[nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions

Sun Apr 22 17:20:55 UTC 2012

Hi Jenine,
I don't know why we still squabble about what organization prefers whatever 
other organization still goes on.  Here we are, in a time of economic 
decline and at risk for losing everything we've gained for the last 50 
years, and we can find nothing to put energy into except to complain that X 
Group doesn't like Y Group.

I've never seen either the NFB or the ACB show preference for any particular 
schools.  Many schools can't afford to send people to both conventions 
anymore or do the programs or events they did in the past.  I would have no 
idea as to schools prefering one blindness organization over another one - 
guide dog users are guide dog users no matter if they belong to NFB or ACB. 
No matter which organization we belong to, we still love our dogs the same. 
And the schools do what they can to outreach to us.

I'd like to see outreach at the conventions but I'd also like to see 
resources being used for the guide dog school programs themselves. GDF has 
always been a smaller school so has always been less able to send reps to 
conventions like the larger schools do.  Even TSE has cut back on things.  I 
got my first two dogs from GDF when John Byfield was there.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 8:55 AM
Subject: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions

> 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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>> >>
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>> >
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>>
>> --
>> Have freedom.
>>
>>
>> and listen to your hart Smilely.
>> Rhonda & Mya..
>>
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