[NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals

[Cindy Scott-Huisman]

Thank you for the thoughtful replies.

So glad to receive responses.

Some really good points are made here.



I truly believe that our affiliate is meant to function amicably.



I will continue to seek ways I can serve.

Thanks to each person who helps make this organization better,

Cindy

On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 1:12 PM shelley.keeland--- via NFB-Arkansas <
nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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>
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