[Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention

Denise Valkema valkemadenise at aol.com
Fri Jan 9 14:39:08 UTC 2015 

The board has discussed having more than one in person board meeting. We feel it is a good idea.  Not all issues should be made public though so, we still need closed meetings. It is a good idea to post minutes. 

Sincerely, Denise Valkema by iPhone 

> On Jan 9, 2015, at 9:09 AM, Denise Valkema <valkemadenise at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> Currently, we have a quarterly presidents teleconference to inform chapters and divisions so information can be shared by the presidents at their monthly meetings but we have chapters and divisions that don't call in on this call or rarely call in. If presidents don't participate and share, how do members get information? We have chapter presidents that are not on this list by choice so, communication is not as good.
> 
> I would like to see more communication between state board members and to the membership.  I would like committees to share after each meeting, who attended and share what was discussed. I would like divisions to do the same or post minutes. This way we have ongoing updates instead of quarterly. I think chapter presidents should share what is going on in their chapter monthly. This way others might join the chapter, get involved in a division, or ask questions.  The communication issue is not just from state board.
> 
> Members should be active members of a chapter especially now that we have the statewide chapter, those that cannot make local chapter meetings due to work or school or don't have a local chapter can 
> Join it.
> 
> We don't need someone on state board that just joined a chapter so they are complying with our constitution to run or someone who only attended one or a few chapter meetings. Since I attend regular chapter meetings in Miami.  Part of being a good leader is joining the membership where it is at and work on voicing your opinions to make changes in the future. Some of our students are good examples of doing this.
> 
> 
> Sincerely, Denise Valkema 
> 305-972-8529
> valkemadenise at aol.com
> by iPhone 
> 
>> On Jan 9, 2015, at 7:25 AM, Marion Gwizdala via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Kathy,
>> 
>>   I tend to agree with you about wanting to know a little about who is
>> seeking a seat on our board. Without such information, it seems to be only a
>> popularity contest and not founded in a good business practice. I believe
>> members must realize that the National Federation of the Blind of florida is
>> a 501(c)(3) corporation whose affairs are managed by the board elected by
>> the membership. This is one reason I pushed to have the minutes of the board
>> of directors publicly available on our website. Similarly, I feel the
>> meetings of the board of directors should be publicized and members ought to
>> be able to observe the proceedings. I feel NFBF would be stronger and more
>> cohesive if the board had more accountability. As it stands right now, I
>> believe the average grassroots member has no clue what the NFBF, through its
>> board, is doing on their behalf! JMHO!
>> 
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kathy Davis via
>> Nfbf-l
>> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 1:33 PM
>> To: 'Lenora J. Marten'; 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List';
>> dlaiblcrowe at att.net
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> Yes, Lenora, in recent years I notice that those running for office in the
>> NFBF lean toward the surprise factor and choose not to announce their
>> candidacy via the list. Wouldn't it be interesting if our public elections
>> were held similarly? Certainly having lots of money to support a campaign
>> wouldn't be necessary. Of course, the voting public wouldn't know much if
>> anything when they go to cast their votes. Guess I would have the tendency
>> not to vote at all.  Being apprised of a person's qualifications and their
>> vision for the future is crucial. I believe that the same is true for those
>> seeking a position on the NFBF Board of Directors. Certainly this was the
>> case for many years when I held various positions on the board including the
>> two terms when I ran and was elected to the office of NFBF President.
>>   It was helpful and informative when candidates posted to the list
>> indicating their qualifications and their platform for the future of the NFB
>> of Florida. Having only three to five minutes to tell our members what we
>> are all about during elections is hardly adequate in my opinion.    
>> 
>> 
>> Have a terrific day and I look forward to seeing you very soon.
>> 
>> Kathy Davis
>> NFBF Past President 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lenora J.
>> Marten via Nfbf-l
>> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 10:45 AM
>> To: dlaiblcrowe at att.net; nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Darlene - I don't want to comment on who's running for election or
>> re-election because some people prefer to communicate that information in
>> person at the convention. While someone usually suggests that people post to
>> the list, most choose to communicate on a more personal level. 
>> 
>> That being said, there have been some years where those initially running or
>> running for re-election have posted to the list. 
>> 
>> Wish I could be of more help... 
>> 
>> If you have a question concerning a certain board member or position, I
>> would suggest e-mailing that person directly. 
>> 
>> 
>> Lenora 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Darlene Laibl-Crowe <dlaiblcrowe at att.net>
>> To: 'Lenora J. Marten' <bluegolfshoes at aol.com>; 'NFB of Florida Internet
>> Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wed, Jan 7, 2015 3:43 pm
>> Subject: RE: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> 
>> Hi, Lenora!
>> 
>> Thanks for this info!  I have some questions.
>> 
>> Are all whose positions are opening up running for re-election?  I realize
>> that is not the case for Johnny...so sorry to hear about her passing.  She
>> will be missed.
>> 
>> I would like to hear from these individuals who are running for re-election.
>> Can they share their thoughrs on their positions, past term (progress) and
>> what can be expected for the next term?
>> 
>> Thanks so much,
>> Darlene
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lenora J.
>> Marten via Nfbf-l
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 2:47 PM
>> To: woutman at earthlink.net; nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> 
>> Hi everyone, here is the list of which NFBF State Board positions are up for
>> election or re-election for 2015. With Johnnie's passing, there are six
>> positions:
>> 
>> president, two year term - currently held by Dan Hicks 2nd vice president,
>> two year term - currently held by Denise Valkema secretary, two year term -
>> currently held by Lenora Marten board position, two year term - currently
>> held by Jim Ellsworth board position, two year term - currently held by Paul
>> Martinez board position, one year term - vacant (previously Johnnie
>> Slayton's position)
>> 
>> The positions that are not up for election or re-election are:
>> 
>> 1st vice president, two year term until 2016 - currently held by Peter
>> Cerullo treasurer, two year term until 2016 - currently held by Gloria Hicks
>> board member, two year term until 2016 - currently held by Miranda Kilby
>> 
>> In the event that an NFBF board member runs and is elected to another
>> position, their currently held position will also be up for election.
>> 
>> I hope that clears up what positions will be decided on Monday, Jan 19. 
>> I do realize by the time Monday morning rolls around it's really tempting to
>> just take off and head home early. However, keep in mind that your vote
>> really does count!! It was just two years ago where a position was decided
>> by just one vote.
>> 
>> Kathy makes a great point that if you do wish to run for a position it is an
>> excellent idea to post to this list as to your vision for the future of
>> NFBF. 
>> Yes, during elections, you get three minutes to talk and address the
>> membership, but sometimes those minutes go by faster than you think. 
>> 
>> If anyone has any other questions, just let me know and I'll do my best to
>> answer them. 
>> 
>> See you in Ft. Lauderdale!
>> 
>> Lenora J. Marten, President
>> 
>> Florida Organization of Parents of Blind Children Secretary, NFB-FL Florida
>> Rehabilitation Council for the Blind bluegolfshoes at aol.com
>> 904-229-9554
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bill Outman via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tue, Jan 6, 2015 12:34 pm
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> 
>> Hi, Kathy and all.  
>> Remembering that Peter Cerullo was elevated to first vice president last
>> year, this means that president, second vice president, secretary and a pair
>> of board positions are up for two year terms.  There were possibly a couple
>> of one year elections for board seats where members resigned their seat or
>> moved to another position.  This could cause some rearrangement of the deck
>> chairs, so to speak.  
>> 
>> For those who may be new to the process, every year half the board is up for
>> election, two of the board positions and in this case, three of the five
>> constitutional officers, as there are nine total board members.  
>> 
>> This is my recollection at the moment.  
>> 
>> Bill Outman 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kathy Davis via
>> Nfbf-l
>> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 10:16 PM
>> To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] Elections at 2015 State Convention
>> 
>> Hi Fellow Federationists,
>> 
>>               With our state convention only a short time away, it would
>> be helpful to know what board positions are up for election. It would also
>> be neat to know who is planning to run for these positions. No doubt we will
>> have new members who are completely unfamiliar with the candidates. Others
>> who have been around for a while just need to be familiarized with the open
>> board seats for 2015. Posting to this subject line would be a wonderful
>> avenue for members to become aware of those who are running for office. It
>> would be an interesting discussion to learn about the qualifications of
>> candidates as well as their vision for the future of the NFBF if they are
>> elected. 
>> 
>>               I am hoping that we have an excellent turn out in Ft.
>> Lauderdale and that everyone will arrive in good spirits ready to have a
>> terrific convention. Many thanks to Tom and Deb Ryan and their chapter
>> members for hosting us in Ft. Lauderdale. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> With warmest regards,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Kathy Davis 
>> 
>> NFBF Past President 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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