[SBU Board] Alarming Accusations

[JC Chupack]

Before I vote on this matter, I want to note (not that most of you aren't
aware) that I have bias, albeit not a true conflict of interest by
definition. While most if not all of us know Bryan personally, Bryan is one
of my dearest friends and has been for many years, both before and after
his employment with the ACBL. Bryan is also my primary bridge mentor.
Because of my longtime friendship with Bryan, I have a decent amount of
knowledge regarding these accusations and the motive of at least one of the
named parties. And while I'm at liberty to share what I know, I feel the
board should get the opportunity to hear that from Bryan directly.

I am in favor of sharing the accusations in full, exactly as stated to the
board, with Bryan, as immediately as possible given that the ballots will
go out to various boards in less than a week, IIRC. His response, to us or
in any other form, is his business, although I also support us providing
him designated time at the next board meeting to respond. I also support
any subset of the statement read by Tim being provided to Bryan, but my
primary preference is for in-full disclosure.

Related - I want to note that I suspect multiple parts of this will lead to
further investigations and actions, regardless of what we do or don't opt
to do today, given the nature and seriousness of the accusations. I suggest
taking some time to read our board's by-laws and unit agreement
<http://www.bridgeinseattle.org/#/board/>, and the ACBL CDR
<http://www.acbl.org/conduct-and-ethics/code-of-disciplinary-regulations/>
(referenced by the by-laws and unit agreement) to familiarize yourself with
responsibilities as a board member and the ethics and conduct expected of
players and officials, given that we are all involved now, like it or not.
I am no expert, but there are many parts of both the accusations and the
way that they manifested to the board that raise concerns for me given the
CDR and our by-laws, no matter the intentions of anyone involved. ACBL HQ
HR may also need to investigate given that current and former employees are
involved.

Finally, I think we have to be cognizant of how our treatment of this will
reflect on us as a unit and district, no matter the outcome of any
election. I'm sure we all want our players to feel welcome to play *as well
as* to volunteer and serve in any capacity in our governance. I have served
in a large and well-known organization before this where members serving in
leadership were targeted and harassed. I'm no longer in that organization
because of how its leadership failed to deal with the situations that arose.

Thanks,
JC


--
JC Chupack
Seattle ACBL Unit 446 <http://bridgeinseattle.org> Secretary, Electronic
Contact, & Publicity Chair

On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 4:29 PM, LARRY HOLDREN <larryholdren at comcast.net>
wrote:

> I agree we  should hear his side.
>
> Larry
>
> *From:* Raymond Miller <raysmiller at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 07, 2018 1:45 PM
> *To:* Seattle ACBL Unit Board <sbuboard at mailman.celestial.com>
> *Subject:* [SBU Board] Alarming Accusations
>
> HI all,
>
> I have been conversing with Tim the issue and now feel that I need to
> present this to the entire board and get a quick consensus.
>
> I am very disturbed about the allegations against Bryan.  To me the
> allegations do not hang together.  This smells very like a well planned
> character assassination and not a legitimate beef against a fellow
> employee.  There are 3 areas of concern that I believe warrant further
> action on our part.  1.  When Brian left headquarters to move to Seattle he
> was allowed to continue in his position remotely ( I hear he was asked to
> do this by his bosses).  Ann and I see this as a requiring a great deal of
> trust and respect.  Not something accorded to a trouble maker and non-team
> player. 2.  The allegation that Bryan misappropriated funds.  A crime.  Yet
> there have been no consequences for this supposed crime.  3.  Last fall
> Bryan taught on a cruise run by an ACBL client. This doesn't sound like an
> activity the league would have allowed if Bryan were a person in bad
> standing.
> I understand the need to keep this issue confidential.  But I feel that is
> conflict with what we should do.  I believe that Bryan should be informed
> of these charges and given the chance to answer them in front of the board
> as soon as possible.  I do not feel the board can make a fair choice in the
> upcoming election without hearing from Bryan.  Anyone in his position
> should have the right to answer these charges.
>
> Therefore I am asking the board to vote Yes or No.  Bryan should be given
> a hearing before the board to answer these charges and should be informed
> in full of nature and specifics of the charges.  That should take place at
> the September meeting.
>
> Please note, I believe this is a very delicate matter and that Tim has
> handled it well thus far.  I do not want the letter Tim read to us to be
> made available to Bryan in full, because I do not think he needs to know
> who was involved in receiving information and passing it on on our end.
> Please carefully consider your position, send out any comments you have and
> send on your decision as soon as possible.
>
> Thank you for reading this and thank you ahead of time for tackling this
> very difficult situation.
>
> Ray
>
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