[CALIBK12] CSLA membership suspension

[Janet Melikian]

To all CSLA members:

Now that the conference has ended and my resignation from the State Board is finalized, I am going to suspend my membership from CSLA for a period of at least one year.  I have withheld my comments in order to prevent any further division or conflict prior to the conference but now that is passed and my responsibilities to CSLA are ended.  I am not renewing my membership for a period of one-year in protest of the treatment of Carol Shuey and Bob Skapura.

In May of last year the State Board voted to secure the services of ARC for both executive director and conference coordinator.  I was one of two votes against this proposal for two reasons:  Carol Shuey and Bob Skapura.  The board had been told all along that we would have a menu of services to choose from but when the time came for a decision, we were presented with an all-or-nothing slate.  I do believe that CSLA is in excellent hands with ARC and that they will provide the best possible service for CSLA in regard to executive director.  Relying on retired individuals to run this organization was only a temporary measure and the services ARC provides are indeed beneficial to CSLA.  It was, however, the treatment of Carol and Bob that was, and remains, unacceptable to me.  Through out the research process both the board and Carol were told that her position was secure.  The fact that she was told on Friday night before the board had even voted that her position was to be out-sourced greatly disturbed me.  After 10 years of outstanding service Carol and Bob were told thanks, but no thanks.  The callous treatment of this amazing lady and fine man astounds me.  If this is how CSLA treats individuals who have provided excellent, long term service, what does that say about the organization?  As a member of the conference committee this year, as I have been in the past, I can assure you that to those of us who had been on previous committees, this move added additional workload and responsibility to our already time intensive conference jobs. Carolyn at ARC did a fine job assuming command as conference coordinator but she certainly did not have the experience or background that Carol does.  I can not in good conscience stay silent about this issue any longer.  I recognize that there is no recourse and the issue is done.  But as a member of CSLA, I can certainly make the decision to suspend my membership in protest for a period of one year.  I wish all of you a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Janet Melikian
Teacher Librarian
Central High East
Fresno, CA
Former VP of Membership and Concurrent Sessions Chair 2004,2006,2008

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