WSBA Referendum RE: Executive Director Termination

Without input from WSBA staff, WSBA members, or the Washington State Supreme Court, the WSBA BOG, suggesting only that it wished to "go in a new direction," with such "new direction" still not yet disclosed, took action to terminate Ms. Littlewood in Executive Session on or about January 17, 2019. In a public session held on March 7, 2019, the WSBA BOG then affirmed this vote of termination, but again without any clarification of the basis of removal and without disclosure of this "new direction."
While not drawing any conclusions as to the underlying merit of any ultimate termination decision, this referendum is put forward to reverse the termination of the Executive Director because it is believed to be in the best interest of the WSBA, its members, and the members of the public based upon consideration of the following: A termination of the Executive Director should be done with transparency and model best practices; and a termination of the Executive Director should not be at a time when there are significant legislative and legal matters pending that will require Ms. Littlewood's institutional knowledge and adept leadership.