetched to suggest that we make an immediate offer to  
the Board (and the Executive Committee and to Alan) to mediate a  
solution to the current issue that may lead to an alternate outcome  
than the dismissal of Alan as executive director?  I am thinking a  
couple of us with standing in IRA and a professional mediator. The  
issue right now is that only the lawyers can talk to each other and we  
need to get the people involved in the decision-making talking. It is  
my understanding that the action of the Board was communicated to Alan  
by a lawyer and that there has been no personal contact. Whatever the  
issues, I have to believe there is a better solution than this and to  
not attempt a resolution is to fail the organization and the people we  
care about (both on the Board and Alan).

jim



At 8:32 PM -0800 2/10/09, Shirley Brice Heath wrote:
> Thank you, Jim, for this sad information.  It may be that only by  
> attending the meetings will we be able to learn what is happening.  
> This is incomprehensible to all of us who are seeing those near  
> retirement urged to retire early, but to be dismissed seems  
> unimaginable, given his years of service.  This is not a time when  
> we need more evidence to make all of us more and more cynical about  
> professional organizations and academic life.
>
>
>
> At 05:14 AM 2/10/2009, jim hoffman wrote:
>> I write to you as colleagues and friends of IRA. I write in a state  
>> of sadness, anger and confusion. It has been reported to me,  
>> through several "unofficial" sources that Alan Farstrup has been  
>> fired as Executive Director of IRA. I have no details and attempts  
>> to get confirmation of this action have been met with silence. I  
>> cannot think of anyone who has given more to IRA than Alan and the  
>> thought of his dismissal in anticipation of his retirement is  
>> incomprehensible. . . . wrong, unfair, and on and on.  I cannot  
>> imagine the range of emotions Alan and his family are going through  
>> right now.  I am hoping that we, as members of the Hall of Fame,  
>> can start an open conversation about what is going on and the ways  
>> in which we can support Alan and IRA through difficult times. We  
>> are headed into a conference in just two weeks, with members of the  
>> organization not informed of this action. My inclination, honestly,  
>> is to protest this action by not attending the conference -- but  
>> I'm not sure what such an action taken by me or by  many would  
>> accomplish.  Can anyone shed light on the events that have unfolded  
>> and continue to unfold? What can we do individually or collectively  
>> to address the situation?
>>
>> jim
>> _______________________________________________
>> Reading-hall-of-fame mailing list
>> Reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
>> http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/reading-hall-of-fame
>
> Shirley Brice Heath
> Professor at Large
> Watson Institute for International Studies
> 111 Thayer Street, P. O. Box 1970
> Providence, Rhode Island 02912
>
> phone:  617 642-0061
> http://www.shirleybriceheath.net

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