[Nfbf-l] David, I Hear Your Frustration!

[Marion & Martin]

David,
    As you know from my posts and from the Leadership Workshop, I am also 
frustrated with the leadership of the NFB of Florida. While this is true, my 
frustration lies in the manner in which the business of the affiliate is 
handled, along with the arbitrary practices in violation of our constitution 
and the lack of support given to Chapters. I am of the opinion that the 
aaffiliate's strenth has diminished very significantly and, unless the Board 
does what they have promised to do during the Leadership Workshop, it will 
continue to diminish. It seems obvious to me that the Board of Directors, 
with some exceptions, care little about the health of the Chapters. The flaw 
in this approach is that the affiliate's strength is directly tied to the 
strength and success of the Chapters!
    This being said, I will say that the Board of Directors is not the NFB 
of Florida. Their charge, as per the constitution, is to conduct the 
business of the affiliate between meetings (conventions). The affiliate 
consists of the Chapters, not the Board of Directors. Therefore, if you want 
to know what the NFB is doing, it is essential to ask what you are doing. 
Though the Board of Directors gives little or no support to the Chapters, 
there are those of us out here who are ready and willing to offer this 
support to you. Any individual can get in touch with me and I would be 
willing to help them with fund raising events and educational programs.
    I hope you wil reconsider giving up on the NFB! I would also encourage 
you to come to convention and cast your vote in favor of new leadership. In 
fact, you seem like the kind of person I would vote for to sit on our Board 
of Directors. You seem to have the energy to make a difference and the 
fortitude to speak out, rather than follow the status quo.
    Like you, I am frustrated with the self-serving practices of the Board. 
You have undoubtably noticed how quickly messages of support are responded 
to on this list; however, when questions are asked about accountability, 
they are virtually ignored. The Board of Directors is elected by the 
membership. If we don't like their leadership, vote them out! If you, like 
me, believe the Board is a clique, break up the clique! It is easier to make 
change from within than from the outside. Help the HEP Chapter grow and run 
for the Board in may! I would vote for you because you are a successful 
businessman and not a part of the inner circle.
    If you would like to chat with me, I would be more than happy to offer 
more of my perspective and my support for your involvement in the NFB. This 
offer is extended to anyone in the affiliate! I realize there are challenges 
in your area. I am certain that you can help bring more vitality back to the 
Chapter. David Bearden has been working hard to get the chapter moving and I 
realize that he hasn't received much support for this endeavor. If you 
really believe the Federation is the best agent for change in the lives of 
the blind, stick with it and help us change it. Please don't judge the 
entire affiliate on the few that do nothing; rather, focus on the ones who 
want to see it progress and join with us in making it so!

fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
East Hillsborough Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
813-626-2789

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "davidw" <dwermuth1 at earthlink.net>
To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 7:37 AM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Our benefit dinner and show


> What a great turnout last night promoteing our business " A to Z Adaptive 
> Aids"  we raised some money to purchase independent aids for those that 
> need them but can't...
>
> We had NFB brochures out and quite a few people asked about the 
> organization.  I quite frankly when asked the question's they were asking, 
> "what does the NFB of Florida do"  I didn't have a answer and honestly had 
> to say, "I really don't know" and "your guess is as good as mine"  I 
> honestly didn't have any answer's for them and after discussing this with 
> Holly Schneider (vice president of the Hernando chapter)  we both have 
> decided to resign as members of Florida NFB.  We will remain as members 
> nationally  and continue to fight for individual rights as citizens but 
> under a different flag.  Is there a ACB chapter in Hernando county?  If 
> anyone can pass this information to us,  dwermuth1 at earthlink.net  we would 
> like to find more about what they are doing and perhaps start a chapter 
> here.
>
> Regards and best luck in the future when you all have a chance to vote on 
> change on your leadership.
>
> Dave Wermuth and Holly Schneider
>
>
>
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