[Nfbf-l] Kathy Davis Not Seeking Re-election
REPCODDS at aol.com
REPCODDS at aol.com
Mon Apr 27 17:58:06 UTC 2009
Craig,
I am elated that you have tossed your hat into the ring for NFBF State
President.
Your leadership at DBS was impressive and you have my vote and full support
to lead
the NFBF. We have come a long way and with your skill set I believe we can
really make this
program tick.
Dwight
In a message dated 4/27/2009 8:12:12 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
sckiser55 at earthlink.net writes:
I am announcing my candidacy for President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Florida. I was saddened by President
Kathy Davis' decision not to seek another term. Kathy has been a
strong and able advocate for the blind and a true and loyal
Federationist. I believe I have the ability to continue building
and strengthening our affiliate into one of the NFB's best.
My association with the NFB goes back 40 years to my experience
as a student at the Iowa Commission for the Blind when Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan was its director. Learning at the foot of the
Master, I gained a deep and abiding understanding of blindness,
discrimination, stereotypes and the low self-esteem they produce
in blind people. I learned that teaching the skills of blindness
is not enough to gain independence. Though these techniques are
essential, their value is diminished without 2 more
factors-adjustment to blindness and public awareness of the true
nature of blindness, unsullied by stereotypes and assumptions
based on ignorance.
Until a blind person properly adjusts to being blind that
person is likely to have low self-esteem because one tends to
accept common stereotypes and public beliefs, notwithstanding
obvious facts to the contrary. Everyone knew the Earth was flat
and many continued believing it even after Christopher Columbus
proved it round.
Adjustment to blindness isn't simply accepting the fact that
one is blind. It involves accepting and truly believing that
blindness can be reduced to more of a nuisance than an absolute
block to accomplishing whatever one desires of life. A gut level
belief that blindness is much akin to other nuisances such as
being left-handed, wearing glasses, being too tall, too short,
too heavy or too thin. It is believing and carrying out our
lives without constantly questioning our ability to do what we
want, when we want and in a manner at least as as efficient as
our sighted counterparts. Believing independence is our
God-given right.
Public awareness of the true nature of blindness is our
responsibility. If we don't want government or the public to
limit our freedom, we must educate them, in a non-threatening
way about the true abilities and competence of the blind.
Throughout the 40 years since leaving the Iowa Commission for
the Blind I have tried to conduct myself in accordance with the
above principles. Whether it was in my career as an attorney, as
City Attorney for Davenport, Iowa, General Counsel for the
Florida Department of Banking and Finance, practicing before
every level of court from County Court to Appellate Court, the
Florida Supreme Court or the U. S. Supreme Court, I never
shirked my responsibilities because I am blind. As Deputy
Comptroller of Florida I was the primary regulator of banking,
finance companies, the sale of securities and cemeteries. As
Director of the Division of Blind Services I infused these
principles into every aspect of the division. I took what was
commonly viewed as one of the least effective agencies for the
blind in the country and made it one of the top 5 in just 6
years. This I did with the support and assistance of the
organized blind. It couldn't have been done without the NFB-BOTH
nationally and especially the NFB of Florida.
I want now to devote my time and energy to continuing the work
of the Federation. We have much to do and I want to lead the
NFBF in making a difference. Together we can move mountains. We
can change the thinking of government and the public so
accessibility will not be an afterthought, but will be a part of
planning any construction project or software program. We can
better our transportation situation. We can convince educators
that Braille is essential. Full independence for the blind truly
is within our grasp. I want to take us there, so I am asking
for your support for Craig Kiser as President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Florida. Thank you.
Craig Kiser
256 Cocoa Lane,
Venice, Florida 34293
941 244-0236 home
850 345-9122 cell
sckiser55 at earthlink.net
> ----- Original Message -----
>From: "Kathy Davis" <kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com
>To: "Nfbf Leaders"
<nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>,<nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>Date sent: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:08:54 -0500
>Subject: [Nfbf-l] Kathy Davis Not Seeking Re-election
>Dear NFBF Family,
>After deep contemplation and prayer I have decided that I will
not run for
>re-election as President of the National Federation of the Blind
of Florida.
>Please rest assured though that I will run for another position
as an
>officer or board member. If I am elected I will continue to work
diligently
>for our wonderful affiliate and to lend my leadership and
guidance to you in
>the future just as I have done for many years.
>I have served as your state president for the past four years and
I believe
>under my leadership we have accomplished a great deal on many
fronts. Right
>now, I need to return home to Ormond Beach and scale back a
little on my
>various responsibilities. It has been my pleasure to serve as
your
>president. I love the Florida affiliate and I continue to work
hard to keep
>us moving ever forward. The position of president requires hours
upon hours
>of work and devotion if one is to truly do an outstanding job. I
believe I
>have given you my best and my desire to do so has come from deep
within my
>heart and mind.
>I will be chairing the 2009 State Convention in a few weeks in
Boca Raton
>and so look forward to seeing all of you. My months as a student
at the
>Louisiana Center for the Blind have been invaluable to me as a
blind woman
>and leader. The program is extremely demanding and leaves very
little time
>to spare but I have put my all into continuing to carry out my
myriad of
>responsibilities as NFBF President via teleconference, e-mail and
by phone.
>my experience here in Ruston has been life-changing in so many
ways. I look
>forward to telling you much more about it all at convention.
>Thank you so much for the confidence you have shown me, the love
and support
>you have provided and for helping me to learn and grow as your
leader.
>With heartfelt appreciation,
>Kathy Davis, President
>NFBF
> forever
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