The turmoil at OutServe/SLDN continues following the firing of Executive Director Allyson Roberts after a board coup orchestrated by board co-chair Josh Seefried.
The Bilerico Project, who first broke the news yesterday, reported that OutServe-SLDN still has not issued a statement more than 24 hours after the news of Robinson’s firing. Multiple sources say this is primarily because the internal power struggle continues with some of the remaining board members calling for Seefried’s resignation as board co-chair, but he refuses to resign. Seefried is the founder of OutServe before it merged with longstanding DADT org SLDN.
Bilerico reports that at least three board members – Sue Fulton, Beth Schissel and Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Phelps – tendered their resignations yesterday. In a statement to the Washington Blade this morning, Phelps announced that the board refused to accept his resignation and has asked him instead to participate in resolving the crisis.
“As many of you know, I submitted my resignation to OutServe-SLDN yesterday,” Phelps told the Blade. “It was not immediately accepted by the board co-chairs, and at their request I have agreed to withhold my resignation for the time being. My primary focus has been and always will be in service to my country and ALL service members who defend it.”
Bilerico published a leaked copy of Schissel’s resignation letter in which she wrote,
“I am completely dismayed by the decision to ask Allyson to resign. She is the right leader for this organization. Period. There is no one else who has the years of experience in the trenches and gravitas to reach across the table in the Pentagon and the halls of government who can get us to win-win on the issues facing the folks in uniform. And that after all, should be the focus – the mission, the mission, the mission.
“I won’t compromise my integrity in asking friends, colleagues and strangers to share their treasure to support an organization in chaos that has put egos before mission. I am, therefore, resigning from the board.”
At the time of posting the OutServe/SLDN Web site remains unchanged with Robinson and other senior board and staff members still listed.
