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Federation family,<br><br>
In 2017, just before I ran for affiliate president, I made you a promise.
“When you need my time or my energy, you will have it. When you need my
nights and my weekends, I will give themand gladly.” As often as I have
been able over the past four and a half years, I’ve fulfilled that
promise. I have enjoyed being the president of our organization.<br><br>
Recently, however, I have been offered a significant promotion at Optum:
having been named to the leadership team, assigned a number of direct
reports, and placed in charge of multiple projects. I’m very excited
about the work I will be able to do as a result. In fact, one of my new
job responsibilities will be in helping to bring greater accessibility to
employee experiences within the organization.<br><br>
The demands of my new role, however, are such that I will have less time
to devote to leading our organization, particularly at a moment when we
need a reliable hand on the tiller to help us continue our work as the
world re-opens. I love this organization and what we do, and it is with
that love that I do not want to see our efforts flag because I find
myself with less time to give. To that end, and with a great deal of
thought and reflection, I must step down as president of the National
Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.<br><br>
I want you to know a few very important things, though.<br><br>
First, I am not going anywhere. I have been a member of our organization
for 21 years, and that will not change. I intend to continue bringing the
message of the Federation to my daily work. I intend to stay active as a
member of the BLIND Inc. board. I intend to be present at chapter and
board meetings. I am committed to our success.<br><br>
Second, I have full faith in Steve Jacobson to lead our organization.
Steve has been a mentor to me longer than probably even he knows, going
back to my first days in the organization when I read, with great joy,
his thoughtful posts on the student division list serv. He is passionate
about our organization, grounded in our philosophy, and one of the
kindest and hardest-working people I know. I am grateful for everything
he has done for me, and I am grateful for all he has done for our
organization.<br><br>
With that in mind, however, I ask one last thing of all of you as we
transition to Steve’s capable leadership: help him as you have helped
me.<br><br>
The demands of the presidency can be many, and I have been able to
surmount them because of your generosity and warmth. You have written to
me offering help or asking what you can do to advance our efforts. You
have called and texted me personally to ask how I am doing or offer kind
words of support. Thank you for all of that. You are what has brought joy
to serving as your president.<br><br>
As Steve steps into this new role, please give him all that same love and
support. Please continue to share your enthusiasm and energy. He will
need you as I have needed you. It will only be through all of us working
together and lifting each other up that we will continue to
prosper.<br><br>
I told you something else in 2017, and it is just as true today as it was
then. “I have drunk from the well my ancestors dug, and I will
never forget that. I stand here with you now, shoulder to shoulder,
digging the well that blind children and blind seniors and all those who
come after us will drink from.”<br><br>
It has been an honor to serve as your president. Thank you for
everything.<br><br>
Let’s go build the National Federation of the Blind.<br><br>
Warmly,<br><br>
Ryan<br><br>
<br><br>
Ryan Strunk<br><br>
Pronouns: he, him, his<br><br>
(402) 730-4092<br><br>
<a href="mailto:Ryan.strunk@gmail.com">Ryan.strunk@gmail.com</a>
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