[nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions

Sun Apr 22 17:38:40 UTC 2012

Lyn:
John was there last year at convention, nice man.
Also, GDF is one of the larger schools.  

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

> From: linda.gwizdak at cox.net
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:20:55 -0700
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
> 
> 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
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >> >>>> nagdu mailing list
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> >> >>>> nagdu:
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> >> >>>> ess.net
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
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> >> >> frontier.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
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> >> >
> >> >
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> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Have freedom.
> >>
> >>
> >> and listen to your hart Smilely.
> >> Rhonda & Mya..
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
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