[nfbwatlk] For those who may not know

Thu Oct 30 14:16:35 UTC 2008

Bob, I can certainly appreciate your frustration.  American Friends of
the Blind discontinued fundraising in the spring of this year.  We need
to find alternatives.  Mike is looking at the problem.  The NFB is
looking aat the issue because the problem is a national problems that
affects the affiliates.  I wish that we had an answer.  However, the
important to keep in mind is that we are in this together.  The
victories and losses we achieved or suffered collectively.  

I heard from several people about my comment to your message about
running.  Five persons thanked me, and one person felt that I tried to
make a fool out of you.  I want to assure you and the list serve that my
comments are not intended to make a fool out of anyone.  If my candor
offends anyone, I am truly sorry.  Through the years, I have had moore
disagreements with Mike than I have had with you.  Bob, I like you and
look forward to working with you in the future, whether you are
president of the NFBW or not.  I am supporting Mike.  This is my last
comment on the list serve concerning the subject.  We are going to have
a great convention.  We need to address a number of issues, fundraising
being one.  We going to have a great auction.  Paula is doing a great
job.   

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Robert Sellers
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 12:21 AM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] For those who may not know

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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