We write with urgency and deep concern. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is in a governance crisis. Immediate action is required to safeguard the mission, credibility, and future of the organization.

As the state associations affiliated with the NAD, we represent thousands of Deaf community members who depend on NAD to defend their rights, culture, and language. We therefore have both the authority and the responsibility to hold the national Board accountable when its actions undermine NAD’s stability.

As the Board President, Lisa Rose bears ultimate responsibility for these actions and outcomes. While others may have been involved, the office of Board President carries the duty of oversight, accountability, and leadership. Therefore, we hold Lisa Rose directly responsible for the failures that have occurred under her leadership.

Under her direction, the Board has:

• Halted governance, in violation of its fiduciary obligations.
• Failed to fill vacancies and maintain representation across regions.
• Canceled the October 29 Board meeting without cause permitted under the bylaws.
• Stalled the CEO search, leaving NAD without stable leadership.

We must also ask: why has President Rose not filled the vacant Secretary position? Article 4.9.2 of the bylaws requires both the President and the Secretary to be present at a special meeting with a majority of the Board. By leaving this role unfilled, President Rose has effectively prevented the Board from convening a special meeting to address the crisis. This appears to be a deliberate obstruction of governance.

These actions constitute gross negligence, a breach of fiduciary duty, and a violation of NAD’s bylaws.

On behalf of the undersigned state associations, we demand the following immediate actions:

1. The immediate resignation of President Lisa Rose.
2. Upon her resignation and per the bylaws, the Vice President shall assume the role of President and, with guidance from the Past Presidents Council, oversee the appointment of new officers in compliance with parliamentary procedure, to serve the remainder of the 2024–2026 term until the biennial conference in San Francisco.

In addition, we require the following actions, to be carried out without delay and in the order most expedient to restore governance:

• Completion of the CEO search and appointment of a permanent Chief Executive Officer, with a clear and public timeline.
• Filling of all vacant Board seats to restore full representation and governance capacity.

These steps must be carried out urgently, with accountability and due diligence, to restore NAD’s stability and credibility.

The NAD has defended our community, culture, language, and rights for 145 years. Its survival depends on leadership that honors its mission and obligations. That leadership is absent today.

We call for immediate change. NAD belongs to the Deaf community — not to one President.

For 145 years, NAD has defended us. Now it is our turn to defend NAD.

NOTE: You do not need to be a NAD member to sign the petition. Everybody in the Deaf community are invited to sign the petition.

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