[NFBC-Info] Fwd: Response to CAGDU Board Members (update) discovery concerning Membership grievances

[Tina Thomas]

Merry Christmas, California affiliate
Tina Thomas Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Tina Thomas <tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com>
> Date: December 25, 2024 at 4:13:50 PM PST
> To: tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com
> Subject: Fwd: Response to CAGDU Board Members concerning Membership grievances
> 
> 
> Tina Thomas Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com
>> Date: June 18, 2021 at 4:59:00 PM PDT
>> To: tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com
>> Subject: FW: Response to CAGDU Board Members concerning Membership grievances
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: oberholzerr at gmail.com <oberholzerr at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 11:46 AM
>> To: 'robert stigile' <rstigile at gmail.com>; 'Rachel Grider' <rachel.grider at gmail.com>
>> Cc: tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com; 'Brooklyn Kelly' <bwelandfrosty at gmail.com>; president at nfbcal.org
>> Subject: RE: Response to CAGDU Board Members concerning Membership grievances
>> 
>> Hi Tina,
>> 
>> Thank you for your service to CAGDU and its membership. The CAGDU Board and its membership were successful in sunsetting the California Guide Dog Board during your Presidency and that is a significant accomplishment that we all can be truly proud of as guide dog users and as NFBCA members.
>> 
>> Thank you for your service to CAGDU and the NFBCA.
>> 
>> Best, stay healthy and until soon,
>> 
>> Roger Oberholzer  
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: robert stigile <rstigile at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 9:09 AM
>> To: Rachel Grider <rachel.grider at gmail.com>
>> Cc: tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com; Roger Oberholzer <oberholzerr at gmail.com>; Brooklyn Kelly <bwelandfrosty at gmail.com>; president at nfbcal.org
>> Subject: Re: Response to CAGDU Board Members concerning Membership grievances
>> 
>> Tina,
>> I know this email could not have been easy so I commend you for writing it.
>> I believe it will strengthen the membership of CAGDU.
>> I look forward to working with you over the remaining months of your presidency and like Rachel, I hope you will remain active in the division.
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> 
>> Robert Stigile, Second Vice-President
>> National Federation of the Blind of California President San Fernando Valley Chapter
>> 818-381-9568
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jun 16, 2021, at 8:55 AM, Rachel Grider <rachel.grider at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Thank you for this email, Tina. I know that it can be difficult to write something like this. I would like to be one of the first to thank you for all of your work as the president of CAGDU. You were one of the first people that I met in the NFB of California, and I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for you. I hope that you will continue to be active in CAGDU after your term is up.
>>> 
>>> Would you like me to go ahead and forward your email to the membership?
>>> 
>>> Respectfully,
>>> 
>>> Rachel
>>> 
>>>>> On Jun 15, 2021, at 22:12, tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Dear CAGDU Board Members and President Elder:
>>>> Here is my response to the CAGDU Membership at the request of the
>>>> Board Members. Now it is up to the Board and Membership as to where
>>>> we go from here.
>>>> Thank you,
>>>> Tina Thomas-CAGDU-President
>>>> 
>>>> Dear CAGDU membership:
>>>> It has come to my attention that several of you were uncomfortable at
>>>> our CAGDU meeting on June 8,2021 with my stress level or should I say
>>>> tone while conducting the meeting. I apologize if my tone came across
>>>> as harsh and unwelcoming. Now that my technical issues have been
>>>> handled, I will make an effort to keep my tone in check. Now with
>>>> that said, I want to let the membership know that it has been an
>>>> experience serving as your CAGDU President. However, is time to start
>>>> the transition. I want CAGDU to keep moving forward and I wish the
>>>> very best for the division's growth. My term is up at our October
>>>> State convention along with all of your CAGDU Board Members and I
>>>> have elected to term out. Thank you all very much for your commitment and service to CAGDU.
>>>> Best,
>>>> Tina Thomas-CAGDU-President            
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Rachel Grider <rachel.grider at gmail.com>
>>>> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 9:18 AM
>>>> To: Tina Thomas <tina.thomas90044 at gmail.com>; oberholzerr at gmail.com;
>>>> rstigile at gmail.com; bwelandfrosty at gmail.com
>>>> Subject: CAGDU Suggestion
>>>> 
>>>> Dear Tina:
>>>> 
>>>> I wanted to address this in a board meeting to maintain transparency,
>>>> but I decided to write this email and CC the board.
>>>> I'm happy to still have a meeting if needed.
>>>> 
>>>> It has come to my attention that several CAGDU members were
>>>> uncomfortable at our last meeting.  I know that there were some
>>>> technology issues which played a part in this, but I don't think that
>>>> should be a problem at our next meeting because we will be using the
>>>> affiliate Zoom account.  I am concerned, however, that some of the
>>>> members might have misinterpreted your stress regarding Zoom as being
>>>> directed toward them, and because of this, I would like to suggest
>>>> that you send out an apology over email to the membership.  I think
>>>> that this would go a long way toward helping division members feel
>>>> welcome and needed in CAGDU, and it would probably help our attendance at the August meeting.
>>>> 
>>>> Please know that I am bringing this to your attention for the
>>>> membership, and  this is not meant as a personal criticism.  I am
>>>> happy to coordinate the organizing of convention activities and
>>>> anything else I can do leading up to convention.
>>>> 
>>>> With respect and gratitude,
>>>> 
>>>> Rachel
>>>> 
>>>> Rachel Grider
>>>> CAGDU Vice-President
>>>> 
>> 
>>