[NFBMT] FW: Emerging Leaders Training

Tue Jan 23 14:05:48 UTC 2018

Please read and share, if you are interested in the R S Vending program, or even just in Business operation as a vocation.

Ted

EDWARD C "TED" ROBBINS, E-MAIL:  ecrobbins517 at gmail.com

CEO MBEI & Treasurer NFB of Montana 

PHONE & FAX:  406 453 6678, CELL:  406 799 6268

104 RIVERVIEW 5 E

GREAT FALLS  MT   59404

From: Terry C Smith [mailto:terrysmith at epbfi.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 4:09 PM
To: terrysmith at epbfi.com
Subject: Emerging Leaders Training 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND MERCHANTS

A DIVISION OF

THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM

            Who will be the Randolph-Sheppard leaders of tomorrow? Who will step up and help preserve the Program for future generations of blind people? Where are our future advocates? Where are the blind entrepreneurs who will set the example and find creative solutions to new challenges the next quarter century?

Leadership takes on many shapes and sizes. We need solid leadership on the state level as well as nationally. We need strong Elected Committees of Blind Vendors. Having capable blind people who can effectively advocate for themselves and the program is critical whether it be with government administrators or elected officials. The consumer groups also need effective leadership.

It is no secret that the Randolph-Sheppard population is aging and so is its leadership. The National Association of Blind Merchants has begun the process of finding and developing the next generation of leaders with our Emerging Leaders Program. 

NABM President Nicky Gacos is making the Emerging Leaders Program a top priority because he believes in the future of the Randolph-Sheppard Program. He understands that tomorrow’s program will not look like today’s program but he wants blind people deciding what tomorrow’s program will look like. The Emerging Leaders Program will help develop our future leaders.

NABM is seeking people who meet the following criteria:

1.       Is a licensed Randolph-Sheppard vendor

2.       Possesses the desire to serve in a leadership capacity for the next decade and beyond

3.       Has a reputation as a quality business owner

4.       Has a history of being a positive influence

5.       Commits to devoting the time required to participate in this program, which will include some travel.

The Emerging Leaders Program will include:

1.       A two-day on-site training May 20-22, 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia;

2.       Periodic conference calls that will focus on leadership development and relevant issues impacting blind entrepreneurs nationally

3.       Special sessions at future BLAST conferences or at other times as might be determined

This will be NABM’s third Emerging Leaders class. Each class generally has approximately one dozen participants. The alumni of all previous classes will participate on the conference calls and at the special sessions held in conjunction with BLAST. 

One question that we can anticipate is who will pay for travel to the on-site training? Based upon the availability of funds and the ability to get corporate sponsorships, NABM may consider financial assistance to the extent practical. The individual participant will be responsible for securing funding not covered by NABM if necessary. NABM will encourage state licensing agencies to sponsor participants. Training of this nature can be paid for with set aside and federal VR dollars as well as rest stop dollars. 

In order to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, you do not have to be a member of NABM or the NFB. We welcome candidates who are not members. However, this is clearly an NABM/NFB Initiative and persons who have biases against either would not be good candidates for this program.

If you are interested in applying to be part of the Emerging Leaders Program, please visithttps://blindmerchants.org/emerging-leaders-2018/ <https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/0UlQCmZMB1IGP40fOKUeB?domain=blindmerchants.org>  where you can fill out and submit the application on-line or complete the attached application and email it to Terry Smith at tsmith at nfb.org <mailto:tsmith at nfb.org> . If you have questions about the program, you can contact either Ed Birmingham who President Gacos has appointed to lead thisinitiative.at <https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/4MFvCn5ND2fQ3ByUNIZt4?domain=initiative.at>  708-334-3243 or ebirm18 at wowway.com <mailto:ebirm18 at wowway.com>  . Also, feel free to call Nicky Gacos at 201-653-1777 or nickycolorado at netscape.net <mailto:nickycolorado at netscape.net>  or Terry Smith at 865-599-7148 or tsmith at nfb.org <mailto:tsmith at nfb.org> .

            The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

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