[Ohio-talk] Fw: Please Forgive Me Because I Really Blew It

[Dr. JW Smith]

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: 'Dr. JW Smith' 
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 10:38 AM
Subject: Please Forgive Me Because I Really Blew It


Dear NFB of Ohio Family,

                After speaking with Deborah Kendrick today on the phone, and asking-no, begging, for her forgiveness about what occurred on Sunday, I feel that it is necessary that I seek your forgiveness as well.  It is somewhat ironic that in my speech on Saturday at the convention, I talked about how we are a family and as such, we should treat each other that way.  Families don't treat family members the way Deborah Kendrick was treated on Sunday.  I could take the time here to try and justify and explain and rationalize why what occurred did happen, but the fact remains that because of my actions or inactions, one of our family members was deeply hurt, embarrassed, and humiliated.  I am so grateful that she forgave me today on the phone, and I ask for your forgiveness.  No one should have to endure that kind of public humiliation and pain, especially someone that has been an intricate part of our affiliate and has served admirably these past two years as our secretary.  As a family, when one of us hurts, we should all feel that, but more importantly, none of us should try to knowingly or intentionally hurt another family member.  I wish that I could go back and erase what occurred Sunday in terms of causing Deborah such public pain and humiliation, but I can't.  However, I can learn from this experience, and commit to all of you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that it doesn't happen again.  We must all keep in mind that all of us are volunteers in this organization and we serve because we are concerned about making life better for those who are blind in the state of Ohio and beyond.  One of my jobs as your leader is to empower you to serve at your maximum potential, and to ensure opportunities for communication, and access to information.  At the heart of this objective is trust and good will.  I want those of you who serve in any capacity in this organization to know that I am accessible, open and honest, and concerned about your well being as a person.  Therefore, when something like what happened on Sunday occurs, the message is not a healthy one in any respect.  I told Deborah that I will continue to grieve with her, and do what it takes to restore the faith, confidence, and trust that might have been shaken certainly in her, and perhaps in some of you.  Please feel free to contact me concerning this matter or anything, and know that "we are a family," and that I love you all and only want the best for the NFB of Ohio.  I know this is a cliché, but please charge what happened Sunday to my head, and not to my heart!  This affiliate gives the President a great deal of respect and latitude in every aspect, and I never want to take that for granted, or abuse that privilege and trust.  

 

JW