Due to recent events, I will no longer be volunteering or assisting with the mission of CAFETY. Below is my letter of resignation from the organization.
All,
I found CAFETY back in 2006. I was in Iraq at the time, looking for an organization to volunteer with. I found HEAL, and quickly left their website due to such strong partisanship. I also found ISACCORP, whose director told me that she did not want a military person working with her organization. After weeks of looking, I found a small start-up called CAFETY. CAFETY was the first group who actually accepted me for the occupation I chose. At the same time, my views were appreciated.
Since the beginning, I acknowledged one simple fact. Nothing can be accomplished through an unbalanced approach. Just as important as our mission is how it is accomplished. Intense government interference will not solve the residential treatment issue; many of the offending programs are already sponsored by some level of government (Judge Rottenberg Center) or accredited by a government agency (Mount Bachelor Academy). On the other side of the coin, deregulation will merely increase the chances of abuse, not accomplishing the mission of CAFETY. In my opinion and following rational-choice theory, the best ground to stand on is that of the center. A centrist stance to residential treatment reform allows us to capture a larger audience without disenfranchising survivors, parents, or potential volunteers.
Examining the political stances of the new board of directors, it is clear that predisposition to personal viewpoints was involved. Myself, a 3-year volunteer with countless hours dedicated to the cause, and our financial sponsor were both voted off of the board. The only commonality between the two of us is our political views; moderate, centrist, libertarian. While I am not discounting the credentials or experience of the new members on the board of directors, it is clear that my participation is neither appreciated, recognized, or needed any longer.
I therefore resign any affiliation with the organization known as CAFETY. I will not speak for CAFETY in any public function, nor will I endorse, defame, or support the mission of CAFETY.
Sincerely,
Eric Beasley
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Hey Eric,
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get the attention of the CAFETY folks and never got traction. I guess you know why I'm involved in trying to stop the horror but I don't remember if we connected at some point. I'm interested in what transpired between you and the rest of the board. I'm particularly interested because I think there's been a gross lack of strategy around the effort and I'm intrigued by your proposition of middle ground. I'm an extherapist and I know how to get around people's defenses pretty well ~ Heavy offense isn't it.
I hate typing. Maybe we can skype? I'm sorry about all you've gone through. there's a lump in my throat.
I'll be following this blog.
Elisabeth Feldman