Time runs out for CATS director

The Community Action Team of Sisters ( CATS ) board of directors unanimously voted Monday morning, April 24, to lay-off Executive Director Ted Viramonte.

The board's decision was based on information presented by Viramonte showing the cash resources of the agency are near exhaustion.

Viramonte will step down as full-time director this Friday, but will continue on for several weeks to aid the transition. The demise of Viramonte's directorship, just before its first anniversary, was caused by a delay in a grant application.

Viramonte and the CATS board were counting on a Northwest Area Foundation (NAF) grant to carry the agency until four other major grants applications were decided upon in June. But a NAF delay left CATS with no interim operating revenue. Even if CATS other applications were successful, their funds would not arrive until August.

With no resources, the board's decision was painful, but simple.

Viramonte counter-offered to continue work on an unpaid basis and be reimbursed when funding arrived. However, this was rejected by the board. Chair Lorri Craig stated that grants seldom allow for retroactive expenditures. Craig also noted that board members would be liable for the expenditures if the grant applications were unsuccessful.

Craig, Emil Smith, Bill Willitts and several other board members expressed sorrow that Viramonte's directorship was ending. They noted that, besides the strong leadership he brought to the agency, Viramonte had donated many hours as a volunteer in the 18 months preceding his directorship.

CATS will outsource its work to consultants. It left the door open for Viramonte to return in that more limited role.

Viramonte declined comment for this article.