[NFBMO] Important Message From the President

[Shelia Wright]

Hello Missouri Federation Family,

 

I want to thank the Jefferson City Chapter for their outstanding hospitality
yesterday as they hosted our NFB of Missouri State Board. They did a
tremendous job. I want to thank all of you who participated in our first
board meeting of 2022 whether you were with us in Jefferson City or joined
us through Zoom. As you know, I had not planned on having a hybrid meeting
as this combination adds extra challenges that impact how the meeting
experience However, early this past week, it became clear to me that we did
need to add the virtual option to the meeting and so we did. We always want
to do what is best for our members. Thank you to Randy Carmack for his
willingness to bring our equipment and get it all set up . I'm sure it adds
extra time to his day and a level of stress that most of us don't have to
deal with.

 

I am excited about today's Chiefs game but I need to put that on hold until
I can address a concern from yesterday's board meeting that I feel compelled
to clarify without any delay. I do not want there to be any misunderstanding
based on a few comments that were reactionary.

 

It is true that we do not plan to have a hybrid convention this year and I
believe my explanation of that was clear. We are planning to stream the
convention and feel this utilizes our best options based on what we know.
The convention is eight weeks away, and I do not believe any of us know
where our COVID numbers will stand at that time. I am willing to say that we
will keep in mind the health and safety of all of our members and will
proceed accordingly. I also recognize that individuals will have to make
decisions based on their personal comfort level. Unfortunately, none of us
can live in a bubble . 

 

I am willing to say that we will request that our attendees wear masks when
moving about the hotel and in meetings. I have not  made a decision to
mandate that everyone at convention wear a mask all of the time; nor, did
the board vote on a decision to mandate the wearing of masks. Certainly, I
am not comfortable with the idea that we would ask someone to leave a
meeting solely on the bases that they did not have on a mask. WE are a
community when we come together. I assume that those who wear masks wear
them to protect themselves. I believe I personally have an obligation to
protect those around me in as much as I possibly can and pledge to do so. I
have no delusions that my decisions and opinions should be imposed on every
federation member that chooses to come to the convention. Nor do I yield to
anyone else making a decision for me. Open dialogue with our members to help
me as president to be in touch with how our members feel on any topic is
always welcome. Both I and our board will make our decisions based on the
best information we have regarding this matter.   So, if you have concerns,
feel free to contact me to discuss them or post on our leaders list and you
will be heard. Finally decisions will be made based on what is best for the
collective group. I know now that we cannot please all of the people all of
the time but that does not mean that you and your thoughts and opinions are
not important to us. 

 

Please do not pass on information that mask will be mandated at our 2022
convention. This simply is not true now and I can't believe it will come to
that. Let's seek solutions; not react to potential problems. Let's not
sabotage our convention by creating fear or passing on miss-information.

 

Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve as president. We need
everyone's help to make our 2022 convention a wonderful event.

 

Sincerely Yours,

Shelia

 

 

 

Shelia Wright, President

National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

7928 NW Milrey Drive, Kansas City, MO 64152

816-741-6402

President at nfbmo.org <mailto:President at nfbmo.org> 

www.nfbmo.org <http://www.nfbmo.org> 

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 

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