I am thrilled to announce that both Kathleen Johnson (Military Director, founder of MAAF) and I have been unanimously appointed to the Board of Directors of American Atheists.I know I speak for Kathy when I say how honored we are to be appointed. And, since I remain the Communications Director, you can look forward to a more open Management of American Atheists. More news as it comes in.Oh yeah. No more Scientology ads.Rock and roll.
The board met on the 8th at night, Ellen got voted out, She was told on the 9th, and they announced it the next DAY. That’s when I found out — today – and that’s when you found out. That’s as transparent as we get.
WHAT – Do you want transparency? If so quit bitching when you get some!
As to WHY, I can only remind you that Ellen knew a vote would be cast, and didn’t even show up for the vote. She didn’t try to stay on, folks, and that tells me this whole break-up is quite mutual, and quite permanent.
Ellen’s removal was not needed to add me and Kathy. There are no restrictions on board size.
Dave
Are you possibly suggesting that your last post is an example of the kind of transparency we can expect or are you saying that you will deliver soon on that transparency?
And what was that an example of?
“Are these by-laws available to AA members for review? Or is the only reason AA has members is for financial support and not for voting on issues?”
Interesting question, and not one that I’m prepared to answer at the moment being that I haven’t finished reviewing all the by-laws myself.
I feel I should comment on the whole issue of transparency, though – even though I’m a board member, everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) I’ve learned so far about the situation with Ellen was posted to this board by Dave. As far as I can tell, there’s no hidden or secret information being kept from the membership and I’m therefore not sure how much more transparent AA can be on this.
“Are these by-laws available to AA members for review? Or is the only reason AA has members is for financial support and not for voting on issues?”
Interesting question, and not one that I’m prepared to answer at the moment being that I haven’t finished reviewing all the by-laws myself. I’m working on it, though.
I feel I should comment on the whole issue of transparency, though. Even though I’m a board member, everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) I’ve learned so far about the situation with Ellen was posted to this board by Dave. As far as I can tell, there’s no hidden or secret information being kept from the membership and I’m therefore not sure how much more transparent AA can be on this. On a personal level, I believe in open communication, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to address every conspiracy theory that drops into my email box – some of the folks who have emailed me in the last few days will NEVER believe there’s been full disclosure and there’s nothing I can say that will convince them otherwise.
I think this whole situation is a catalyst that will help AA become the sort of lean, effective, activist organization it has the potential to be, but it’s going to take some time. If people leave AA during this time, that’s their choice, and all we can do is try to get AA out there doing the sorts of activities that will attract members, old and new.
Kathleen
Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to post a partial post followed by a full post. My computer sometimes seems to have a mind of it’s own LOL
Kathleen
congratulations to Dave and Kat.
KatJhnsn
No member that I am aware of knows the official reasons given for Ellen’s fire from the presidency or from the board. Without that information there is no transparency at all. That simple.
Comment from: Charlie [Member]
06/09/08 @ 16:47
Charlie,
Was this the URL you posted?:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience
/20080609/sc_livescience/
115yearoldwomansbrainintiptopshape
It displayed to me all in one line, with “oman” jutting past the side of the post window, and the rest cut off.
Congratulations, David and Kathleen. David, I personally think your appointment to the Board is overdue by about 10 years, give or take. But better late than never. Is the board considering terms and term limits? One book on nonprofits that I’m reading says that in many organizations, once a board member serves the term limit, they have to leave the board for at least a year. Afterwards, they are able to rejoin it. Also, if you haven’t already, you might consider recruiting board members with a diverse range of abilities and experience. For example, one with experience in accounting, one with experience in web design, one with marketing experience, etc… Is the board considering hiring an executive director? It seems that most nonprofits that reach a certain size will hire an executive director who runs the day to day operations of the organization, and the board is there to provide oversight, knowledge, and fund raising contacts… Does AA have an up to date strategic plan? Up to date handbooks for board members, staff, volunteers, state and local leaders? Does AA regularly put out a call for volunteers, contact community colleges and universities for both volunteers and interims, and place ads for interims? -Andrew Clapper
Welcome Home Kathleen!
Socrates, Our board HAS broadened recently with the addition of Edwin (Attorney), Kathy (Military), Arlene (Local Groups) and myself (pretty face). You’re going like the changes over the next year.
David,
I wasn’t aware of the additions of Edwin and Arlene. I’m glad to hear that positive change is in the air. -Andrew
socrates
If “positive change” is code for opacity and obfuscation then I’m sure you will be happy with this change “in the air”.
Seriously, what do you want to know that hasn’t already been posted to this blog? American Atheists is a board-run organization and the president is bound by the decisions of the board. Ellen and the board had a falling out about her participation in the recent march and some older issues about the running of the AA center and AA magazine. The falling-out could not be resolved so the board voted to fire Ellen as President. Originally, she was going to stay on the board but voted off the board a couple of weeks later because she and the board were unable to resolve their communication issues. That’s all there is to it. I don’t expect you to believe it, but it’s true.
Perhaps this wasn’t clear because the AA website isn’t updated with the most current information. That’s something that really needs to be addressed better.
Kathy
KatJhnsn
It took a lot of prying on the part of folks here just to get Bart to come forward with his part in the firing of Ellen. It would appear to many of us concerned AA members that Bart alone should have been fired yet that was not the case. And now Ellen is off the board as well? Surely you must see that a LOT more facts are needed before many of us will consider this matter transparent. A lot more transparency will be needed to restore confidence in AA leadership.
I think most Americans, atheist or not, have had their fill of opacity and know where it leads us when blindly accepted – like a bunch of get-in-line religious zealots. I will not tolerate this sort of behavior from the organizations I support. I stated when this fiasco began that I would give until mid-June before making a decision whether to continue supporting AA. My deadline is in two days.
I’ve tried my best to fully answer you with every piece of information I’ve got. Whether you believe it or not, you have heard the whole story. If you leave AA in two days, then I wish you luck in finding an organization that better serves your needs.
KatJhnsn
Please summarize what you are calling “the whole story”.
I already did, just a few posts ago.
KatJhnsn
Where did you present this summary? Is this it?
That is about as transparent as stating that there were irreconcilable differences – no transparency at all. To anybody following this fiasco it appears that this mess is Bart’s fault not Ellen’s. Why was a meeting called to remove her from the board?
What do you want What? The board and Ellen disagreed, Ellen lost, Bart quit, now we move on with 4 new excellent board members to pump fresh blood into the leadership. They added a nice mix of talents; 2 male and 2 female; and 2 of the golden generation, and 2 in the middle. Arlene-Marie, Edwin, Dave & Kathleen will join the seasoned board veterans and create a better organization for us all. But they alone are not American Atheists, we are, and they can not do it without us. I know, I sound like Pollyanna. But at least I?m not a doomsayer religionist.
What I?ve gathered from the posts on this board are that Ellen and the board has disagreements over the walk, accounting matters and lack of communication. Do you want all the ugly details? Let Ellen leave with some dignity please.
Ellen and the board had a falling out about her participation in the recent march and some older issues about the running of the AA center and AA magazine. The falling-out could not be resolved so the board voted to fire Ellen as President. Originally, she was going to stay on the board but voted off the board a couple of weeks later because she and the board were unable to resolve their communication issues.
The preceding was a quote from Kathleen Johnson that I sent without the intended comment (due to incompetence) that was supposed to follow, which is: If this is a “transparent” description of a momentous event, then “there was some smoke that came from the top of the mountain” is an accurate description of the eruption of Mount St. Helens. “Falling out,” “older issues,” and “communication issues,” are about as nonspeak as you can get.
You have no obligation to tell us anything, but please do not insult the intelligence of a smart group of folks by saying that the preceding is a transparent description of an event that has possibly destroyed an institution and the life of a person we care about deeply.
An open letter to the AA board
I am not satisfied with the shut-up-and-go-along attitude and language that AA members are receiving in response to our inquiries about Ellen Johnson’s fire from both the AA presidency and the AA board. I will no longer be supporting this once just worthy and bold organization.
I hope more people join What and me.
Okay, I’m done with this. I wasn’t involved at all in the situation with Ellen (a person who I greatly admire and respect, by the way), but I was still able to piece the series of events together to my satisfaction from the many pieces of information that were posted to this blog. I then attempted to synopsize the main points in an attempt to help clarify things a bit, which maybe didn’t help at all. Anyway, I’ve said my piece in this thread and I’m moving on to other things.
Achieving the country goal is not easy. Sometimes, there is conflict of interest among the people, government and economy. All of us want to have peaceful and organized society in which the community is task-focused and well-behaved. The government itself directs and leads the nation towards prosperity. We are in a topsy-turvy world. Due to races differences, cultures of every country and economic condition we can not achieve total world peace. There are some people who are making disturbance and terrorism for their own interests. Katie Holmes 30th birthday recently, and in those three decades she has done quite a bit. However, his adherence to Scientology and his behavior have caused quite the stir. Films she has been in have won Golden Globes and Oscars, as well as a few flops. You can’t deny her work ethic though. She has quite the resume for a 30 year old, and the couple has been celebrating all week.