[Ohio-talk] Akron is back on track

[Dave Bertsch]

Hi everyone, and yes we have a great start to our chapter thanks to much support. I'm very honored to be President of our new (or re-booted) Greater Akron Chapter, and very privileged to be part of the awesome team we have in Ohio!

I'd like to thank Richard Payne, our state president and NFB rock star. We've had some terrific conversations since the first meeting on June 9, and Richard you give us all a great example of living to help others.

Thanks also Suzanne Turner who, with Richard, ran the meeting Saturday, getting our team established and this part of Ohio back on track. Suzanne's story is as inspiring as any I've heard.

A big thanks to Scott Reisberg from the Akron Blind Center. Scott spoke yesterday and at our June 9 informational meeting, sharing an uplifting message of survivors and overcomers.

Thanks also to Tom Sawyer at the Cleveland Sight Center, and Dr. Cheryl Reed at UDS Akron, for many years of serving the blind community and adding to our chapter kickoff.

And of course thanks to our state leaders and board members! For weeks I've been absorbing lots of material on NFB.org, and I've become very impressed with our national leadership, but no more than with the inspired and dedicated leaders we are fortunate to have here in Ohio.

I'm also blessed and thankful for our new board of Kiana, Mary, Eric, and my wife Stephanie who will serve as Secretary. Finally, I get to tell her what to do! Wait, she might see this--just kidding honey!

While still new to the NFB, I'm having a blast listening to Kernel books and Presidential Releases, and continuing to learn from Richard, Suzanne and others who have already been showing support for our new team. Thank you all for the welcome and example.

See you in November at the state convention. Until then drop me a line anytime!

Dave Bertsch
dwbertsch at gmail.com  
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From: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
Subject: Akron is back on track

Greetings NFBO, I am overjoyed to tell you that new leadership has been
established in Akron Ohio. The leaders are strong and will serve us well it
will take all of us to educate them and they are willing to learn. You will
find the list of officers in the body of this message but understand that
the meeting yesterday was well attended, and the affiliate had a lot of
support. The team that worked on this prodject done a great job and it was
my pleasure working with all of you. This was building the federation at its
best. We now have 11 new members. Thanks for all your support and I think
Dave has joined this list so welcome him to the family.
President Dave Bertsch
Vice President: Kiana Hill
Secretary: Stephanie Bertsch
Treasurer: Eric Smith
Board Member: Mary Weldon

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio