[Nfbf-l] The Constitution of the national Federation of the blind

[Carlos Montas via Nfbf-l]

Mr. Pres. you made no effort to explain the situation until I bought it up. That leads me to believe that you were trying to hide something. If you would've explained the situation had a time you would've avoided a controversy. That is not good leadership on your part. Many members in this affiliate feel like they do not know what is happening at the at at the state level in regards to our organization we would appreciate if you would provide concise and timely updates as to topics such as next your state convention and the national convention coming up in July.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 1, 2014, at 11:15 PM, Dan Hicks via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Carlos, nobody is trying to sweep any issue under the rug. I admit that I
> had hoped that this topic would run its course, as list members moved on to
> more important topics. This is the kind of discussion that often generates
> more heat than light and can result in hurt feelings all around. 
> 
> The NFBF Constitution, which I am obliged to uphold, says of the NFBF "The
> President and Vice President must be blind." That is true of the NFBF. That
> is the case at the present time with the NFBF as a whole. It does not say
> "legally blind" or that the president or vice president may not have a
> driver's license. 
> 
> Consider two things - the NFB's definition of blindness, as defined by Drs.
> Ten Broek and Jernigan, is not the same as the legal definition of
> blindness. So much for the state constitution, which is not being
> challenged. 
> 
> What you are trying to interpret the constitution of the Pinellas Chapter.
> That is not your job or mine. That is the job of the Pinellas Chapter. That
> chapter unanimously elected its president. Until I hear complaints from
> inside that chapter, I have no reason to worry or to try to make changes. 
> 
> The Pinellas president has been blind - legally and in our definition - for
> most of his life. He has been a member of the NFB for about 40 years. That
> is longer than your or I have been a member of the organization. For all his
> life he has thought of himself as a blind guy and still does. He has
> difficulty reading printed matter and caries out other day-to-day activities
> as a blind guy. The fact that, since a new experimental surgical technique
> has become available which allows this president to drive a car on a limited
> basis, should not cause us to summarily discriminate against him in this
> matter. 
> 
> All of the above notwithstanding, I knew there was some controversy about
> this topic, so I decided to get the decision of a higher authority. To make
> sure I was fulfilling my obligations, I called President Maurer to discuss
> this issue. I told him that a controversy regarding our Pinellas Chapter,
> and that it has elected a president who had been legally blind most of his
> life, but had his vision restored to the point that he could drive with a
> limited Florida Driver's License. 
> Dr. Maurer asked me if I thought of the Pinellas President as a blind guy. I
> said I was not sure, given the controversy. He asked me if the Pinellas
> president thinks of himself as a blind guy. I said yes, he does. He asked me
> if the Pinellas president was elected by his chapter. I said that he was.
> Dr. Maurer's response to me was very clear: "Leave it alone," he said. He
> said if the chapter is happy with its president, then that was what
> mattered. 
> 
> So, I really do hope that this topic can be laid to rest. 
> 
> Ask Dr. Maurer about it if you feel you must, but I already know what he
> will tell you.
> 
> Dan Hicks, President
> NFBF
> 
> 
> "Not all those who wander are lost."
>        -J. R. R. Tolkien
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carlos Montas
> via Nfbf-l
> Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2014 4:20 PM
> To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] The Constitution of the national Federation of the blind
> 
> Good afternoon my name is Carlos Montas. I've been a member of this
> organization for almost 10 years now I am writing because I am concerned
> that the president of this affiliate does not apply the Constitution of the
> organization to every member equally. I have also been made aware of the
> fact that the president has asked that the issue of the Panellus chapter
> president be swept under the rug. The last time I checked the president or
> vice president of a local chapter or affiliate cannot be cited. As members
> of this organization we must all abide by the policies and programs of the
> Federation and abide by its constitution if this issue is not addressed
> appropriately I along with other members of this affiliate will bring it up
> at the national convention was Dr. Mauer and other members of the Federation
> to deal with this issue. It is my hope that the president along with the
> Board of Directors will deal with this issue appropriately sincerely Carlos
> Montas
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/carlos.montas%40gmail.com and Mr. Pres. I will ask Dr. Mauer about the conversation that you had because quite frankly I don't trust you or believe you