[Ncabs] Fwd: [nabs-l] I am running for NABS President this July

Wed Apr 20 12:46:49 UTC 2016

I am so proud of Kathryn, one of our NCABS members!! Read below for more information about her and the NABS presidency she is seeking.

--
Sincerely,
Kenia Flores

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Kathryn Webster via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: April 20, 2016 at 7:32:44 AM EDT
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Kathryn Webster <kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nabs-l] I am running for NABS President this July
> Reply-To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Hello Fellow Federationists!
> 
> 
> 
> Finals are quickly approaching and I hope each of you are finishing off the
> semester strong! 
> 
> I am writing today to announce my intention to seek the presidency of the
> National Association of Blind Students.
> 
> 
> 
> Over the past two years, I have worked with NABS members and leaders both on
> and off the board. For the first year, I served as a member of the
> Fundraising and Legislative Committees. In July, 2015, I was elected
> Secretary of NABS. Shortly thereafter, I assumed the role of treasurer in
> order to fill an unexpected vacancy on our board. Over the past two years, I
> have been blessed to work with many of you on numerous projects.
> 
> 
> 
> As Fundraising Chair, I am unbelievably proud to announce that NABS was able
> to fund over 15 students to attend Washington Seminar, raising over $3,750
> to make this happen. This was an initiative I worked hard for, and one I am
> thrilled succeeded. I could not do this alone. The Fundraising Committee,
> composed of several members off the NABS Board, as well as some great NABS
> Board Members, worked tirelessly to reach our goal, while planning other
> events for 2016. NABS would not have been able to sponsor several students
> across the country without President Riccobono's generous commitment to
> match NABS' financial commitment and without the help of Anil Lewis, Patti
> Chang, and Parnell Diggs working with us to select the recipients, which
> emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with our
> national leaders. 
> 
> As a Computer Science minor at Wake Forest University, I quickly added the
> task of NABS web master to my federation work, combining my personal and
> academic interests to improve our website. As the Legislative Committee
> Co-Chair, President Sean Whalen and I worked closely to collect over 160
> equal-access-to-education testimonies. Throughout this endeavor, we worked
> with our Governmental Affairs specialists in Baltimore, keeping the
> Federation's priorities at the forefront of every decision made. 
> 
> 
> 
> While I am exceedingly proud of the work that I and our members, committees,
> and fellow board members have done the past two years, there is always more
> we can do. I am confident that I can energize, strengthen, and grow the
> National Association of Blind Students. I want students to join us during
> National Convention without the worry of finances lingering over our heads.
> Just like the Washington Seminar Funding Program recently implemented, I
> hope to replicate that for national Convention attendees.
> 
> 
> 
> Last November, the Connecticut affiliate partnered with NABS to put on the
> very first Legislative Leadership Workshop for students. As part of the
> planning committee, I hope to see these seminars expand to various other
> states and will be working with affiliates to make it happen. Through
> interaction, discussion, and learning, we gain knowledge and insight from
> others in order to advocate effectively, perform exceptionally, and work
> professionally. I am a leader and a team player. I love collaboration,
> particularly amongst our state student divisions. While many seminars are
> already in the works, modeling from the successful workshop last November, I
> see promise in the effort put forth by students across our regions.
> 
> 
> 
> Several student divisions struggle with financially supporting the programs
> and events we all dream to host. Look no further! With experience
> fundraising and event planning, I will create a NABS program that student
> divisions can apply to for stipends in order to host events in your home
> states. If Florida, or any other state affiliate, wants to host a student
> social for recruiting new talent, but money is tight, NABS should be able to
> help fund these types of programs because we are here for our students, our
> members, and our federation family.
> 
> 
> 
> Have you ever interacted with a NABS representative during a State
> Convention? NABS wants to know what you think. As President, I plan on
> creating a NABS Rep feedback form so student divisions and affiliate
> leadership can reflect on their experiences. We are an organization driven
> by our members and we want to provide mentors that are responsive to every
> student concern and affiliate need. These forms will inform the NABS Board
> of what was helpful, beneficial, less effective, and what we need to do to
> best grow our student divisions and state affiliates.
> 
> 
> 
> These are some of the new programs that I hope to institute if I am so lucky
> to earn your vote this summer.  In addition to my ideas and experience as a
> Student Division President of North Carolina, a Connecticut Affiliate Board
> Member, and NABS officer, I will also bring my unique leadership style to
> NABS.  First and foremost, I believe that we, as students, must have strong
> relationships with our organization's leadership.  The easiest way for
> students to have an impact on the work of the Federation is to work hand in
> hand with our affiliate and national leadership.  Second, I want to know
> you. I care about personal connection in order to foster positive results. I
> don't want to be a leader from a distance; I want to be your teammate, a
> mentor, and a friend. Third, I will make sure that there is accountability
> on the board.  We will be attentive to our membership, inclusive of
> non-board members, have follow through with our commitments and work, and
> will be responsive to other divisions, affiliates, and national leaders that
> want to work with us.  Finally, I will make sure to continue to provide
> opportunities to students who want to participate but are not elected to the
> board.  This opportunity was what allowed me to get so involved with NABS
> two years ago and is what helped me to develop the leadership skills I
> believe the NABS board needs to continue the progress we've made.  
> 
> 
> 
> For these reasons, I'm asking for your vote to be the next President of
> NABS.  If anyone has any questions, concerns, or ideas about NABS, as
> always, I'm ready to hear them.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all at
> convention in a little over two months! Let's go build the Federation!
> 
> 
> 
> Have a great Wednesday!
> 
> 
> 
> Best,
> 
> Kathryn
> 
> 
> 
> Kathryn Webster
> 
> Treasurer/Secretary | National Association of Blind Students
> 
> (203) 273-8463
> 
> Kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kenia.flores101%40gmail.com