[Diabetes-talk] Fw: how to start a Diabetes Action Network in your state

[Joy Stigile]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joy Stigile" <jstigile at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Everett Gavel" <everettgavel at att.net>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] how to start a Diabetes Action Network in your 
state


> Dear Everett,
>
> I wish that you had read and understood my previous email about "how to 
> start a Diabetes Action Network (DAN) chapter in your state".
>
> The National board of DAN can not go in to another state because we are 
> not members of that state affiliate board.  and start a new chapter.  Who 
> would be their to run the chapter during the year?  Are you expecting one 
> of us to fly out each year?  Would we know which cities have a strong NFB 
> chapter with people who have Diabetes in it?  How would I get the "word of 
> mouth" advertising flowing  if I do not know anybody  in that state?  How 
> would we find a large room for a seminar with little or no cost?  All of 
> these questions need to be answered by members who live in the area of the 
> seminar.
>
> Of course, we can guide you where to look for speakers, literature, and 
> companies that deal with supplies for people with Diabetes.
>
> Sincerely, Joy Stigile
> Treasurer, Diabetes Action Network
> ----- Original Message -
> ---- 
> From: "Everett Gavel" <everettgavel at att.net>
> To: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> Cc: "Joy Stigile" <jstigile at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 9:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] how to start a Diabetes Action Network in 
> your state
>
>
>> Hi Mike, and Hello Joy,
>>
>> Mike, I can't remember at the moment, did I e-mail you
>> a few months ago -- right after the Louisiana State
>> Convention -- with any details or thoughts on how after
>> learning that there were only something like 4 state
>> affiliates for the DAN, I was floored.  And how I was
>> dreaming and scheming on ways to get a state affiliate
>> in every state within 5 years?  Just like NABS, and the
>> Parents Division, etc.  I started writing out a rough
>> sketch of what would be needed for a, "50 States In 5
>> Years," plan of action.
>>
>> I think I did write you about this somewhat.  Because I
>> remember sharing what I was about to say again.  That
>> we no longer have the Voice of the Diabetic as a
>> marketing tool for the Diabetes Action Network.  And
>> how the 3 words in that division name say it all as to
>> what we should be doing.  Focusing on Diabetics, blind
>> of course.  Taking Action, action not words, and
>> Networking and building a Netework of Action-Takers
>> that want to help blind diabetics in their own
>> communities!
>>
>> I'm graduating from the LCB this Friday, and moving
>> back to Northeast Ohio on Saturday.  I'm going to be
>> helping to revive my local chapter there.  And working
>> with Ohio's Diabetes Action Network state affiliate
>> again.  I was the Secretary, and may still be, though I
>> don't deserve such a job after almost completely
>> setting things aside for the year I've been down here
>> at the LCB.  But we'll see if they'll have me back,
>> now.
>>
>> Anyway, Sir, have you thought any more on this?  People
>> always seem to step-up to lead the charge for things
>> like the Race for Independence, for the Imagination
>> Fund in past years, for all kinds of initiatives.  We
>> need someone to step up and run with this, too.  I
>> think people could be motivated to rise up and move
>> onward and upward with the DAN, in their communities.
>> We just need to set things in motion to inspire and
>> motivate them.
>>
>> And no, Mike, I'm not suggesting you, really.  I know
>> you're a busy man already.  I guess I'm putting a bug
>> in your ear as they say, to take another tiny step
>> towards perhaps finding someone to lead, load, and
>> launch such a strategic initiative.  If you thought it
>> worth striving for, that is.
>>
>> I think we could do it.  Everything works in theory,
>> though, right?...
>>
>> *  10 states getting affiliated each year over the next
>> 5 years;
>> *  1 national leader leading the charge year-after-year
>> for the next 5 years;
>> *  1 major leader in each state, working with 1
>> appointed leader in each major city throughout their
>> state;
>> *  Averaging 5-7 city or regional leaders in most
>> states, probably;
>> *  Shared resources such as state-wide and/or regional
>> action plans to disperse information, gather contact
>> lists, and more;
>> *  Shared PR resources and actionable, step-by-step
>> plans to get out into the community - both in-person,
>> and in regional media;
>> *  Shared stats for dispersion as well as use in PR, as
>> to how Diabetes is called an epidemic anymore, and
>> about all the Boomers becoming seniors, and vision loss
>> being number one on the list of possible side effects
>> for Diabetes, etc., as well as the latest stats on an
>> 'official' looking site such as the AFB, which right
>> now state that there are over 25 Million Americans who
>> say they "can't see" clearly or at all or whatever it
>> says.  Here, here's what it says:
>>
>> Taken from the Statistical Snapshots section of the AFB
>> site (http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=15):
>> "Findings from the 2008 National Health Interview
>> Survey (NHIS) Provisional Report established that an
>> estimated 25.2 million adult Americans reported they
>> either "have trouble" seeing, even when wearing glasses
>> or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to
>> see at all."
>>
>>
>> What say you, Sir? Got any positive energy to share for
>> a dream such as, "50 States In 5 Years?"  ;-)
>>
>> I hope all is well with you, Mike.  You too, Joy.  I
>> hope you are both well and thriving these days.  May
>> God bless your path -- and your actions -- mightily in
>> the days and years to come.
>>
>>
>> Strive On!
>> Everett
>> everett at everettgavel.com
>> (330) 604-5750
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:58:44 -0700
>> From: "Joy Stigile" <jstigile at sbcglobal.net>
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] how to start a Diabetes Action
>> Network in your state
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> The best way to start a new division in your state is
>> to talk to your affiliate president.  That way your
>> president can check the constitution.
>>
>> In California we started a Diabetes Action Network
>> (DAN) over 20 years ago.  We have a state wide meeting
>> at each state convention with a luncheon. Since, I
>> became President of the Diabetes Action Network of
>> California I have looked for a speaker who is a
>> certified Diabetes educator.  We have a great turnout.
>> We collect dues and part of it goes towards our
>> speakers expenses another part is donated to National
>> Federation of the Blind of California.
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Joy Stigile, Treasurer
>> Diabetes Action Network
>>
>>
>>
>