[Ohio-talk] communication with national NAGDU

[debra baker]

Dear guide dog users:

 

First, I'd like to assure Deanna that your post was not necessarily
inappropriate-just confusing to several people evidently.  I have had on and
off difficulty posting to the Ohio-talk list for several months, but I'm
trying again.  It shouldn't be a problem with your starting a support group
for graduates from GDB, though I hope you would also support NAGDU and OAGDU
(Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users)  which sounded as though that is your
intent.  J.W. Smith, and I agree, just doesn't want groups to be at cross
purposes.  After reading yours and Deborah's posts, I don't think that is
your intent either.  

 

I do want to let all guide dog users know that I have communicated by phone
with Marion Gwizdala, chair of national NAGDU.  Marion had communicated with
J.W. who put him in touch with me.  We spoke either Sunday after
Thanksgiving or the following Sunday.  In any case, I will attach both
Marion's initial letter to me and the letter for which he seeks J.W.'s
approval to invite as many guide dog users in Ohio to network with us.
Marion and I did discuss the Ohio NAGDU becoming a division of NAGDU,
suggesting that this change should best happen during our next Ohio NFB
convention.

 

Meanwhile, you will read that Marion's letter explains the purpose and work
of NAGDU and requests that I contact him.  I will send his second attached
letter, (one that he wrote after he and I talked)  to J.W. as Marion
suggests before I post it on the Ohio-talk list.  So I am asking all who are
interested in being part of a teleconference that would take place with
Marion to assess interest in and support for a OAGDU division to contact me
off list at lahm at pobox.com to name a date and/or time that is best for you.
Shall we attempt to confer before the holidays, between them, or after?  I
will be available to receive posts about this matter until Dec. 24 and again
by Dec. 28.  Please respond.  You will find I have attached Marion's initial
letter to this email.

You will note that he originally thought we already had division status.  

Best,

 

Debbie Baker

 

Debbie,

    I was given your contact information by Dr. Smith, your affiliate
President. My name is Marion Gwizdala; I am the President of the National
Association of Guide Dog Users. I learned about the affiliate division when
I sent an inquiry to Dr. Smith concerning deanna Lewis, who is interested in
organizing a guide dog users support group in the Cincinatti area. I have
sent Ms. lewis a message asking her if she would be interested in
establishing or working with the NFB division. She sent me a reply that she
would. Dr. Smith tells me that she is a relatively new member and he didn't
even know she was a guide dog user. I believe she is a fairly new graduate
from GDB. She could be a great addition to your division, as she seems to be
motivated to do some work!

    I am excited to learn that there is a guide dog users' division in Ohio
and I would love to learn more about what is happening in your great state
as it relates to your division. As NAGDU creates its network throughout the
country, we strengthen our ability to more effectively advocate for guide
dog users and increase our membership. this growth and unity is what makes
the collective action of the NFB so powerful!

    I would like to share some recent developments within NAGDU that affect
your division!

    For instance, NAGDU recently modified its constitution and policies so
that members of affiliate divisions are de facto members of NAGDU and the
NFB without being required to pay any aditional dues. We also have recently
obtained a grant from the Imagination Fund to launch a national toll-free
education & advocacy hotline. In 2009, NAGDU added two additional affiliate
divisions to our ranks in Missouri and New Jersey. we also host regular
teleseminars on topics of interest to guide dog users, such as "Guide Dogs
in Hospitals & Other Health Care Facilities", which took place on November
22. The recording of this teleseminar should be available on or before
December 1. Furthermore, the NAGDU Board of Directors holds open meetings
via teleconference on the last Sunday of each month. As I am writing this
message, I am preparing to conduct this meeting. If you get this message in
time, we would love to have you join us by calling 641-715-3300 and using
the Participant Code 560908#. The lines open around 7:55 pm EST and the
meeting begins around 8:00 pm. 

    When you have about 15 minutes to chat, I would love to hear from you. I
have an "open door" policy, so you can get in touch with me anytime between
8:00 am and 9:00 pm, except Mondays, when I am not available after 3:30. If
you get voice mail, please be so kind as to leave a mesage for me and I will
call you back at my earliest opportunity. My contact information is below my
signature.

 

fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala-Schoch, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
800-558-8261
president at nfb-nagdu.org
www.nfb-nagdu.org