[nabs-l] I am running for NABS President this July

Mon Apr 25 00:44:26 UTC 2016

Hello Katherine,

Thanks for your lovely announcement for running for nabs as the president.
Your words of encouragement and, your willingness to do what needs to get
done in this organization!

I look forward to your work in the federation and, I hope that you get the
vote to be the next president!

Hugs,
amy

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kathryn Webster
via nabs-l
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 5:33 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Cc: Kathryn Webster
Subject: [nabs-l] I am running for NABS President this July

Hello Fellow Federationists!

Finals are quickly approaching and I hope each of you are finishing off the
semester strong! 

I am writing today to announce my intention to seek the presidency of the
National Association of Blind Students.

Over the past two years, I have worked with NABS members and leaders both on
and off the board. For the first year, I served as a member of the
Fundraising and Legislative Committees. In July, 2015, I was elected
Secretary of NABS. Shortly thereafter, I assumed the role of treasurer in
order to fill an unexpected vacancy on our board. Over the past two years, I
have been blessed to work with many of you on numerous projects.

As Fundraising Chair, I am unbelievably proud to announce that NABS was able
to fund over 15 students to attend Washington Seminar, raising over $3,750
to make this happen. This was an initiative I worked hard for, and one I am
thrilled succeeded. I could not do this alone. The Fundraising Committee,
composed of several members off the NABS Board, as well as some great NABS
Board Members, worked tirelessly to reach our goal, while planning other
events for 2016. NABS would not have been able to sponsor several students
across the country without President Riccobono's generous commitment to
match NABS' financial commitment and without the help of Anil Lewis, Patti
Chang, and Parnell Diggs working with us to select the recipients, which
emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with our
national leaders. 

As a Computer Science minor at Wake Forest University, I quickly added the
task of NABS web master to my federation work, combining my personal and
academic interests to improve our website. As the Legislative Committee
Co-Chair, President Sean Whalen and I worked closely to collect over 160
equal-access-to-education testimonies. Throughout this endeavor, we worked
with our Governmental Affairs specialists in Baltimore, keeping the
Federation's priorities at the forefront of every decision made. 

While I am exceedingly proud of the work that I and our members, committees,
and fellow board members have done the past two years, there is always more
we can do. I am confident that I can energize, strengthen, and grow the
National Association of Blind Students. I want students to join us during
National Convention without the worry of finances lingering over our heads.
Just like the Washington Seminar Funding Program recently implemented, I
hope to replicate that for national Convention attendees.

Last November, the Connecticut affiliate partnered with NABS to put on the
very first Legislative Leadership Workshop for students. As part of the
planning committee, I hope to see these seminars expand to various other
states and will be working with affiliates to make it happen. Through
interaction, discussion, and learning, we gain knowledge and insight from
others in order to advocate effectively, perform exceptionally, and work
professionally. I am a leader and a team player. I love collaboration,
particularly amongst our state student divisions. While many seminars are
already in the works, modeling from the successful workshop last November, I
see promise in the effort put forth by students across our regions.

Several student divisions struggle with financially supporting the programs
and events we all dream to host. Look no further! With experience
fundraising and event planning, I will create a NABS program that student
divisions can apply to for stipends in order to host events in your home
states. If Florida, or any other state affiliate, wants to host a student
social for recruiting new talent, but money is tight, NABS should be able to
help fund these types of programs because we are here for our students, our
members, and our federation family.

Have you ever interacted with a NABS representative during a State
Convention? NABS wants to know what you think. As President, I plan on
creating a NABS Rep feedback form so student divisions and affiliate
leadership can reflect on their experiences. We are an organization driven
by our members and we want to provide mentors that are responsive to every
student concern and affiliate need. These forms will inform the NABS Board
of what was helpful, beneficial, less effective, and what we need to do to
best grow our student divisions and state affiliates.

These are some of the new programs that I hope to institute if I am so lucky
to earn your vote this summer.  In addition to my ideas and experience as a
Student Division President of North Carolina, a Connecticut Affiliate Board
Member, and NABS officer, I will also bring my unique leadership style to
NABS.  First and foremost, I believe that we, as students, must have strong
relationships with our organization's leadership.  The easiest way for
students to have an impact on the work of the Federation is to work hand in
hand with our affiliate and national leadership.  Second, I want to know
you. I care about personal connection in order to foster positive results. I
don't want to be a leader from a distance; I want to be your teammate, a
mentor, and a friend. Third, I will make sure that there is accountability
on the board.  We will be attentive to our membership, inclusive of
non-board members, have follow through with our commitments and work, and
will be responsive to other divisions, affiliates, and national leaders that
want to work with us.  Finally, I will make sure to continue to provide
opportunities to students who want to participate but are not elected to the
board.  This opportunity was what allowed me to get so involved with NABS
two years ago and is what helped me to develop the leadership skills I
believe the NABS board needs to continue the progress we've made.  

For these reasons, I'm asking for your vote to be the next President of
NABS.  If anyone has any questions, concerns, or ideas about NABS, as
always, I'm ready to hear them.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all at
convention in a little over two months! Let's go build the Federation!

Have a great Wednesday!

Best,

Kathryn

Kathryn Webster

Treasurer/Secretary | National Association of Blind Students

(203) 273-8463

Kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com

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