[nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions

Sun Apr 22 11:26:23 UTC 2012

Jenine,
I am glad that you  explained the position of GDF with regard to 
attending conventions and other events.  I look forward to being able  
to see you and anyone else that comes to the NFB convention in Dallas.
Janice

On 4/21/2012 11:55 AM, Jenine Stanley wrote:
> HI Cheryl,
>
> I'm answering this in my official capacity as the GDF Consumer Relations
> Coordinator.
>
> First off, GDF has no bias toward any consumer organization. I've heard this
> rumor about various schools since I began looking at them in 1987.
>
> It so happens that several members of the current GDf Alumni Council are
> either NFB and/or NAGDU members and will be present at this year's
> convention assisting us. The number of graduates who do claim affiliation
> with NAGDU voluntarily has grown significantly since 2008. I'm quite proud
> of that actually and enjoy the NFB and NAGDU conventions tremendously.
>
> As with all non-profit organizations, this is a difficult economic time. We
> simply cannot afford the types of events we used to have for graduates and
> prospective students. Other schools have also cut back their events at
> national conventions.
>
> I find it very powerful that though we no longer have these events, our
> graduate force within NAGDU has grown so much. I thank everyone for that and
> for learning about us.
>
> I again look forward to coming to the NAGDU convention and introducing our
> Alumni Council.
> Jenine Stanley
> Consumer Relations Coordinator
> Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs
> jenine at guidedog.org
> jeninems at wowway.com
> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:37 AM
> To: nagdu
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork and convention
>
>
> Good morning all:
> I have noticed over the years as being a graduate of GDF, that there have
> been less and less graduates at convention. I also noticed on the GDF List,
> and I am no longer on there, I just decided to much is to much.
> But I noticed that I was the only NAGDU member or NFB Member, I knew Lisa
> was on here a few times, and Marilyn Tucci is on here now, etc, as well as
> some others.  But I don't want to put foot in mouth here, but I had
> mentioned this to our President before, President Gwizdala, that I felt that
> the school was a lot GDUI and ACB then anything else. I know schools are not
> supposed to be biased, but I felt that from the beginning.  I have nothing
> against the other organization at all, I am just a member of NFB and NAGDU,
> my choice!
> What does this have to do with losing paperwork, nothing.
> But with Convention only a few short months away, maybe this is something
> that can be brought up at convention, when we have opened Q&A with GDF.
> Also, I have noticed as well, that at conventions many of the schools have
> an event for the graduates, GDF used to take it's grads to lunch or anyone
> interested in learning more about GDF was invited.
> GDF hasn't done this since our last Convention in Dallas, when Nelson and I
> were there in, 2008.
> JMO!
> Cheryl and Maxx
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> For daily updates read our blog at
> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>
>> Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:19:56 -0700
>> From: rhondaprincess at gmail.com
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>
>> hello lisa.
>>   i think you should keep on speeking up. and makeing lots of nouise.
>>   that's the only way.
>>   to get what you want.
>>   i hope it all works out.
>>   *hugs* from rhonda.
>>
>> On 4/20/12, melissa green<graduate56 at juno.com>  wrote:
>>> Lisa,
>>> Oh no, I was very outspoken about my process of going to GdF.
>>> In my case, I discovered that a certain staff member was losing the
>>> paperwork, the vidios, and sending e-mails that said things like you
>>> weren't accepted.
>>> When I did go to GDF, I found out that there was someone else that
>>> this had happened too as well.
>>> I also have a friend who got aproved for home training and it hasn't
>>> happened.  This staff member has told her that its because she wants
>>> a specific breed and that is why its taking so long, and that its her
> fault.
>>> Yet, I had the same experiences with the Seing eye.  Lost paper
>>> work, and staff members making the decisions that they think is the
> right one.
>>> I am glad that I have my girl from GDF.  I believe that grads of
>>> schools and others need to continue to speak out and to complain.
>>> That is the only way that it can change.
>>> Blessings,
>>> Melissa and Pj
>>> The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope
>>> for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it
>>> from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
>>> Facebook: Melissa R. Green
>>> Twitter: melissa5674
>>> windows messenger: graduate1531 at msn.com
>>> skype: lisssa5674
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Lisa belville"<missktlab1217 at frontier.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:26 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>>
>>>
>>>      Jewel, Oh, I'm sorry you're having this issue with the school.
>>> Unfortunately, this is a chronic issue with the GDF.  They admit
>>> it's an issue and say they're taking steps to fix it, but it's still
>>> happening, and not just to new applicants, but to returning grads.
>>>
>>> The training is good, but you still need to go through the same
>>> office if you want to talk to your trainer or fax a vet form.
>>>
>>> I used to be one of the biggest GDF cheerleaders out there; I helped
>>> run their Email list and was on their alumni council for a year.  I
>>> had these things happen to me, and I've known people who have had it
> happen to them.
>>> I don't really feel comfortable referring people to the GDF anymore
>>> because of it.  I get it: They are responsible for a huge amount of
>>> papers and Emails and faxes that come through there, but every guide
>>> dog school has to contend with Emails and faxes and paper work and
>>> they don't have these issues.  If I kept losing paperwork at my last job
> I would have been fired.
>>> As I said before, how a school handles confidential and time
>>> sensitive info, and how they respond to questions from frustrated
>>> applicants who need to send a medical report just one more time is
>>> just as important as the training and how you're encouraged to work with
> your dog.
>>> This is really heartbreaking for me, no kidding, because I've been
>>> affiliated with the GDF since 1995.  I got to try a GDF demo dog at
>>> the 95 convention and that clenched it for me.  I've received two
>>> awesome dogs from the GDF, I know how good it can be, and I'd love to
> see it that good again.
>>> Yes, things change, but change doesn't mean it has to be done at the
>>> cost of time and stress on people who just want a well-trained dog
>>> to enrich their life and provide efficient mobility.
>>>
>>> I'd encourage other GDF grads on this list to speak out.  I know I'm
>>> not the only one to deal with these issues. Most people just put up
>>> with it or get frustrated and move on to another school.  Addressing
>>> it with school staff really hasn't helped because they claim these
>>> are just isolated incidents when they are most certainly not.
>>>
>>> Lisa
>>>
>>> 1st Law of Procrastination: that which can be done will be done . . .
>>> TOMORROW!!
>>> Lisa Belville
>>> missktlab1217 at frontier.com
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Jewel"<herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:36 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>>
>>>
>>>> It's funny you mention GDF, Lisa, because that's the school I am
>>>> applying to who lost the paperwork. I didn't want to name names,
>>>> but you already pointed out the problem, so I feel it's okay for me
>>>> to point it out, too.
>>>> Is the poor paperwork organization, in your opinion, something that
>>>> affects the school's performance when it comes to training? To send
>>>> vet reports, do you scan them into your computer and then e-mail
>>>> them, or do you send them another way? What's the best way to deal
>>>> with this issue?
>>>>
>>>> I've been impressed with GDF up to this point. I am concerned that
>>>> this will become a problem for me in the future, so am a little
>>>> hesitant about going to GDF now...but I really like their program.
>>>> Should I apply to another school? Or should I just learn to work
>>>> around the poor organization skills of the school?
>>>>
>>>> Lisa, I'd love to hear about how you deal with this problem, and
>>>> whether you feel, knowing now what you do aobut paperwork problems
>>>> and the like, whether you would go back to GDF.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you all for the comments so far; I remain concerned...
>>>>
>>>> ~Jewel
>>>>
>>>> On 4/19/12, Tracy Carcione<carcione at access.net>  wrote:
>>>>> Hi Jewel.
>>>>> I'd be mighty annoyed if that happened to me, especially if they
>>>>> lost stuff I had to pay to get, like a medical report and an O&M
>>>>> report.  And, considering how much I had to bug my references to
>>>>> get it done, that would be annoying, too.
>>>>> I think Cindy's suggestion is a good one.  See if there's a
>>>>> supervisor who can open drawers and look behind the desk, I guess.
>>>>> Sheesh! Pretty sloppy!
>>>>> Hope you can get it straightened out.
>>>>> Tracy
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hey guys,
>>>>>> Has anyone experienced a guide dog school losing your paperwork?
>>>>>> The school I want to attend says they don't have my medical
>>>>>> report, my O&M report, and my references. I know for a fact that
>>>>>> I sent the medical report with the video that they do have (they
>>>>>> watched it, so they do have that), my O&M instructor says he sent
>>>>>> his report, and all three of my references said they sent their
>>>>>> reference letters. On top of this, when I had an interview, I was
>>>>>> told the interview was the only thing they didn't have in my
>>>>>> files. The interviewer also made a second video of me walking,
>>>>>> and they can't find that, either. I've been offered a spot in the
>>>>>> July class, as long as all my paperwork goes through and I'm
>>>>>> accepted, but I *sent* all that stuff. Should I just go get
>>>>>> everything all over again, or should I hold them accountable for the
> lost paperwork...and do what?
>>>>>> Concerned about the school's organization, Jewel
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Have freedom.
>>
>>
>> and listen to your hart Smilely.
>> Rhonda&  Mya..
>>
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