[NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals

[shelley.keeland at gmail.com]

Good afternoon!

 

I know I have no voice with respect to NFBAR, but I’m on the mailing list. These are good suggestions that Cindy has shared, and I hope that there will be a time when all members of NFBAR feel heard and that their input is valuable. Having to experience the tension at meetings and feeling pressured to take a side when you don’t know all the facts from both sides and aren’t aware of why there may be valid concerns that might lead to an opposing opinion to yours is not comfortable at all. The NFBAR Board represents the entire membership, and each person has to vote in the way they feel will most benefit everyone. I don’t always understand the need for certain policies and why they’re implemented instead of taking a vote. It’s not always easy for newer members to grasp why things are a certain way, and I think that’s where the importance of clarity comes in. Sometimes the enthusiasm for   the work and the strong opinions about what we’re doing and how we go about it can make others feel as if what they have to offer isn’t needed. There are so many skills and much talent within the group, and that should be a benefit to everyone to take that into consideration at both the affiliate and chapter levels.

 

I also just want to state that when I ran for the position of State Secretary in 2024 at State Convention in Jonesboro, I had no idea that there had been a consensus in 2021, without a vote from the attendees, that all conventions would be around the first weekend in April. The convention I am speaking about was the second weekend of the month, due to the eclipse. I had no idea this wasn’t a subject that could be readdressed every couple of years, just as the place for each convention can be decided. I am never available the first weekend in April because of a family conflict, and I would not have made the decision to run if I had known this issue wasn’t flexible. We did have a totally new board, and I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know this. I took my responsibility seriously. Having had to type the minutes from a meeting at which I was not acting secretary, I would not trust having to get a recording of the meeting later when I could not be present. At the Jonesboro meeting, I did ask some clarification questions to make sure I knew who was speaking. It’s easy sometimes to forget to state your name when you make a motion or comment, and it’s just not professional, in my opinion, to try to do it that way at every convention. I realize there will never be a weekend that’s convenient for everyone; however, aside from any emergency that might prevent a member of the Board from being present, I felt it would be important for the State Secretary to be there. I just wanted to make that position clear. I’m so glad that the job is in wonderful hands with Gene, much better than what I was able to offer, and I do not regret stepping away. I only regret that I didn’t know everything I should have been aware of before taking on that responsibility a second time.

 

I think the blindness movement needs all the willing hearts and hands we can offer to work toward the goals of equity and inclusion, accessibility, and outreach. I realize it’s impossible to always agree, but please let each member be plugged in at whatever level they feel comfortable when it comes to participating. As State Secretary, I also asked to be included on the membership committee but was told that wouldn’t be possible because the chair had already chosen who they wanted from each chapter. I understand that’s a viable and reasonable response, but I felt that was one way I could be helpful. It seemed that the same two members of the At Large Chapter were on both membership and fundraising for the State, and they were doing the same work and planning for the chapter. I don’t have many skills, but one of my responsibilities was to keep up with the membership and I wanted to have a voice when it came to ideas. I’m not an experienced fundraiser, but I had ideas along those lines as well. I understand now that the candy fundraiser I wanted is going forward, and I’m so happy about that. These are not resentments or complaints. I have so much admiration for the work that all of you are doing for blind people in Arkansas. It requires much time and effort on your part, and it’s rewarding to be a part of such good work and to have the friendships that I’ve made along the way. My involvement brought some much-needed confidence, and that’s a wonderful feeling. These are just thoughts I have had for a while, and I hoped they might be meaningful at some point. I have frankly shared my views with Nena, and I am not in any way trying to cause hurt feelings. It is sometimes a good and positive step to let others know why a decision is made that it’s healthier and less stressful for a member to decide that it’s time to leave an organization. If and when there is anything I can do to help, outside of joining again right now, I am more than willing to  be involved in any small way I can. I will be buying candy in the fall and will get friends and family to do so as well. See’s Candy is something I buy every year around the holidays. Much love to all!

 

Shelley

From: NFB-Arkansas <nfb-arkansas-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cindy Scott-Huisman via NFB-Arkansas
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 4:47 PM
To: NFB of Arkansas Internet Mailing List <nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cindy Scott-Huisman <cindyscotthuisman at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals

 

I came across these leadership ideas and wanted to share.

It's good to have goals for how we function as a team!

 

The premise that a team will be more productive when they are happier makes intuitive sense. 

 

Innovation:

Leaders’ openness to input and ideas.

 

Direct management:

clarity and truthfulness of communication.

 

Organizational effectiveness:

non-bureaucratic, efficient processes.

 

Engagement:

leadership that supports learning and growth.

 

Emotional connection:

a culture that fosters friendships among all involved.

 

Organizational alignment:

a good match between the organization’s external mission and its internal culture.

 

Listen for concerns and learn new ideas:

Leaders should look for ways to get as much feedback as possible, and then show they’ve really heard it and thought about how to use it.

 

Act and speak with clarity and truth:

As a general rule, people don’t appreciate doublespeak and confusion. Always be frank and explicit about what people need to know for their roles even if the truthful answer is “I don’t know what’s going to happen”.

 

Look for ways to support learning and develop team members:

The teammates you want to keep are the ones who love to learn new skills and grow in ability. Look for ways to encourage that growth.

 

Live up to the organization’s external mission.

 

Whether you are a leader or serve another role, remember that no one is perfect. Everyone will respect you more if you simply own your imperfect human-ness from time to time.

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