[NFB-Arkansas] Clarification About State Convention Registration

Sun Feb 8 02:52:44 UTC 2026

My 2 cents probably don’t matter to some but I don’t believe a nasty
response from the website person was needed.  An explanation was enough.
Thank you for clearing up the misconceptions Mr.  Mackey.
Clarke, thank you for being our sighted caring person looking out for all
of us.  We are all in this together and need to be a united group.  Let’s
go build the federation!!

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 Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 2:55 PM Brian Mackey via NFB-Arkansas <
nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Clark,
>
>
>
> I have acknowledged your apology. At this point, it is necessary to
> clearly and explicitly reset expectations around communication, roles, and
> process.
>
> Members across all state affiliates are *not* provided with full
> visibility into internal technical discussions, ongoing coordination, or
> national-level dependencies. This is intentional, standard practice, and
> not unique to Arkansas. Information is shared when it is complete,
> accurate, and actionable—not while matters are still pending approvals,
> access, or coordination at the national level. Speculation and partial
> information do more harm than good and are the primary source of the
> misunderstandings that led to this situation.
>
> To be absolutely clear: *there is nothing needed from members at this
> time*. The Square integration is awaiting coordination, credentials, and
> guidance from the national office. That work is already being handled
> through the appropriate channels. Additional outreach, phone calls, emails,
> or attempts by members to “encourage cooperation” will *not* accelerate
> this process and are neither helpful nor appropriate. Such actions risk
> creating confusion, duplicative communication, and unnecessary interference
> with an already constrained process.
>
> This is not a matter that can be resolved through added pressure, parallel
> contact, or continued commentary. Until the national office provides the
> required access and direction, there is nothing further that can be done at
> the affiliate or member level. Once that support is in place, I will
> proceed with the integration without delay.
>
> I understand the frustration with the current payment workflow and agree
> that the process should ultimately be improved. However, improvement will
> not come from continued speculation, repeated questioning, or attempts to
> insert additional voices into a process that is already clearly defined. At
> this stage, the most responsible and constructive action for members is to
> disengage from this issue, refrain from further outreach or commentary, and
> allow the established channels to function as intended. Continued
> involvement or interference will not advance the solution and will only
> impede the timely and effective completion of the integration.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
> *Brian A. Mackey*
> Brian A. Mackey
> President, National Federation of the Blind of PA Greater Berks Chapter
> Web Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind Multiple State Affiliates
> Member, NFB Committee on Federation Web Coordination
> Board Member & Web Coordinator, Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association
> Treasurer, Berks County Rotaract
> 609-680-8488
> Bmackey88 at gmail.com
>
> “We Care! We Share! We Grow! We Make A Difference!”
>       *-Joseph Ruffalo, Jr. (July 6, 1949 – May 3, 2022)*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Clarke Huisman <clarkehuisman at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 7, 2026 3:18 PM
> *To:* Brian Mackey <bmackey88 at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* NFB of Arkansas Internet Mailing List <nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org>;
> NFB President <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [NFB-Arkansas] Clarification About State Convention
> Registration
>
>
>
> I completely apologize for the misunderstanding. Thank you so much for the
> clarification. We in Arkansas are given very little information about what
> may or may not be happening, leaving far too much room for
> misunderstandings such as this.
>
> Is there anything that we, as members, can do to move this process along?
> Someone we can call to encourage cooperation? This process is far too
> clunky.
>
>
> Clarke Huisman
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 2:04 PM Brian Mackey <bmackey88 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I am compelled to respond to the implication that I am incapable of
> maintaining nfbar.org or completing a full integration of Square with the
> website. That implication is inaccurate and requires correction for the
> sake of the record.
>
>
>
> To be clear and unequivocal: I have been working on NFB-affiliated
> websites since February 2016. My first project was the website for the
> National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. At that time, my work
> focused on WordPress-based NFB websites, where I was responsible for
> ongoing maintenance, content management, and technical coordination.
>
>
>
> In August 2017, I attended a website training seminar at the national
> office led by the late Rachel Olivero. That training marked a transition
> point in my work, after which I began maintaining NFB-affiliated websites
> on Drupal. Since then, I have developed substantial familiarity and
> proficiency with the Drupal platform as used within the Federation.
>
>
>
> This experience became directly relevant when the national office began
> migrating all NFB state affiliate and national division websites to Drupal
> starting in 2021. Because I had already been actively working with Drupal
> in an NFB context for several years by that point, I was well prepared to
> support, maintain, and manage Drupal-based NFB websites, including
> nfbar.org.
>
>
>
> In recognition of my sustained experience coordinating and maintaining NFB
> websites, I was appointed last year by President Riccobono to the NFB’s
> Committee on Federation Website Coordination, also known as the Web
> Coordinators Committee. I am currently awaiting word regarding my
> reappointment to the committee this year. That appointment reflects
> institutional confidence in my technical knowledge, experience, and
> judgment regarding Federation websites.
>
>
>
> I have over ten years of experience in website maintenance and technical
> integration work. I am fully capable of managing the technical requirements
> associated with nfbar.org, including payment platform integrations such
> as Square. Any suggestion that the current state of Square integration
> reflects a lack of knowledge, skill, attention, or capability on my part is
> incorrect.
>
>
>
> The present limitations with Square integration are not the result of
> inaction or technical inability on my part. Completing a full integration
> requires coordination, credentials, permissions, and assistance from the
> national office that are outside my sole control. I am actively awaiting
> that support from Erin Rodney, Stephanie Cascone, and/or Ross Kirschner at
> the national office so the integration can be completed properly. This
> dependency has been communicated and should not be mischaracterized as a
> failure to act or a lack of expertise.
>
>
>
> Framing this situation as a prolonged “work in progress” attributable to
> my capability misrepresents the facts and shifts responsibility away from
> the actual bottleneck. Comments suggesting that this delay is the result of
> my inability are not only factually incorrect but constitute a verbal
> insult to my professional experience and technical expertise.
>
>
>
> Concerns regarding usability, workflow, or the member payment experience
> are legitimate and deserve to be addressed. However, those discussions must
> be grounded in accurate information and directed toward the appropriate
> parties. Publicly or implicitly questioning my competence does not resolve
> the underlying issue and instead undermines productive collaboration.
>
>
>
> Once the national office provides the required access and assistance, the
> Square integration can move forward appropriately. Until that occurs, it is
> inappropriate to continue suggesting that the delay is due to insufficient
> expertise or lack of effort on my part.
>
>
>
> Going forward, my work, role, and technical responsibilities are not to be
> mischaracterized or framed as capability issues when delays are caused by
> factors outside my control. Any concerns about website functionality,
> timelines, or integrations must be raised based on verified facts, with a
> clear understanding of dependencies, and through the appropriate channels.
> I will not accept continued insinuations—explicit or implied—that question
> my competence or professionalism in place of addressing the actual
> technical and organizational constraints involved.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
> *Brian A. Mackey*
> Brian A. Mackey
> President, National Federation of the Blind of PA Greater Berks Chapter
> Web Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind Multiple State Affiliates
> Member, NFB Committee on Federation Web Coordination
> Board Member & Web Coordinator, Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association
> Treasurer, Berks County Rotaract
> 609-680-8488
> Bmackey88 at gmail.com
>
> “We Care! We Share! We Grow! We Make A Difference!”
>       *-Joseph Ruffalo, Jr. (July 6, 1949 – May 3, 2022)*
>
>
>
> *From:* NFB-Arkansas <nfb-arkansas-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *Clarke
> Huisman via NFB-Arkansas
> *Sent:* Friday, February 6, 2026 4:06 PM
> *To:* NFB of Arkansas Internet Mailing List <nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Clarke Huisman <clarkehuisman at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [NFB-Arkansas] Clarification About State Convention
> Registration
>
>
>
> We’ve been using Square for three years. If Brian isn’t familiar with how
> to integrate do we need to look for someone who can?
>
> Clarke Huisman
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 2:49 PM Nena Chadwick via NFB-Arkansas <
> nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> As of right now square is not fully integrated with the website it is a
> work in progress.   Once it is it will be more streamlined.
>
> Live the life you want!
>
>
>
> On Feb 6, 2026, at 2:39 PM, Cindy Scott-Huisman via NFB-Arkansas <
> nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I’ve always felt like this is kind of clunky and that there ought to be
> an easier process. Thanks for sharing, Ginger!
>
> Life is short and dictation is faster — please pardon any errors.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 6, 2026, at 1:46 PM, Virginia "Ginger" Robertson via NFB-Arkansas <
> nfb-arkansas at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Yesterday I registered and thought I paid as well for the upcoming state
> convention.  However, I just simply registered.  After selecting to pay,
> you have to locate your cart or next; then, put in your payment details and
> hit the final button to pay.  Your bank, if you have it setup, will notify
> you and NFBAR will also notify you that you have paid.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps anyone planning on attending.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
>
> *“Time is Your Only Non-Renewable Resource, Use It Wisely.” **Written by:
> Audrey Fairbrother*
>
>
>
> ?*VEGR*
>
> *Little Rock, AR*
>
> *Email:  **Robertson.virginia at gmail.com* <Robertson.virginia at gmail.com>
>
>
>
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