[Nfb-new-hampshire] A look behind the NH affiliate scenes

[Carol Holmes]

Hi Marie and others,

  First, I want to thank Marie for all she does for our affiliate.  After 
reading what the President does I don't think I should run for First vice. 
With all my other commitments, I could not fill Marie's shoes if something 
were to happen to her and she had to step down.  As you all know, I am 
President of the Dog Guide Users of NH and I have to admit that is my first 
passion.  As Marie being a President, being President of the Dog Guide Users 
is a  lot of work.  We are considering becoming a 501 c3 in the future and 
that is a lot of work.  So I guess what I am saying is that I do not want to 
run as first vice because , I should be willing to take over the presidency 
if necessary and  at this point in my life I am not.  If Judy was willing to 
move up I would consider Second Vice.  I do however want to remain on the 
Board if possible.  If I get off the
Board, I really feel that I will just loose interest in NFB/NH.  To be a 
member at large just does not cut it for me and I would not be motivated to 
be involved.
  That is my two cents worth and I am being very honest.

Carol

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marie Johnson" <jomar2000 at comcast.net>
To: "J.M.A" <jomar2000 at comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 6:18 PM
Subject: [Nfb-new-hampshire] A look behind the NH affiliate scenes


>
>> Hello ladies and gents;
>> Ed has asked for an enlightenment of the duties that are performed so 
>> quietly and without notice, behind the scenes. so I would love to  give 
>> you all a glimpse of things as they are. I'm sincerely not being 
>> sarcastic here, this will be the most educational and important post that 
>> I could provide as President, to all of you as members of the affiliate 
>> and members at large.
>> Since the Board meeting it has really dawned on me that the Presidency 
>> will never be able to be successfully passed on  without significant 
>> training in several areas.  I  hope this will give much food for thought 
>> for those of you that are contemplating taking a leadership role as an 
>> Executive officer this year, or in the future.
>>
>> * President and Treasurer oversee all authorizations of expenses, in 
>> written form, banking and investment accts, fund-raising,    monthly 
>> reports to Nat'l, keeping track of and collecting dues from members at 
>> large and coordinating with Carol who is so awesome about  making sure 
>> that cards, appropriate  type baskets or   sunshine monies are purchased 
>> and sent immediately
>> note; all written authorizations are a new mandate from Nat'l over the 
>> past year for every affiliate.  It has been a whole new learning process 
>> for all concerned, especially  in the recent transition of our new 
>> Treasurer
>> * President and Treasurer also handle the immense responsibilities of the 
>> financials in regards to the Childs magic shows, yearly tax forms and 
>> obligations, as well as state and local tax issues. Also, the signing and 
>> notarizing of yearly paperwork involving the Secretary of States office
>> * update and report yearly not only to Nat'l, but  the Secretary of 
>> States office, with the contact information for every member of all 
>> chapters and in general, of the affiliate
>> my other  Presidential duties include;
>> * keeping David B. and Donald in constant phone contact as they do not 
>> have the technology to stay apprised
>> * arranging board meetings, securing location and topics
>> * arranging state conventions regarding hotels, food, transport, 
>> location, working with entire membership to select programs for the day 
>> or days, when it was applicable and writing and posting agendas and 
>> assist in sending out all the invitations to those that would be a part 
>> of the day
>> * requesting from Nat'l,   a rep for the state con
>> * making all arrangements for Washington seminar, and Nat'l convention, 
>> hotel and transport
>> assuring that delegate gets Nat'l reimbursement, seeing as it has not 
>> been me to attend
>> * Newsline program coordinator,  marketing and promoting Newsline 
>> throughout the state, maintaining the administrative website and keeping 
>> all info current and relevant, working in conjunction with the talking 
>> book library to keep current all the subscriber info and applications, 
>> working with the Governor's commission to assure that the contract fees 
>> are kept paid, working with Scott from Nat'l whenever necessary to 
>> discuss problems and or telecommunication fees, and if that isn't 
>> enough... now featuring, working with other agencies to make all their 
>> inaccessible newsletters or articles of interest accessible and viable in 
>> order to post them to the states channel via telephone, which they would 
>> really like to see on the system
>> * Braille coin program coordinator, which has now ended in a sense, but 
>> there are still many coins that can be purchased through Nat'l and it is 
>> still important to  get them out there to   as many people as possible
>> * Braille literacy program coordinator, an on going project for the 
>> present and future need to bring Braille awareness to the forefront of 
>> all of our communities
>> Pass out Braille literacy information, have Braille events, reach parents 
>> of blind kids to excite them about the need for their children to learn 
>> Braille, things of that kind.
>> * coordinator for the yearly Imagination Fund  fund-raising projects, 
>> which in turn award the affiliates with yearly grants
>> * coordinator for other affiliate action programs developed by Nat'l, 
>> that no one else agrees to do
>> note; all coordinator positions required that the person attended any and 
>> all phone conferences and trys  to motivate the affiliate
>> * Nat'l scholarship interviews and letters to committee for applicants. 
>> this is particularly critical as Nat'l only gives out 30 scholarships out 
>> of about 450 and depend on the Presidents to interview and make absolute 
>> honest referrals. I have a letter that I will be posting soon from the 
>> committee as an example, to show you all the importance of this 
>> responsibility as well
>> * white cane monthly reports, contacts all recipients of free white 
>> canes, whether they are in theNFB  or not, to assess their situation and 
>> see if they are interested in joining, or how we can ve of value to them 
>> in the way of mentoring, support,  yadi, yadi
>> * main contact for affiliate, handles all calls from persons of interest 
>> and or solicitors
>> * picks up quilts, other raffle prizes, donation of equipment to be given 
>> to those in need, etc, and makes sure they get to their new owners.
>> note, could not possibly be accomplished without the essential 
>> transportation provided by Julie
>> additional note; I have seriously failed to make the affiliate aware 
>> lately of the donated equipment that has come in and already been 
>> distributed. Sorry bout that. Gil also made a huge donation of a brand 
>> new color CCTV unit that we were absolutely thrilled and excited to 
>> provide immediately  to an 8 year old  blind girl at Christmas. The 
>> reason I am mentioning it now, is because the appreciation of the father 
>> and grandfather of the recipient  were overwhelmingly tearful  and their 
>> gratitude could in no way ever be expressed. This little girl has for the 
>> first time in her life, been able to see some things because of the 
>> generosity of another.
>> and I am truly sorry that we did not share that with all of you  at the 
>> time. (I guess we just did it and went on to normal affairs because that 
>> is what we normally do.
>> * writes all begging letters and sends them out electronically and some 
>> by snail mail. Also writes all thank you notes, although I have slipped 
>> greatly recently in this area and then I offer electronic copies of such 
>> things to anyone that wants to use them as templates
>>
>> * Ed and Gil's chapters, that do   presentations to health fairs, Lions 
>> clubs, and fund-raising events such as the notable Littleton magic show 
>> every year to help keep their chapters afloat and assist their members in 
>> financial ways
>> *   Youth slam coordinator, handled by Wayne.
>> Wayne graciously gives of his time and efforts each year to go to Nat'l 
>> and participate in all the youth programs and brings back what he has 
>> learned to apply it to our own youth
>> * student division seminars at Nat'l, handled by Stephen in the past. Not 
>> sure who will resume that responsibility now that he has graduated. 
>> Stephen also graciously offered his time and efforts each year to fulfill 
>> this obligation particularly fulfilling one of the essential duties that 
>> he saw as part of his Presidency of the student division
>> * state scholarship process, handled by Jim and Judy in recent years, and 
>> now Sandy will assume duties
>> requires the contacting of schools, agencies, others that are involved 
>> with seeking grants for education. Receiving transcripts and picking the 
>> 2 best applicants, if there are indeed 2 or more, which there had been in 
>> past years. Jim and Judy's commitment to choosing the best was also a key 
>> element and not an easy task
>> note again; as we talked on Saturday, this is also a critical part of 
>> what we do for the future of our blind and visually impaired youth
>> * and last, but certainly not the  very least, all the tremendous work 
>> done by our NFB moderator David Andrews, who keeps our important msg's 
>> and yes, even our dirty laundry humming along without any problems!
>> I would never, ever, be able to oversee our  many NH lists. So...kudos to 
>> you David!!
>> Believe it or not I may have forgotten a couple of things but if they 
>> come to mind, I will post again.
>>
>> Oh wait, I cannot possibly close this off until I say that if I have 
>> forgotten to recognize anyone for their most valuable participation, then 
>> I hereby offer my sincere and humble apologies.
>> This actually was only meant to be a draft for your general knowledge but 
>> I guess you all know me and my ways!!
>>
>> I again want to extend our thanks too, to Dr. Schroeder for taking his 
>> valuable time to fly all the way to NH to offerhis expertise and 
>> assistance.
>>
>>
>> So... who wants to move on up into the seat of the President?
>>
>> Marie
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