[Nfbf-l] Stipend for Convention

[Sherri]

Marion, With all due respect, I concur that transparency is important, 
however, it should be strongly noted that we have not had a fund-raiser for 
the last several years. It takes a tremendous amount of funds to operate the 
affiliate, as I am sure you are aware, and so because we are all part of the 
NFB family, we need to step up and organize a viable and workable 
fund-raiser. As a member of the NFBF board, I would certainly like us to 
have the means to help send many people to the National Convention.
Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "Dan Hicks" <danjhicks at yahoo.com>; "Sherrill O'Brien" 
<sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>; <minichiellog at comcast.net>; "Kathy Davis" 
<kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>; "Joe Minichiello" <jbmini at comcast.net>; "Gloria 
Hicks" <gloria at irescue-tax.com>; "Dwight Sayer" <REPCODDS at aol.com>; "Betty 
McNally" <bethmac at bellsouth.net>; "NFBF List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Stipend for Convention


> Dan & Board,
>    I find it very interesting that, with only about two weeks left before 
> convention, the board has made a decision to not support a Chapter's 
> eforts to send members to convention. Though you mention that, as NAGDU 
> President,  I could ask NAGDU or national for monies to attend convention, 
> this is not an option for Tom Goldman or Merry Schoch.
>    In adition, I also find it interesting that the Board has taken care of 
> itself first by authorizing to give itself $900 per person well in advance 
> enough to make arrangements while forcing Chapters to wait for word on 
> your support. I think it is important for the membership to know that I 
> have figured that one person can attend national convention, including air 
> fare, hotel room, banquet, and registration for  about $830 and, if a room 
> is shared between two people, for under $1100 or $550 per person! It is my 
> understanding that, with the exception of three Board members who will be 
> sharing rooms with their families, each of the other Board members will 
> have another Board member as a room mate.
>    I feel it is fiscally irresponsible and borders on a breach of trust 
> for the Board to vote to pay itself such an amount while not supporting 
> the Chapters' efforts to get their members to the convention, the supreme 
> voice of the organized blind movement. The treasury belongs to the 
> stakeholder members and it is my opinion that they should be concerned at 
> the lack of transparency and accountability that is being exhibited by 
> those we have elected to manage our affairs and entrusted with our 
> treasury!
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> East Hillsborough Chapter
> National Federation of the Blind
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Dan Hicks
>  To: Marion & Martin ; Sherrill O'Brien ; minichiellog at comcast.net ; Kathy 
> Davis ; Joe Minichiello ; Gloria Hicks ; Dwight Sayer ; Betty McNally ; 
> NFBF List
>  Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:24 PM
>  Subject: Re: Stipend for Convention
>
>
>  Hello Marion,
>
>  The NFBF Board voted not to provide a blanket stipend for chapters this 
> year. Chapter Presidents -- or individuals -- are free to contact me if 
> they are attending the NFB Convention and have a financial need. As 
> president, I can always approve individual grants on a case-by-case basis.
>
>  As NAGDU president, you may be able to get funding from the national 
> office or from NAGDU itself. I don't know how the organization handles 
> such things; I'm just offering this as a suggestion.
>
>  Dan
>
>
>  "If you are going to walk on thin ice,
>   you might as well dance."
>                          - Inuit Proverb
>    ----- Original Message ----- 
>    From: Marion & Martin
>    To: Sherrill O'Brien ; minichiellog at comcast.net ; Kathy Davis ; Joe 
> Minichiello ; Gloria Hicks ; Dwight Sayer ; Dan Hicks ; Betty McNally ; 
> NFBF List
>    Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 2:34 PM
>    Subject: Stipend for Convention
>
>
>    Dear NFBF Board of Directors,
>        I understand that the NFBF Board met via teleconference last night. 
> One of the items of business that we were told by President Hicks was on 
> the agenda to be discussed was the amount of the stipend to be provided to 
> Chapters to assist members planning to attend the National Convention in 
> Detroit. I would like to know what the decision was in regard to this. 
> Furthermore, in the interest of transparency, can you share with the 
> membership what amount each member of the Board of Directors will receive 
> for this purpose?
>
>    Marion Gwizdala, President
>    East Hillsborough Chapter
>    National Federation of the blind
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