[Nyagdu] let's all take a deep breath

[Marion & Martin]

Dear All,
    I want to chime in here. The policies of the National Federation of the 
Blind are binding upon all affiliates. This is not a "Big Brother" issue; 
rather, it is a policy that has been made to govern gatherings of the 
organization so as to maintain order. There were a lot of issues with dogs 
left in rooms disrupting other guests and damaging rooms, creating serious 
issues for the Federation. Not only were we having problems getting good 
rates, we were being charged for damage caused by our members and their dogs 
that the hotels were unable to recoup from the members. When this occurs, 
the hotel "follows the money" and charged the NFB. The same could happen 
with an affiliate. This policy is designed to protect the organization from 
such a liability.
    I, too, feel I could leave my dog unattended in a room without 
disrupting other guests or causing damage; however, if a policy is to be a 
good policy, it must be enforced equally. If we are to expect the grass 
roots membership to adhere to a policy, we, as leaders, must give the 
example.
    I would also like to share an actual incident that occurred at the 2007 
NFBF convention. A member left her dog in her room and went to dinner. While 
at dinner, she had a medical emergency and became unconscious. She was taken 
to the hospital and her dog was still in the room with no one to care for 
it. we were unable to contact the member at the hospital, as she was in the 
emergency room and there was no telephone where she was. We had to find 
someone we felt was responsible to care for the dog for the two days she was 
hospitalized. If she had not left her dog unattended, we would not have been 
put into such a situation.
    Another incident occurred at a national convention when an evergency 
alarm sounded and the hotel was evacuated. There was a member who was very 
concerned about his dog because it was left in the hotel room alone. 
Fortunately, the alarm was a false one; however, what would have happened if 
there were a fire and the dog was injred or killed?
    These policies have been made for the good of the organization, not as 
arbitrary, paternalistic rules. We ask that members abide by certain rules 
for the good of the organization and to protect our assets!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
To: "New York Association of Guide Dog Users" <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 11:39 AM
Subject: [Nyagdu] let's all take a deep breath


> Okay, let's all take a deep breath.  Cheryl, you brought up valid points; 
> Tracy, so have you.
>
> I think this morning some buttons got pushed.  Let's un-push them and 
> either have a policy like national's or figure out what to do in instances 
> when someone does not act like, to use Tracy's words, a responsible adult.
>
> I am sure we've all encountered instances when we've had to follow a 
> policy because of actions of a few.   It is unfortunate that many of our 
> laws and policies are made because of actions of a few people.
>
> Tracy and Cheryl have made very valid points.
>
> marion or Julie or others, please chime in.  Let's see what we  end up 
> doing.
>
> This is our division.
>
> Margo and Arrow
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