[Ohio-talk] Fw: Buckeye Update for July 14, 2010

Thu Jul 15 01:41:15 UTC 2010

Thank you very much for your recognition of my appointment to the DAN Board. 
I really appreciate it.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dr. Smith" <jwsmithnfb at verizon.net>
To: "NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List" <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>; 
"Connors, Daniel" <Daniel.Connors at rsc.state.oh.us>; "mike and /or dorene 
hanes" <dhanes2 at columbus.rr.com>; "Hamilton, Heather M. (Columbus)" 
<Heather.Hamilton at va.gov>; "TIFFANY WILD" <wild.13 at osu.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:15 PM
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Fw: Buckeye Update for July 14, 2010

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr. Smith
To: jwsmithnfb at verizon.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 3:27 PM
Subject: Buckeye Update for July 14, 2010

When I stepped out of the airport in Columbus after returning from the 
convention in Dallas I felt as if the humidity was just as bad here as it 
was there! I understand that for the next few days it's going to be hot and 
humid again so try to stay cool if you can.

Convention Highlights

About 47 of us officially registered for the convention in Dallas this year 
and our consistent enthusiasm and energy, I believe, compensated for our 
small numbers. The highlight of our caucus this year was when we were able 
to speak with our brother Bruce Peters on a speakerphone and it was clear 
that he missed us just as much as we were missing him. He sounded very good 
and brought smiles to all of our faces. He promised us that he was planning 
on attending the September board meeting in Columbus, and here's wishing and 
praying that he will be able to do so.

Once again, we had excellent results from our candy sales and special thanks 
should go to Richard Payne and Carol Akers for overseeing this project. We 
will end up making about $400 in profits as a result of all of our efforts. 
Thanks to all of you that sold candy this year. The absence of Paul Dressell 
made all of our jobs more difficult. In addition to thanking Richard and 
Carol, I want to once again thank Crystal McClaine for her willingness to do 
whatever she could to make my job easier and to ensure that our affiliate 
ran smoothly. We are truly blessed to have such a committed individual and I 
don't want to ever take her for granted. I also appreciate the fact that 
Susan Day checked in with me for each session to see if I needed anything, 
and there were several times when she brought me something to drink or eat 
and I was so grateful for her gracious hospitality. I am often reminded that 
people don't really have to do anything for any of us and so the smallest 
gesture is much appreciated. I think it is indicative of the love and 
respect we have for one another in Ohio.

Speaking of being blessed, by now you should all know that our own President 
Emerita Barbara Pierce was the recipient of the prestigious TenBroek Award 
at the banquet this year. This is probably the highest honor any member can 
receive from our organization and I know you will agree with me when I say 
they couldn't have chosen a more excellent recipient. Congratulations boss!

I had a pre-banquet gathering in my room this year and I'd like to make this 
an annual event, as long as I am president, both at our national and state 
conventions, so please keep it in mind. In general, I was pleased with both 
the attendance and the enthusiasm from our delegation, but I believe we can 
do even better next year in Orlando, Florida.

Columbus Meeting

On July 12, Eric Duffy, Cheryl Fischer, and myself met with two key senators 
in an effort to secure more stable funding for NEWSLINE. I think it was a 
good first step in our campaign because they asked good questions, which 
allowed us to provide effective responses, which can only prepare us for 
future similar meetings. Let me be clear, it is now or never as far as 
having NEWSLINE in Ohio is concerned. We must find a way to get it in the 
2011 biennial budget. So keep your fingers crossed and be prepared to do all 
that you can to help us reach this goal. I will keep you posted about future 
meetings of this sort and will let you know when your assistance may be 
needed to ensure a successful campaign. Cheryl Fischer is doing an excellent 
job as our coordinator, and it was clear to me in the meeting that her 
presence and intelligence serves us well in this capacity.

Looking Ahead

Once again, it is time to start thinking about Gavel Award Reports. So 
chapter and division presidents should look out for the necessary materials 
you will need to ensure that you can submit the best reports possible. Let's 
try to increase our involvement and enthusiasm for the Gavel Award process 
this year, please!

Our fall board meeting will be held on September 18 in Columbus, Ohio, and I 
will give you the exact location and details about lunch in the 
not-too-distant future. The time will be the same, from roughly 10:00 am to 
3:00 pm.

Remember that October is Meet the Blind Month, and I hope that we are all 
thinking about appropriate activities that will positively publicize our 
affiliate in general and local chapters specifically. In keeping with our 
theme for the year, it would be great to have as many collaborative efforts 
as possible for at least some of these activities.

Finally, it is time to start planning for our 64th state convention to be 
held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Columbus. The dates for this year will be 
November 5th through the 7th, and remember the board meeting will not be 
until sometime that Friday afternoon in an effort to save some hotel costs. 
I would like the theme this year to be, "The Day After Civil Rights," based, 
of course, on the title of Dr. Jernigan's last banquet address. Convention 
assistance information will be circulated in a timely manner, and if you 
have particular agenda items to be considered for this year, you should let 
me know as soon as possible.

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