[Nfbofnc] FW: Creating a Guide dog division in North Carolina

[Gary Ray]

NC Guide Dog Users:

Ashley Coleman is looking into starting a Guide Dog Division in NC.  See the
email below for more info on getting a Davison started.  I am sure she would
love some help.  I think her email is amc05111 at gmail.com.  Let her know of
your interest.

Cheers!

gary

-----Original Message-----
From: Marion Gwizdala [mailto:blind411 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 4:51 PM
To: 'Ashley and Landon Coleman'
Cc: ghraynfbofnc at charter.net
Subject: RE: Creating a Guide dog devision in North Carolina

Ashley,\
	Thank you very much for your interest in forming an affiliate
division of the National Association of Guide Dog Users inNorth Carolina. I
hope this message will answer some of your questions about how to organize
such a division and, perhaps, raise a few more!
    the first thing you need to do is talk this over with Gary Ray. I have
spoken with Gary about this in the past and I know he is very open to such
an effort; however, he needs to know of your interest in order to offer you
some ideas of his own. I have copied this message to him as my commitment to
effective communication. 
    The next thing I generally suggest is that you begin by getting as many
guide dog users and others interested in guide dog issues together and form
a Guide Dog Users' Committee for the affiliate. this committee is usually an
open committee , meaning that anyone who wishes to join may do so. Though it
will be up to Mr. Ray as to how to structure this committee (our
constitutions give this authority to the president), most affiliates allow
the committee to elect its own chair, scribe (or secretary), and, if needed,
a treasurer. The responsibility of this committee is to identify issues that
need work and create initiatives to resolve these issues, develop a
constitution (NAGDU has a Model Constitution to help guide you in doing this
and the NAGDU Board will be involved), and grow the membership. The
committee can be organized at any time, but I suggest that you give it at
least the one-year period from your next convention to the following. We are
very motivated to work with you on this, as we have committed to Kevan
Worley to do such a thing during our 75 Days of Action. When is your next
convention?
	It is also very helpful to have some initiatives on which to focus
so that members see the need for such an organization. Examples of such
initiatives are bringing state laws into parity with federal law,
criminalizing discrimination against the disabled, specifically guide dog
users, enhancing awareness of the civil rights of guide dog users,
advocating for those who face discrimination, and conducting outreach to
schools and civic organizations about guide dog related issues. I know there
are some issues with the current North Carolina law that could create
problems, such as the requirement for registration or certification of a
service animal under 168-4.3 of N.C. law which is not congruent with Federal
regulations. I would be happy to help you clarify other initiatives, if you
like.,
    I also want to encourage you to invite others in North Carolina to join
the NAGDU discussion list. You can do so by directing them to our website
 
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG

clicking on the "Join the NAGDU discussion list" link, and completing the
subscription form. You may also want to send a message to the list to see if
there are any other users on the list from North Carolina. I will check our
membership rolls and other lists.    We also have a NAGDU Leadership list on
NFBNET which is by invitation only and I will make sure you are included on
it. Any suggestions for others who should be aded would be greatly
appreciated.
    I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further
questions, please feel free to write or call me. My contact information is
below my signature.
 
Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) National Federation of the
Blind
813-626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG