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Correspondence from Norris (with false implicit allegation of "hauling staff in for a grilling,") calling for removal from office
From: David Norris Gentlemen, After reading Director Lisenco's accounting on the subject at hand, I must admit it is a concise and correct narrative of what I have observed sitting in this boardroom for nine years. I should tell each of you that I have always been a proponent of free thought, expression and speech on the board. Many great ideas have come from such processes over the 100 years of this esteemed organizations history. However, as Director Lisenco has stated the caustic atmosphere has now become an inhibitor to the League's forward progress, and it is in fact beginning to hobble the day to day operations and deliberations of the board. This caustic atmosphere has been growing steadily until it is at a point now that this is no longer the ARRL Board I used to know. I have never seen this group so tense, so stifled and so fearful to move. This must stop. The caustic atmosphere has to end forthwith. We can disagree without being disagreeable, vote our choice and accept the results moving forward with the idea in mind that change can be made if needed through the proper mechanisms. Like Director Pace stated, this decision we may face tomorrow, removing a colleague, is not an easy one and it is quite grave with many known and unknown consequences. Indeed it is not to be taken lightly. I have given it much thought and prayer the past few weeks and I gave it considerable thought this weekend while driving to and from New Orleans. I can find only one solution and I am generally an excellent problem solver. The choice here is very hard and any choice we make may yield results that are none to pleasant short term, or they can be disastrous long term. We must be strong and think for the good of the ARRL. It is not just this one complaint at play here, but rather the larger pattern of behavior to consider. No Director has the right to haul staff in for a grilling on some point of a program they disagree with or a perceived management problem. Protocol should be followed via the chain of command through CEO Gallagher. All information will be provided if requested, however the CEO runs the staff, they answer to him and the CEO answers to us. I could expand on this but I simply don't want to right now. I tired. No staffer, no manager, no officer and no fellow director should be treated in ways I have seen the last few years. Mary Hobart in NOLA was the most glaring example but there have been others. I have seen it too many times. I hold no hope for this to improve as evidenced with the recent ad hominin attack launched on Director Carlson. The very premise that Kermit would stoop to solicit complaints is ridiculous on its face and should not be given any credence or consideration. In fact, it is further badgering of a colleague and should not be tolerated. GC Imlay has correctly pointed to Section 5 of the Code of Conduct earlier so I will not beat that horse further. I will reiterate Director Pace's three questions: 1) Do we acknowledge that there is a toxic work environment in the Board Room that is filtering down to Staff? 2) Do we want to retain our new CEO and excellent GC? 3) are we willing to put the League first and out personal titles as Directors second? That one could easily impact an election and as Mike said "takes a pair of big brass ones", or as I say "Grow a pair gentlemen!" I have had to make tough decisions in the past. Decisions that may send a man to his grave or end his livelihood, but always in the end, by God's grace and strength of mind and will, I made the right decision. I don't like being put in this position either, however as Directors we have to make hard decisions and like the man once told me "Besides Mr. Norris, you signed up for this; now be a leader." It is time to be leaders, put petty things aside and do right for ARRL's future. I see now other choice here and inaction is certainly not an option; it's time to set policy. 73 DE K5UZ |
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