Dear Mr. Fiske:

You mentioned that you almost got a mediator involved - I think you should have gone that route (or could possibly still go that route). I used to work for mediators in Cambridge (ThoughtBridge) and they do a WORLD of good. They worked with Roger Fisher (Getting to Yes) from Harvard University. The word SEVER comes out of positional thinking verses a win/win situation.

Example:
Let's say there is an orange. If a fight occurred about the orange the natural thing to do would be to split it in half (which sounds like you didn't even go that far because what 1/2 did Michael get?). BUT with mediation, maybe you will find that one group wants the skin that surrounds the orange and the other group wants the inside of the orange. You can see how splitting the orange in 1/2 wouldn't help either side.Terms need to be defined all sides need to be listened to and understood.

Mediators help with that and can be unbiased.
This is quite upsetting to our community and the way it is being handled sounds like a hostile corporate take over. Michael started this out of love for the arts and he stuck with it through very tough times AND kept his vision. Now that there is more money involved Michael gets kicked OUT and FEAR (and possibly GREED) take over.

Michael has poured his heart and soul into the center and has encouraged 100s of other people to contribute in so many ways. I am showing my support for Michael and do not agree with this decision to SEVER your ties with him. My husband and I enjoyed going to the center for the entertainment but also Michael's enthusiasm - we've known him since he ran the coffee house at First Parish. This is a man that should be honored throughout the center's history. How will you honor the history now?
The act of "severing your relationship with him" and the term "sever", I think, is very inappropriate in this case. It offends me that you used "family" in the title of your message to the community to announce this offensive news. Normally you don't SEVER ties with your family.

Just before Michael was fired, I heard the board wanted to change the name of the center. I hope this dispute is not just over the name change - because that would be absurd. In any case - I want to put my opinion here - I don't agree that the name should be changed. You have instant name recognition. I recently moved to Natick and EVERYONE I talked to said - "oh there's that center there - TCAN". People said that whether they have been to the center or not. Plus with the word Natick in the name you know immediately where it is. You can still serve "THE METROWEST REGION" without changing the name of the center.

I also don't agree with your term "fledgling organization." It always has been a beautiful place filled with love and encouragement for artists of all levels. May it continue to grow in "that" way.

Sincerely,

Martha McCagg