[acb-hsp] affiliate growth

[J.Rayl]

Well, I"m not Darla, <LOL>, just her friend but ...one wouldn't necessarily 
need a PC if you did your conferences on Accessible World.
One could call another person who had one.  Like, when I called Ken because 
I didn't have my mic hooked up, and he connected me with you all via his 
speaker phone?  I could hear most of you real well.  Don't know if you could 
hear me or not but the only one I had a little difficulty hearing was Pam. 
And Andy, you & Darla likely have a better understanding of why all that 
happened than do I.  But anyway, it could be that this might be a way to 
bring in a lot of others, including Deaf-blind people who use other services 
like TTY's and those other telebraille things--whatever they are called.
I don't know ...the more deaf I get, the more aware of this stuff I am and I 
just feel like many people may be, inadvertently, being left out.

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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals" <acb-hsp at acb.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth


Another option would be to ask if we could use a conference room on
Accessible World.  The only thing is that you would need a PC, but these
days it seems like just about everyone has one.  Darla, what do you
think?

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
Of Donna
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 6:09 PM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth

the reason I suggested doing things via conference call is because I
know it is hard for a lot of us to get to conventions every year. I know
for myself doing it just isn't possible.  In terms of Skype an
individual can take steps to mute themselves in several ways. they could
either use a microphone that has an on/off switch on it which could be
turned off during guest speaker presentations or other business which
one might wish to eliminate background noise, or they could pull out the
mic when wanting to mute then plug it back in when it's time for
speaking.  However if someone wanted to use skype to call into a line
like is used now they would have to purchase a skype out number in order
to call and I don't think this would be an option if that is all they'd
be getting the number for.  I think someone also brought up the expense
of a conference call and although I realize that there are still some
people who pay for long distance by the minute out here, I think
probably the vast majority of us do not.  Perhaps one solution would be
to establish some sort of buddy system in which those who pay for flat
rate long distance could be paired with another member and we would then
be responsible for connecting them with the conference.  either way
should those who pay by the minute choose to call in I'm sure making a
call once a month for a business meeting would still be cheaper then
coming to the convention every year.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darla Rogers" <djrogers0628 at gmail.com>
To: "'Discussion list for ACB human service professionals'"
<acb-hsp at acb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 6:49 PM
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth


> Not so good; I realize things happen, but the person or people need to

> let others know when and how long they will be at Convention; when I
> lived in GA, that's exactly what we did--and in Florida as well.
>
> I have to agree with Jessie on conference calls; spending a lot of
> time on the phone, as I do, sometimes, I don't even want to talk to
friends.
>
> For people with hearing issues, Skype, with a combo headphone and
> microphone might help, but I don't believe a call can be muted on
> Skype as they can be on conference telephone lines.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On
> Behalf Of Donna
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 3:15 PM
> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth
>
> Well, to be honest I think the affiliate delegations this year were a
> big joke. it seems that most affiliates didn't know when one member of

> their delegation was representing another affiliate and even up until
> I thinkit was Thursday morning affiliates were continuously changing
> their delegate representation.  I wonder what this looks like to
> outsiders?  Lol.  Better to laugh then cry.  Smile.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 12:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth
>
>
>> It was my understanding that Darian and Deanna were both leaving on
>> Wednesday, so unless they were able to find a volunteer, I would
>> imagine that HSP had no presence on the convention floor after that.
>> In our defense, I understand that the delegate from Iowa was actually

>> someone from California.  I am getting more and more the impression
>> that this convention was poorly attended in general.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On
>> Behalf Of J.Rayl
>> Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 6:16 AM
>> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth
>>
>> Well-said, Donna, and I wholehearedly agree with you.  I can tell
>> you, after my presentation which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was quite
>> amazed at how quickly people just left the call.  Compared to some
>> friendly interactive conversations of the past, this was quite a
>> surprise and a change.
>>
>> Question: So, was ACB-HSP officially recognized or no this year?
>>
>> Jessie Rayl
>> thedogmom63 at frontier.com
>> www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
>> www.pathtogrowth.org
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Donna" <dwjsk34 at gmail.com>
>> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
>> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 11:24 PM
>> Subject: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth
>>
>>
>> Hi All,
>> I need to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this message because I

>> have some observations to make and I do not want anyone's feelings to

>> be hurt by them.  So I warn you in advance that if you want to read
>> some honest thoughts and suggestions and you are willing to put your
>> feelings aside and listen objectively please  continue.  Otherwise
>> there is always the delete key.
>>
>> Let me state here that I like all the people who are in leadership
>> positions of this affiliate so please understand my words are meant
>> to be constructive in nature.
>>
>> I think the issue we face as an affiliate is much bigger then just
>> the convention.  There doesn't seem to be much  commitment  to the
>> organization by those in leadership positions and there is a definite

>> disconnect that has been going on for a long time among members.
>> When we had convference calls once a month members had an opportunity

>> to attend and listen to guest speakers or network with one another.
>> Now conference calls are every other month and it is unclear as to
>> which Sunday night they actually take place since it seems as though
>> such trivial things as the Superbowl cause those in charge to change
>> the date.  the other thing I have noticed as it relates to conference

>> calls is that there seems to be an urgency for those who are in
>> leadership positions to hang up as soon as possible. It's like they
>> are only there out of obligation and as soon as they can finish their

>> duties they want to leave.  this has happened when we have had
>> outside guest speakers and I must say that I was totally embarrassed
>> by their actions.  I was also embarrassed when listening on ACB radio

>> to the convention and during the most important days when it is
>> almost certainly probable that a roll call vote for affiliates would
>> be needed the individual who was  so vocal during the week was not
>> present.  Even Sunday night when Marlaina asked who the delegates
>> were going to be and who was going to nominating committee that same
>> person stood up and asked if others would come forward to assume the
>> responsibility as she intended leaving before crutial voting was to
>> take place.
>>
>> I think what all the things I've mentioned above says to  the ACB
>> membership as a whole is hey look at us we are attempting to be an
>> affiliate, but we are really unorganized and don't take pride in the
>> democratic opportunity we have been given within ACB.
>>
>> But there are ways to fix this and if you want to hear my
>> constructive suggestions read on.
>>
>> 1.  Resume regular monthly conference calls and do not deviate from
>> the date time and call in number or pass code.
>> 2. If inviting a guest speaker be precise in what you wish to have
>> them speak about anhd advertise aggressively and well in advance.
>> 3. Some time should be set aside to talk about affiliate business at
>> least once a month even when there are guest speakers. During this
>> time we should actually talk about fundraising and ways to grow our
>> membership as well as forming working committees that actually do
>> something and get reports from their chairs.
>> 4. Officers should devote the timenecessary to attend these calls and

>> understand that having this type of leadership position means it is a

>> part of their duties.
>>
>> In order to accomplish these things we have to start looking at the
>> big picture which goes way beyond the scope of low attendance at
>> conventions.
>> Those are my thoughts at the moment. Now don't everyone go throwing
>> rotten tomatoes all a once.  First of all because i like those who
>> are involved with this affiliate.  Secondly because I hate even fresh

>> tomatoes.  And finally because all I'm trying to do here is help.
>> Smile.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
>> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
>> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
>> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 1:56 PM
>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>>
>>
>>> Let's blame it all on GDUI. They seem to have stuff going on all
>>> week long, every day, every night. I can't tell you how many people
>>> have
>> told
>>> me that they can't attend a function because it competes with
>> something
>>> that GDUI is doing.
>>> Seriously, one suggestion might be to somehow limit the number of
>>> functions a committee or affiliate can have.  One thing that I have
>>> noticed is that similar groups are starting to have combined
>>> programs, which is a good thing. One thing that small affiliates
>>> struggle with
>> is
>>> the cost of putting on programs, especially mixers which involved
>>> food and drinks.  In the past, we used to buy supplies such as food
>>> and drinks from a local Costco, or whatever, and bring it into the
>>> suite where the party was being held.  But in the last few years,
>>> this practice has been pretty much forbidden by ACB forcing us to
>>> deal with the hotel, which charges such exorbitant prices.  This
>>> causes you to charge higher ticket prices or to bleed your small
>>> treasury in an attempt to make ticket prices more reasonable.  I
>>> can't believe how
>> much
>>> it cost HSP to have a party where all that was served was ice tea,
>>> water, and chips. The convention climate is not very friendly to the

>>> little guy. Again, joining with other groups seems like the best
>> answer
>>> for the time being. We have a year to work on Columbus, and I would
>> urge
>>> everyone who has an interest in the survival of this group to make
>>> constructive suggestions either on this list, or on the conference
>>> calls, which should start again in August.
>>>
>>> Andy
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On
>> Behalf
>>> Of MARILYN LUTTER
>>> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 10:16 AM
>>> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
>>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> when I got back from convention I had hundreds of email messages so
>>> I
>> am
>>> just getting to respond.  I am a human service provider or I should
>> say
>>> was.
>>> I am now retired.
>>>
>>> I share your concern about why we haven't been able to grow this
>>> affiliate.
>>> I was at the convention and had so many conflicts that I couldn't go
>> to
>>> many of the sessions I would like to have attended.
>>>
>>> My opinion about the poor attendance at affiliate programs is that
>> there
>>> are too many things going on at convention.  Most of the sessions
>>> and meetings I was able to attend were poorly attended.  I know of
>>> one affiliate who didn't have a quorum for their business meeting.
>>>
>>> I happened to sit next to Melanie Brunson on my flight home.  I
>> mentions
>>> my concern about this to her.  She said this was not the first time
>>> anyone had mentioned the problem to her.  Basically she said no one
>>> wants to say no to anyone who wants to be on the program.
>>>
>>> I know other people who think the schedule is too full.  In the last
>> few
>>> years, it seems every ACB committee a program at the convention.  I
>>> believe this is a partial reason why so many affiliate programs are
>>> so poorly attended.  I am not sure what the answer is, but maybe
>>> some of the rest of you will have some ideas.
>>>
>>> Marilyn Lutter Original Message -----
>>> From: "J.Rayl" <thedogmom63 at frontier.com>
>>> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
>>> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 2:03 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>>>
>>>
>>> Again, I agree with all points, Andy.
>>> For the life of me, I cannot fathom why ACBHSP continues to be so
>> small.
>>> And I don't have any real suggestions, other than what I've
>>> suggested time and time again, as to how to grow the affiliate.
>>> However, it just astounds me that with all the human service people
>>> out there, and human
>> services
>>> is
>>> so very broad, the affiliate continues to be so small.
>>>
>>> Jessie Rayl
>>> thedogmom63 at frontier.com
>>> www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
>>> www.pathtogrowth.org
>>>
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