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For a timeline of events that led to this strike, please read this. 

To Climbers of Color Leadership,

On behalf of the Climbers of Color (CoC) community of participants, volunteers, and staff, we express our deep concern and frustration regarding the recent events affecting CoC. We implore the parties involved to take accountability for their actions.

The recent rapid succession of Board and staff resignations, along with first-hand accounts of the actions of a CoC Board member, namely Don Nguyen, are alarming and must be addressed. We have received repeated reports of unacceptable behavior and language, including but not limited to:

• Harassment of other board members, in direct violation of CoC’s Code of Conduct
• Removal of access to business accounts and communication channels of those with active tenure with Climbers of Color
• Misrepresentation of facts and events instead of taking accountability and addressing the community's concerns
• Lack of accountability for adhering to important deadlines hindering the effective operation of CoC
• Concentration of decision-making power with no oversight, enabling the above-mentioned abuses of power
• Lack of communication surrounding the direction of Climbers of Color

Many of these actions directly violate the Code of Conduct of Climbers of Color.  These actions, given Don Nguyen's position of power, have sown distrust among peers and the community, thereby damaging the credibility of CoC. Such behavior is unacceptable in an organization committed to standing against systems of oppression.

As volunteers and staff who actively represent CoC within the broader community, we cannot support a structure that condones the abuse of its own members. Clearly, there is an urgent need for leadership changes, growth, and greater accountability. In light of recent developments, we, the volunteers and staff of Climbers of Color, respectfully request for Don Nguyen’s resignation from both the Board of Directors and the position of Director of Mountaineering.

It is short-sighted to believe that CoC can continue to serve our community effectively under the current circumstances. However, the extensive knowledge and experience of our volunteers and community members present a valuable opportunity to advance CoC’s mission in a sustainable way. Since our organization was founded to support the BIPOC community, we believe it is essential to integrate the perspectives of its community members.

Specifically, we request structural changes in line with standard practices for a nonprofit of our size, including, but not limited to separation of board and staff, volunteer participation in elections of the Board of Directors, term limits for board members, and structured forums for volunteers to engage with Climbers of Color leadership. We also request for there to be an external review of Climbers of Color Board practices. 

We thank the CoC leadership for their role in establishing this community. It is essential to recognize that without meeting the community’s demands, Climbers of Color would be unable to continue functioning as a space for BIPOC individuals, garner respect and build connections within the outdoor industry, and most importantly, fulfill its mission of serving the community it was created to support.