Letter from Parker | Letter from George | Letter from the Board | Reflections on EWB successes | Just the Facts
Dear EWBers,
We are writing this note to share some significant news: After extensive thought and consideration, Parker has decided to phase out of his fulltime role with EWB in April of 2011.
This is obviously a big personal decision for Parker and not one that was made lightly. George will continue his role as CEO of EWB with the support of our strong management team (Boris Martin, African Programs; Sarah Grant, African Programs; Jon Fishbein, Canadian Programs; and Brenna Donoghue, Fundraising and Operations).
While we wish there were practical way to reach every one of you with this news more personally, that is, regrettably, not possible. As a second-best solution, we wanted to share some brief thoughts and feelings in the video linked to this e-mail.
Below you'll find links to full-length, personal communications and perspectives from Parker, George and the Board of Directors.
Letter from Parker
Letter from George
Letter from the Board
Reflections on EWB successes
Just the Facts
Letter from Parker
Dear Friends,
It's with both a heavy heart and a light spirit that I write to share news that in spring 2011 I will be stepping away from my full-time involvement with EWB.
I'm sad because EWB is my family, my passion and it occupies an incredible part of my life. But I'm happy because I'm really excited for what EWB is aiming to do in the coming years; I feel that EWB is in a really good place to accomplish those dreams. Indeed, the comfort of knowing that there are great people who are more than able to fill the role I played has allowed me to contemplate a life outside of EWB.
This is without a doubt the hardest decision that I've ever had to make, and one that took months of reflection. I kept seeing great progress, great success, and more and more possibility in our programs in Africa and in Canada. However, something in me seemed to be missing. The fire in my belly didn't seem to be burning as brightly as it should be to lead such an amazing organization. It's my tenth anniversary with EWB and it's been the most challenging, rewarding experience I could imagine. But 10 years is a long time, and I've put a ton into it. It took me a while to realize that I need to take some time to recharge and to think about what my next challenge might be.
I began to realize that, for the first time, stepping back was possible. EWB is in a strong place and needs me less than any time before. George and I began to chat about this idea and after bouncing around a few different ideas I took a few days off and made my decision in October.
I can write this logically, but for those of you who know me well, you know that this has been a huge emotional journey for me. EWB is my family and my life. The idea of losing parts of that was really difficult to contemplate. I have so many great relationships and great memories with so many amazing people who make up EWB. I will especially miss working with George, who has been the best friend, partner and collaborator I could have wished for. I'll miss working with so many of you who have inspired me in so many ways, large and small.
I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to support EWB's continued growth over the next six months; I will also continue to play a role with the board.
For now, I'll be working with George and others to ensure a great transition. I will step out of my formal role as co-CEO on Jan 1st and work full time, supporting capacity until April 15th. After having worked side by side with George for the last 10 years, I know he will do a fantastic job in stewarding EWB into its second decade. We've discussed ideas and aspirations for EWB's near future, and that made the decision even harder.
I also know that George is joined by a superb management team that has more collective EWB experience than we've ever had before. It's been a privilege and pleasure working with each of them, and while I'll miss them, it makes me feel really comfortable to step back from something that means so much to me.
In the past weeks I have began to think about how I can support EWB the most over the next six months. And I'm really fired up, that that feels great! My role will be assisting with the transition, supporting a fundraising drive and preparing for our national conference. This is going to be among my most productive times at EWB.
And throughout this time, and especially at our 10th anniversary conference, I hope to have a chance to chat with as many of you as possible.
While I may be departing physically from the office on Adelaide, I will continue to be an EWBer for life. I believe so much in the need for engineers to take up the cause of social justice, to apply problem-solving skills, with empathy and ambition, to the problems that matter. I believe that what the members of EWB and what we collectively have accomplished is simply amazing. And when I look forward, I'm more excited than ever about the opportunities ahead of us.
As I've told a few close friends and family members about this news, they inevitably ask "What's next?" The answer is: I'm not sure exactly, and that feels okay. I've been working 70 hours a week for almost a decade now so the first thing I'm going to do is take a few months off. Then I'll begin to think about where my efforts for the next decade should best be focused.
I do know that I want to create movements of people who are willing to fight injustices, who are willing to challenge and confront power imbalances. I don't know what this will be, but I know the next part of my life will be an extension of the principles that we know so well at EWB.
I will miss you all. I've had my highest highs working with EWB leaders and members. I've been inspired by your commitment. I've been inspired working alongside you to build a world with more justice, more awareness, more thoughtfulness, more meaning. It's been a great and wonderful time.
And I will never be more than an email away.
In solidarity and with love,
Parker
Letter from George
Dear EWBers,
First, I would like to say that I am very excited about my continuing role with EWB, and I'm excited to continue leading and working with an incredible team and movement of people so dedicated to change.
My other emotion is sadness. For the past 10 years I've worked with, supported and been supported by a truly great partner, friend and human being. We are still great and close friends. But I will miss Parker at EWB, and I know I'm not alone.
I didn't just dive head-first into continuing as CEO of EWB. I came to the decision after consideration and reflection on my own leadership, and what I see in store for EWB. I considered other options, but my head and my heart just kept coming back to EWB. I believe so strongly in the greater justice and dignity we are seeking, the path we have taken, our values, our partners, the people who inspire and push me -- this thinking and reflection has made me realize how excited and passionate I am about this organization and movement of people.
In particular, I can say that I'm really energized when I think about the opportunities that lay ahead for EWB. We have never had more traction with our programs in Africa and in Canada, and the group of leaders involved with EWB across Canada and in Africa continues to inspire, challenge and impress everyone they interact with -- myself included.
Of course, I'm approaching this with tremendous humility and a great sense of responsibility. My role can't and won't be as extensive as the one Parker and I were playing together.
I will rely strongly on our great management team of Boris Martin (African Programs), Sarah Grant (African Programs), Jon Fishbein (Canadian Programs) and Brenna Donoghue (Fundraising and Operations), and the numerous leaders we have around the organization. I will learn and grow tremendously. And I will make mistakes.
Along with the management team, we are excited to enter the Second Decade of EWB. We have already begun conversations between EWBers in all parts of the organization on what is in store. Jean-Luc Riverin and Holly Goulding have been leading an Advisory Council of members to frame important issues. We have teed up a Vision Week from November 26 to December 5 that will bring EWBers together. And there is the 10th Anniversary Conference in January.
Myself, the management team and other people in the National Office look forward to participating in all of these opportunities for discussion, debate and engagement.
You can look forward to greater clarity on the process and content of these conversations in the coming weeks. You can also look forward to more clarity on the roles and structures in the National Office that will result from this change at the top -- you can appreciate that we don't want to rush into these decisions, and instead make sure that we're analyzing and anticipating EWB's needs and opportunities, listening closely to EWBers, and making changes accordingly.
This news will evoke many emotions for many people in EWB, and we're navigating this with openness. Whatever your feelings are, they are important and worth sharing.
With that in mind, please don't hesitate to reach out and get in touch with me or Parker or members of the management team or National Office. If I had a door, it would be wide open!
Also, there is a myEWB post at http://my.ewb.ca/posts/81067/ if you want to share your thoughts or ideas with other EWBers.
Finally, I'd like to take this chance to publicly wish Parker the greatest success in whatever his next step in creating change will be. As his partner I know that this will be a tremendous contribution to a world with more justice, and as his friend I'm excited to be there for his journey.
Keep Doin' it for Dorothy,
George
Letter from Don Thurston on behalf of the Board of Directors
Dear EWB members and friends,
On behalf of the Board I'd like to mark this transition in EWB's growth as a movement and an organization.
For ten years, Parker and George have worked with many other highly talented individuals to grow and lead this organization, and what they have accomplished is amazing. I've been hooked since my first conference, EWB's second -- I was fascinated and impressed with the people and energy. With every subsequent interaction, my admiration for the organization, the inspiring people who make it up, and the two leaders who have helped to guide it, has continued to grow. EWB is fundamental to my beliefs, it is in the mainstream of my thoughts and I am blessed to be part of this movement.
At our most recent Board meeting, with some sadness, we discussed and accepted Parker's proposal that he step away from his co-CEO role on January 1, 2011 and step back from his full time role on April 15th. We also accepted his desire to stay connected with EWB as a member of the Board of Directors.
During that meeting we also accepted George's proposal and desire to continue as EWB's CEO. We talked through some of his hopes for EWB as it matures while retaining the characteristic energy and values that define the organization -- my fascination and admiration continue to grow. Under George's leadership in 2011 and beyond, I know that EWB will continue to grow and to go from success to success. (With inevitable failures to talk about and learn from along the way.)
The first decade of EWB's growth have been nothing short of remarkable, and George and Parker have had a great run as a Co-CEO team. The second decade is certain to be different, it's an exciting time to be on the Board, and I think that the coming years will see EWB have more impact than ever in the past.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our 10th Anniversary Conference in Toronto in January.
In the meantime, if any of you would like to reach me or another Board member about this or any other issue facing EWB, please don't hesitate to do so. My personal email is dgtatspm@telus.net and other Board member's emails can be found at http://blogs.ewb.ca/board/contact/.
Yours sincerely,
Don Thurston, Chair, on behalf of the Board of Directors
Just the Facts
When was this information shared?
Parker came to the decision personally in mid-October, after about 6 months of personal reflection, and shared it with George then. George made the decision to stay as CEO at the end of October and shared the news with the Board and the management team. The Board accepted Parker's decision and endorsed George's continued leadership on November 3. The National Office staff were told on November 4, and this was made broadly public on November 9.
When is the transition happening?
Parker will continue as Co-CEO until Jan 1st, at which time he will continue in a fulltime role with EWB but in more specialized functions (e.g. fundraising, conference content, African strategy consulting, writing, and transition). He will phase out of this fulltime role on April 15, 2011.
Will Parker be at the office? Will he be at the conference?
Yes he'll be at the conferences -- he's very excited about the opportunity to chat with many EWBers there. And yes he'll be at the office, in a fulltime capacity until April 15, 2011.
How can I reach people if I want to chat about this?
A contact list for the office is at: http://www.ewb.ca/en/whoweare/ourpeople/staff.html
The Board contact list is at: http://blogs.ewb.ca/board/contact/
