As past board members, presidents, officers, members, and stakeholders, we have a vested interest in the continued success of AWP.
We recognize the board's duty to oversee the Executive Director, and we respect the right to remove the Executive from the position should they find it appropriate to do so. We also acknowledge that we don't have all the information the board does in this matter. We do not dispute the board's authority.
That said, we note that the AWP board is not appointed by an institution but chosen by representatives of the community it serves, whose values it should reflect. Although we are sure this was not the board's intention, we are concerned that the optics of their actions as they have been undertaken to this point have been very damaging both to AWP and to Mr. Fenza, who has played a key role in the growth and development of AWP and has served as its official representative for nearly thirty years. We are seeking a resolution satisfactory to all parties.
We ask that the board consider the following:
1.) Develop and issue a statement recognizing Fenza's service and accomplishments. This statement should be issued to AWP's members in whatever form the board thinks best and in a way that will reach the largest possible numberof members.
2.) Extend a reasonable severance package to Mr. Fenza that includes at least six months of pay and benefits.
We feel that these actions, should they be taken together, would do much to restore both AWP's reputation and Mr. Fenza's as well. We hope that the board agrees.
