HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-2018 Item 3, DarnellJack House Committee,
Before you this evening, Feb. 14, is the topic of “Interim Jack House Operations during closure and
2018 Season” I draw your attention to paragraph two (2), which I include below for your convenience.
Jan. 18:
On January 18, 2018 the Parks and Recreation Department and the Jack House Committee
received notification that several Docents would be “stepping back” from participating in
Docent activities until the Project was completed. To better understand the former Docent
President’s (Marilyn Darnell) email resigning as President and informing staff of this change,
staff met with Ms. Darnell, along with Kathi Settle, Toni Kincaid, Dorothy Sundbye and Lois
Crotster on January 25 th . At this time, staff is unaware of any other Docents stepping forward
to assume the role of President and any other vacated role.
For the record the email of January 18, 2018, addressed to the Jack House docents and cc: to the
members of this committee, reads in part:
“we, the undersigned … decided to step back…We feel the process does not require docent involvement
at this time. We believe that at some point in the future it will. Until that point we four are stepping
back…stepping back does not mean that we are quitting. We are simply taking a break. Marilyn Darnell
Toni Kincaid Lois Crotser Dorothy Sundbye”
The facts are that the letter was signed by four (4) docents, of which I was one (1). The letter clearly
states “that stepping back does not mean that we are quitting” again noting the pronoun “we.” When I
was characterized at the January 25th meeting as having resigned I clarified that I had not resigned and
intended to resume at a later date. I trust the notes that were taken that day reflect my clarification.
Although there were four (4) of us that wrote the letter, I alone was asked to attend the meeting of
January 25th and so I questioned Staff to which they replied in the email of Jan 18, 3:56 PM and I quote
“as the docent president … and leader of the volunteer group we understand you to be capable of
discussing logistics and clarification on behalf of the docent group.” I felt patronized by the emphasis
given these underlined words, which was not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment
from Staff. Although this was very difficult to write, I feel strong enough about the issue that I felt I
needed to.
I notified Staff on January 22nd that “we” would all be present to “be a part of the discussions with staff,
including meetings and emails.” We were, as we stand in solidarity.
For the record let it be known that docents Maureen Titus and Pam Hurd have also let it be known that
they are “stepping back” with the intent to return.
Thank you for your attention,
Marilyn L. Darnell