Yahoo Finance HFPA Board Issues Statement On Golden Globes Controversy & Sets Timeline For Reforms: “Top Priority For Our Organization”
The besieged Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s board has issued a statement about NBC’s canceling of its 2022 Golden Globe Awards and released a timeline for its self-imposed reforms. Read them below.
The move comes hours after NBC said it won’t air next year’s Globes and Tom Cruise returned the Globes trophies he has won over his career.
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Among the reforms the group vows to make in the coming weeks are revise and approving a new code of conduct in consultation with publicists and studios, continuing outreach to potential new member candidates and beginning a search for a chief DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)/HR officer and identifying of a potential new CEO/CFO and other executives to lead HFPA.
The board is reacting to numerous companies, groups and individuals who have spoken out in recent weeks — and especially the past several days — about the HFPA’s lack of diversity in its ranks and its perceived lack of action in putting reforms in place.
A magnet for controversy for decades, the Globes have been on increasingly shaky footing this year since it was revealed just before February’s semi-virtual shindig that the HFPA has zero Black members.
Hit by a savvy campaign by Time’s Up on the eve of the 78th Globes in February, a trio of HFPA brass tried to mitigate events by taking to the stage and promising to increase representation and adopt polices of great inclusion. To say that that attempt went over badly is an understatement of blockbuster proportions.
Since then, things have gone from bad to horrible as the HFPA leadership has applied one Band-id after another as Hollywood’s top studios and talent have expressed displeasure with the group overall.
Here is the HFPA’s board’s statement and timeline:
Regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes, implementing transformational changes as quickly – and as thoughtfully – as possible remains the top priority for our organization.
We invite our partners in the industry to the table to work with us on the systemic reform that is long overdue, both in our organization as well as within the industry at large.
Our below timeline demonstrates our commitment to achieving these goals with extreme urgency:
HFPA – Reform Milestones
Week of May 3
Members meet, consider, and overwhelmingly vote to approve and implement the Board’s plan for transformational change
Board continues to meet with advocacy groups to develop initiatives to fulfill the HFPA’s commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021 and increase membership by 50% in 18 months
Eradicating the new member one year moratorium on voting; All new members will have all voting rights day 1.
Board and members approve hiring of Ropes & Gray to amend and restate Bylaws and other governing documents to implement member-approved plan for transformational change
Weeks of May 10 and 17
Revise and approve new Code of conduct in consultation with Publicists and studios
Continue outreach to potential new member candidates
Publish Code of Conduct and establish Hotline for reporting of violations
Engage independent third party investigator to review and respond promptly to all Hotline claims
Interview candidates and engage new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) consultant
Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals and non-Board members and form Accountability/Oversight Board (“Advisory Board”) to oversee HFPA Board in implementing plan for transformational change
Interview Executive Search Firms to commence search for Chief DEI/HR Officer and identification of potential CEO/CFO and other executives to lead HFPA
HFPA website to be continuously updated to show progress against plan and to list promised Member information (biographies, publications, affiliations, etc.)
Weeks of May 24 and 31
New DEI Consultant and other outside experts conduct mandatory member trainings for DEI and sexual harassment
Board and Advisory Board continue work on identification of applicants to fulfill commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021
Grants Officer and subcommittee of members continue work to increase support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in international journalism
Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals for new Credentials Committee, which will oversee new membership application process and reaccreditation of current members based on same criteria as new members
Continue review of committee structure / compensation
First reading of Bylaw Amendments at General Membership Meeting (“GMM”)
Weeks of June 7, 14, and 21
Focus groups with members, Advisory Board, and Ropes & Gray to review amendments to Bylaws and other governing documents
Board assesses and evaluates recommendations of Executive Search Firm for new Executive Officer team
Form new Credentials Committee
All above work streams on trainings, mentorship, and recruitment continue
Week of June 28
Second reading of Bylaw Amendments at GMM
Ballots for voting on Bylaw Amendments mailed to members
Implement new policies on Gifts, Travel, Conflicts of Interest, and Press Conferences
Week of July 5
Members vote on Bylaw Amendments by ballot
Weeks of 12 and 19
Approved Bylaw Amendments become effective
New Officer and Board elections under amended and restated Bylaws
New membership process opens per new criteria enacted in amended and restated Bylaws
All existing members required to meet same standards as new members for reaccreditation of their membership
Week of July 26
New member process continues
Reaccreditation continues
Week of August 2
New members admitted to HFPA
New Board elected, including independent members, in accordance with amended and restated Bylaws
New CEO/CFO and other Executive Team approved and engaged to manage HFPA
Existing Board and Officers resign upon election of New Board and hiring of Executive Team
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