[rehab] [Nfbnet-members-list] Dick Davis/BLIND Inc. Retirement

[Dick Davis]

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for your good wishes.  I literally meant anyone interested  needs to
get in touch with Dan Wenzel.  There will be no formal job description,
because it will be impossible to find anyone who has the skills I have.  We
are looking for the best person we can find, and may need to develop the job
around the individual.  But since my notice of retirement was primarily
that, and not a job posting, I have taken some time to list the sort of
qualifications a person should ideally have:

1. Real administrative and management experience in a training or
rehabilitation program for the blind, or something closely related.
2. Experience providing rehabilitation and training services to blind
people, and knowledge of the rehab system.
3. Knowledge of private sector fundraising methods and the ability to raise
money.
4. Marketing and job placement skills, including the ability to teach
careers classes, which will involve designing them.  That's about half the
position.
5. No ego - this is in large part a behind the scenes job in which the
individual will not be in the spotlight at all.
6. Willing subordination - the individual in this job will be an extension
of the director and must always support the director.  Any disagreements
with the director will be handled privately and never come to light.
7. A wide range of skills and abilities - the person in the job will be
expected to do anything that needs doing, including supervising construction
projects and plunging toilets (I am not kidding).
8. Credibility within the NFB.
9. Lots of energy and creativity.
10. Can be blind or sighted, we literally don't care.
11. Willingness to make a long term commitment to BLIND, Inc.
12. Love of hard work and dedication to blind people.

For this position, we intend to use a method of hiring similar to the one
Dr. Jernigan used.  We are looking for bright, qualified, energetic people
who could fit into the job.  If you think you would be a good assistant
director for BLIND, Inc., it doesn't hurt to apply.  Dan will know what he
wants when he sees it.  Resumes and cover letters should be as complete as
possible, targeted to the above qualifications.  If anyone submitted a
resume earlier and would like to submit a new one, they are welcome to do
so.  It is vitally important to be yourself and convey the kind of person
you are.  We will read and study all the resumes and cover letters we
receive, and contact the top applicants for interviews.

Best wishes,
Dick Davis


-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Greenwood [mailto:elizabethg70 at hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 6:48 PM
To: Dick Davis; nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: RE: [Nfbnet-members-list] Dick Davis/BLIND Inc. Retirement

Hello Dick

Then Congrats are in line for all this good stuff taht is i nthe works for
you as wel las for the organization. i wish al lthe best for you and that
thissi al lgood stuff and  well directed changesthat make yo uhappy. As
you'd stated in regards to the  positin  when willtaht be stated as taht for
one to be looking for as to be applyng for  as just curious of it as taht
seemed as a lotof  interest in things  when still in progress for you.

Thanks and take care Elizabeth
________________________________________
From: NFBNet-Members-List [nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf
of Dick Davis via NFBNet-Members-List [nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org]
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2016 1:48 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Dick Davis/BLIND Inc. Retirement

Dear NFB Members,

I am using this mechanism to let you all know that I will be stepping down
from the position of associate director of BLIND, Inc.  later this year.  I
am going to semi-retire rather than fully retire.  I will be moving to a
part time project coordinator position, which means I can work on those
things that executive director Dan Wenzel and the other staff don't have
time to do.

Regardless of the date of the actual transition, BLIND, Inc. is going to
have a semi-retirement party for me on Saturday, October 22nd  from 3 p.m.
to 8, 9, or 10 p.m., or whenever everyone leaves.  Everyone who wants to
come is invited.
 If you want to come, contact Sid Starnes at 612-872-0100<tel:612-872-0100>Â
or at sstarnes at blindinc.org<mailto:sstarnes at blindinc.org>.  If you want
to send your regrets and/or well wishes, please use my personal e-mail,
dickblind at gmail.com<mailto:dickblind at gmail.com>.

One individual already called asking if there is a job description for my
soon to be open position.  The answer is no.  Dan and others say it will be
impossible to replace me.  Some of my work will be farmed out to others, and
the duties themselves will likely depend on what kind of replacement or
replacements we can find.  The position will be assistant director, not
associate director.  So if you are interested, send Dan a resume at
dwenzel at blindinc.org<mailto:dwenzel at blindinc.org> or call him atÂ
612-872-0100<tel:612-872-0100>.  Applicants can be either blind or sighted.

Some cautions: if you don't know something about management, administration,
and job placement, no need to apply.  This is a #2 job, which requires an
individual who is a self-starter, strong, doesn’t have a big ego, and can
work collaboratively with Dan to develop and enhance programs at BLIND, Inc.

Yes, I am going to stay as chair of the NFB Employment Committee as long as
our president and I both believe I can do a good job at it.  Lots of good
things are happening there, and it should be lots of fun for some time.

All the best,

Dick Davis