[Ct-nfb] I have changed my number to a non published number, and saying a reluctant good bye

Sat Mar 21 12:55:51 UTC 2015

Rich,
	I, too, am so so sorry that you have been dealing with this for months now. As a board member, I know I can speak for the entire board when saying that we will do anything in our power to stop these actions from occurring again.
Please do give me a call at your earliest convenience so we can discuss next steps.
Like Justin said, you are a big contributor to the overall successes of our affiliate, and I do not want to see you go!
I appreciate your strength while dealing with this hardship.
Talk soon,
Kate

Kathryn C. Webster
Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
President | North Carolina Association of Blind Students
Treasurer | Connecticut Association of Blind Students
Board Member | The Science and Engineering Division
(Coordinator | Connecticut BELL Program
Executive Editor | The Federationist Newsletter
203) 273-8463
kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com

On Mar 20, 2015, at 5:12 PM, Justin Salisbury via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello Rich,
>  
> I am so sorry to learn that you have been experiencing this kind of treatment. This is certainly not the kind of experience that we want any member or leader to have.
>  
> Our leadership will be investigating this issue; you can be sure of that. I do wish that this could have been handled within a contained and measurable audience, but it’s out on the list now.
>  
> There are steps that can be taken to ensure that members who feel unsafe or even just uncomfortable participating in our activities can participate without the need for fear.
>  
> Aside from all of these general concepts, you have been a major contributor to our affiliate since long before I joined back in 2008, and we don’t want to lose you.
>  
> Please do not shut us out just yet. Please give us the opportunity to assess and respond to what you have been experiencing. We need you, buddy.
>  
> Stay strong,
>  
> Justin
>  
> Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix
> Graduate Student
> Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
> Louisiana Tech University
> Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu
> Twitter: @SalisburyJustin
>  
> “One of the continuing themes that the majority culture never wants to hear is that the Indians want to be Indians.”
>  
> Ada Deer (Menominee), 1984
>  
> From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard McGaffin via Ct-nfb
> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 10:22 AM
> To: Stanley Torow; Joyce Kane; Ellen Bedford; TJ Murphy; Ivan Hincapie; Jane Judson; NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
> Subject: [Ct-nfb] I have changed my number to a non published number, and saying a reluctant good bye
>  
> Good morning all;
>  
> I have decided to change my telephone number to a non published number which I'm afraid will not be given out to anyone accept my immediate family. Unfortunately this will also include my departure of the NFB as well, due to an unfortunate chain of events.
>  
> It all started last April, when trying to arrange a ride to our state board meeting I mistakenly gave my telephone number to a member of our chapter who offered to arange transportation to the meeting through a member of his family, which he did. Unfortunately Curtis Fogal than stared calling me up to chat on the phone, which was fine at the start, after a bit of time his calls became more frequently, and soon for whatever reason, Mr. Fogal and I started arguing on the phone. over dumb junk I'm sure.
>  
> Most recently he became angry with me, because he gave me the wrong information for him to receive a currency reader, well needless to say after him swearing at me, hanging up and than calling back insisting that he gave me the correct information, I called the Connecticut library for the blind, and got the correct name of the web-site printed up several copies of this, and mailed them to a member who lived in Bridgeport, so that she could assist him in filling the application out, and getting his currency reader to him.
>  
> It was at that point I decided I'd had enough and I am choosing to step down as president, and thought that would be the end of my dealing with this man.
>  
> However a couple of weeks ago, he called my house at 6:50AM, and started talking about the weather now, I was cranky that day I'll admit. It was another snowy day, and not being happy about the prospect of shoveling again. So I may not have been as polite as I could've been. Anyway after Curtis hung up, he called bck about 5 minutes later, and threatened to beat me up at our next chapter meeting. At that point I had it, and called the West Haven Police, and filed a compliant, fine I thought that was over reacting at bit, but I was pissed.
>  
> After hearing about Curtis's unpleasant messages to another member I made the mistake of e-mailing a former member of our chapter to ask if maybe Curtis had harassed her, I'm assuming he hasn't because this woman has refused to return my messages, so that as the y say is that.
>  
> This morning I made the mistate of answering my phone, and of course it was Curis, Unfortuantely Janet came in to the room and when she found out it was Curtis on hte phone she blew up, which prompted him to threaten me again. I tried to explain to him that with him having no sight at all, wouldn't be a fair fight because although he is twice, or perhaps tee times my size, in height and weight I was sure that he would be too slow to offer any real challenge.
>  
> Anyway about a half hour later, I received a call from the Bridgeport police stating that he called and threatened me. I asked the officer (if he was an officer) if he could check Curtis's inbound calls, this would clear the matter up. He claimed he couldn't so it's naturally his word against mine. However I'm going to obtain a copy of all my incoming and out going phone calls. to put a stop to this once and for all.
>  
> Unfortunately Curtis has made it clear to me that I am no longer safe attending a meeting or any social events. So I'm saying a some what sad good-bye to the organization
>  
> In closing I feel it's not safe to share my number with anyone from the National Federation of the blind at all. I also think it shuld be made a new policy that before allowing anyone to join the Federation in the future back ground checks should be made..
>  
> I wish you all luck, and for now, anyone needing help can contact me via e-mail if necessary.
>  
> Take care
>  
> Rich  .  
>  
>  
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