[Reading-hall-of-fame] holocaust in Newark

P. David Pearson ppearson at berkeley.edu
Wed Feb 11 23:01:03 GMT 2009 

RHF colleagues,

A strategy is beginning to emerge in my mind, and I wanted to get some  
response before pursuing it any further.  Basically, I think there are  
two things we can do, not as an organization but as a collection of  
individuals who care deeply about the organization (IRA) and about the  
individuals involved (Alan and the members of the Board).

1.  We can volunteer to act as mediators in trying to break the  
impasse that currently exists, if Alan and the Board would agree to  
have some subset of us take on that role.  Probably it would be with  
lawyers present, but at least it would allow a professional  
perspective to be represented along with a narrower legal perspective  
in the communication process.

2.  Those of us who want to be involved should organize and fund a  
retirement fete for Alan in Mpls.  It should be independent of IRA,  
held at a non-IRA venue, and organized by a committee of volunteers  
that might include us but would certainly extend to others who feel,  
as we do, that his many years of leadership at IRA deserve public  
acknowledgement and celebration.

Upon reflection, the other suggestions I made earlier are too  
complicated, too murky, too filled with opportunities to become snared  
in our own webs of intrigue.

On Feb 11, 2009, at 7:43 AM, Jay Samuels wrote:

I also spoke to Cathy Roller about two weeks ago and she shared with  
me the
fact that the convention was not doing well. Of course attendance is  
down
given what has happened to our economy, but if the reason for the abrupt
dismissal of Alan was only the financial situation of IRA, there are  
some
moral and ethical screws lose in the Board. So far, I am in the dark  
about
the possible reasons for this unfortunate situation. Jay samuels

-----Original Message-----
From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
[mailto:reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf  
Of
Donna Ogle
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:27 PM
To: Ken Goodman; donna Ogle; jim hofman; Reading Hall of Fame
Subject: RE: [Reading-hall-of-fame] holocaust in Newark

Ken and Jim,

I have no clarity on what caused this.  Finances could contribute, for  
sure.
When I spoke with Alan and Kathy Roller one of them mentioned that the
financial downturn has everyone worried, and rightly so. Employees  
have been
asked to consider shorter work weeks,  more vacation,  lower pay, etc.
However, either Alan or Kathy reported  there is a good surplus at IRA  
that
can carry us for a few years .  It may be that the Exec. Committee got
nervous.

I am concerned that I haven't heard anything back from Kathy Au and no
official statement has been forthcoming from the Board.   I wonder if an
"official"  letter from some of us could help them be more responsive  
to the
organization.  Alan mentioned that he has heard from many people - so  
the
word is clearly out about this.

Your suggestion of helping Alan with financial costs is a caring one.   
My
feeling from talking with him is that that journey is just starting.   
It may
be a good and needed gesture at some point. I am open to your sense of
timing.
Donna


________________________________

From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk on behalf of  
Ken
Goodman
Sent: Tue 2/10/2009 8:58 PM
To: donna Ogle; jim hoffman; Reading Hall of Fame
Subject: [Reading-hall-of-fame] holocaust in Newark



Another runour is that this is all because of the financial down turn at
IRA including only 3500 for Phoenix. The board is apparently taking some
drastic financial measures. I find this strange because IRA has been one
of most strongly funded professional organizations. Unless something
strange has happened they could easily survive several years of modest
losses.
If the board is meeting in Phoenix, they would be well advised to make a
public statement before the conference,
Should we ask Alan whether he needs help with legal costs?
Ken Goodman

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