[Vabs] Fw: Where Does VABS Go From Here?

Wed Nov 5 06:22:38 UTC 2008

Hi all,
A note from Jessica.  Hopefully leaders will emerge.  I won't be a student 
much longer if all goes well so
cannot lead either.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessica Kostiw" <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com>
To: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Vabs] Where Does VABS Go From Here?


> Dear Ashley and All,
> These are some excellent ideas.  Remember though, the role I am taking is 
> to provide guidance and support.  It is my hope, and I think I can speak 
> for Corbb, that others will not only think of these ideas, but also step 
> up and help facilitate them.  I am not on the Virginia board, nor could I 
> be as I am no longer a student.  For those who don't know I graduated from 
> Louisiana Tech in February of 08.  I know that Ashley's sentiments are not 
> isolated, so let's all get together and implement some specific strategies 
> to fix them.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> To: "Jessica Kostiw" <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 11:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Vabs] Where Does VABS Go From Here?
>
>
>> Jessica,
>>
>> You did a good job. So how many were at the student meeting?  We have 
>> never had a strong division and throughout my college experience I felt I 
>> mainly did it on my own.  Students whom I met at state convention were 
>> friendly did not keep in touch.  More activities need to be done than 
>> just one meeting at state convention.  Perhaps a student seminar mid year 
>> like in May would work.  Somehow facilitate networking amongst students. 
>> This list was a good idea and I hope you encouraged students to join.
>> I'd suggest a student seminar, a more active list serve, and phone 
>> conferences maybe bi monthly where students can get to know each other 
>> and discuss a topic.
>> I'd be interested to hear how the sports discussion went and what ideas 
>> were tossed out.  As you know sports and fitness are areas I feel are 
>> important but due to the visual nature of most sports like flying balls 
>> and visual based classes where you just mimic the instructor, these 
>> present challenges to our equal participation.
>> Thanks for writing.  Jessica graduated from Louisiana Tech and I'm proud 
>> of her.  I went to middle and part of high school with her and chose to 
>> transfer to another high school where I'd get more support.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> Ashley
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Jessica Kostiw" <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com>
>> To: <vabs at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 10:20 PM
>> Subject: [Vabs] Where Does VABS Go From Here?
>>
>>
>>> Dear Patrick and all others who were not able to make it to this years
>>> Virginia state convention,
>>> On the student front, you certainly missed a great convention!
>>>
>>> Before I give my little recap, let me take a moment to explain my role. 
>>> For
>>> anyone who doesn't know me, my name is Jessica Kostiw and I am the 
>>> former
>>> President of the Louisiana Association of Blind Students.  I am 
>>> originally
>>> from Fairfax county, and after living in Louisiana for five and a half
>>> years, I moved back to this area in August.  With Corbb in Ireland, Dr.
>>> Schroeder asked me to facilitate much of the student activities for
>>> convention.  Lead by Tracy Soferanko, Virginia paralleled many of the
>>> student activities while much of general session was occurring. 
>>> Virginia
>>> wasted no time.  Friday there was a yoga class held for those 
>>> interested.
>>> Friday night, a teen hospitality room was provided, with pizza and all.
>>> Students from VSBD sold brownies to raise money for their junior chapter 
>>> at
>>> the school.  The next day, students were pulled from part of the morning
>>> session for a cane walk and a discussion on self advocacy in 
>>> transitioning to
>>> college.  During lunch I lead a meeting, where the students got to hear 
>>> from
>>> many exciting speakers.  During this lunch was when elections would have
>>> occurred, but instead I lead a discussion on where Virginia will go from
>>> here.  Those present heard from other former officers from other state
>>> student divisions detailing what other states have done in the past and 
>>> what
>>> Virginia could do in the future.
>>> The bottom line- The issues that Virginia faces are common struggles 
>>> faced by a number of other state student divisions.  (I.E. 
>>> transportation for having meetings in a state that is so spread out.)  I 
>>> don't think I need to recount all of the issues Virginia currently 
>>> faces; we all know what they are.
>>>
>>> I said this at the meeting and I will say it here.  Corbb O'Connor is a 
>>> motivated, energetic, smart President, he cannot carry this division on 
>>> his own,though !  No, division can be lead by just one person, no matter 
>>> how good of a leader he or she is.  In order for Virginia to reach the 
>>> potential that I and others are confident it can, this affiliate needs 
>>> YOU!!
>>>
>>> Virginia has a lot of excellent resources at our finger tips.  Unlike 
>>> some states our state president recognizes the benefits of having a 
>>> strong student division, and is therefore ready and willing to provide 
>>> both financial and directive assistance.  Along with Dr. Schroeder, 
>>> Virginia is bursting with leadership.  Jennifer Kennedy, the former 
>>> president of the Ohio student division and the NABS board member 
>>> assigned to assist this region, has recently moved to Richmond.  Other 
>>> officers from strong divisions are scattered throughout the state; 
>>> Wisconsin, Louisiana, Texas, California, and Illinois are the ones that 
>>> come to mind.  We are just a stones throw from Maryland which could 
>>> provide infinitely more leadership and ideas.
>>>
>>> At convention I personally spotted many who I know have great ability to 
>>> lead.  As students of Virginia, ask your self why you are a 
>>> federationist? What issues as students do you wish Virginia would 
>>> address?  Think of the support fellow students in Virginia could 
>>> provide! Let's not let one great convention be just that, a great 
>>> convention. Make it the beginning of a strong division that other states 
>>> will want to emulate in the future!
>>>
>>> Throughout convention, Brittany Savage and myself sold fifty-fifty 
>>> raffle tickets, with the proceeds going strictly to the students.  This 
>>> was an off the cuff fund raiser that I put together the night before. 
>>> We made $30, which is certainly a start.
>>>
>>> Students were again pulled from general session, this time for a chance 
>>> to ask both Dr. and Mrs. Mourer what ever burning question they may 
>>> choose. Students were later split into small groups to explore social 
>>> scenarios and perform skits acting out what they would do in one of the 
>>> situations .
>>>
>>> Sunday morning, Greg Mophet spoke to the students detailing his 
>>> experience at the Louisiana Center for the Blind.  This lead into a Q 
>>> and A. about training centers.  Along with my self (representing LCB), 
>>> Colorado and Richmond were also represented.  Next, followed a 
>>> discussion of blind people and sports.  What can the blind do to stay 
>>> fit and have fun?  How can certain sports be adapted?  The weekend of 
>>> student activities ended with a climax when students from Stanton 
>>> explained and demonstrated Goal ball.
>>>
>>> It was a great convention, with a pretty nice turn out.  I hope everyone 
>>> learned a lot.
>>>
>>> Jessica C. Kostiw
>>>
>>> P.S. Any new students that were there and joined this list since?
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>>
>
>
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