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

Tue Nov 9 22:44:40 UTC 2010

	Dr. Smith,
I concur that this was not very good. I just hope that going forward we look
at the big picture and the effects it could have on each other. Also how it
could affect the NFB.  I have tried to figure out this since Sunday but it
was out of my hands. I think that some of those whom had the chance to
change this including me did not speak loud enough.  Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Dr. JW Smith
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 4:56 PM
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Fw: Please Forgive Me Because I Really Blew It

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
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-----Original Message-----
From: ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Dr. JW Smith
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 4:56 PM
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Fw: Please Forgive Me Because I Really Blew It

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
_______________________________________________
Ohio-talk mailing list
Ohio-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Ohio-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/rchpay7%40sbcglob
al.net
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 9.0.864 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3246 - Release Date: 11/09/10
02:34:00