[nabs-l] Conference call- Election discussion forum

Sun Aug 9 02:44:13 UTC 2009

The call will be at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Arielle

On 8/9/09, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear listers,
>
> 	The main objective of this first conference call is to set up a
> mutually agreeable ongoing forum (i.e. a blog or website) where the
> membership can give us feedback on aspects of the election process
> that we might want to change for future elections. No binding
> decisions will be made tomorrow night; we are simply identifying
> aspects of the election process that might benefit from revisions,
> possible revisions that the membership can deliberate about, and a
> venue in which the members can express their views. Once all the
> alternative changes to election procedure have been discussed, the
> board will review the membership’s feedback and decide which changes
> to implement. These decisions probably won’t be made until next
> spring.
>
> 	In a few minutes I will send out a separate email detailing how I
> plan to run the elections next year. This outline is based on our
> current constitution as well as protocols that are traditionally
> followed by NFB divisions and affiliates, and which NABS has typically
> followed in the past. I will also reiterate this election procedure on
> the conference call. If you see points in this outline that you feel
> could benefit from changes, please bring those suggestions to the
> conference call.
>
> 	Finally, I feel the need to say a word about respect and decorum. The
> NABS board is opening up a forum for dialogue about the election
> procedures because we trust in the membership’s ability to carry on
> positive, productive discussions. However, these discussions will not
> be productive or positive unless we all refrain from accusations,
> conspiracy theories and personal attacks. The NFB has been a strong
> and decisive organization in part because of our practice of treating
> each other and people outside the organization with respect. Dr.
> Maurer always requires us to behave courteously at national
> conventions even with speakers who might have opinions differing from
> those held by the NFB. On the NABS list, personal attacks against
> specific individuals are not allowed. Publicly accusing a specific
> individual or group of people of “ripping the organization apart” on
> the list is not acceptable and does nothing to advance us toward any
> kind of resolution. If you feel that someone’s behavior is truly out
> of line, you can express your concerns to me, Dave Andrews, or Jedi
> Moerke, the listserv chair, but there is no need to call that person
> out on-list.
>
> 	Lately there has been some talk of our organization’s reputation,
> integrity, etc. I would encourage any of you who are concerned about
> these things to examine your own behavior and ensure that you are
> serving as good representatives of our organization in your writing,
> and that you are focused on bringing about positive change for NABS
> rather than discrediting individuals that you believe might be
> threatening our integrity. I would also encourage you to join us in
> making NABS better not just with the elections but also by
> volunteering on committees and projects and working on growing the
> student division in your own state. Finally, remember that we aren’t
> just a stand-alone student organization. We are part of the National
> Federation of the Blind, which is nearly seventy years old and fifty
> thousand members strong. NABS has been around for forty-two years and
> has stood the test of time and had its share of disagreements and
> controversies. If we can all muster the self-control to debate
> respectfully, I believe we have nothing to fear and much to gain from
> this.
>
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
>
>
> On 8/8/09, Maurice Mines <minesm at me.com> wrote:
>> 8:30edt is ok for me. have a goodone. maurice ham call kd0iko.
>> On Aug 7, 2009, at 6:33 PM, Jedi wrote:
>>
>>> 8:30 is fine for me.
>>>
>>> Respectfully Submitted
>>> Original message:
>>>> Hello List,
>>>
>>>> I am not sure why my previous post did not seem to make it to the
>>>> list. I
>>>> have copied it below to try to make sure the list got it...
>>>> I am willing to be flexible to move the meeting. I would like to
>>>> see the
>>>> votes from the membership about when you guys think the meeting
>>>> "should be
>>>> held at. This is within reason.
>>>> I think that 8: 30 PM EST, is a good time, and this way, Joseph-
>>>> you might
>>>> be a little bit late, but nothing too potentially major would have
>>>> been
>>>> missed by you.
>>>> I am also game, like you and I had discussed in previous emails,
>>>> Joseph, to
>>>> move it to 9 pm. EST. However, do understand that it cuts down on
>>>> the time
>>>> frame for this call. Since some  of us at the call could
>>>> potentially have
>>>> work the next day, or other obligations.
>>>> Membership, when thinking about a potentially "better" time, I
>>>> would like to
>>>> say that neither I, nor you guys are looking for a repeat of the
>>>> actual
>>>> meeting itself, in which we run WAY over time...
>>>> I do sincerely wish to accommodate everybody for this call.
>>>> However, please
>>>> keep in mind that this is the first of the discussions. If desired
>>>> another
>>>> open forum area will be created by myself, on behalf of the current
>>>> administration, to continue the discussion beyond the phone
>>>> conference, if
>>>> the membership needs it.
>>>> So, what say you Nabsters? 8:30 PM. EST? or later?
>>>> Below was my original email=
>>>> ******************************
>>>> Hello Nabsters,
>>>
>>>> My sincerest apologies. However, after much schedule tweaking and
>>>> juggling,
>>>> a time has been tentatively set for the conference call.
>>>> The call is scheduled for the 9th of August, at 8 pm. EST. So, this
>>>> upcoming
>>>> Sunday, at 8 pm. EST, I look forward to meeting with you guys and
>>>> discussing
>>>> concerns, suggested improvements, etc... to the NABS election
>>>> process.
>>>> I will be attaching a copy of the NABS constitution- for your
>>>> reference,
>>>> before the meeting. It will be following shortly. I will also be
>>>> sending out
>>>> daily reminders, just in case someone should miss this message. In an
>>>> attempt to give everybody a rough idea of what can be expected at the
>>>> meeting, and to bring a little bit of flow to the meeting, I will
>>>> also send
>>>> out a tentative agenda.
>>>
>>>> If further discussions are needed/ wanted on the subject... we can
>>>> also
>>>> decide on another venue, specifically dedicated to discussion on
>>>> everybody's
>>>> concerns about the election process. This will also be open should
>>>> any of
>>>> you miss the conference call. we really value everybody's concerns
>>>> and
>>>> thoughts on this subject. I hope that this will continue to help
>>>> the board
>>>> bring more transparency and provide a voice to you the student.
>>>> If you should need to contact me for any reason, have any concerns
>>>> about the
>>>> conference call, etc... please feel free to email-
>>>> janice.jeang at gmail.com or call- 832.769.5082. Hope to see everybody
>>>> there!
>>>> The call in information will be released with the agenda of the
>>>> meeting.
>>>
>>>> Kindest Regards,
>>>
>>>> Janice Jeang
>>>
>>>> Secretary
>>>> National Association of Blind Students
>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>> cell- 832.769.5082
>>>
>>>
>>>> Kindest Regards,
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>
>
> --
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
> Phone:  602-502-2255
> Email:
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> Website:
> www.nabslink.org
>

-- 
Arielle Silverman
President, National Association of Blind Students
Phone:  602-502-2255
Email:
nabs.president at gmail.com
Website:
www.nabslink.org