The East Coast Music Association is navigating stormy waters following a recent shake-up at the top.
The organization decided to part ways with former CEO Blanche Israel following a series of changes and decisions that raised the concerns of some of the EMCA’s members.
Now, the ECMA is responding to what it calls “frustration, division and a lot of unanswered questions” regarding the decision and how it’s affecting the association and its membership.
A statement sent to members from the ECMA’s Board of Directors acknowledges that this has been “a really difficult time.”
It says the decision to part ways with the former CEO came as the result of “serious risks” to the loss of institutional knowledge and decisions that were being made without board approval. The board says as a result, it “had to act to get things back on track.” While the board says it had to accept a difficult choice, it recognizes and regrets the way the matter was handled and how members felt blindsided.
Photo via michelleeaglesmusic.com
Chair of the ECMA’s Board of Directors, Michelle Eagles, says they’re working on being more transparent about what happened and is taking ownership of the fact that the matter could have been better handled.
“We have a board who is really trying to be more transparent about that, and really trying to answer some questions around that while still being respectful and professional in the information we give out,” says Eagles. “And at the same time we see a board that takes a lot of responsibility and accountability to say ‘you know what? There’s lots we could have done better.'”
The ECMAs are being hosted in St. John’s this year from May 7th to the 11th.
