[Nfbv-historic-fredericksburg] Monthly Chapter Meeting

[Holly Frisch]

This month's meeting will be Saturday, July 21, at 10:00 in the Fredericksburg branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street.  Probably, we will be in meeting room 1, but you can confirm that at the desk if there is any question.

Our speaker will be Arielle Silverman, deputy coordinator of Project RISE.  This is our affiliate's outstanding program for students who are  making the transition from high school to either college or employment.  Please come learn about this dynamic program.  Currently, it operates primarily in northern Virginia, but plans are for it to extend to as much of the affiliate as possible.

I want to express my appreciation to Michael Kasey and Kaitlynn Jordan for attending last month's meeting.  I know some people, Leon and Maria for example, were out of town.  Personally, I had something to do that day I considered of vital importance which is why, in advance,  I asked Michael to conduct the meeting.  I have been assured it is right and proper to ask the vice president to perform this function from time to time.  This is the only chapter meeting I have not conducted since becoming president in January of 2014.

What, you ask, is the point of all this self-righteous fuss?  Earlier this year, the chapter had opportunities to choose between two voting dates.  Although I honestly told you Thursday evening meetings are no longer possible for me because of health reasons, Michael assured you, if that happened, he would be available for election to the chapter presidency.

The chapter voted to retain the Saturday meetings and Michael graciously accepted the nomination for the vice presidency.  He is performing outstanding service in that role right now!

When attendance began decreasing, I was urged, in no uncertain  terms, to concentrate on "Great programming".  Last month, only two people attended the chapter meeting although it was announced we were having an outside speaker.

Please ask yourselves what NFB and this chapter mean to you?  Does it mean enough for you to set aside approximately two hours the third Saturday of every month?  If it is not, what is each of us willing to do to change that?  Last month, for example, I deliberately chose to spend the day with a chapter member who had been through some extremely difficult times.  That is part of who I am.  Mistakenly, perhaps, I considered this acceptable because we have an unusually capable vice president.  Now, despite his exceptional capability, I realize I might have made a mistake because I did not do what I am asking of the entire chapter.  Please make our chapter meetings your highest priority the third Saturday morning of each month.  If at all possible, please schedule, even reschedule, that trip out of town or other activity to another day.  Please be creative about transportation.  For example, ask a friend to drive, and invite him or her to stay for the meeting.  'Contact fellow chapter members who live reasonably near you and arrange transportation together.  The chapter and I are asking a half day a month from every member.  Please think about it.  If you do not consider it worth that much time, what are you willing to do to change that?  Bernie, for example, made a commendable effort by personally arranging at least three great programs.

Remember, we have elections every year.  Perhaps the prevailing feeling in the chapter is what requires changing is the leader.  I am not suggesting I want to walk out on my responsibility.  Serving is a privilege I will always remember and regard with profound appreciation.  Elections will occur this December.  All of us need to think hard and long about who will be our next generation of leaders.  Based on my experience, diving in head first is not always the best way.  The sooner we identify people who can assume leadership responsibilities, the better we can prepare them.  I am not the only one who loves our historic Fredericksburg chapter and wants it to remain in perpetuity.  If that is to happen, however, the chapter needs help from us all.  We have the state convention to host in November.  Conventions held in Fredericksburg have always been among our best.  I call upon all of us, working together as a chapter of our Federation family, to continue this tradition.
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