Distressing news about firings at CFI from Paul Kurtz (via R. Joseph Hoffman)
I post here an update (slightly abbreviated) from Paul Kurtz on recent events at the Center for Inquiry:
I arrived at the Center for Inquiry at shortly after 1:00PM today. Norman Allen (Director of International Programs and Director of African Americans for Humanism) was carrying
a box of books to his car.I said to Norm, “How are you, Norm” He replied, “I have just been
fired by Ron Lindsay!”[Norm had been] called into the Conference Room about 20 minutes earlier. Both Ron Lindsay and Tom Flynn were present.
Ron said that we have to let you go, as we are having financial problems. Lindsay, stated that he wanted Norm to leave the premises as soon as possible, vacate his office, take his personal property, and leave his keys.Four other people were fired today in a similar way: Toni Van Pelt, Henry Huber, Rick O’Keefe, and Matthew Sapara. Meanwhile, the Office of Public Policy in Washington, DC and CFI Florida in Tampa have been closed.
Be sure to read Paul Kurtz's whole letter.
I've a number of reactions to this piece, only slightly conflicted by understanding for the need to make harsh cuts in a financially strapped non-profit organization. In the end though they boil down to communications, transparency and CFI's commitment to humanistic principles.
- Inhumane practices. I know that manner in which Norman Allen and the others was let go is common these days and arises out of a desire to minimize complications from disgruntled former employees, but I'm sad to see CFI employing this method of terminating employees. As both Kurtz and Steph noted in her comment, it seems to run counter to a humanistic ethos.
- Communications failure. As Kurtz writes later on in his letter, it also does serious harm to CFI's communications, "Norm is unable to write to any of his thousands of colleagues and friends world-wide, to bid them adieu or to reply to the many emails to him."
- Lack of transparency. CFI should be more transparent about their financial status. If their situation is so dire as to result in the termination of five employees and two programs, then it would do them well to make it known, as well as ramp up fund raising efforts.
