[nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions

Lyn Gwizdak linda.gwizdak at cox.net
Sun Apr 22 19:37:19 UTC 2012 

Cheryl,
Guess GDF must have grown sinse I was there last in 1975!  Glad they're 
doing well.

I saw John last in 1998 when I visited a friend in Bloomfield, CT and we 
went over to Fidelco and John was there then.  He's now with Freedom Dogs in 
NY State.  He's like the Everready Bunny - keeps going and going and 
going... LOL!  Good guy.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: "nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions


>
> 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
>> >> >>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >> >>>> for
>> >> >>>> nagdu:
>> >> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40acc
>> >> >>>> ess.net
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>> nagdu mailing list
>> >> >>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >> >>> for
>> >> >>> nagdu:
>> >> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%4
>> >> >>> 0gmail.com
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> >> nagdu mailing list
>> >> >> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >> >> for
>> >> >> nagdu:
>> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/missktlab1217%40
>> >> >> frontier.com
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> > nagdu mailing list
>> >> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>> >> > for
>> > nagdu:
>> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/graduate56%40juno
>> >> > .com
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> > nagdu mailing list
>> >> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>> >> > for
>> > nagdu:
>> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rhondaprincess%40
>> >> > gmail.com
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Have freedom.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> and listen to your hart Smilely.
>> >> Rhonda & Mya..
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> nagdu mailing list
>> >> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> > nagdu:
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hot
>> >> mail.com
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nagdu mailing list
>> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> > nagdu:
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jeninems%40wowway.com
>> > -----
>> > No virus found in this message.
>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> > Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2411/4949 - Release Date: 04/20/12
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nagdu mailing list
>> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> > nagdu:
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net

More information about the NAGDU mailing list