Dear HECA Board Members,

As HECA members, the March 17th announcement by Cheri Barad that Barbara Rapaport resigned from the HECA Board of Directors and that Claire Cafaro was asked to resign has concerned us and many other members. We know Claire and Barbara. We respect them and support them. We know what they have contributed to HECA over many years of dedicated involvement and, more importantly, we know their character and integrity. Through their actions they have earned our trust and confidence. The wording of this announcement was shocking and gave the impression that Claire and Barbara are guilty of unethical or illegal behaviors. We cannot fathom that they would have behaved in such a manner.

In speaking with Claire and Barbara, it appears that there was no specific reason given to them for the Board’s request for their resignations other than that unnamed people felt they were “creating a negative Board culture”. After several members wrote individual letters to the Board requesting an explanation, the responses were equally vague, citing privacy issues. Even if there were complaints filed against them, the way this situation was handled created a “negative HECA culture”.

We need to be informed of what transpired that rose to the level of requesting the resignation of Claire and Barbara. The Board needs to explain its actions and in order to do so, can ask that Barbara and Claire release the Board from any privacy or confidentiality concerns. We demand that the Board provide evidence that Claire’s and Barbara’s actions were consistent with the Bylaws that would necessitate their resignations, in which case their membership should be terminated from HECA, not just the Board. If that is not the case, the Board should issue a public apology, both in writing and at the online HECA annual meeting in June, to restore Barbara’s and Claire’s professional reputations.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,