[nabs-l] Fwd: Staffing for EYE Retreat 2016!

[Alan A. Chase]

Hey Justin,

Thanks for those great questions!  Let me take this opportunity to answer
them and if you need follow-up or additional clarifications please let me
know.

Feedback from our 2015 staff evaluations indicated a need for orientation
and mobility training for those not familiar with the facilities we
utilize.  At the same time, our policies and procedures underwent review by
legal counsel this past summer and it was recommended that for liability
reasons we have certain positions be held only by certified individuals.
As a result, we reached out to our network and only COMS individuals
volunteered to help us next summer.  Now, if you are offering, I'd gladly
offer you free housing, food, and recreational activities to be part of our
staff.  If so, I'll see you July 22, 2016!

As you know, last year was our 7th year of the EYE Retreat.  We were
approached by individuals who had attended the 2009, 2010, and 2011 EYE
Retreats who had just graduated from college and were struggling to find
employment.  They asked us to consider a career track and we accepted the
challenge.  We developed a career track that includes both classroom
instruction and on the job training in local businesses.  Applicants are
free to signup for either track.

Now, as a nonprofit organization and recipient of public funds, we can not
discriminate based on disability.  Therefore, if someone were to apply who
is not eligible to attend college because of their high school education or
other factors we would never deny an application based on that fact.  Not
only is that illegal, but in my opinion its unethical and immoral.  Again,
any and all applicants are free to apply to either track.  There is some
overlap between the two tracks in terms of some combined classes and
activities, but there are also classes and activities specific to each
track.

I'd also point out that having career skills before college could benefit
those who attend college too.  Some individuals might have jobs while in
college, volunteer on campus, or perform work study as part of financial
aid.  So, the purpose of our career is not to direct individuals in any
particular direction.  It is simply to give them options and to provide an
opportunity for those who have attended our college track to attend our
career track or vice versa.

We are excited about the significant growth of the EYE Retreat.  Consider
joining one of our committees to inform our program planning too.  There is
obviously a need for such programming nationwide since in 2015 we had 51
people from 2 countries and 8 states attend.  We are currently in
discussions with a state in the Northeast to develop an EYE Retreat there
and become their primary summer transition program.

Again, thanks for the questions Justin and let me know if you need
additional info.  Maybe I'll see you July 22!

On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 5:25 PM, Brice Smith <brice.smith319 at gmail.com>wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Justin Salisbury via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2015 17:30:58 +0000
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Staffing for EYE Retreat 2016!
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >
> Cc: Justin Salisbury <PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu>
>
> Hi Kate,
>
> Thanks for posting this opportunity! I really enjoyed working at the
> EYE Retreat back in 2012, right before I went off to the Louisiana
> Center for the Blind for training, and would like to ask some
> questions about the program based on the message below.
>
> Is this message saying that Certified Orientation and Mobility
> Specialists (COMS) will be there to teach the staff prior to the
> program? Also, is there a reason that COMS were chosen instead of
> NOMCs, the certification that was created because blind people were
> not allowed to get a COMS? I'm wondering if a competent blind traveler
> might be able to contribute to this whole process. We have plenty of
> those in the Federation, of course, and I always enjoyed getting those
> types of facilities orientations from Jennifer Dunnam and the rest of
> the crew at the Jernigan Institute summer programs.
>
> The next thing I'm curious about is how it seems like people are
> choosing between going to college and having a career. I like to
> believe that my choice to go to college is actually going to help me
> achieve a career, so could you please tell us all about how
> participants will be sorted into tracks? We didn't do that back when I
> worked at the EYE Retreat, so I'm wondering if it's one of those deals
> now where people say "these kids aren't college material, but these
> ones are."
>
> Thanks!
>
> Justin
>
> Justin Salisbury, NOMC
> Graduate Student
> Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
> Louisiana Tech University
> Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu
> Twitter: @SalisburyJustin
>
> First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
> Because I was not a Socialist.
>
> Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-
> Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
>
> Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-
> Because I was not a Jew.
>
> Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me.
>
> Martin Niemöller
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kathryn
> Webster via nabs-l
> Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 8:29 AM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list' <
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Kathryn Webster <kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nabs-l] Staffing for EYE Retreat 2016!
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Alan A. Chase [mailto:aachase1 at gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 10:32 PM
> To: undisclosed-recipients:
> Subject: EYE Retreat 2016!
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> Be the first in line to apply for a staff position at the 2016 EYE
> Retreat.  The 2016 EYE Retreat will be Friday, July 22 to Saturday,
> July 30.  As always, we listen to your feedback and we are asking
> everyone come a day early so that certified orientation and mobility
> specialists can help you in learning some of the sites we will use.
>
>
>
> There is no cost for you to attend and this equals about a $225.00
> value.  Who can spend a week somewhere for that bargain of a price?
> As usual, we will provide all food, housing, and transportation during
> the week.  We are sorry that other compensation isn't available.
> Interviews will occur in the month of December.
>
>
>
>
> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1M9P3dKm-F0xQ4RT9jlKIwCSeQbcfIWBjOfeeHtGe4Us/viewform
>
>
>
> Below you will find descriptions of the approved positions for 2016.
> We are anticipating increased enrollments for 2016 and are planning
> for 60 participants this year.
>
>
>
>
> 1.  College Coordinator (1 position) is responsible for group leaders
> within their track, class observations, class lesson planning, and
> participant supervision.  This person is on duty from 7am to 6pm and
> shares in an even rotation for supervision.
>
> 2.  Career Coordinator (1 position) is responsible for group leaders
> within their track, securing work site job experiences, class lesson
> planning, and participant supervision.  This person is on duty from
> 7am to 6pm and shares in an even rotation for supervision.
>
> 3.  Registration, Recreation and Transportation Coordinator (1
> position) is responsible for arranging transportation to and from
> sites, arranging transportation for recreational activities,
> collecting and reviewing registration documents, completing check in
> and check out with participants, and arranging and supervising
> recreation activities.  This person is on duty during all registration
> times, during all check outs, and each evening during the week.
>
> 4.  Dorm Coordinators (3 positions) are responsible for overnight
> supervision of participants, ensuring cleanness of dorms, assisting
> with serving of breakfast, serving as point of contact during
> overnight hours, and ensuring participants adhere to the schedule.
>
> 5.  Senior Group Leaders (2 positions) are responsible for assisting
> track coordinators with supporting group leaders, serving as track
> leader in teh absence of the track coordinator, teaching of assigned
> classes, supervising participants, serving as a mentor, and assisting
> with meal duties.  These individuals are on duty from 7am to 6pm.
> Each group would have about 4 participants.
>
> 6.  Group Leaders (8 positions) are responsible for teaching of
> assigned classes, supervising participants, serving as a mentor, and
> assisting with meal duties.  These individuals are on duty from 7am to
> 6pm.  Each group would have about 4 participants.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.
> Exceptional Children Program Facilitator, Durham Public Schools
> President & Director, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
>
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-- 
Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.
Exceptional Children Program Facilitator, Durham Public Schools
President & Director, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat