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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear Fellow NFBCO Members:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I am not responding to K. Renae Anderson’s comments, as I do not know her nor am I familiar with her specific situation with the State Board. I will address the issue of transparency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I believe that the nominating committee at the national level as well as the Colorado affiliate have been closed committees since the inception of both. I served on the state nominating committee in the late 70’s and 80’s. I was uncomfortable with the secrecy at that time, and as I now have much more experience in the world of advocacy, I am even more uncomfortable with this closed committee practice today. I challenged the need for a closed committee in the late 70’s and was told to “leave it alone”. I was young, fearful and lacked confidence so I fell in line.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Let’s look at some of the reasons committees elect to conduct their business in closed sessions. Perhaps, members wish to pursue a goal or an agenda while avoiding any need to respond to opposition or challenge from the very people they claim to represent. They may close themselves off because they lack the confidence to promote their candidates in the face of any competition, especially if that competition has different ideas and approaches as compared to those currently in power. They may close themselves off because they derive a sense of importance from being part of an elite group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Of course, none of these reasons can be defended by any serious advocate for our blind brothers and sisters. Transparency promotes trust, engagement, cooperation, loyalty to NFB, and above all, confidence in leadership. Lack of transparency promotes the opposite.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If the nominating committee is not willing to allow members to listen to their discussions, surely they could make their proposed slate of candidates available to all, well in advance of the convention and the vote. This would give members the opportunity to ask questions, explore ideas and consider whether to run for office or nominate others, not on the proposed slate. The nominating committee would have ample opportunity to talk to the rank and file about their process and their proposed candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I will make one specific comment in response to Renae. The NFBCO Board in the 70’s 80’s and early 90’s was comprised of representatives throughout this great state. I am not aware of the Board composition from the early 90’s through 2015 as I was not active in NFB during that time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Judy Mares-Dixon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Member of the Boulder Valley Chapter <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>ReNae Anderson via Colorado-Talk<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 5, 2025 4:36 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Colorado Discussion List' <colorado-talk@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> mother27dragon@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [Colorado-Talk] NFBCO Equity<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk213129932"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear fellow NFBCO members,<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Over the past several years, I have served as a member of the NFBCO state board. It has come to my attention, through my chapter president, that I was removed from office during the state convention. Not one of the officers or other state board members alerted me to this action. I am all for change, as I feel that growth will not happen unless new leaders are voted in, to share new ideas and bring energy. Unfortunately, a new leader was not brought in, but rotated a seasoned leader, as if often done with this affiliate. Too often, it is rotating the same people through leadership positions, not allowing others the opportunity to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Last week, I was sent a text by our state affiliate president, asking if I wanted to leave my position, as she would “like to nominate one of the other presidents, outside the metro area, for the position and would like to discuss with them.” I knew at this time that I would be voted out. As we know, this happened, but was not replaced with a president outside of the metro area, but by one within the metro area and specifically from the Colorado Center for the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Unfortunately, this leaves no representation on the state board, outside of the metro area, except for Pueblo. There is no representation on the western slope or on the eastern plains of Colorado. This is very concerning to me, as this affiliate is metro-centric and does not bother to outreach to the Colorado community at large.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Nominations are not nominations, in this affiliate and across the entire NFB. What is called nominations are appointments; appointments for the officers to decide whom they want in the board. They make it appear, through whom can yell the loudest during “voting”, but not in a diplomatic way. This is how I was put in and this is how I was removed. You see, when someone questions why something is done a certain way or offers suggestions that are not what the officers want, one is neatly removed to not cause problems. Questions and suggestions are not highly favored, unless you are in the “clique” that runs the affiliate. I am not, therefore, removed for convenience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Over the past few years, when I have questioned or offered suggestions, I was shot down, as it wasn’t a part of the officers agenda. Everyone’s voice should be heard, but unfortunately, it is often ignored. Where is the equity?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After COVID, I observed a drastic decline in membership to the Mountains & Plains chapter attendance, I suggested that perhaps the other metro chapters should cut back on the number of chapter members they had joining meetings virtually, recommending that virtual options only occur during emergencies. Pointing out that many people choose to attend the “fun” chapters, taking away from the at large chapter. Instead of understanding, the officers suggested that maybe it was time for the at large chapter to close. If this was to happen, there would be no representation for rural/frontier regions in Colorado. Where is the equity? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When I was unable to attend a board retreat in Denver, as I would have to travel four hours one way, as well as take off work, I requested a virtual option. This was denied, as it they stated the sound isn’t very good with hybrid meetings. This didn’t stop the numerous metro chapters holding hybrid chapter meetings, so why disregard a leadership retreat? Where is the equity?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In suggesting we change the convention weekend away from the Halloween weekend, it was denied, stating it was a cheaper weekend for convention. Families are having to choose between building memories with their families or with their NFBCO “family.” Placing such a decision on someone makes it difficult, as building those family memories are important for parents, grandparents and other family members. This is not a decision that someone should have to make. Where is the equity?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Last January, in a response to a FACEBOOK post from our state president, stating that she needed help in getting organized, I responded with a strategic plan, modeled after the NFB national strategic plan. Having excellent organizational skills, I tapered the plan for our own NFBCO state board. This plan displays accountability for all board members, having specific duties to report. Voting board members in for their skills and talents, rather than appointed for their popularity, this would bring more organization to the board, providing responsibilities and show accountability to the entire Colorado affiliate. After several months past, the president determined that a committee should form to flush out details of the plan. In September, after waiting and not hearing any further direction, I sent the plan to the entire board and chapter presidents, wanting their input. Everyone should have a say, when such a plan effects all of them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When I received the text last week from the president, asking me if I wanted to remain on the state board, I knew I had sealed my fate. I knew I would not be “nominated” again, but that someone would be appointed in my place. I have reflected over these past few years and am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve the people in the NFBCO. I know when I take a stand, my view was not popular, therefore not being appreciated or taken seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With this, I have lost all respect with the NFBCO state officers. Individually, I respect each of them, however, as a group, they are not capable of making a decision on their own, lack transparency and integrity. The board is rarely given the opportunity to make a difference, as only certain officers lead and everyone else is expected to follow. Diverse thought is not valued and all respect and integrity is shattered for me. Although I will remain in my chapter position until January, I will not be affiliated with he NFBCO in the future. For those true friends, I hope we keep in touch. It appears that when I stand for what is right, that is when I am definitely standing alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>K. ReNae Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk213129932'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>