[nfbmi-talk] Great Convention!

[Larry Posontt]

Hello Fellow Federationists,

 

I wish to congratulate you all on a great convention.  There was more
participation than I have seen in a long time, especially the great interest
in running for election.  You are showing that we are working on those
things you see as important to blind people in our state and that you wish
to work to help other blind people live the lives we want.

 

I wish to send special thanks to Dave Robinson and Sarah Norwood for their
service to our board Their participation and contributions have made a
difference.  Knowing these folks as I do, I know they will be right in there
contributing and working as they always have.

 

Special congratulations to Derek Moor, Dianna Mohnke, Mary Wurtzel, Melinda
Latham and Fred Wurtzel on your election to our 2015-16 NFB of Michigan
Board of Directors.  We have a lot on our plate and everyone's input and
involvement will be needed to continue to grow our affiliate and make a
difference for blind people in our state.  I am expecting our board to be
positive, dynamic and hard-working this year and next.  I have great
confidence in your dedication energy, creativity and willingness to roll up
your sleeves and work on the many issues before us.

 

I will be appointing committees for the 2015-16 year.  We have some
traditional standing committees..  They are:

 

Legislation - This year we will be working on our resolution to have
oversight hearings regarding the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons.  Our
resolutions call for a return to a Commission structure.  There are other
matters which will call for our legislative vigilance which this committee
will need to work on.  This is a "boots on the Ground committee" which will
need to spend time in the halls of the Anderson and Romney buildings meeting
legislators  and building relationships.  This committee will need to
coordinate with members to work with their legislators to assist in passing
our legislation.  If you like traveling to Lansing, meeting state
representatives and senators and explaining our needs for legislation we
need you.  This work takes patience, a smile and a knack for policy.  If
this describes you, please let me know.

 

Fundraising - Of course, no organization can operate without money.  We need
money to get people to Lansing, educate the public, provide training and
information to blind citizens and a myriad of other activities.  If you like
entrepreneurial activities, meeting people, finding creative ideas for
fundraising, we need you.  We need to raise lots of money if we are going to
accomplish our very ambitious goals for 2016.

 

Membership - We are attracting new people.  We need to attract more.  There
are thousands of blind people who have never heard of our organization.
Many of them need us to help them accomplish their goals and dreams.  We
need new members to help us make Michigan the best state to be blind.  We
need creative, friendly and outgoing people to reach out to the community
and build the Federation here in Michigan.

 

We have some committees which have not functioned recently and are needed to
meet our needs this year.  They are:

 

Youth Outreach - Fred Wurtzel was appointed Youth Outreach Coordinator last
August.  He needs a crew of fun-loving, energetic people who are interested
in helping young blind people and their families dream of their futures and
then go out and make those dreams come true.  If you like action, fun and
are willing to share your mentorship with young people, please let me know.

 

Special Events - J.J. is our point person on convention arrangements and
Washington Seminar.  This year we are anticipating a statewide Walk-a-thon
fundraising event in the Spring in Grand Rapids.  We will need people to
assist in lots of logistical activities to make these and other events fun,
attractive and successful.  If you like organizing, welcoming and creating
exciting and fun events, please let me know.

 

Communication - In the 21st century there are more channels of communication
than ever before.  Information is still difficult to get to everyone when
they need it.  We need you if you are interested in spreading the word about
our organization to our members and to the public.  We need you if you like
talking on the phone, managing a Twitter account, keeping a Facebook page
up-to-date and even sending out information through the mail (I'm sure you
have heard of mail).  If you feel we need better communication and you have
creative ideas please let me know.

 

If you have other ideas for our organization or think we need other
committees, please call me at 313-727-3546 and talk to me.  Together we will
find a way to work on your particular passion.

 

Sincerely,

 

Larry Posont, President

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan