There is still a bad smell on this issue with many unanswered questions.

"When asked why, after so much time without an agreement, the executive board insisted on going ahead even after it was clear that there was much opposition to the agreement that was presented, Ms. Agosta said, "'I honestly am not sure.'" -- sounds like an uninformed executive director; she should have found a better way to answer that question than "I'm not sure."

I know of a few retired couples who had considered volunteering at Filoli, but once this controversy arose looked elsewhere to donate their time.

So, after reading the interview with the current Executive Director, who doesn't have a clear understanding of the Volunteer Agreement and can not explain why the Governing Board went ahead and "pushed it through" despite many questions from volunteers, what is the next step?
Hopefully, an interview with the Head of the Governing Board.
Please do not give up Barbara Wood. Thank you for your diligence.

After reading the interview with the current Executive Director, I hope Barbara Wood is planning to interview the Head of the Governing Board. Cynthia D'Agosta does not seem to understand the the Volunteer Agreement nor can she explain why the Governing Board "pushed it through" when there were so many questions from hundreds of volunteers. I see why she asks a Public Relations firm to speak for her.

Z-ZZ-ZZ-z-z-z-z-z-z-z... No matter, folks...things at Filoli will never again be the same. : (

I was in the process of becoming a volunteer and this debacle put the kibosh on that. Controversy follows her around. I am very sorry for the many who've put in multiple hours over the years, only to have this happen.

How hard would it have been not to interfere with something that did work pretty well? I've both been a volunteer and a volunteer coordinator, and while it can be a tricky balance to make it all work, Filoli had it working according to their values, philosophy and style. The carrot has traditionally been that it's a prestigious place to volunteer, but if one cares little about status, that's no reward. And clearly, some rewards aren't enough for what was expected of the vols.

So, the Almanac received a letter over the signature of Cynthia D'Agosta but mailed from (and presumably written by) her "crisis management company". Then when she finally got up the courage to sit for an interview at the Almanac, she was unable to answer key questions and even pretended that the Volunteer Agreement originated four years ago before she arrived at this job. Were that true, why was the Filoli staff member, who introduced the VA document at each volunteer committee meeting this season, telling volunteers that it originated just last year following "two unfortunate episodes involving volunteers" after which Filoli felt a need to protect itself from litigious volunteers. The story seems to have conveniently changed now to relieve Ms D'Agosta of an anti-volunteer appearance. There's still a bad smell hovering around Filoli that won't be dispersed until the present leadership is replaced. Many of us, including The Almanac, know that.

As one of the "small but verbal group" I have to complement Cynthia for her ability to sidestep, speak without saying anything, and avoiding one of the biggest problems at his point: the prevailing feelings of unhappiness and distrust that she has created and has allowed to fester and grow. This is very much a situation of too little, too late. I know of NO COMPETANT director that would EVER have allowed this to happen! She is so out of touch, she doesn't know or understand what is going on. It is obviously time for Cynthia to step aside.

Aside from sidestepping the answers or giving no answers to questions, the executive director of Filoli is disingenuous in stating that a "vocal" group of volunteers wanted no agreement at all, and she is disingenuous when stating that she had no input into the content of the agreement.
The "vocal" volunteers would have gladly signed an agreement that was reasonable and respectful. The agreement, even with the most noxious clause removed, is still insulting to the vast majority of volunteers, especially when they were told to sign the agreement or lose their privileges, and then the agreement then states that it was signed "without any duress".

These kinds of agreements are routine and necessary. Move on people.

Preach Howard. Based on the "ex volunteer" comments they have partial knowledge of the agreement. Both Heidi, Cynthia, and Toni have stated that the Agreement was worked on years in advance yet they still refuse to believe, understand, and accept that maybe they are telling the truth. I have seen some discussions about the agreement take place and I think that maybe the problem is with those volunteers not Filoli. Just my opinion not a fact so don't go repeating that now. Fioli is still an amazing and special place.

It's surprising that Ms. D'Agosta continues to think the only a "small" number of volunteers have concerns about how the Volunteer Agreement was crafted and rolled-out. Barbara Wood accurately states the actual numbers of people who didn't initially sign, more than half of the entire volunteer community.

Another false argument that Ms. D'Agosta repeats is that the community didn't want an agreement. Many of us think that an agreement is reasonable, but one that was created with input from the entire community and that reflects both volunteer and Filoli management perspectives.

Finally, Ms. D'Agosta likes to deny responsibility for the uproar that has been caused by her actions. When asked "why...the executive board insisted on going ahead even after it was clear that there was much opposition to the agreement," she says that she's "not sure." She's either not talking to her management, or she wants to shift the blame to them. Regardless, she doesn't come across well. It's time for her to find new employment elsewhere. It's also time, as others have said, to interview members of the board.

As someone with many years of non-profit experience, as as an agency volunteer coordinator, Board of Directors President, and as a volunteer, I find Filoli to be particularly opaque in its dealings with volunteers. Yesterday I attended a Filoli Crisis Management meeting for docents facilitated by the crisis managers. No one at the top, Executive Director, President of the Board of Directors, or President of Friends of Filoli was able to be responsive to any of the numerous questions and concerns.

There is a federal Volunteer Protection Act (105-19) as well as a California law protecting volunteers from liability. Both might allay some of the concerns that volunteers have, if anyone in the organization bothered to spread this information.

We are not renewing our membership until meaningful and corrective administrative action has been taken by the Trust. It is unreasonable for any organization to expect continued support (both time and money)from the membership given the incompetence of the current leadership at Filoli. By how much will membership dues be increased to pay the costs of continued crises management intervention?

If the Filoli board hasn't fired their Executive Director after this fiasco and botched job, one must assume they endorse her actions.

She failed. She lost a quarter of Filoli's volunteers.

Read the last paragraph of the post. She isn't even sure why they ramrodded this thing despite all the opposition. She has been at her post for two years and she's still clueless as how the Filoli community operates.

First, Palo Online -- what happened to Palo Alto neighborhoods in the selection box???? This issue extends way beyond the communities listed, so I'm assuming this was an error.

Secondly, her crisis management firm is not helping her. To minimize the concerns by stating that only a "small group" left Filoli is incredible. She lost 20% overall and 33% of one program. My idea of "small" is around 5%. This firm has also failed by not recommending a FULL apology and acceptance of responsibility rather than the tepid statement provided. People are usually forgiving when they believe an apology is sincere and lessons were learned -- that's what allows everyone to move forward.

Sorry, Almanac == I just realized this was your post and hence the reason for the community list. I clicked on the story through Palo Alto online and assumed it was their story.

It seems that the leadership at Filoli thinks of the volunteers as signers or nonsigners. However, among nonsigners is a large group who have no grudge with the volunteer agreement with the cross out option. Their reluctance to sign has to do with the treatment they received ...no opportunity to dialogue, sign or resign. It made them feel undervalued and unappreciated. Invite them back, apologize for ignoring their need to meet. Many want to come back and we want them back.

Gee, I think "Hasta la vista" might be in order for the Exec Director.

This woman never ceases to amaze me. For instance, "It's like dealing with a four-year-old who just doesn't understand why he can't touch that flower…" How insulting is that!

I suggest that Ms. D'Agosta wear a muzzle to her next interview.

Ms D’Agosta has reached a new low. Patronizing volunteers “who have to be protected from what is being said and what's being thrown out there" by “vocal volunteers” (i.e., anyone with a point of view that differs from hers) isn’t a particularly clever way to show respect for the people who donated $2.7M in labor in 2014. She talks about improving communication with volunteers, but clearly doesn’t understand that communication is a 2-way exchange and that there should at least be an attempt at diplomacy. "It's like dealing with a four-year-old who just doesn't understand why he can't touch that flower” is a statement that doesn’t bode well for collaborative give-and-take and certainly blows diplomacy out of the water. This person is embarrassing Filoli. Will the Governing Board continue to allow her to destroy the good will that existed before she came?

How insulting to the volunteers! Ms D'Agosta says ""It's like dealing with a four-year-old who just doesn't understand why he can't touch that flower. It's at that level. It is." Really, it's at that level? And she feels there "are thousands of people behind them who have to be protected from what is being said and what's being thrown out there," So now she's the "protector" of the poor childish volunteers. Gee thanks.

The article says this is an apology, but all I see is MsD'Agosta "apologizing" because she didn't explain the agreement better. That's like "apologizing" because we're too stupid to get it.

The spin she has tried to put on this is insulting to all the volunteers and member of Filoli. Please remember that this is an unusually well informed and educated group, and do not deserve to be treated like recalcitrant children.

History repeats itself:

"Cynthia D'Agosta, who has led the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA) since 2000, has resigned her sometimes contentious post to become executive director of the Committee for Green Foothills, effective May 1....D'Agosta's decision to hire her nephew, Kevin Murray, as project manager sparked controversy when the board learned about it several years later."
Web Link

See the list of comments from the public this news article generated in 2008. $150,000 wardrobe???

How did she get hired by the Filoli board if they were aware of this?

The Filoli volunteer agreement is supported by not only the current Friends of Filoli board, whose members include several past FoF presidents, plus the governing board and, if I'm not mistaken, the board of the National Trust.

Margretha asks "How did she get hired by the Filoli board if they were aware of this?"

At this point, one has to assume that the Filoli board endorses the actions of their executive director.

There is no other explanation. Accept it.

The best way to move past this is for Cynthia to resign.

[Post removed; repeat comment from poster using more than one name in same thread.]

MANY volunteers signed under duress. Sign or "go home".

Ms D'Agosta could "mend fences" and show true leadership by doing two things: 1) personally (not PR firm) write and send a letter to all volunteers with a sincere "thank you" for their past,present and future donation of their time and talents to Filoli and 2) reach out to all the volunteers who have not signed and ask them to return to the Filoli family.

PS - I have heard her brother is now on Filoli's staff.

1. Why would a volunteer sign under duress? That seems completely antithetical to the idea behind "volunteering." You volunteer because you WANT to do something, not because someone FORCES you.

2. Ms. D'Agosta is not going to apologize. Filoli's board selected her and her actions are endorsed by them. Accept it.

To Pogo:
A volunteer would sign under duress because she or he had invested a lot of time into Filoli, loves Filoli, and rationally wants to overlook the bad treatment received from the Filoli management. It is by now clear that the governing board of Filoli is ultimately to blame for most of the recent problems, as it appears to fully back up Ms. D'Agosta and her actions. Ms. D'Agosta is absolutely right when she refuses to talk to the media, because every time she does speak, her message is an insult to the volunteers, or she pretends ignorance, or is plain disingenuous. It is indeed better for her to keep silent...

It would be nice to move on, institutionally.

All the posts and my own experience indicate that neither the Executive Director or the President of Friends of Filoli (the volunteer arm) have much in the way of social skills. We just have to accept that. I might suggest that they each read a good guide to working with volunteers.

Speaking as a volunteer, each of us gets their own sense of reward from the activity. The long time volunteers are closely identified with Filoli and are responsible, in the context of an unusual turnover of executive directors over the last ten years (what in the world is the Board doing?) for the smooth running of Filoli. Of course they are aggrieved by being run over.

As the Executive Director says, all the docents are being met with in small groups. I would hope that these meetings result in a clearly written working document, SENT TO ALL DOCENTS, about next steps.

volunteer -

I definitely understand the reason we volunteer. I also volunteer quite a bit ... not at Filoli, however.

Appreciation is often a critical element for personal satisfaction, perhaps the KEY component when volunteering. And the minute I feel my contributions are not appreciated or taken for granted is my last minute there.

Quite frankly, if an organization would treat me badly, not value my efforts, or make my work unnecessarily complex or arduous, they are not worthy of my time or energy.

There are many worthy causes in our area. If Filoli wants to act this way, take your contributions to an organization that values them.

Too bad, so sad, time to move on. This subject is so done, stick me with a fork, it is done!