[NFB-DB] HKNC letter, on behalf of nfbdb, and Nfb

Fri Aug 16 16:05:18 UTC 2024

Amy,

Thanks for responding. That is interesting and a lot of money. Am I reading this correct? One can have a seat on the board just by donating. I would like to know if there are any other requirements for the board position. 

Thanks

Delcenia

From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Amy Rowson via NFB-DB
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2024 9:17 AM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Amy Rowson <amyrowson at att.net>
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] HKNC letter, on behalf of nfbdb, and Nfb

Hi Delcenia,

It is my understanding that you receive a seat on the HKS board by donating $2500 or more annually. I would like to see bios of the board members to see if they have any ties to the DeafBlind community.

I have asked if our sole DB representative had to donate that amount also or whether he was added simply as a representative of our community. I will let you know when I receive a response.

Thanks,

Amy

On Aug 15, 2024, at 4:56 PM, Delcenia Brown via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Hi Amy,

Do you know how  or when are the HKS board members are selected?

Thanks

Delcenia

From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Amy Rowson via NFB-DB
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2024 5:00 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Amy Rowson <amyrowson at att.net <mailto:amyrowson at att.net> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] HKNC letter, on behalf of nfbdb, and Nfb

Hi,

Amy Rowson here,

While I agree with the statements in this letter, I also would like to see added that HKNC is separated from the parent group HKS. Ultimately, it is the HKS board that makes the decisions for HKNC. So, even if we had a DeafBlind executive Director if the HKS board Does not agree with the way the executive Director wishes to run the program, it will not occur.

There have been many HKNC staff both those who are DB and those who have vision/hearing that would like to see HKNC be it's own entity and not a division  or under the parent HKS  organization.

While HKS is working on severing it's ties with HKNC, the HKS board needs to be comprised of a majority of DB board members. Currently, we only have one DB member and that is not enough representation.

eom - end of message 

On Aug 15, 2024, at 2:29 PM, Maurice A. Mines via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

The National Federation of the Blind DeafBlind Division understands that the work that the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) does is important for DeafBlind persons who are in need of adjustment training. We strongly urge this institution to implement the changes listed below.

1.      The HKNC should actively engage in finding and employing more blind and/or DeafBlind staff members. 

2.      The HKNC should strive to have a majority of its board of directors be DeafBlind people. 

3.      The HKNC should recruit and employ a DeafBlind director in order to instill community support among current students, consumer organizations, and the DeafBlind, ourselves.

4.      We believe that it is critical for students to seek competent role models in teaching positions. This shows students that after their training is completed, they too can live the lives they want.

We urge the Helen Keller National Center to work closely with the NFB DeafBlind Division and the National Federation of the Blind on these matters.

 Copy division board, and interested persons.

Maurice A. Mines, President 

National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division 

Email: nfbdbpresident at mmines.org <mailto:nfbdbpresident at mmines.org>  

Website: www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/>  <http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org <http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org/> > 

Live the life you want. 

The National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division, a proud division 

of the National Federation of the Blind, is a community of members and 

friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day 

we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.   

_______________________________________________
NFB-DB mailing list
NFB-DB at nfbnet.org <mailto:NFB-DB at nfbnet.org> 
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/amyrowson%40att.net

_______________________________________________
NFB-DB mailing list
NFB-DB at nfbnet.org <mailto:NFB-DB at nfbnet.org> 
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/amyrowson%40att.net

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240816/1dc721db/attachment.htm>