[NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals

Sun Aug 24 01:14:35 UTC 2025

I agree with you.

On Sat, Aug 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM Cindy Scott-Huisman <
cindyscotthuisman at gmail.com> wrote:

> I was labeled a troublemaker yet much of what was happening was me
> responding to situations. Not instigating them
>
> The people who can’t be manipulated are the ones who are on the outside.
> Life is short and dictation is faster — please pardon any errors.
>
>
> On Aug 22, 2025, at 4:21 PM, APRIL SCURLOCK <april.nfbar at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 
>
> 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.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NFB-Arkansas mailing list
>>> NFB-Arkansas at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-arkansas_nfbnet.org
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>>> NFB-Arkansas:
>>>
>>
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-arkansas_nfbnet.org/cindyscotthuisman%40gmail.com
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
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