The heated feud within the Delta Hospice Society is expected to come to a head later this month.
The society will hold another annual general meeting on Thursday, Nov. 28 at Ladner’s Genesis Theatre after last month’s AGM, described by some as a fiasco, had to be halted due to voting irregularities. That meeting at a packed Harris Barn ended up with more ballots cast for the non-profit organization’s board than members who registered to vote.
A non-profit society’s AGM is typically a rather sedate affair but Delta Hospice has been embroiled in controversy since the termination in September of longtime executive director and society founder Nancy Macey.
As neither side divulged the reasons for her dismissal, it was believed it had to do with the fact Macey didn’t see eye to eye with the board over the provision of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Macey has been a vocal opponent of providing the procedure at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner even though it was approved by the federal government a couple of years ago and is supported by Fraser Health.
However, it’s since become clear the divide goes well beyond MAiD and focuses primarily on past management.
Acting executive director Sharon Farrish has written a scathing letter to society membership about the previous management, listing many problems and describing a negative work environment and low morale. Farrish wrote that past and present staff members have shared stories with her of a workplace that included bullying, discrimination and human rights violations. She wrote that a number of staff members were on medical leave, many stress related.
“I believe the board of directors were being misinformed or uninformed of critical and important issues,” Farrish wrote. “Simply stated, there has been inadequate management of the organization.”
She also noted there’s an angst amongst staff and volunteers, many expressing uncertainty about the future of the organization.
Several former and current staffers, who did not want their names published, contacted the Optimist reiterating the claims and expressing support for the board’s decision.
Macey, who following her dismissal said she’d seek legal advice, was asked to respond to the allegations in the letter but chose not to provide comment.
Board president Jim Levin said he can’t directly comment on the performance of past management, however he told the Optimist he values the opinions of the front line staff.
“They are free to speak about their experiences. I feel that their voices are the ones we should listen to as they are the reason for Delta Hospice's exceptional reputation,” he told the Optimist via email.
“The letter sent to DHS members, staff and volunteers by the acting executive director was based on what she had learned over the past months. From the conversations I have had, I believe there is a majority of staff who are both relieved and happy with the change in leadership.”
With a second AGM nearing, society membership has swelled as the fight to control the board has intensified.
“We have never in our history experienced such a significant surge in memberships,” said Levin, who added there were about 400 members eligible to vote at last month’s AGM, a figure that has since grown to approximately 620.
The cut-off for new members to be able to vote at the AGM was Oct. 30. The society had to find a new venue to accommodate the increase in membership.
