[nabs-l] Behavior...

[T. Joseph Carter]

Jeannie,

Unfortunately, it's starting to look like certain people are not 
welcome to contribute unless they sit down and shut up.  That's 
funny, since the number one complaint about the election is an 
attempt to silence dissent.

Those who are not silent about what happened (including those who 
call for looking forward) are being attacked and disregarded by the 
new board.

There will be no going forward as long as the new board perpetuates 
the very actions they would never allow.  I tried to stop this before 
it got started, but the board has shaken even my faith.  I do not 
believe Arielle genuinely wants to fix anything for next time, 
because she emphatically denies there is anything to fix this time.  
Nijat went further in telling those that believe the election was 
mishandled that there's nothing they could do about it anyway.

The arrogance of the new board is appalling and they've been in 
office less than two weeks.  I can no longer advocate moving forward 
with this board with a clear conscience because thus far it seems to 
have no conscience of its own.  Neither can I advocate the measures I 
tried to prevent, because I still think they may only do harm.

In a nutshell: Have fun, everyone.  I'm sitting this one out until I 
see some evidence that our board has enough integrity to admit that 
there were serious issues in our last election that warrant careful 
consideration for the future.  In the meantime, I have nothing else 
to say, except that I am ashamed of NABS and its board.

Joseph


On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 03:59:14PM -0500, JMassay wrote:
>Ashley,
>
> 
>
>Hello. I was not running the election. I ran, once, for a numbered board
>position and didn't win. That is not a problem for me., Additionally, I do
>feel that everyone has a right to their voice but many of the voices at the
>NABS meeting and election could not be heard above the din of others. Many
>people were carrying on side conversations, others were just plain rude:
>booing and talking very loudly. I strongly feel that we need to show an
>elevated level of class and decorum. I agree with whoever else mentioned the
>fact that anyone new could have been scared off and put off by the display
>of our membership. 
>
> 
>
>So.that being said. We do need to speak with a unified voice.  There is
>unity in diversity. Everyone is allowed to have a voice and everyone
>deserves to be treated with dignity. We have a lot of work to do and
>regardless of whether you have, or don't, a title with regard to the
>organization, if you are a part of the blind movement, you are a part of the
>blind movement and will rise above to change what it means to be blind. 
>
> 
>
>Jeannie