[Oabs] membership

Sat May 16 01:22:46 UTC 2015

Katie, thanks so much for your message. I should apologize for asking questions that seem to already be answered. As you know, I am reacquainting myself with Ohio, and I'm playing catch-up.
Having said that, it sounds like you guys are on track, it's just a matter of out reach. I don't know what efforts have been expended here and am curious to know what types of student specific events have taken place. I discussed with our affiliate present this morning this very thing. And we are looking for ways to be beneficial to each of the divisions represented as part of our affiliate. Even if that means someone outside of the group taking interest in the division. Sometimes it takes an outsider, like myself, or Darian to rally the troops.

Jordy D. Stringer, president, performing arts division, national Federation of the blind 
Sent from my iPhone

> On May 15, 2015, at 8:33 PM, Kaiti Shelton via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> We have tried alternating between business and membership calls from month to month and are currently doing so. The membership sessions are solely for the benefit of our members and often include speakers on various topics. Business meetings are when we work on our initiatives like fundraisers or other projects. I think most like this model and it has cut down on meeting time which used to be quite long each month. 
> Because we're so small everyone is on one of the two committees. Membership has consistently struggled with attendance although fundraising has also been hit or miss even when we've been working on a fundraiser. From being on both committees I can attest that Emily and Aleeha have endeavored to delicate responsibilities throughout their committees but attendance and lack thereof create problems. It's difficult to move forward when someone with committee responsibilities doesn't follow through or when people do not attend meetings to see what's going on and how they can help. Emily and Aleeha could email responsibilities out in theory, but that would be redundant as they already send out committee reports and there would be no guarantee all committee members got their responsibilities. 
> 
> It is understandable for the board of an organization to be more involved but our group is bigger than 5 people. A regular meeting can not even happen per lack of quorum if just the board members attend and the same analogy can apply to committee chairs and their committees. All members are important to the success of the group and really the time commitment for general members is pretty small. In all the phone calls we make a month two isn't too bad, and the beauty of phone meetings is that you can multitask on mute until you want to chime in if you want to. 
> 
> I just want to figure out how we can have better communication in general. It's not good for those who want to be involved to lose track of what's happening in the division or to feel like they don't have responsibility, but it's also not good for the board and committee members to feel like The efforts they've taken to accommodate the whole group didn't work. If we all do a little bit of The work and combine our efforts no one will feel overwhelmed.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On May 15, 2015, at 7:39 PM, Jordy Stringer via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear Katie and the rest of the leadership team.
>> First, I hope this message finds you all doing well. Has there ever been any consideration to make every other meeting a working session?
>> A working session being and opportunities for leadership to give advice on how to communicate with legislators, and other community leaders? Much of what we do depends so much on communicating with elected officials that this and other forums has proven to be invaluable. If I can do anything to help facilitate these conference calls please let me know. Katie, I'm here for the duration.
>> I'm happy to assist in anyway I can. 
>> Additionally, has there ever been consideration for specific student initiatives? It's a real way to get people thinking the same and have specific work to do.
>> Respectfully,
>> 
>> Jordy D. Stringer, president, performing arts division, national Federation of the blind 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On May 15, 2015, at 5:51 PM, Darian Smith via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I can’t speak for the officers and board members of this division in particular, but I can say that  in general input and participation is always appreciated from all of our members.
>>> I think there is a standard of sorts which is kind of expected that as much as one can they should try to make committee and board meetings if they are serving on those committees or on the board of a division. The reason for this is because those individuals are considered in leadership roles and they are looked to  to help guide the direction of the  organization. 
>>> If you are an at-large member of the organization, you are just as welcomed to participate and just as needed, though the same level of  expectation isn’t quite there.
>>> I hope that helps some 
>>> Darian     
>>>> On May 15, 2015, at 2:02 PM, Brennen Kinch via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I just don't know what to do
>>>> I didn't realize what a comitment this would be but now that i know that i will try to make it to more meetings but i cant make any garintees that i can be at every single meeting
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On May 15, 2015, at 4:47 PM, Kaiti Shelton via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org <mailto:oabs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Darian makes some great points, and I think especially as someone
>>>>> outside the affiliate that that point of view is valuable.  Those of
>>>>> us who have been in the division for more than a year and actively
>>>>> participating wouldn't still be doing it if we didn't find the
>>>>> division's efforts and the camaraderie worthwhile, and I can probably
>>>>> speak for the rest of the board when I say that this is so even if any
>>>>> of us has a long or trying day before a meeting.  I know Thursdays
>>>>> were my worst day this semester, but it felt good to get out of class
>>>>> and do OABS stuff.  This is especially so now that we're succeeding in
>>>>> a major fundraiser and have come a long way.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The catch 22 here, if timing is the issue, is that every few months
>>>>> the board asks the membership what their scheduling preferences are in
>>>>> our surveys.  We do this at least at the beginning of the Spring
>>>>> semester, after the semester ends for the summer months, and before
>>>>> the fall semester begins to make sure everyone can attend.  This past
>>>>> semester showed no significant variation in the desired start day and
>>>>> time for our general meetings or those of the committees and everyone
>>>>> indicated on the summer surveys that they wanted to keep the meetings
>>>>> on Thursdays at 7:30.  I think that Emily and Aleeha have both been
>>>>> considerate of timing and dates that members are available according
>>>>> to the survey results that I have shared with them.  No committee or
>>>>> regular meetings are decided without looking at the surveys for
>>>>> timing.  Some people even shared when they would be available for
>>>>> meetings but have never called in or only showed up at the beginning
>>>>> to committee meetings.  It often takes more than one call to share
>>>>> your ideas and contribute to the work of a group, so I'm wondering if
>>>>> the availability isn't an issue why this is happening.  If
>>>>> availability really is an issue how can we fix it when people have
>>>>> indicated in the surveys that it shouldn't be?  Why are people showing
>>>>> up in the beginning but never calling back after the first or second
>>>>> call when they seem so eager to get involved?  To borrow Eric's
>>>>> phraseology from discussions on Ohio-talk this week, how can we get it
>>>>> done?
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 5/15/15, Darian Smith via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> haha sorry guys wrong message.
>>>>>> But since I kind of did that, I might as well say something, right?
>>>>>> I find that the beauty of the student division is that in basic, everyone
>>>>>> is dealing with the same types of issues   of academic  responsibilities,
>>>>>> extra-curricular  pursuits,  familial obligations and the like on top of our
>>>>>> work in the Federation.
>>>>>> This makes it easier to understand where each other is coming from and
>>>>>> helps us be more supportive of the issues we are facing in our academic
>>>>>> careers and helps us grow together as members of our Federation family.
>>>>>> I know that sometimes showing up to  a call might  feel like the last
>>>>>> thing that I want to do, but being around my Federation family helps to make
>>>>>> me feel better on those days.
>>>>>> Talking about ways to  get more people excited about the movement that I’m
>>>>>> very  excited about can be very..wait for it… exciting, and  knowing that
>>>>>> I’m not planning something on that call by  myself reminds me that I’m not
>>>>>> going through these things that I do as a blind student alone.
>>>>>> I wish you all the best in the  end of semester rush and commend Kaiti and
>>>>>> the rest of you for the great stuff you guys are doing.
>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>> Darian
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On May 15, 2015, at 1:08 PM, Brennen Kinch via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I think its just the timing more than anything else
>>>>>>> With me if i am tired from a long day of school it makes it hard to come
>>>>>>> to a meeting
>>>>>>> But just the same i will try and come to more meetings
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On May 15, 2015, at 12:52 PM, Kaiti Shelton via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> <mailto:oabs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> What I would like to know from the membership is why these committee
>>>>>>>> meetings for both fundraising and membership have been unsuccessful.
>>>>>>>> We've struggled with this problem almost ever since we started having
>>>>>>>> committees about a year and a half ago, and to a lesser extent but still
>>>>>>>> concerning is the fact that it also has effected general meetings.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> In order to fix the problem Aleeha, Emily, and I need to understand it
>>>>>>>> first. I have asked for feedback on this same topic before and have never
>>>>>>>> received a response but communication is the way in which we can improve.
>>>>>>>> Even if you've never attended a committee meeting please tell me why so I
>>>>>>>> can address the issue. Is it the timing? The fact that it's another
>>>>>>>> meeting? What can I do as president and what can Aleeha and Emily do as
>>>>>>>> chairs to make it better?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I know we're all busy students but ultimately OABS only takes very little
>>>>>>>> time each month and the work we do will improve educational opportunities
>>>>>>>> for other students. In order to accomplish our goals we need to have
>>>>>>>> working committees. Any feedback would be appreciated.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On May 15, 2015, at 12:16 PM, Aleeha Dudley via Oabs <oabs at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>>> I do apologize about last night: my friend was in the hospital and
>>>>>>>>> things were slightly hectic. However, i need all of you to let me know
>>>>>>>>> what you think we should be doing. I’m sick of having unproductive
>>>>>>>>> conference calls. This committee is at a standstill and it’s time to
>>>>>>>>> kick it into overdrive. Please send me any suggestions.
>>>>>>>>> Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Dog Dallas
>>>>>>>>> Vice President, Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>>>> Vice President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>>>> Both proud divisions of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
>>>>>>>>> Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com <mailto:blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> Phone: 937-733-0525
>>>>>>>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>>>>>>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
>>>>>>>>> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
>>>>>>>>> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
>>>>>>>>> blindness is not what holds you back.
>>>>>>>>> “The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” -
>>>>>>>>> Arabian proverb
>>>>>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Kaiti Shelton
>>>>> University of Dayton 2016.
>>>>> Music Therapy, Psychology, Philosophy
>>>>> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
>>>>> Sigma Alpha Iota-Delta Sigma
>>>>> 
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