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An Open Letter to CHHA MembersOn behalf of your National Board of Directors, I am writing to address a serious issue that concerns the health of the organization we all cherish. This situation is particularly poignant during our 35th anniversary year that we recently celebrated at our National Conference just four short months ago. Our goal is that by the end of this letter, you will be moved to support the Board that currently serves you with pride. This is YOUR association and your voice matters.Last year, I shared with you how my legal education combined with my long-standing advocacy efforts and my desire to lead positive and proactive change within CHHA would be an asset given the challenging times CHHA has seen over the past several years, along with a shifting non-profit sector and emerging trends that CHHA must address to remain vital. Many of you agreed with my statement, democratically electing me as your National President in May 2016. I have been honoured to serve you ever since, and have worked diligently to raise CHHA's profile within our federal government and across Canada. In addition, it has been a pleasure to work alongside your current National Board, people of tremendous integrity, commitment, good humour, and dedication to CHHA. I am privileged to lead a supportive team that engages in respectful dialogue taking into consideration varied perspectives to make CHHA even stronger. The National Board is focused on the key issues that matter to our members, including:
Since the Town Hall and AGM, your Board has been active: Board training has taken place, a Director of Resource Development was selected, the recruitment and selection of three candidates for Executive Director were identified, and work on updated or new policies and procedures as well as an extensive review of our by-laws continued. Unfortunately, all of this has been put on hold so the Board could focus on the considerable work of pulling together this special meeting. Make no mistake; the actions of a few have already caused severe consequences for CHHA that will only increase. Canada's disability community is small, and news of this irrational move has spread like wildfire. Many of our community partners on the Spotlight on Invisible Disabilities project have expressed concern. The CHHA National staff is understandably anxious. More importantly, the Board has heard from hundreds of CHHA members who have shared their anger, sadness, confusion, disgust, and yes, tears, that this drastic course of action was felt to be necessary. Many fear that CHHA will never be the same, as a small group appears determined to tear down what your current Board has been working hard to rebuild. Some fear that CHHA will simply no longer exist. All unequivocally find the political games distasteful, indicating if the current Board is removed, they will resign as members.CHHA's once sterling reputation has now been tarnished This will affect our ability to gain the trust of collaborative partners and funders in the future. By clanging the alarm bell, it will be difficult if not impossible for CHHA to unring that bell. We need your support to put an end to this. We strongly urge you to vote to support your current Board in this process, as every single vote will add to the strength of our unity. Friends, your National Board has been transparent about our processes and our path forward. Last May, you elected me as your President and voted in the Board directors to act in your interests with integrity, honesty, and due diligence. Directors resigned over the course of the year and we carefully appointed their replacements. You elected a Board that was tasked with revitalizing CHHA and bringing about positive change. We have remained consistent in our approach and transparent in our actions. Since the announcement of the special meeting on September 5th, members have asked questions of the Board and provided feedback. The Board continues to listen. To provide you with further information, for your review are the answers to many of the questions we have received, which you can find here. Members are also reaching out to the Board to defend ourselves against these attacks, to lash out. We refuse to play that game, preferring to conduct ourselves with dignity and respect the ability of CHHA members to come to their own conclusions as opposed to being told what to do. Personal attacks on the President and the Board directors have no place within ANY disability organization designed to be supportive of members all too familiar with the sting of such harmful comments. This is very clearly a decision that all members must make in terms of the progress (or not) of our organization in service to our members. You have told us to do better, we think we can do better, and we have a plan to execute that. To do this, we need your vote and support. It is time to end the politics of division and build a strong national organization that serves all members from Victoria to Yellowknife to St. John’s. Your confidential vote on October 14th will dictate the future you want for CHHA. We encourage you to vote with your hearts but also do your research. Reach out to me as your President if you have questions and I will answer them as quickly as I can. Regardless of your feelings in relation to the matter before you, I encourage you to exercise your important right as a member and cast your ballot. In closing, I am reminded of the sage words of the late NDP leader Jack Layton: My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Sincerely, Lorin MacDonald President, CHHA National lmacdonald@chha.ca |