[nfbwatlk] For those who may not know

Thu Oct 30 07:20:30 UTC 2008

Hi ben,

I’m not going to go tit for tat with you Ben. I believe we are  not on
the same page. I have  never question Mike’s abilities, just interest and
emphasis. Anyone who knows me, has heard me applaud Mike’s ability  in the
area of legislation. He enjoys it and understands it, better than anybody I
know. If I had been elected President, I would have asked Mike to serve s
legislative chair for the organization. I couldn’t agree with you more that
it takes all of us  working in the organization, not just the President. I
thought I had pointed that out in my post, maybe not clear enough. As you
know Ben, the direction, flavour and intent of an organization must come
from the top down, otherwise it won’t function the way it should.       
We both know, Ben, our NFB philosophy is second to none and the programs and
projects at our National office are the best in the world for the blind.
Then I ask myself: How can the WCB have more than 200 registriants at their
State convention and we don’t?
Then I ask myself: How does the WCB get the youth conferences, every year,
at their State convention and we don’t?

You know, Ben, it would have been nice if someone had taken the time to ask
me: “Why you  feel the way you  do, that would make you try for the
Presidency?”  ben I want to share 3 instances, not criticism, just facts to
me. Maybe you will understand why I’m demoralized about our State’s
condition. I know others, for their own reasons,   have similar feelings.
But I’m speaking for myself.

1.	About 3 years ago another member, myself and Mike was having lunch
at one of our  conferences. This person ask Mike, “Are there somepeople who
could come and help us start a chapter in our area?” Mike’s response was, “I
have no desire or interest in starting a chapter in your city.” I couldn't
believe what I had heard. 

2. From our Spring conference I volunteered to make contacts in the
Tri-cities area. Trying to get a group together to coincide with a Board
meeting. We  started that process in July, Do you know how many times Mike
contacted me to see what progress was being made, if we needed anything or
if I  had any thoughts about the process? There was Not once. no contact at
all. Which in my book  translates to no interest in membership. Plus there
was no communications about the gentleman, from Olympia,  who wanted us to
come in and help him start a group.  

3.	In the Spring of 2006, I brought it to Mike’s attention that
Ramona’s  would be or was going to be no longer doing business. As far as I
knew, that was our primary source of revenue. Since them we have had 5
confereces/conventions, But by my definition we have never have had a
serious discussion on  fundraising that could sustain our State affiliate.

Ben, there are other instances I could cite, but maybe this will give you an
idea why myself  and a lot of us are frustrated and want  a change. No one
is questoning Mike’s abilities, just interest and emphasis for the
organization.

I know I’ve placed my neck on the chopping block and got it cut off. But,
like you indicated maybe it will get people motivated to make some kind of a
change in the organization or themselves. 

Your friend,
Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:10 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] For those who may not know

Hi Bob and Listers,

Thanks for posting your intention here prior to this weekend's
convention. I wasn't surprised by the announcement, though was a bit
taken aback by some of your statements.  I must say, judging by your
sentiments, I might be out of touch with the organization, in  which
case I may be voted off the board.  But I have some observations that
deserve consideration as well.

I too have engaged some other Federationists in discussions about the
past, present and future of this affiliate with different perceptions
than yours'.  Many Federationists from around the country have told me
on more than one occasion that they wished they had the leadership in
their states that we have here in Mike.  You imply that it is because of
Mike that our fund raising has lagged, that our membership efforts are
lacking and that somehow we are floundering.  I for one don't believe
Mike is to blame at all. I have heard Mike on numerous occasions
exhorting all of us to work with him to do the things needed to build
and strengthen the organization.  In membership recruitment, he has
asked for volunteers to go to various parts of the state, and no one has
really stepped up to the plate.  As other chapter presidents can attest,
it takes more than one individual to run an organization. 

As a former state president, I and others have been criticized for not
putting more pressure on Mike to do more about membership, about
fundraising, and other activities.  But, as I told Noel at one point.
The President isn't the only actor in the affiliate, and he can't do it
all, nor should he be expected to do so.  Mike's leadership in
legislative affairs, public appearances at advisory committee meetings,
his prolific writing on the numerous lists of the NFB all qualify him
for the leadership position as our President here in Washington State.

I for one, will support Mike for President again this year, and hope to
convince others to do so as well.  I don't begrudge your run for
President, and hope that it at least motivates folks to think about the
future of this organization.  Bob, you have been, are and will continue
to be a friend.  I wish you well, and, I hope you continue to be active
at the state level as well as in your local chapter.

/s/ 

Bennett Prows

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Robert Sellers
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:40 AM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] For those who may not know

Hi Listers,

This is to inform members of this list serve and those who will be
attending
the 2008 NFBW convention. That, at this convention,  I'm a candidate for
the
office of President for the National Federation of the Blind of
Washington.

Mike is aware of it, I called Mike several weeks ago and informed of my
intentions. I informed him I did not think it was proper  to broadside
him
and he appreciated the information.  

It is not an idle fantasy of mine just to be President. During the
National
convention, some members, myself included,  of the NFBW got into a
discussion  concerning what has and has not been happening in our state
affiliate.   For example, a few years ago our affiliate had twenty to
thirty
thousand dollars in the treasury, since that time the money has been
dwindling away and yet no serious discussions has occurred on major fund
rasing. The same could be said on aspects concerning increasing
membershipand other aspects regarding the organization.  As the
discussion
continued, the obvious question came up; "Who is available and willing
to
run for President.". I guess the answer to that question is in this
post.
Simply put, it is my pledge, that under my leadership, I will put forth
the
effort and energy, that it takes to have a strong affiliate. I can't do
all
the work myself,  it will take an involved Board of Directors and  an
active
membership.

A few words about accomplishments here in Clark County under my
leadership.
A few years ago the Clark County Chapter of the NFBW got involved with
the
Washington State School for the Blind. We assisted in the school
establishing an internet radio station, a store, which involves student
operation,  that sells products for the blind and a book club for the
students. Don Mitchel deserves much of the credit for the status of the
book
club. Because of his faithfulness,  diligence and efforts in , the book
club
will be performing the play "Christmas Carol" over the internet radio.
The
kids will be reading  their parts in Braille!!! Also, our membership has
grown about 80 percent this past year.

This involvement with WSSB has changed some attitudes, at the school,
about
the NFB. As it was quoted to me "You know, the NFB   isn't the devils
I've
heard people talk about.".   

 As President of the NFBW, in brief, these are the objectives that I
want to
bring to the NFBW Board for us  to work towards. 

1. To have the Board of Directors develop a long range strategy, goals
and
objectives for the organization. 

2.  To  engage in fund raising projects that will increase revenue in
the
State's treasury and assist  with local chapters in fund raising.

3.   To increase membership in current chapters and to pursue creating
new
local chapters.   

4.   To reach out to the blind youth and increase the involvement of the
younger blind in the state affiliate.  

 5.  To create a communication tool, possibly a newsletter. 

I'm sure there are other objectives that the Board and the members may
want
to be considered. I'm open to any suggestions that can move our
affiliate
forward.

I would sincerely appreciate your support and vote. If you have any
questions or need clarification on this post, you are welcome to contact
me.
My phone contacts are:

HM: 360.896.5249

Cell: 360.798.6498

Respectfully,

Robert Sellers, President

Clark county Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of Washington

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Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1330 - Release Date: 3/15/2008
2:36 PM