[Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
Boone, Christine (DELEG)
BooneC at michigan.gov
Thu Oct 29 15:30:52 UTC 2009
OK, I am going to write my honest thoughts here, but before doing that,
I want to say that I know I have been guilty of missing meetings,
forgetting meetings, failing to call and probably a host of other
unhelpful things. I am at least as much to blame as is anyone, and
Tyler and Leeann have given the most amazing effort. I want to thank
and commend you both for that!
As for Dave Andrews' comment, I must agree.
I had a really hard time getting this last chapter meeting into my mind.
I tried to come on the Thursday before, and completely forgot on the
real day, when we were at the Rehab conference. Even more important,
Megan and Ian both tried to come on our usual Monday, and they called me
from down town at 6:30 that night.
Megan tried again on that wrong Thursday, along with Corda and me. I
say this to let you know that we do care and we did put forth
effort...it was just mistimed. Ian and Megan would be tremendous new
members if we could get them. I know that I was the one who had asked
about another day besides Monday, but maybe we should not have made that
change so quickly.
For my part, I will commit to dragging my butt to our meetings, whenever
they are. I do not always reach my e-mails on time, so the same time
same station could be good.
I also think that we need to elect a new VP, as our current VP has not
been in attendance for many months. I know that she is really busy with
school, but still, this leaves the whole burden on Tyler and Leeann.
That's my say, for now.
Christine
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-kzoo-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-kzoo-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 1:18 AM
To: NFB of Kalamazoo Michigan List
Subject: Re: [Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
I am not in your chapter -- and this is probably none of my business
-- but I will say it anyway. I have observed that periodically you
change the time and/or place of your chapter meeting, or cancel
it. While the desire to do this is understandable with a small
chapter it also creates problems and doubt. I think that you will be
better off, in the long run having one time and one place, and not
changing it. People can then count on it, and build it into their
schedules ahead of time.
You will never find a time that meets everybody's needs, so
consistency is the solution.
Dave
At 11:01 AM 10/28/2009, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>I'm not sure exactly what happened with communication on this
>list. It seems like Tyler gets some messages that I never see and
>vice versa... Unfortunately, I think communication has been the
>biggest problem with our chapter. We got off to such an awesome
>start last year, and lately we have had people expressing interest
>in attending our meetings. I feel bad about dropping the ball when
>people have been inquiring. There is no other chapter nearby for
>them to join, as far as I know.
>Tyler and I were rather frustrated after this past meeting, which,
>did not happen because not one person showed up. Tyler and I would
>have had to have a meeting by ourselves. We were not aware that
>there was a conference that week that 3 of our chapter members would
>be attending. When Tyler sent out the message to reschedule
>October's meeting, maybe the question should have been asked whether
>or not the 22 worked for everyone else. But the date was mentioned
>and nobody ever said that they would not be able to make that
>date. With a chapter this small, every member's attendance is very
>important. There were a couple of people who asked a lot of
>questions, but said that they could not make it this time but would
>try to come in November. I'm glad they didn't choose this month to
>come check us out. For Tyler and me, we have attended several
>meetings where we were not able to move forward with anything
>because quarum was not met. We pay $20 out of pocket for a
>babysitter each time, and we live on a very tight budget. We have
>mentioned these things before, and all we have asked is that you
>communicate with us if you are not going to be able to make a
>meeting so we know what to expect, and can reschedule if necessary.
>I, personally, would be very sad to see this chapter dissolve, but
>if nobody is willing to commit at this time, then maybe that is
>best, and I will have to contact those who have been inquiring and
>tell them that our chapter will not be meeting any more. However, I
>am still willing to try to make it work with anyone else who is
>willing to work for the good of the blind people in this area. I
>think that a meeting once a month is not that difficult for most of
>us to put on our calendars, for all the good that it can do for our
>community. I never turned in the paperwork to the church, because
>we were uncertain of the status of our chapter, so I still have it
>here waiting to be turned in. I had planned to put us down for
>every 3rd Thursday, to avoid Tyler's trips as much as possible
>(which seem to take place on the 2nd Thursday of most months), and
>the 4th Thursday which ends up being a holiday for the next 2 months.
>
>On another note, I would like to attend convention with my children,
>but I don't know where the hotel is and how I would go about
>arranging transportation for 4 of us. Tyler will be at a goalball
>training camp, so it's just the kids and me. My room arrangements
>are set, it's just transportation that I have not arranged.
>Thanks,
>Leanne
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Tyler merren" <twmerren at gmail.com>
>To: "NFB of Kalamazoo Michigan List" <nfb-kzoo at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:36 PM
>Subject: Re: [Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
>
>
>>NFB Chapter,
>>Faith, I'm sorry that you were unable to make the meeting; however,
>>below is posted my original message, which clearly states that the
>>meeting was postponed to October 22 at 6:30pm and was sent on October
7.
>>
>>"This seems to be the tune that we all have stuck in our heads
>>lately, but the meeting for tomorrow will be postponed due to the
>>fact that our diligent, yet busy secretary has not yet gotten in in
>>the paperwork to the church, and is also sick, so that eliminates
>>our house as a meeting ground. We will postpone the meeting until
>>Thursday October 22 @6:30pm. This is still 2 weeks before
>>convention, so we should still have time to make some plans."
>>
>>I wouldn't worry about it too much though as no one showed up to
>>the meeting tonight anyway. This has become a problem for Leanne
>>and I, since most of the time we have a babysitter set aside, and
>>it is very much not worth it if we can't even have a meeting, which
>>has been the situation the last several times. We have talked, and
>>it seems to me that in light of the current situation, we cannot
>>commit ourselves to a chapter that is in this position. I am
>>certainly not blameless for the chapters status, if anything it was
>>my responsibility as the president to make the chapter progress,
>>yet with my family, school, Goalball, and all the others, it seems
>>that I haven't been able to give the chapter the sunshine and water
>>that it needs to grow. I will let this e-mail hang for a week, if
>>at that time, no one has stepped up to say that this chapter should
>>not be dissolved, and that they would have the time and will to
>>take the mantle, then I will call the chapter officially dissolved
>>at that point and will give my report to Fred.
>>
>>This chapter has done some great stuff, we did the Goalball
>>demonstration, the pizza party, we volunteered at the tournament
>>and got a few projects off the ground. We seemed to start off
>>strong, but some where along the line things started to putter
>>out. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated as well. I had
>>great times with you guys, and so I hope that nearer or farther,
>>the chapter will be reestablished and go strong.
>>
>>I will not leave the projects we were involved in to flounder, so I
>>will follow up with the Library Project, and I believe that JJ will
>>still work with the busing system for the desired changes we sought
there.
>>
>>I hope this finds everyone well, and I hope to hear from you,
>>Tyler Merren
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Meadows, Faith (DELEG)
>> To: NFB of Kalamazoo Michigan List
>> Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:56 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
>>
>>
>> Hello, I am sorry I will not make it to the meeting. I am unable to
get
>> a ride. If you could, please send me a reminder at least two days
in
>> advance so I may be able to schedule metro van. Original
Message-----
>> From: nfb-kzoo-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-kzoo-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On Behalf Of Tyler merren
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:49 PM
>> To: NFB of Kalamazoo Michigan List
>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
>>
>>
>> Hey everyone,
>> Here is the agenda for tomorrow, we'll see you then.
>>
>> Tyler Merren
>> President of the NFB of Kalamazoo
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Tyler and Leanne Merren
>> To: Nfb-kzoo at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: teresaarndt at yahoo.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 1:17 PM
>> Subject: [Nfb-kzoo] NFB Kalamazoo Chapter Meeting
>>
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>> I apologize for the late message. I've been out of town for
several
>> days and I'm trying to get my head back on straight...
>> Our meeting for this month is scheduled for tomorrow evening,
October
>> 22. We do not have confirmation from the church yet, so we will
plan to
>> meet at our house tomorrow at 6:30 PM. For those who are taking the
>> bus, if you can try to arrive at 6 that will allow us to get started
at
>> 6:30, as the bus gets here at just past the half hour and it's still
a 5
>> minute walk from the stop.
>> Snacks will be provided.
>> Again if anyone needs to bring children please let me know. We
look
>> forward to meeting with you all tomorrow evening.
>> Leanne Merren
>> Chapter Secretary
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