[Nfbf-l] Warning

Wed Dec 9 11:32:53 UTC 2009

Kris, and all. I know it appears that Marion was singled out, but I can 
assure you that was not the case. the accusations made against the board 
were half truths, and divisive. We do try to help the chapters, for example 
Gina held a teleconference to help chapters with fund raising for the 
chapters, this call she held was for chapter fund raising only. Sherri is 
working hard making newsline number one, and the implication that she 
doesn't work is insulting. the board has held 2 conference calls with 
chapter presidents, and a call with a national rep to promote the Louis 
Braille coin. this is one example of affective communication with the 
chapter presidents. We found out about national conventions being held in 
Orlando about the same time as everyone else. There were rumors, but we 
wanted to confirm the information with Dr. Maurer which is the responsible 
action. When this was done the information was released  by Dan. Dwight, and 
Gina worked the planned giving list to have ready to mail to attorneys and 
estate planners, as well as the other affiliates that wanted to purchase the 
list that we had, taking time from their jobs. Several of us on the board 
have contacted chapters to check if they needed any help. When Judy Hamilton 
got the Florida Gators to have a coin  toss at the Arkansas  game, I called 
to congratulate her chapter and to offer my help with information. I made 
sure the chapter presidents as well as the national rep on the Louis Braille 
conference call were made aware of the great accomplishment of the 
Gainesville chapter. We on the board are taking tine to work on the 
affiliate issues. We have monthly board meetings to discuss the business of 
the affiliate.
I am sure anyone on and off the list can contact each board member and 
discuss issues.  As far as the minutes being posted, I see the minutes 
through August 2009.  I know that we can be better about posting minutes, 
but we are volunteers taking our time to work for our affiliate. I am not 
complaining. We asked for this job, and we do it to the best of our ability. 
The implication that we are on the board to benefit ourselves is ludicrous. 
the charges that Marion was making were unfounded, and inflammatory. I 
believe we need to be accountable to the membership, but that is a two way 
street. If members have issues with the board you need to voice the issues 
with the board not insult the board on the list for all members and non 
members on to see. We need to work together not have an attitude of 
hostility. Remember, a house divided against itself can not stand. What Kirk 
posted was over the top, and he apologized, but what Marion posted was 
unbecoming a national division president against his own affiliate, and he 
didn't apologize. I will not respond to this issue again, but I believe it 
was necessary to let the membership know your board is working hard for our 
affiliate. If we want a better affiliate then we need to work for it, not 
just the board, or just the members,  but all of us. P.S.  Try to remember, 
the board are chapter presidents and members as well.  So lets stop the us 
and them and go back to we.

Joe Minichiello, Second Vice President
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
President, Greater Jacksonville Chapter
904-608-0105
jbmini at comcast.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kris Scheppe" <kris at scheppe.us>
To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 11:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Warning

> Dan,
>
> There were two parties involved and wrong in personally attacking each 
> other on the list. I believe it is unfair and morally wrong to single out 
> one of them, and not say anything to the other. You came down very harshly 
> on Marion, when the vulgar words of Kirk are what greatly offended me more 
> than anything. I feel Kirk's words were founded on personal dislike and 
> hatred, whereas Marion did have a valid and reasonable request about 
> wanting to have minutes posted in a timely manner. Marion may be the only 
> one voicing his opinons, but he is by far not the only NFBF member who 
> feels this way.
>
> Does the NFBF have by-laws to outline procedures? I didn't find them on 
> the website. Possibly we should put a set up by-laws together (if not done 
> already) to specify when minutes are due to be posted and to outline other 
> procedures such as getting an item on the board agenda. I would be more 
> than happy to sit down and help but this together and I think Marion would 
> help also. We need to work together collectively to further the 
> organization. I believe changes especially keeping membership more updated 
> on what the board is doing will encourage members to participate more 
> actively making the board's job easier and the membership happier.
>
> I must say I personally disagree with your statement to Marion, "You have 
> attacked not only the board but our affiliate, and this is an insult to 
> all of those members, on and off the board, who have worked and continue 
> to work so hard to accomplish the mission and goals of the Federation." In 
> his message to David W. Marion praised the affiliate saying what a great 
> group it is and encouraged David to stick with it, even though the board 
> was lacking in transparency and accountability.
>
> Furthermore, I disagree with you statement, "It appears that your 
> incendiary and derogatory comments may have cost us two members." In my 
> opinion your response to David showed you didn't care whether he remained 
> a member or not and did not encourage him to remain a member. Whereas, 
> Marion responded with great encouragement and urged David to remain a 
> member of the organization and to attend convention and cast his vote.
>
> We're all in it together,
> Kris Scheppe
> 920-737-5735
>
> "Gold medals aren't made of Gold. They're made of sweat, blood, and a hard 
> to find alloy called Guts." -Dan Gable
>
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