[nabs-l] NABS Leadership Transition

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all:
I would like to lead the division in recognizing and thanking Sean for
his seven years of leadership in NABS, including five as its
president. Five years is a long time to serve as NABS president, and
in fact, I believe that Marc Maurer is the only individual in NABS
history, prior to Sean, to serve for more than four. Being NABS
president is a great job that can bring a lot of joy. But it can also
be tiring at times, and it demands a great deal of dedication and
personal sacrifice. Thank you Sean for investing this level of
dedication into our student division.
But good leadership is about quality more than quantity, and it is
clear that NABS has grown exponentially in the last five years and has
made a real difference in many people's lives. A long time ago, a NABS
mentor of mine encouraged me to hope for a successor in leadership who
could do a better job than me. She cautioned that this could be a
bittersweet experience. And in fact, there are times when I have
confessed to feeling a bit jealous of what Sean and his
administrations have achieved in comparison to my own. I try to keep
that green-eyed monster out of the way. On the whole, I am extremely
proud of what NABS has and continues to accomplish. When I think back
to the NABS I joined as a college freshman in 2003, we have
transformed into a much stronger organization in every area--in terms
of communications, membership, finances, state divisions, advocacy,
and collaboration with NFB nationally. I can't wait to see what will
happen in the next 13 years.
Best,
Arielle Silverman
Past NABS President, 2009-2011

On 6/28/16, Sean Whalen via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good afternoon to each of you,
>
>
>
> As the National Federation of
> the Blind 2016 National
> Convention rapidly approaches,
> I am writing regarding the
> impending transition in NABS
> leadership. As you may know,
> my term as President of NABS
> is set to expire this Friday
> at the conclusion of our
> annual business meeting. I
> have been privileged to serve
> in this role for the last 5
> years, and have enjoyed
> working with and for so many
> of you. Though I will be
> continuing my studies at
> Harvard Law School, and while
> I remain dedicated to changing
> what it means to be a blind
> student in America, I will not
> be seeking another term as
> President of NABS during
> Friday’s elections. As I walk
> away from this position,
> though not the division, I am
> writing to convey a few quick
> messages.
>
>
>
> First, I want to offer my most
> sincere and heartfelt thanks
> to those of you with whom I
> have had the opportunity to
> work over these years. It has
> been a pleasure to get to know
> so many of you. I am proud to
> call many of you friends. I am
> grateful for the confidence
> that the membership has placed
> in me in allowing me to lead
> this vibrant division of the
> most important organization
> related to blindness in the
> United States of America, the
> National Federation of the
> Blind. Though I have certainly
> made my mistakes and had my
> shortcomings, I am proud of
> what we, both on and off the
> board, have been able to
> accomplish. I believe that
> over the past number of years,
> including under President
> Arielle Silverman from 2009 to
> 2011, NABS has continuously
> grown bigger, stronger, and
> more active. Not only do I
> believe this, objective
> measures like members added,
> funds raised, articles
> published, and programs and
> activities executed bear it
> out. We can be proud of our
> successes in sharing
> resources, offering advice,
> and demonstrating to blind
> students that blindness is so
> much less limiting than is
> often assumed. We all share in
> this success and our work
> truly matters.
>
>
>
> Second, I wish to communicate
> to you my wholehearted and
> unequivocal endorsement of
> Kathryn Webster for NABS
> President in the upcoming
> election. Kathryn has
> demonstrated a skill set, work
> ethic, passion for the cause,
> and strength of character that
> I believe make her an
> excellent candidate for the
> position. Kathryn has served
> as Secretary, Treasurer,
> Fundraising Chair, and
> Webmaster over this last year.
> And she has met or exceeded
> expectations in each role. In
> virtually every program we
> carried out this term – from
> funding students to Washington
> Seminar to collecting letters
> to Congress about accessible
> materials, from running a
> legislative leadership
> workshop to expanding our
> membership database, from our
> annual NABS Café to improving
> our website – Kathryn has had
> a hand. As Fundraising Chair,
> she and her excellent team
> gave NABS the biggest
> fundraising year we have had
> in at least the last 7 years,
> and almost certainly much
> longer than that. As Secretary
> she has executed her duties in
> a timely and professional
> manner. And as Treasurer she
> has been responsible,
> organized, and accurate.
> Though her skills speak
> volumes, there are other
> equally important
> considerations. Kathryn has
> shown herself to be truly
> passionate about the work of
> NABS and the NFB. She
> understands the immense
> positive impact that the
> philosophy and resources of
> the NFB can provide to blind
> students. And she is willing
> to work hard to ensure that as
> many blind students as
> possible are exposed to the
> Federation. Finally, Kathryn
> is forthright and honest. She
> takes responsibility and is
> accountable. And, most
> importantly, she acknowledges
> her weaknesses, accepts and
> considers criticism, and
> consistently works to improve
> her leadership and
> performance. On Friday we as a
> division will decide who will
> lead NABS for the coming two
> years, and I urge each of you
> to give strong consideration
> to this track record of
> success. I firmly believe that
> one of the best indicators of
> what somebody will do is what
> they have done, and Kathryn’s
> demonstrated leadership and
> passion lead me to conclude
> that she is hands down the
> best individual for the job.
> She has my vote, and I hope
> you will consider giving her
> yours, too.
>
>
>
> Third and finally, I just want
> to make it very clear that,
> while I am not going to
> continue to serve on the NABS
> Board, I certainly intend to
> remain an active engaged
> member of the division. I
> still have ideas about how
> NABS can improve, and I still
> have a deep-seeded desire to
> empower and lift up blind
> students to our full
> potential. I hope NABS will
> continue working on
> legislative matters, perhaps
> by replicating programs like
> the leadership workshop we did
> in Connecticut this term.
> Students are powerful
> advocates and we must continue
> to harness our enthusiasm and
> skills to move our legislative
> agenda in the Federation. I
> also hope that we can return
> to being a source of powerful
> and informative articles
> related to blindness, be it
> through the Student Slate
> Blog, or some other medium
> identified by the incoming
> board. I hope to be involved
> in seeking out, editing, and
> writing content for such an
> effort. Lastly, I hope to
> continue to serve as a
> resource to anybody out there
> who might benefit from a chat.
> So, as I step away from the
> position of President, please
> remember that I am still here
> and interested in doing what I
> can to further our work.
> Starting after convention, you
> can all reach me at
> smwhalenpsp at gmail.com rather
> than at the NABS address.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the opportunity to
> serve and grow in this role.
> And thanks for reading. I hope
> to see many of you in Orlando
> at the NABS meeting on July 1
> at 7pm. And remember,
> registration starts at 6:00,
> so come early!
>
>
>
> Take care,
>
>
>
> Sean
>
>
>
> Sean Whalen
>
> President, National
> Association of Blind Students
>
> (608) 957-7337
>
> @nabslink
>
> www.nabslink.org
>
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