[nagdu] National Convention--my opinion

Wed Jul 10 18:50:02 UTC 2013

Hi,

Just my input on this thread here, even though I did not attend the
convention.
I seem to remember reading earlier that there were approximately 400 guide
dogs present at the convention. It seems to me that constitutes an unusual
situation, one out of the everyday norm.
I would not expect an employer or any other establishment to require payment
for maintenance of a relief area, but if special accommodations had to be
made to provide clean areas for 400 dogs, then a nominal charge should not
only be considered but should be expected as part of the convention charge.
I agree cane users do not have to pay a charge, but they do not have to
relieve themselves outside either.
Even if a handler decides not to use the designated area, he or she will use
a specific area over the 4 days. The area does require to have a bit of
additional watering or maintenance. I used to garden quite a bit and
remember when my boy lifted his leg on a plant - it usually damaged the
plant. If the dog squats on the grass, the urine will leave some brown
spots. If the dog squats on the cement then the cement needs to be hosed
down to remove the urine or residue of the other remains. In any case, there
is additional maintenance that will come from the gathering of 400 dogs that
would not be the case if it was just a dog or several dogs.
I think the charge is a good idea, but the amount is what should be
discussed by everyone to determine what is fair and equitable, and who
should get the money. If NAGDU provides the relief areas then people should
use those areas as to minimize any maintenance to other areas.
Coming from the south in my younger years, it seems that wood chips would
not be the optimal material to use as a relief medium due to the dampness
and humidity. A consideration might be pea gravel which could be sifted
through easily and would dry quickly.
Anyway, just my thoughts.

Daniel and Cass
Lakewood, Colorado

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha Dudley
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 11:59 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion

Hello,
I do not agree with the required fee for the relief areas. If you have a
required fee, that would be going against everything We stand for. Our dogs
are supposed to go with us everywhere, without the hindrance of any extra
fees that  anyone else would incur on the same day or at the same time.
Those with canes do not have to pay an extra fee, so, I think it makes sense
to ask for donations, but not to require them. If we start requiring them
for the relief areas, are employers  may also start doing the same things so
that we can have a relief area.  This does not make sense to me, though I do
not mean to offend anyone by my statements. I say that is the same for us as
it would be for any other organization that we might become a part of,
including our work, or other activities. We should have the same rights as
any other person, and should not have to pay any extra fees, just so our
dogs can come with us. I think requiring fees is asking for trouble. People
will not relieve their dogs in the relief areas, or they will relieve them,
but not clean up after them  or do any number of other things that could
damage the hotel property. Also, this could greatly affect people's
perceptions of the Nfb's view on guidedogs, a viewwhich we are just now
starting to change among the general public. Just my thoughts.

Aleeha Sent from my iPad

On Jul 10, 2013, at 1:14 PM, Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com> wrote:

> Margo, I think if we pay a fee that is a required one, and if we don't
have the folks to adequately care for it, we need to hire some company. It
is a huge issue to have that material hauled from Maryland. I wonder why
they don't do it that way anyway? I really hadn't thought much of this.
> 
> CL
> 
> On Jul 10, 2013, at 12:06 PM, "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
wrote:
> 
>> I think it should be a required charge.  Also, you know, we can learn
from
>> other organizations and I hope we don't get into the thing of not doing
>> something because A C B or some other organization does it.  I still
would
>> like to see a company that does this type of work do the work instead of
the
>> National Center.
>> 
>> Margo and Arrow
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Hingson
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 11:36 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion
>> 
>> The NFB does pay for the relief area.  As I said, I think a voluntary fee
>> option on the pre registration form and an option for people who register
at
>> the convention would be good.  What we need to do is to make this whole
>> thing more visible to all members.
>> 
>> Not to copy or anything, but the ACB has this option on its registration
>> forms.  It does work.
>> 
>> I will not comment much on making this a requirement except to say that
at
>> the convention people charge for all kinds of things.  It is reasonable
to
>> consider asking guide dog users to help defray the relief area costs.
Also,
>> non guide dog users may wish to help. 
>> 
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> 
>> Michael Hingson
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla Rogers
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 08:20 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion I hear what you are
>> saying Julie, but would the National Convention pay for it out of its
funds?
>> Darla & Handsome Huck
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 10:01 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion
>> 
>> Isn't requiring guide dog users to pay a fee for a service or
participating
>> in an event against our beliefs as an organization?
>> 
>> I've always felt that NAGDU  was opposed to charging guide dog users fees
>> based on their choice to use a guide dog.  I don't know about the
legality
>> of doing this in this particular situation, but if the hotel did it,
there
>> would be a giant fuss about it.  If we wouldn't put up with it from the
>> hotel, why would we impose it on ourselves?  I'm not trying to start
>> anything, but it seems like a contradiction to me.
>> 
>> Julie 
>> 
>> 
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> 
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