Assistant General Manager Ellen Stader presented the following letter of resignation to the KOOP board of trustees last week. Comments in brackets are her own editorial clarifications.
“I am hereby submitting my resignation as Assistant General Manager of KO.OP Radio. I see no way to remain a paid staff member and also keep my sanity intact. I’m not being allowed to do my job, I never know when (or if) I can expect a paycheck and, by far the worst, I feel that the work I’m doing is not making a difference.
“In the atmosphere of secrecy and distrust which began before my arrival and has lately become the norm at KO.OP, I’ve found it’s become impossible to function as a productive staff member. Without adequate staffing, access to the necessary information, and cooperation from our 1998 Board of Trustees [members seated in the fall of 1997: Aida Franco, Carol Hayman, Donna Hoffman, Mac McKaskle, and Teresa Taylor] — who by now have locked down on or hopelessly obstructed every significant aspect of office
operations — even basic administrative work has become impossible.
“Accordingly, as the station’s environment has worsened, participation has dropped in both quality and quantity. Many volunteers have become
unwilling to lend their help, and the remaining volunteers and office staff cannot be expected to shoulder the entire burden of work necessary
to keep KO.OP afloat. Good will and morale — in my opinion, the most important elements necessary for KO.OP’s health — have dropped dangerously. In my current position I feel powerless to stop this downhill slide.
“I am submitting 30 days’ notice, effective 2/24/99, during which time I will be glad to train our Interim General Manager on the tasks which
remain. I would also like to see the Hiring Committee convened to search for qualified candidates for both positions. After that period, I would love to remain involved at KO.OP as a volunteer.”
This article appears in March 5 • 1999 and March 5 • 1999 (Cover).