Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
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,
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Updates
May 13, 2020
The level of engagement this petition has received speaks volumes about the collective desire for transparency within our organization. It is clear that many of you share the same concerns regarding the recent board decisions and the manner in which they were communicated.
11 Comments
This petition is consistent with my emails to several board members on March 17 and 18. The responses I received were entirely unsatisfactory, and as I have indicated to all parties with whom I've communicated, the HECA membership deserves better.
SHOCKED by how this was handled. Claire and Barbara have done so much for us and they deserve way better than some vague email. Total transparency is needed now.
I am signing this petition not so much as to assert that I know who is right or wrong, but more to advocate for a transparent, due process when denying membership to a consultant within the organization. It is in the best interest of our current leadership---as well as the best interest of the affected consultants---to ensure the membership understands why a consultant might be asked to leave the organization.
I have asked Claire and Barbara. Neither of them were told of the reasons for the boards actions, not before action without a meeting and not since. This is inexcusable.
The lack of communication from the board on this is really sad. I have been a member for years and never seen anything like this. We deserve the truth.
The membership must be informed in detail
Board, We members deserve to hear the full story for transparency.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
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,
Updates
May 13, 2020
The level of engagement this petition has received speaks volumes about the collective desire for transparency within our organization. It is clear that many of you share the same concerns regarding the recent board decisions and the manner in which they were communicated.
11 Comments
This organization was founded on many values, one of which was collegiality and member participation. This lack of transparency is incredibly disturbing.
This petition is consistent with my emails to several board members on March 17 and 18. The responses I received were entirely unsatisfactory, and as I have indicated to all parties with whom I've communicated, the HECA membership deserves better.
SHOCKED by how this was handled. Claire and Barbara have done so much for us and they deserve way better than some vague email. Total transparency is needed now.
I am signing this petition not so much as to assert that I know who is right or wrong, but more to advocate for a transparent, due process when denying membership to a consultant within the organization. It is in the best interest of our current leadership---as well as the best interest of the affected consultants---to ensure the membership understands why a consultant might be asked to leave the organization.
I have asked Claire and Barbara. Neither of them were told of the reasons for the boards actions, not before action without a meeting and not since. This is inexcusable.
The lack of communication from the board on this is really sad. I have been a member for years and never seen anything like this. We deserve the truth.
The membership must be informed in detail
Board, We members deserve to hear the full story for transparency.
Share Petition
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This organization was founded on many values, one of which was collegiality and member participation. This lack of transparency is incredibly disturbing.