Expressing Your Concern To Interlochen

A great number of concerned Interlochen alumni and supporters have written asking me what I think they should do: "Should I write a letter? Should I make phone calls? Should I just keep quiet?"  As a result of those many requests, I have put together a contact list of the Interlochen Trustees and Alumni Council and a template letter to help you get started.

I would also stress that everyone should do what they feel most comfortable doing regarding contacting Interlochen.  Personally, I will send letters to members of the board of trustees and to the alumni council expressing my concerns as an alumnus over the directions Interlochen is heading based on the actions of the new administration.

I’ve always believed that any constituency base should keep in contact with the organizations they care about as much as possible.   The stewards of these organizations, the board members, have a right to unfiltered opinion from the community they serve.   If you don’t let them know how you feel and what you plan to do as a result of your opinions, then they cannot effectively govern the organization.

The following letter may be used by anyone as a template for contacting Interlochen trustees and Alumni Council representatives.  Everyone may make any alterations to this letter as they see fit or use it "as is".  Regardless of your opinion, let them know how you feel and what you think   good governance depends on it. Please remember to be polite and concise; avoid highly emotional statements or condemnations that recipients may interpret as personal attacks.

To transfer the text to a word processor or email program, highlight the text and copy to your clipboard (either ctl+c, or edit then select copy, or right click then select copy) and then paste it to the program (either ctl+v, or edit then select paste, or right click then select paste). I would like to thank a concerned alumnus and parent for sending me a copy of the letter she sent to the Trustee chair expressing her concerns. Much of the letter below is from her original text and used with her permission.

Mr. Jeffrey Kimpton
President, Interlochen Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 199
Interlochen, Michigan 49643-0199

Dear Mr. Kimpton

I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the recent actions taken by you and members of your senior staff.  The termination of over 40 faculty members, many who were key ingredients to the heart, soul and most importantly, the continued success of the camp for more than 40 years, is viewed by many loyal alumni and supporters as an act of humiliation and disregard for highly esteemed and capable camp professionals.  Many of these people are integral to the reason why individuals like myself and my family members have been coming back year after year, recommending students to Interlochen’s programs, and making financial contributions.

We understand that it is important to have an innovative, vital and financially sound Interlochen in order to ensure the survival of the camp and continue the great vision and work that Joseph Maddy started and many Presidents who have succeeded him have strived to embrace. We also appreciate, as highly educated and successful individuals in the wide range of professional fields in which we reside, that changes have to be instituted in order to adapt to the evolving education environment, consumption habits, schedules, financial constraints, etc. of the world in which we live.

However, I feel that terminating individuals in such an insensitive and careless fashion is not the way to respond to the growing demands and needs of the camp.  These individuals are critical to the core spirit that have made Interlochen such a special, miraculous and successful institution for thousands of people over the decades, and are intrinsically part of the formula that ties us to each returning summer. 

Your actions have required me to cease making donations and recommending students to your programs. We’re even rethinking whether or not we want to include Interlochen in our wills.  Your actions may have a much more negative financial impact than you anticipated and may be more costly than the gains you hoped to achieve in your quest for a balanced budget at all costs.

For those of us who are alumni and have the rich tradition of Interlochen in our blood, we ask ourselves "Are President Kimpton’s actions representative of those who understand why Interlochen has endured as it has since the 1920’s, and is this the best course of action towards ensuring its continued innovation and status as the premier fine arts camp in this country?"  I answer this question with a resounding "No", and my actions are designed to make you understand the importance of that response.

Working at Interlochen is a privilege and those talented professionals who have been working there for many years with dedication and heart and with little financial remuneration, who have been told their services are no longer required, know this better than anyone.

Sincerely,

cc:   Interlochen board of Trustees
       Interlochen Alumni Council

The following is a list of Interlochen contacts and Trustee members, email addresses are provided where available:

Alumni Resources:

Interlochen Board of Trustees   executive members

Board Members