[Nfbf-l] Kathy Davis Not Seeking Re-election
Kirk
kvharmon54 at gmail.com
Mon Apr 27 20:30:41 UTC 2009
Craig, You definitely have my vote and support! I am excited about your
nomination and look forward to a State affiliate ran under your direction.
Your friend in the cause, Kirk
Kirk Harmon
1031 Lenmore CT.
Orlando, FL. 32812
Phone:
Office: 1-407-380-3371
Cell: 1-407-473-2176
BVA/FRG
District Director
E. central Division
BVA/FRG
Fundraising coordinator
911 cell phone donations Program
City of Orlando
Mayor's Advisory Counsel
Counsel member
"Blinded Veteran's Helping Blinded Veteran's"
"Smiles are nothing more than 30 second vacations"!
----- Original Message -----
From: "craig kiser" <sckiser55 at earthlink.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>;
<nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 9:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Kathy Davis Not Seeking Re-election
> 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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