<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Hi Deborah and Federation Family,</div><div><br></div><div>As a board member of this wonderful Chapter of such a great organization, I support this initiative, and hope that we can work together to show the Staff at Washington Platform and all of the public that we live life just like people who are sighted. This means that we are independent to the best of our abilities, and express appreciation and thanks when assistance is provided. Building relationships and blending in with all of society enables us to live the lives we want!</div><div><br></div><div>Warmest regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Dave,</div><div><br></div><div>Let's go build the Federation!<br><br><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Proud Perry!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sharing the Vision of Success and Victory!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">David C. Perry,</span></div><div><br></div><div><div>Sent from my iPhone,</div></div><div><br></div><div>Phone: (513) 470-1122,</div><div>Email: <a href="mailto:daveperry509@gmail.com">daveperry509@gmail.com</a></div><div><br></div><div>Laborer with the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired,</div><div>Affiliated with the National Industries for the Blind,</div><div><br></div><div>Member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes,</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Advocate with the World Blind Union, and Teamster's Local 100.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">All people have Vision, so may we all see through the eyes in our hearts and abilities!</span></div></div><div><br>On Dec 11, 2015, at 8:59 PM, Deborah Kendrick via Cinci-nfb <<a href="mailto:cinci-nfb@nfbnet.org">cinci-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
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<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"></span><a name=""><span lang="en-us"></span></a><span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Dear Cincinnati Chapter, </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">As you all know, we have been blessed for some time by the welcoming attitude of Washington platform, where we hold our monthly meetings.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">More than once, the owner has said to me, “We love NFB. We love having you here.”</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Typically, restaurants who have a back room large enough for a group such as ours require a payment for the room, a guaranteed dollar amount in sales, and/or a fixed gratuity.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Washington Platform has never placed any such requirements on us, but have welcomed us with open arms.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Two days ago, I received a call which embarrassed and saddened me tremendously.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Essentially, the owner of Washington Platform was questioning whether or not we could return.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">It turns out that he has hired extra servers specifically for our group, and we have not held up our end of the unspoken bond of courtesy and propriety.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Our November meeting involved people ordering throughout a four-hour period. Servers reported that some members were rude or condescending to them. And, most embarrassing of all, some of our members left that meeting without paying their bills. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Each of us as individuals and all of us as a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind carry the responsibility of being ambassadors to the public of what it means to be blind.</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">We know that blind people are not rude, are not discourteous, and do not leave without paying. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">I persuaded him to allow us to come on January 23, and allow me time to discuss the matter with our board. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">He graciously agreed, and the board has met. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">The board decision is, unanimously, that we want to work hard to set the record straight with this business that we are responsible, appropriate citizens, that we pay our bills and, most importantly, that we appreciate the hospitality that has been extended to us. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">In this spirit, the board voted unanimously to do the following:</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Beginning January 23, we will order lunch at 1:00 p.m. If you arrive early, order when you arrive, but please try not to arrive sooner than 12:30. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">It is not required that you order anything, but fellowship is as important as the business we do, so I hope you will come by or before 1:00 PM to share a meal, a beverage, or the company of your fellow Federationists. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Next, we are going to suggest to the management that all our members have an 18 percent gratuity added to their tabs. This eliminates the need to figure a tip, as it will already be included in your check. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Again, ordering food or beverage is not required. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">With lunch beginning at 1:00, all orders will be placed at around the same time, and all tabs paid in a more orderly manner. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Next, we will begin the business meeting at 2:00 PM. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Finally, some of us on the board plan to meet at the restaurant this week to bring a note of thanks and small gift for the staff. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">I am sending this information to you on the email list rather than announcing at the party, because the board consensus was that this is our personal business and should not be broadcast via microphone in a public venue. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">We owe it to ourselves and the rest of the Federation to work hard as a group to leave a positive impression on businesses who support our efforts. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Washington Platform has done so in many ways – not the least of which was contributing a substantial gift in gift card door prizes to us just recently, despite our unfortunate behavior in November. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">I implore you to join with me in cooperating with the new plan as outlined by our board, to be the most positive self you can be at our January meeting, and to thank servers for the work they do. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">If you are one who left without paying your bill, don’t tell me. I do not need to know. Everyone has moments of stress, transportation anxiety, and all manner of other issues to address. But, if you are one who did not pay your bill in November, I implore you to make it right with the staff in January. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Finally, the board directed me to send this message this evening so that all would be aware of it tomorrow, without having to “air our laundry” so to speak in a public place. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">I love you all and look forward to our Christmas celebration. </font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Let’s go build the Federation!</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Peace and joy,</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"><font face="Calibri">Deborah</font></span></p>
<p dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us"></span></p>
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