Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Rick, and LPA BOARD Rick - you gave it all you have and thats all you can do. You obviously have a lot of responsibilities, along with the addition of a new family member. Thank you for your contributions Without any disrespect to anyone, is it possible for the Board of Directors to reconsider Matt Roloff. Matt, are you listening.... Happy holidays, Respectfully, Telesca copy - Mike Petruzzelli Telesca www.islandtalk540.com/talkshows/ability.htm ================== Homes for All Access for All Television Programs =========================== disABILITY Awareness is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities through housing, education, employment, & media. =========================== Donations can be made online or sent to: Long Island / New York office: PO Box 1048 Kings Park, NY 11754 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Resignation Dear Board of Directors: It is with this letter that I announce my immediate resignation as the President of Little People of America. I have mixed feelings in making this announcement, as I would like to have completed my two-year term however; my decision involves several other crucial factors. Over the last several weeks, I have not been able to “let go” of most of the stress that has come with this job. I have felt discomfort in my chest and with more frequent headaches. Before it became a factor in the most important aspects of my life, my family and my career, I knew the right decision was to make this change. A good portion of the stress came from disappointment within my job as president. I am confident in saying that a lot of this disappointment could not have been anticipated. I have always worked as an actuary in professional environments. These environments involve respect, empowerment, collaboration, and integrity. Egos are an asset, not a detriment. Communication is constructive. People are engaged in the process. When votes and decisions occur, the people that stay on the team abide by the results and do not hold secret meetings trying to sabotage what has been decided. More specifically, during my short tenure as president of LPA, there was a powerful minority, especially apparent over the last month who told the executive committee how to do their jobs, who should be nominated for what post, etc. I was told that I should step down, spend time with my baby, and let Mike Dibben be president. A board member on more than one occasion threatened lawsuits. BOD members met secretly on taking over the LPA Today and the archives. We had a tremendous uprising against strategic planning although only one board member cast an opposing vote. Isn’t there a more constructive way to respond to that vote than writing to the dwarfism list that the new administration does not care about the history of LPA? That is insulting to engaged executive committee members like van Etten with all of her years of LPA involvement and to me, a passionate nostalgia buff and as a young boy an attendee of the 1968 National Conference. This behavior is purely childish. It has been extremely disappointing these last several weeks working against this vocal minority. I was also at times disappointed that some key personnel were not engaged in the process. Still, I cannot blame any of you for not speaking up against these individuals. We are all striving for the right balance in our lives and for many of us, it has been a busy year and do not have time to fight this fight. We have had hurricanes, weddings, other family events. The expectations of some on the BOD do not weigh the full magnitude of these events in getting LPA business done. This is not an excuse, but a defense of those members who have had to do their volunteer work under trying circumstances. My biggest regret relates to the negative emails that came from my supporters during my campaign. I could have been more forceful although I know it may not have done much good. I know it was a two-way street but it did not make it right. For the innocent people who had mud slung at them at that time, I apologize for that. By the same token, I am pleased that I never engaged in that behavior. I will try, when asked to help in the transition. I appreciate the support that I was given along the way and am happy with the friendships that were created. Here’s wishing everyone the best of health and a joyous holiday season. Best Regards, Rick Spiegel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rose's primal scream. > Dear Board of Directors: > > It is with this letter that I announce my immediate resignation as the President of Little People of America. I have mixed feelings in making this announcement, as I would like to have completed my two- year term however; my decision involves several other crucial factors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 President Roloff Stepped down with grace after significant accomplishment. President Leroy stepped down gracefully after many years of enduring attacks. Is not the pressures of LPA President effident to those that seek the office? After 45 years, is it not known to be a contact sport? > > Resignation > > > Dear Board of Directors: > > It is with this letter that I announce my immediate resignation as the President of Little People of America. I have mixed feelings in making this announcement, as I would like to have completed my two- year term however; my decision involves several other crucial factors. > > > > Over the last several weeks, I have not been able to " let go " of most of the stress that has come with this job. I have felt discomfort in my chest and with more frequent headaches. Before it became a factor in the most important aspects of my life, my family and my career, I knew the right decision was to make this change. A good portion of the stress came from disappointment within my job as president. I am confident in saying that a lot of this disappointment could not have been anticipated. > > > > I have always worked as an actuary in professional environments. These environments involve respect, empowerment, collaboration, and integrity. Egos are an asset, not a detriment. Communication is constructive. People are engaged in the process. When votes and decisions occur, the people that stay on the team abide by the results and do not hold secret meetings trying to sabotage what has been decided. More specifically, during my short tenure as president of LPA, there was a powerful minority, especially apparent over the last month who told the executive committee how to do their jobs, who should be nominated for what post, etc. I was told that I should step down, spend time with my baby, and let Mike Dibben be president. A board member on more than one occasion threatened lawsuits. BOD members met secretly on taking over the LPA Today and the archives. We had a tremendous uprising against strategic planning although only one board member cast an opposing vote. Isn't there a more constructive way to respond to that vote than writing to the dwarfism list that the new administration does not care about the history of LPA? That is insulting to engaged executive committee members like van Etten with all of her years of LPA involvement and to me, a passionate nostalgia buff and as a young boy an attendee of the 1968 National Conference. This behavior is purely childish. > > > > It has been extremely disappointing these last several weeks working against this vocal minority. I was also at times disappointed that some key personnel were not engaged in the process. Still, I cannot blame any of you for not speaking up against these individuals. We are all striving for the right balance in our lives and for many of us, it has been a busy year and do not have time to fight this fight. We have had hurricanes, weddings, other family events. The expectations of some on the BOD do not weigh the full magnitude of these events in getting LPA business done. This is not an excuse, but a defense of those members who have had to do their volunteer work under trying circumstances. > > > > My biggest regret relates to the negative emails that came from my supporters during my campaign. I could have been more forceful although I know it may not have done much good. I know it was a two-way street but it did not make it right. For the innocent people who had mud slung at them at that time, I apologize for that. By the same token, I am pleased that I never engaged in that behavior. > > > > I will try, when asked to help in the transition. I appreciate the support that I was given along the way and am happy with the friendships that were created. > > > > Here's wishing everyone the best of health and a joyous holiday season. > > > > Best Regards, > > Rick Spiegel > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Rick, Exec's , District Directors and members of LPA, It is unfortunate to read of Rick's resignation as president of LPA. I truely understand the effects of stess on one's body from my days of major stress anxiety in college.... to wanting to beat the heck out of student in my classroom and having to grit my teeth , control my voice and my hands and hopefully not get sick before I make it to my car at 3:30 pm. So if Rick needs to back away for health reasons, then I wish him well ... and the only sleepless nights are one of a fussy baby... I do disagree with his assessment of the District Directors meeting secretely and trying to sabotage the actions of the Execs. I believe there was only one conference call... and the Exec's were fully aware it was going to happen... yes they were asked to let the DD talk privately. While I was president these kind of meetings usually happened in the bar during conference. The only difference now is the ability to conference call during the year. To me this is a credit to the strength of the Board of Directors. It allowed for collaborative thinking without the constraints of a formal meeting. I have not heard of one conference call that was intended to sabotage the actions of the Exec. Committee.... only to address, problem solve and develop solutions to membership related concerns. Lastly, Rick you are critical of individuals commmunicating through the list serve and each other. Well I wish you would have communicated more frequently with the membership and officers. I believe communication was one of your campaign issues . I can only assume you were overwhelmed by the balance of LPA., family and work. So let's let the BOD figuere out the quick fixes that must be done... and the long term... to get us to Orlando.... Marge Carlisle Past President (90-94) and District 5 Director (83-89) Conference Chair '86,'96 , '01 and '05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Rick, I am not going to comment on all of the opinions expressed in your email. I will let others do that if they wish. Although as an outside observer, it is my opinion that what you experienced was very mild compared to the wringer Matt was put through during the last six months of his term. If nothing else, it now give the two of you something to discuss. Hopefully, LPA will now be able to get back on track and recover. You say, ³I was told that I should step down, spend time with my baby, and let Mike Dibben be president.² My one factual comment would be, that as President (or past-President) you should be aware of what the Bylaws of your own organization say. Yes, I think Mike Dibben would be a good President, but that is not the issue. The Bylaws clearly state: ARTICLE VI - NATIONAL OFFICERS SECTION 3 - ORDER OF SUCCESSION The order of succession to presidency in case of vacancy is as follows: 1. The Senior Vice President shall succeed the President. 2. In the event the vacancy occurs with the president and senior vice president, the Vice President of Finance will be Acting President until such vacancies can be filled by nominations and vote of the Board of Directors and/or the Membership. 3. Other Executive Committee appointments will be filled on an interim basis by the remaining Executive Committee members until approval by the Board of Directors. So unless there has been some change to the Bylaws that I (and others) don¹t know about, with your resignation Tricia is now the President of LPA, per Part 1. above. And the Senior Vice Presidency office is now vacant, to be filled by the Executive Committee per Part 3. above. ============================================== > Resignation > > > Dear Board of Directors: > > It is with this letter that I announce my immediate resignation as the > President of Little People of America. I have mixed feelings in making this > announcement, as I would like to have completed my two-year term however; my > decision involves several other crucial factors. > > > > Over the last several weeks, I have not been able to " let go " of most of the > stress that has come with this job. I have felt discomfort in my chest and > with more frequent headaches. Before it became a factor in the most important > aspects of my life, my family and my career, I knew the right decision was to > make this change. A good portion of the stress came from disappointment > within my job as president. I am confident in saying that a lot of this > disappointment could not have been anticipated. > > > > I have always worked as an actuary in professional environments. These > environments involve respect, empowerment, collaboration, and integrity. Egos > are an asset, not a detriment. Communication is constructive. People are > engaged in the process. When votes and decisions occur, the people that stay > on the team abide by the results and do not hold secret meetings trying to > sabotage what has been decided. More specifically, during my short tenure as > president of LPA, there was a powerful minority, especially apparent over the > last month who told the executive committee how to do their jobs, who should > be nominated for what post, etc. I was told that I should step down, spend > time with my baby, and let Mike Dibben be president. A board member on more > than one occasion threatened lawsuits. BOD members met secretly on taking > over the LPA Today and the archives. We had a tremendous uprising against > strategic planning although only one board member cast an opposing vote. ! > Isn't there a more constructive way to respond to that vote than writing to > the dwarfism list that the new administration does not care about the history > of LPA? That is insulting to engaged executive committee members like > van Etten with all of her years of LPA involvement and to me, a passionate > nostalgia buff and as a young boy an attendee of the 1968 National Conference. > This behavior is purely childish. > > > > It has been extremely disappointing these last several weeks working against > this vocal minority. I was also at times disappointed that some key personnel > were not engaged in the process. Still, I cannot blame any of you for not > speaking up against these individuals. We are all striving for the right > balance in our lives and for many of us, it has been a busy year and do not > have time to fight this fight. We have had hurricanes, weddings, other family > events. The expectations of some on the BOD do not weigh the full magnitude > of these events in getting LPA business done. This is not an excuse, but a > defense of those members who have had to do their volunteer work under trying > circumstances. > > > > My biggest regret relates to the negative emails that came from my supporters > during my campaign. I could have been more forceful although I know it may > not have done much good. I know it was a two-way street but it did not make > it right. For the innocent people who had mud slung at them at that time, I > apologize for that. By the same token, I am pleased that I never engaged in > that behavior. > > > > I will try, when asked to help in the transition. I appreciate the support > that I was given along the way and am happy with the friendships that were > created. > > > > Here's wishing everyone the best of health and a joyous holiday season. > > > > Best Regards, > > Rick Spiegel > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 SUZANNAT@... wrote: > Without any disrespect to anyone, is it possible for the Board of Directors > to reconsider Matt Roloff. > > Matt, are you listening.... , Matt is an enigma. He has some outstanding skills that LPA could use. Like everyone else, I would love to see him apply those skills constructively. Unfortunately, despite Matt's strong points, he is unfit for the position of President -- and District Director too, it seems. He lacks the integrity, ethics, and self-control needed to foster a productive, professional working environment at the National level of LPA. And based on Rick's letter of resignation, it would appear that we members of LPA have elected a few District Directors that share those weaknesses. -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 I agree with Amy, there is so much that the general LPA population doesn't know about. I think if they did they would not be to pleased. LPA is such a wonderful organization but it seems some lost that idea along the way and it turned into battle of the egos. I am sure Rick did not come to his decision easily, but when it starts to take a toll on a person's health then its time to put things in perspective. I wish Rick the best. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 On Sat, 11 Dec 2004, Margulies wrote: > Although as an outside observer, it is my opinion that what you experienced > was very mild compared to the wringer Matt was put through during the last > six months of his term. , as you know, I worked with Matt in the LPA office here in Oregon for 9 months, and witnessed the time period you speak of first hand. You and he created that " wringer " (which was actually more a healthy gut-check) all by yourselves through poor management and unethical behavior. In your defense, his management errors were so conspicuously bad, they could not have been premeditated. I cannot say the same about your tactics since Rick's election. The destructive behavior that you and Ted Spencer have encouraged Matt to engage in since San Francisco is clearly deliberate. ly, I can't believe we've got such a lame duck Board of Directors that they allowed this to happen. No, I think that the healthy gut-check that Matt's ego couldn't stomach pales in comparison to the destructive wringer you guys are deliberately inflicting upon LPA now. , I'd love to talk some more about your and Matt's term. I have an awful lot to share. -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'm announcing this publicly because I want people with experience in running a website to start thinking. I've decided to resign as editor of LPA Online. I've been involved with LPA's Internet efforts since the mid-1990s, and have been in charge of LPA Online since launching it in 1998. It's time. As I told over the weekend, my passion for doing this important job simply isn't what it used to be. I also think it's pretty clear that my Web-design skills are firmly stuck in the '90s. My resignation won't become effective until the end of the national conference. Next year, nearly all of my so-called spare time will be taken up by our church's efforts to find a new minister; I'm on the search committee. I've enjoyed doing this, but I've also been looking to move on for quite a while. I told Matt on several occasions that I wanted to step aside, and here I still am. No longer. This will be a tremendous opportunity for a dedicated volunteer. Thank you, ===== Dan Kennedy Editor, LPA Online Little People of America, Inc. www.lpaonline.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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