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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello NFB Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Leadership sometimes requires making decisions that may be uncomfortable or may not please everyone. I understand that some people may feel that the recent changes to our affiliate-wide email list are directed personally at them. I want to be very clear that this is not the case. This decision was not made to target any individual, chapter, or group of people. It was made because I believe we have a responsibility to protect our members and to make sure our communication practices serve the organization as a whole.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have encouraged anyone who has concerns about these changes to reach out to me directly, and I genuinely mean that. I want to hear from you. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would much rather have an open and constructive conversation than have people make assumptions about why a decision was made.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have also learned that a meeting has been scheduled to discuss this matter. Unfortunately, our affiliate first Vice President nor I were not invited to participate, nor were we contacted to determine whether the proposed date and time would work for us. Wednesdays are generally reserved for our convention planning meetings, and next week I will be traveling and therefore unable to attend. Kyra will also not be available at this date and time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Had I been asked to participate in a meeting about this issue, I certainly would have made every effort to find a time when we could come together and have that conversation. I believe that when we are addressing issues that affect our entire affiliate, it is important that we talk with one another directly and work toward understanding together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please know that, as always, my first and foremost responsibility is to advocate for, support, and protect our members and to do what I believe is in the best interest of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts. Leadership sometimes requires making decisions that may be uncomfortable or may not please everyone. I understand that, and I respect that people may have different opinions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I also want to sincerely apologize for not providing everyone with more advance notice about the changes to our email list. The situation developed much more quickly than I anticipated, and, quite honestly, I was caught a little off guard myself by how quickly everything came together. I recognize that better communication from me would have helped prevent some of the confusion and frustration, and I take responsibility for that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Over the past couple of years, we have received numerous concerns that our affiliate-wide email list has become overwhelming and difficult to keep up with. We have also experienced an increase in spam and other unwanted messages. Most importantly, there have been occasions when someone intended to reply to only one individual but unintentionally shared personal information with the entire list. <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'>Once information is sent to a large distribution list, we cannot take it back. Depending on the information involved, this can compromise someone's privacy, confidentiality, and potentially even their personal safety. That is something I cannot simply ignore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our affiliate-wide list also includes people who are not currently members but who are interested in learning more about the NFB, as well as donors, agencies, media representatives, and other friends and supporters. Because of the broad audience receiving these messages, we have a responsibility to be thoughtful about what information is shared with the entire list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After speaking with and seeking guidance from other leaders within the National Federation of the Blind, I came to the difficult conclusion that we need to place some reasonable limits on what is shared through our affiliate-wide email list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I want to emphasize again: this is not personal. It is not about silencing anyone, excluding anyone, or preventing people from communicating. It is about creating a communication system that is more manageable, protects our members' privacy, reduces unnecessary email traffic, and allows important information to reach the people who need it. I have gotten more positive feedback about these email list changes than negative ones. I truly am here for you, with my whole heart and most of my energy . All of what I do is for the betterment of our affiliate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I know we will not always agree. That is okay. We are a diverse organization made up of people with different experiences, perspectives, and ideas. What matters is how we handle those differences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We are a family. Families do not always agree, but they can listen to one another, give one another grace, speak honestly and respectfully, and continue working together toward something bigger than any one individual.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>My door remains open. If you have concerns about this or want to talk with me, please reach out. I would much rather listen, explain, and work toward understanding than allow misunderstandings to divide us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for taking the time to read this and, most importantly, thank you for your continued commitment to the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts. I appreciate each of you and all that you contribute to our movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With love, hope, and determination,<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'>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbma.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>sharawinton@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>