[acb-hsp] Affiliate Growth

Tue Jul 24 11:44:35 EDT 2012

Darian,

I feel that focus and mission are essential to the health and survival of any advocacy and support organization.  And, I think that this applies to organizations like ACB, and all of its affiliates.  For many of us, time and other resources are valuable, and not limitless.  We need to set priorities and make decisions about how we ration both.  I am willing to give my time and resources to causes that have focus and mission, but don't have much time to just chat.  We are dealing with similar concerns here in California with local chapters and our state affiliate.  Participation is dropping, and many feel that the organization is always asking for things from them, but not really offering anything to them.  As far as HSP is concerned, I'm still in for a pound, and look forward to the coming year.

Andy

From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Darian Slayton Fleming
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 8:14 PM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Affiliate Growth

Well, actually, I do not believe membership is a requirement for posting on this E-mail list.  I appreciate the comments offered by everyone.  I am only the elected president of the Human Service Professionals Affiliate, not eh spokesman for this list.    However, I think it would be helpful for people to join the membership or participate in the forums that are available to us sowe we would all understand what we’re up against.

My wish for now, if possible, is to have a meeting in August where we discuss present and future goals for our affiliate. What draws us to this affiliate?  What do we as individuals need from participation in this affiliaite?  What can we offer to the affiliate?  What are the benefits of belonging to this affiliate?

As I think about this thread, I think that comments offered are really needs of human service professionals who are visually impaired or blind, who are looking for belonging or support.  What do we have to offer?

I hope to discuss these questions on our next conference call.  If you have additional questions, I hope you will call in.

I’m just saying.

Sincerely,

Darian Slayton Fleming

From: J.Rayl <mailto:thedogmom63 at frontier.com>  

Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 5:25 PM

To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals <mailto:acb-hsp at acb.org>  

Subject: [acb-hsp] Affiliate Growth

Hi.  I am going to try to comment to everyone in one post so this may be rather long.

Darrien, I hope you have not taken my comments as criticism because that has not been the intent, nor have I read criticism in other people's posts.  I believe we are all merely expressing a desire to see ACB-HSP grow.

I also did not realize that we could only be members here to express an opinion or say but if so, I'll apologize and then shut up / withdraw anything I have ever contributed because mainly out of sheer procrastination, I still have not formerly submitted my check.  If that makes me less valuable, then by all means, just say so.

I think there is, and has always been, a mis-belief / mis-conception in ACB that it is the President's responsibility to be at nominating meetings and also do roll call, etc., when, in fact, any member whom the members elect / appoint can do this.  Therefore, if a President either cannot or simply chooses not to do so, any member can indeed step up to the plate and take on this function.  I don't think justification, certainly with such level of vehimence is, therefore, a requirement from a President, as to why they can be there for an entire convention.  As I've said before, if we are just going to always vote for people who have money and time to attend national conventions, we're severely and seriously limiting ourselves because there are a whole lot of people who may not be able / willing to attend those; yet, can do a world of good as President and in leadership.  And, oters do indeed attend and enjoy national conventions.

As for conference calls?  Well, I"m not a conference call type of person so it really makes no difference to me whether you have them weekly, monthly or quarterly--I am likely not to be there unless I must.  And, I'm equally not someone who is on time for much of anything so yep, I'm going to likely be late.  If that's a problem for anyone here, well, it's going to keep right on being your problem because I doubt the more deaf I get, and the older I get is going to change it much. So, is ACB-HSP build on a conference call?  I mean, is that a pre-requisite of the group--that one must like / attend them?  Because if it is, I'd expect people will not be inclined to join given they are also expensive for many, time-consuming and often occur when other things happen in their lives too.  

Now, I do think they are good things, and really, given the size of the affiliate, even having five to seven people there is not half bad when you look at large affiliates that only have a little more than that on theirs, too.  

I certainly agree, Donna, that if no representation can be made, then the proper thing to do is to simply notify the secretary as is requested by ACB.  

Jessie Rayl
thedogmom63 at frontier.com
www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
www.pathtogrowth.org

________________________________

_______________________________________________
acb-hsp mailing list
acb-hsp at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-hsp

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.acb.org/pipermail/acb-hsp/attachments/20120724/e11e192e/attachment-0001.html>