[DSM-Iowa] Expressing My Feelings.

Fri Aug 7 03:46:10 UTC 2020

Hi Mary:
I'm Sharonda and I specifically remember you coming to last year's meeting with Michael and Kim. I also remember welcoming you since my husband and I sit at the raffle table in front of the room. I am sorry that you have been experiencing feelings of disconnect. I feel that we all have in some way since the pandemic. I also think that you bring up some very real points that we as the Chapter may need to consider. I sure do hope you'll remain a member and share with us your ideas on outreach and new membership.  

Sharonda Goode 

> On Aug 6, 2020, at 9:44 PM, Scott Van Gorp via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Mary:
> On a personal note, sorry to hear you ended up contracting the virus. It's definitely more difficult keeping up with the downtown crew at work since I'm no longer based there and have been working remotely since two weeks after moving departments and offices. As for the Federation, the members of this chapter have said it well. You are a welcome and valued member, and we appreciate the contributions you've made in the past an look forward to what you will do in the future. I am absolutely thrilled your schedule changed to allow you to attend chapter meetings!
> With regards to remote meetings, the direction that has been given so far is that remote meetings are here to stay at least for now with limited exceptions where possible. One of our chapters has been able to achieve social distancing quite nicely to have an in-person meeting again this month, but that may change again as the months turn cooler, so we'll see.
> You can definitely join meetings via your iPad, but a telephone option is also available if you prefer with many of the same basic functions. If you need support with that, please feel free to reach out, and we'll make it happen!
> Everyone has unique perspectives, gifts, and talents to bring to the affiliate, and we welcome them all! I know you asked about your membership status, and I can assure you your information was received by the national organization and I'll follow up to see where the new member materials are in the process. I know things are slowly happening at the Jernigan Institute based on state and local guidance, and I'm confident that one of the first things to resume will be the distribution of the membership materials and the updating of the connections database. Once those get started, you'll get information directly from the national organization. In the meantime, you, and anyone else, can definitely reach out to me or the affiliate or chapter board  if you think there's something your missing, and we'll make sure you get what you need. My contact information is at the bottom of messages I send out, so feel free to reach out! Welcome back to the family and I look forward to catching up with you in person soon!      
> 
> Scott Van Gorp, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
> Phone: 515-720-5282
> Email
> Website 
> Facebook 
> Twitter 
> Live the life you want.
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Karly Prinds via DSM-Iowa
> Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2020 6:04 PM
> To: Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: kaprinds at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] Expressing My Feelings.
> 
> Hi Mary,
> I am glad that you re-joined the chapter and I hope you continue to attend meetings.  We are not able to do in-person meetings at this time do to Covid.  I am not sure when this will change, but right now we don't have a choice but to have virtual meetings, and furthermore this is the safest thing to do right now.  I would love nothing more than to have in-person meetings, but, we can't, so I accept how we have to do things right now.  Please be patient with every one as it is a weird time for all.   Not everything is what it may seem and assuming things going on, may not be the actual reality of what is actually happening.  All of us are dealing with things that most of us have never experienced before, so please bare this in mind.  I can't decide for you whether to stay a part of the chapter or not, but I hope you do, as I was happy to see you back this past year.
> 
> Karly Prinds     
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 6, 2020, at 3:47 PM, James Omvig via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear Mary:
>> 
>> This is Jim Omvig.  I'm so glad that your work schedule has changed so that you can attend monthly Chapter meetings again!  Sharon and I, and our table crew, will be glad to have you join us again!  We will speak TO and WITH you, and we will give you rides to and from meetings if you like!  I am assuming, of course, that FACE TO FACE will resume again soon!
>> 
>> Fondly,
>> 
>> Jim Omvig
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Michael Barber via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org
>> To: "'Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa'" <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org Date 
>> sent: Thu, 6 Aug 2020 14:37:45 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] Expressing My Feelings.
>> 
>> Mary:  I beg to differ with you on one point.  When you came to the meeting a year ago, Kim and I sat with you and did our dead level best to make you feel welcome.  You’ll recall that it was I who proposed your membership in the chapter.  I’m also pretty certain that there were a few others at the table at which we sat.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I realize that virtual meetings using Zoom may not be the most ideal way to have meetings, but it’s what we have to deal with right now for safety sake.  We’re all learning proper etiquette when it comes to conduct in virtual meetings, so we need to learn to be patient.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> In person meetings are definitely the best, and I miss them a lot.  Hopefully we’ll return to them sometime in the near future.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Michael
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From: DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mary McGee 
>> via DSM-Iowa
>> Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2020 2:07 PM
>> To: 'Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa' <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Mary McGee <mmcatitude at gmail.com
>> Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] Expressing My Feelings.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you for your prompt reply.  To be perfectly honest, this is the first contact info I have had for you.  So, of course, I couldn’t reach out.  That’s why I was surprised I didn’t receive some kind of notice with officers’ contact information or something.  I didn’t know how to get on any of the websites either except nfb.org and, until I heard about this legislation, I had no knowledge of any chat or list.  I would appreciate it if you would track down whatever happened, if not for me, because you don’t want to lose members for lack of contact.
>> 
>> I haven’t felt welcome at meetings, because a year ago when I attended a meeting, no one was there to greet me, and no one I knew came over to me.  Therefore, I was afraid to say anything.  I also don’t like Zoom because it burns up my iPad.  Plus, everyone talks over me if I try to timidly say anything.  Everyone else is so comfortable and I’m scared to talk because I fear I’ll say the wrong thing.  This is why I stated that I think some introduction is appropriate.
>> 
>> I am 65 years old.  Perhaps that’s too old to appreciate Zoom.  I must prefer phone conversations of in-person relations like we used to have years ago.
>> 
>> I check my message and I’ve not had one from you.  The only member who has ever called me is Jim.  No one else has seemed interested and that’s why I have been of the opinion that there is no “NFB Family.”  I would like to change that and I hope this is a start.  Please call or email me back.
>> 
>> Thanks again!
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> Mary L.  McGee
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From: DSM-Iowa [mailto:dsm-iowa-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Michael Harvey via DSM-Iowa
>> Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2020 1:04 PM
>> To: Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org 
>> <mailto:dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Michael Harvey <mharvey at nfbi.org <mailto:mharvey at nfbi.org
>> Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] Expressing My Feelings.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Mary,
>> 
>> I am happy to speak with you about your feelings and thoughts.  You are more than welcome in the chapter.  I feel like I've told you that every time you have been at a meeting.  Futhermore, you just mentioned you got covid 19.  That's why we have not been doing anything.  no one has done things other than virtually for almost the last 5 months.  I have been home since late March until this week.  I am more than happy to speak with you and I'm not sure what happened with your welcome information.  I will look into it for you.  Feel free to call me out all you want, and I am happy to answer you.  It has not been safe to get out and do things socially or fundraising in person over the last few months.  Please use any of contact info below and reach out.  I feel like I tried to call you after a meeting, but I am happy to talk to you.
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Mike Harvey, President
>> National Federation of the Blind of Iowa Des Moines Chapter
>> 615-554-0695 <tel:615-554-0695
>> Email: mharvey at nfbi.org <mailto:mharvey at nfbi.org
>> Website: www.nfbi.org <http://www.nfbi.org/
>> Facebook: 
>> https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa
>> -372681823082570/posts
>> Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa
>> Des Moines Chapter Facebook:  
>> <https://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindofiowadsm> 
>> https://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindofiowadsm
>> Live the life you want.
>> 
>> The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.  Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Aug 6, 2020, at 12:11 PM, Mary McGee via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org <mailto:dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> > wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Des Moines Chapter,
>> 
>>            The experts say the only way we can succeed in life is to acknowledge and express our feelings, then move forward.  Therefore, I’ll express how I feel since joining the Des Moines Chapter and I’ll wait for the reaction because the same will tell me in which direction to move, whether than be toward the chapter or away from It.
>> 
>>            First, I’ll provide a little history.  I’ve been blind all my life, but I’ve struggled with it because I have some vision and Vinton taught me early that I was “partial” rather than blind.  I attended public school the last two years of high school and college without any accommodation because that was before IDEA or the Rehab Act.  I attended the Orientation Center.  I went to Drake University and practice law for over 25 years.  I participated in the Des Moines Chapter actively a few years ago, felt I contributed to it, and enjoyed the activities and the people.  I made a bad mistake when I supported Richard Sorey as Director of IDB and I acknowledge that and have apologized for same.
>> 
>>            Now I’m working for Wells Fargo and I feel shunned by the chapter, even though several fine people have told me there are no hard feelings from the past.  I’ve had mental health issues and those people have told me they don’t matter, that I’m OK.  I have changed my schedule since catching COVID so that I can be available to attend meetings in future, but I don’t know whether I’m welcome or not.  There are many who will welcome me, but I wonder about the elected officers because they’re the ones who have apparently ignored me as a new or re-joining member.  I have received NO introductory materials from the National Office, the State Affiliate, or the chapter.  I receive a few emails, but nothing I would call an official welcome or briefing on what’s available for me to use or add to the organization.  There have been NO social activities.
>> 
>>            Isn’t there a Membership Committee?  Isn’t there a Fundraising Committee?  Does Des Moines do anything aside from play Presidential Releases, and, while these are important, I would think a local group would want to act on them in some way rather than merely sit and listen.
>> 
>>            I have some vision and I’ve had a mental breakdown and COVID.  I have made mistakes.  If the Des Moines Chapter wants my membership, I’ll be glad to return and participate.  If not, I will oblige.  But I’m calling out the officers and Board Members because this lack of communication will lead to the end of the chapter as members grow older.  Mail starts with “Dear Federation Family”.  What family?  I feel like the odd person out.
>> 
>>            I’ll freely admit I don’t answer the phone when I’m working forty hours a week.  But I’ve been home since July 15th.  I DO read emails and I know there are chapter members who have my contact information.
>> 
>>            I also have discovered through my own investigation that the Chapter President lives in the same apartment complex as I.  Come on, Mr.  Pres., are you so overworked that you couldn’t contact me at all?  What about the Vice-President?  What about the Secretary or the Board?  I don’t remember the chapter being like this when I was active; we had social events for new or returning members where they were given copies of the constitution, contact information, convention information, and recording of significant speeches, etc.  What happened?
>> 
>>            There you have it—my feelings converted to words.  Thank you for your attention.
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> Mary L.  McGee
>> 
>> 
>> 
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