[Nfbmo] Fw: Convention Coordinator

[Gary Wunder]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Marion Gwizdala 
To: Toni Whaley ; Sherrill O'Brien ; Michael Hingson ; Meghan Whalen ; Margo Downey ; Marsha Drenth 
Cc: Gary Wunder 
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2010 5:02 PM
Subject: Fw: Convention Coordinator


Dear NAGDU Board Members,
    I am forwarding this exchange of messages between Nick Whitney and me to you FYI. I am also copying Gary Wunder, President of the NFB of Missouri. I have spoken with President Wunder who has shared his perspective on this issue. As you will note in this exchange, I had asked Mr. Whitney to call me if he would like to discuss this issue. Rather than doing so, he turned it back to me, asking me to call him if I would like to discuss this with him. I am unwilling to play the game of "cat and mouse" with him. As you are probably aware, the NFB has a protocol of accepting resignations without question in order to avoid using such a tactic to manipulate. 
    President Wunder and I are making plans to revitalize the Missouri Association of Guide Dog Users at the affiliate convention taking place March 26 - 28. You will be receiving an email message concerning a teleconference planning meeting to be held Wednesday evening, March 24. I believe your participation in this meeting would go a long way in helping shore up this affiliate division, so I encourage as many of you as possible to join in. Please use the same call-in number and participant code used for our Board meeting. The time will be announced in this future message. 

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
813-598-7161
President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://NFB-NAGDU.ORG





----- Original Message ----- 
From: Nickcherub at aol.com 
To: blind411 at verizon.net 
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 9:21 AM
Subject: Re: Convention Coordinator


Good Morning Marion
Thanks for your message.  It is much more than one person  with a  bias I had great plans for the  division in Missouri and wanted to work very much with NADGU, and still do.  I will be happy to talk with you. Do you have time tonight I will home all night after 5pm my time.  I will have more time to talk at night.  If tonight don't work for you let me no what night is good. 

As I told you I want to do all I can for guide dogs and users.  I do continue to work.  Last week Cherub and I did two programs at schools in Northwest Missouri.  

I also have become a authorized distributor for Nylabone.  My plan to offer the Nylabone to guide dogs at a discount.

My home number is 573-893-2255.  I look  forward to talking with you.

Nick

In a message dated 3/14/2010 7:10:40 P.M. Central Daylight Time, blind411 at verizon.net writes:
  Nick,
      Thank you very much for your message. I feel it is unfortunate that you are unwilling to continue our efforts in Missouri because you feel as if one person has a bias against guide dogs. I would like to encourage you to reconsider, especially because I have learned that an influential individual in the Missouri affiliate is considering obtaining a guide dog. I would like to chat with you about this, if you care to do so. Please give me a call at 813-598-7161.

  Fraternally yours,
  Marion Gwizdala, President
  National Association of Guide Dog Users
  National Federation of the Blind
  813-598-7161
  President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
  HTTP://NFB-NAGDU.ORG

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Nickcherub at aol.com 
    To: blind411 at verizon.net 
    Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 11:59 AM
    Subject: Re: Convention Coordinator


    Hello Marion
    I don't believe I received the email in Jan.  I am very sorry to say I can not be the convention   Coordinator. I very much wanted to help in any way I could.

    Because of several reasons i  after many years did not renew my membership with the NFB.  Things are just not the same as when I joined in the 70's with DR. Jernigan. 

    In Missouri I don't feel the guide dog division was welcomed and even as late as  6 months ago a state board member for more than 30 years has told newly blind you don't need a dog use a long white cane.  People should have a choice and a board member should be open to help in anyway.

    You no I did a lot of work to get our division up last March.  To this date we still did not receive our charter.   In Dec. I ask Gary Wunder the charter and was told he would work on it.  I don't want to be part of a organization that is nagitive with guide dogs.

    I will still work to do anything I can to promote the use of guide dogs, and help in anyway  but not in Missouri.

    Best of luck to NAGDU.

    Nick with guide Cherub

    In a message dated 3/5/2010 4:23:57 A.M. Central Standard Time, blind411 at verizon.net writes:
      Nick,
          I hope this message finds you well and warm! I'll bet you miss Florida at this time of the year! I miss Michigan in August! (smile)
          I am writing to find out if you are still interested in serving as NAGDU's Convention Coordinator. I wrote to you on January 26 concerning this and have not heard back from you. The NAGDU Board will be meeting via teleconference on Sunday, March 7to continue our discussions and planning for the 2010 convention activities. Please get in touch with me by either replying to this message or giving me a call. My contact information is below my signature.

      Fraternally yours,
      Marion Gwizdala, President
      National Association of Guide Dog Users
      National Federation of the Blind
      813-598-7161
      President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
      HTTP://NFB-NAGDU.ORG