<div dir="auto">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. <br clear="all"><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">April Scurlock, 2nd Vice President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas<br>Cell: 870.490.1825<br>Email: <a href="mailto:April.nfbar@gmail.com">April.nfbar@gmail.com</a><br>Website: <a href="http://www.NFBAR.org">www.NFBAR.org</a><br><br>\u201cWe Live the Life We Want\u201d</div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 3:33\u202fPM Cindy Scott-Huisman via NFB-Arkansas <<a href="mailto:nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org">nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204)"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thank
you for the thoughtful replies.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">So
glad to receive responses.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Some
really good points are made here.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I
truly believe that our affiliate is meant to function amicably.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I
will continue to seek ways I can serve.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thanks
to each person who helps make this organization better,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cindy</span></p></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"></div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 1:12\u202fPM shelley.keeland--- via NFB-Arkansas <<a href="mailto:nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div></div><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204)"><div></div></blockquote></div><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204)"><div><div lang="EN-US"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif">Good afternoon!<u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif"> <u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif">I know I have no voice with respect to NFBAR, but I\u2019m 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\u2019t know all the facts from both sides and aren\u2019t 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\u2019t always understand the need for certain policies and why they\u2019re implemented instead of taking a vote. It\u2019s not always easy for newer members to grasp why things are a certain way, and I think that\u2019s where the importance of clarity comes in. Sometimes the enthusiasm for the work and the strong opinions about what we\u2019re doing and how we go about it can make others feel as if what they have to offer isn\u2019t 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.<u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif"> <u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif">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\u2019t 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\u2019t flexible. We did have a totally new board, and I wasn\u2019t the only one who didn\u2019t 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\u2019s easy sometimes to forget to state your name when you make a motion or comment, and it\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019m 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\u2019t know everything I should have been aware of before taking on that responsibility a second time.<u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif"> <u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif">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\u2019s 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\u2019t be possible because the chair had already chosen who they wanted from each chapter. I understand that\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019m 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\u2019m 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\u2019s rewarding to be a part of such good work and to have the friendships that I\u2019ve made along the way. My involvement brought some much-needed confidence, and that\u2019s 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\u2019s healthier and less stressful for a member to decide that it\u2019s 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\u2019s Candy is something I buy every year around the holidays. Much love to all!<u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif"> <u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Aptos,serif">Shelley<u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u><u style="font-family:Aptos,serif"></u></span></p><div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;padding:3pt 0in 0in;border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentcolor currentcolor"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> NFB-Arkansas <<a href="mailto:nfb-arkansas-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">nfb-arkansas-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Behalf Of </b>Cindy Scott-Huisman via NFB-Arkansas<br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 20, 2025 4:47 PM<br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To:</b> NFB of Arkansas Internet Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">nfb-arkansas@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cc:</b> Cindy Scott-Huisman <<a href="mailto:cindyscotthuisman@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">cindyscotthuisman@gmail.com</a>><br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Subject:</b> [NFB-Arkansas] Leadership Goals<u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I came across these leadership ideas and wanted to share.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It's good to have goals for how we function as a team!</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u> <u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The premise that a team will be more productive when they are happier makes intuitive sense. </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Innovation:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leaders\u2019 openness to input and ideas.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Direct management:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">clarity and truthfulness of communication.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organizational effectiveness:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">non-bureaucratic, efficient processes.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Engagement:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">leadership that supports learning and growth.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Emotional connection:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a culture that fosters friendships among all involved.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organizational alignment:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a good match between the organization\u2019s external mission and its internal culture.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Listen for concerns and learn new ideas:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leaders should look for ways to get as much feedback as possible, and then show they\u2019ve really heard it and thought about how to use it.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Act and speak with clarity and truth:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a general rule, people don\u2019t appreciate doublespeak and confusion. Always be frank and explicit about what people need to know for their roles even if the truthful answer is \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen\u201d.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Look for ways to support learning and develop team members:</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Live up to the organization\u2019s external mission.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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