[nagdu] A Message from a Fidelco Volunteer

[Marion Gwizdala]

Tracy,
    well, Mr. Russman's contract expires in September. we will just need to 
wait to see what happens.

Marion Gwizdala


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] A Message from a Fidelco Volunteer


> It seems very odd to me that, in times when every non-profit is scrambling
> for money, that Fidelco should casually tell long-time supporters that
> their donations are no longer welcome.  It also seems odd that the board
> would not at least investigate when it seems like the actions of one man
> are damaging the reputation of their organization.  I'd think that either
> they have, and are satisfied, or the old boy network is doing its worst,
> as sometimes happens.
> But I'd think, if they're losing donors, they'd drop the guy causing the
> perceived problem, guilty or not.
> Tracy
>
>
>> Dear All,
>>     I have frequently referred to correspondence I have received from
>> others concerned about the direction of Fidelco. Some believe that I
>> exaggerate the concerns, alleging that my criticism of Fidelco is
>> designed to, in some way, further my political agenda. For this
>> reason, I thought it would be helpful to read what others have written
>> on the subject. Pasted below is correspondence I have received from
>> one volunteer. I have included the message in its entirety, redacting
>> only the individuals names, since I do not have their permission to
>> divulge their information. This message was received via email on June
>> 30, 2011.
>>
>> Mr. Gwizdala:
>>
>> We are writing you with regard to your posting and article in the April
>> 2011 Braille Monitor.  We are not visually impaired but have been active
>> volunteers and donors to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation for over 22
>> years.  We housed a breed dog, raised a foster pup, volunteered in the
>> kennel and puphouse areas and participated in numerous events over the
>> years as well as knowing both Charlie and Robbie Kaman.
>>
>> We followed your posting and article with interest as we have witnessed
>> widespread negative  (in our opinion) change in the organization we loved
>> and supported for so many years.  On June 10, 2011, we wrote a letter to
>> all of the members of Fidelco's Board of Directors (mailed to their 
>> homes)
>> outlining several areas of concern. We asked only that the Board 
>> undertake
>> its own independent research and fact finding within the organization. 
>> One
>> of the areas of concern was what we perceived to be a deterioration in 
>> the
>> reputation of Fidelco within the visually-impaired community.  We 
>> actually
>> enclosed a copy of your original posting and your April 2011 Braille
>> Monitor item as one of the exhibits in our letter.
>>
>> Please understand that we do not have any personal knowledge of the
>> training department, placement decisions or decisions regarding the
>> repossession of guide dogs from handlers.  We will tell you however, that
>> our letter outlining what we felt were legitimate, documented 
>> observations
>> and concerns was met with a return certified letter to us from Mr. 
>> Russman
>> stating that "The Board also has asked me to convey that, based on your
>> expressed dissatisfaction with Fidelco, it believes it to be in 
>> everyone's
>> best interest that you cease all activity with Fidelco including 
>> volunteer
>> efforts and financial donations."  Until receipt of that letter, {my 
>> wife}
>> had been spending 1/2 day per week volunteering in the Puppy Raiser
>> Department at Mr. Russman's request.
>>
>> In our case, what we felt were well-thought-out feedback and concerns
>> brought forward in a professional, documented way were summarily 
>> dismissed
>> by management and the Board of Directors and resulted in our "dismissal"
>> as volunteers and donors.  We have personally been approached by
>> employees, puppy raisers and those housing breed dogs who will not come
>> forward with concerns or questions fearing that their dogs will be taken
>> from them.
>>
>> In short, Mr. Gwizdala, sadly you could not have made a more valid 
>> comment
>> than "the Fidelco of 2005 is not the same Fidelco with which we are
>> dealing today".  We just thought you should know that unfortunately, 
>> your
>> astute observation appears to us to apply across the board within the
>> Fidelco organization.  We are greatly saddened by this development.
>>
>>     So, there you have it from someone else's perspective. This writer 
>> has
>> been the victim of retaliation when the only agenda was to ask some
>> questions in an effort to improve the organization.
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>>
>>
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