Statement From The Board of Trustees of the Albert Ellis Institute

The Board of Trustees of the Albert Ellis Institute has issued the following statement: November 9, 2005 We the undersigned, as members of the Board of Trustees of the Albert Ellis Institute, sincerely regret Dr. Albert Ellis's decision to file lawsuits against certain Board and staff members. We want to make it perfectly clear that despite the current, unfortunate situation, we are dedicated to preserving the legacy of Albert Ellis and delivering Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) faithfully to all clients and mental health professionals. We understand the passionate concerns expressed by Dr. Ellis's supporters. They may believe they have his best interests at heart. We know that we do. We have tried for over a year to accommodate Dr. Ellis's needs. He continues to live rent-free in his apartment at the Institute and to receive health care benefits and a full salary. In addition, we attempted during this past year to negotiate a fair compensation package for Dr. Ellis and have paid his attorneys more than $130,000 in legal fees to represent him. Our good faith offers have been consistently rejected, culminating in Dr. Ellis's demand for a package worth nearly $4 million. That demand is not only unrealistic but also illegal according to IRS regulations. Unfortunately, Dr. Ellis has chosen to respond to our attempts to preserve the future of the Institute by distorting the facts and personalizing many remarks, unfairly aiming them at individual Board members, the Executive Director and other Institute staff members. We feel compelled to correct the record on some important points: -- Dr. Ellis was removed from the Board because independent auditor eported that he had received "excess benefits" from the Institute.Once this was brought to our attention, we had no choice but to tak ction consistent with IRS regulations; -- All but one Board member voted to remove Dr. Ellis from the Board.That Board member abstained from voting. No Board members were coerce o vote in a certain way and none has asked to change his or her vote; -- The decision to suspend Dr. Ellis's Friday Night Workshops was made b enior staff professionals, not by the Board. Once staff determine he suspension was necessary, the Board voted unanimously to ratif heir decision. Staff professionals based their assessment on thei wn observations and feedback from other mental health professional rained by Dr. Ellis. Prior to suspending the workshops, staff member uggested alternative formats that would have allowed Dr. Ellis t ontinue the sessions. Dr. Ellis was not open to these suggestions. We on the Board remain committed to resolving this dispute in a just manner. In addition, we remain committed to preserving the Institute and maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. Certainly, we can all agree on the tremendous importance of REBT and the outstanding benefits it provides to countless individuals the world over. Rory Stuart, President Ann Vernon, Ph.D., Secretary James McMahon, Ph.D., Treasurer Michael Broder, Ph.D., Executive Director For more information, visit our website at http://www.albertellisinstitute.org

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