[Nfbf-l] Stipend for Convention

[Rachel Jacobs]

With all respect, I have to agree with Marion on this. I think that the 
board should have maybe decided this well in advance so chapters could 
figure out other ways to raise funds for national convention. I do not feel 
that it is fair for the board to elect for themselves this large amount of 
money especially when most people on the board will be sharing rooms with 
one another.  I think that it is really important that the NFBF affiliate 
tries to find ways to raise money. If money is constantly going out and very 
little is coming in, there will be no money at all pretty soon. I think as 
members we all need to work together at figuring out ways to raise funds for 
our state affiliate. I also feel that if the board is going to elect that 
they each get 900 dollars each, they also need to take the responsibility 
and find ways to raise funds. After all, we did put our trust in each of 
you, and we all need to be able to trust one another. I say all of this with 
respect for each of you.

Rachel Jacobs
President of the Manasota Chapter
----- 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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