[NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals

Fri Aug 22 21:21:33 UTC 2025

Shelley, you have very valid points. I know many people were calling it the
Charles/April show, but we have a passion for this group that we want to
see all blind people involved with NFBAR.  We are all great people and want
the same for all blind people.  I hope you get back into it and put your
talents to use also.

April Scurlock, 2nd Vice President
National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas
Cell: 870.490.1825
Email: April.nfbar at gmail.com
Website: www.NFBAR.org

“We Live the Life We Want”

On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM Cindy Scott-Huisman via NFB-Arkansas <
nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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>>
>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-arkansas_nfbnet.org/cindyscotthuisman%40gmail.com
>>
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