NAACP president resigns after 19 months

[The Straight Story]

NAACP president resigns after 19 months
By Erin Texeira
Associated Press
Monday, March 5, 2007 1:23 AM

NEW YORK — NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon said yesterday he is leaving the civil rights organization after just 19 months at the helm, citing clashes with board members over management style and the organization's mission as the reasons.

"I believe that any organization that's going to be effective will only be effective if the board and the CEO are aligned and I don't think we are aligned," Gordon told The Associated Press. "This compromises the ability of the board to be as effective as it can be."

Julian Bond, chairman of the board of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said yesterday that Gordon tried to quit just six weeks after taking the job in August 2005, but Bond convinced him to stay.

"There were occasions where it seemed just not to be a perfect fit," Bond said. "But he had many, many great qualities, and he exhibited those qualities when he worked for us. I'm disappointed that it came to this."

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