[acb-hsp] ACB-HSP President Message

Tue Sep 25 13:39:05 EDT 2012

Hello Andy and List:

I had asked for this feedback to be sent off list, but since it isn’t, I believe the list wants things in the open despite the tone this thread may take.

I appreciate your points, Andy.  And your points are well taken.  In a perfect world, and in the employment arena these are important ethics.

In the human arena respect, punctuality, courtesy and other social skills are also very important.  These skills facilitate warmth, consideration and cooperative engagement.

I ask, are there people on this list who have never forgotten an appointment?  Are there people on this list who have never made a mistake or made a decision that you wish you had done differently?  If so, please tell me how you manage to do so well.

Social Work ethics urge respect for the Social Work for the profession, the colleagues and, above all, clients.  I agree these are critical social skills and preserve cooperative teamwork and organizational morale.

And, I think that we, as professionals, would also urge empathy and cooperative problem solving in order to resolve internal issues and work toward greater organizational dynamics.  I have ehard it said that social workers, those who praport to be supportive, fair and empathetic are possibly more critical and judgmental of others.  It is good to hold each other to high ethical standards in order to preserve the integrity of our professions.

I have not said, at any time, that my actions were justified.  I cannot take back what happened.  I can work on bettering myself.  Lessons like this, for me, anyway, are clear indicators of things I can work on improving.  I can and will take the heat if this is how the list wants to approach this problem.

On another note, however, is it productive to continue to dwell on the negatives after we have been over them?  Do I need to keep apologizing?  I agree that it would have been good for me to alert you that I was not able to attend the meeting.  If only I had remembered to call you or email you and tell you I was going to forget to attend the meeting.  Is it possible we need to look at the structure of our affiliate, the expectations we have for each other and the organization, and pledge to see what we can do about moving on?

If not, you are certainly welcome to call for my resignation and work toward rebuilding the organization.  Or you can set about disolving the ACB-HSP Affiliate.  I, for one, feel this would not be in the best interest of working to advocate for employmentk, access and training for Human 
Service Professionals who are blind.

So, please keep the feedback coming.  This organization has issues to resolve.

Please, however, make an effort to be respectful in what we write.  This list is for all, and some of us may be less familiar with the internal workings of our affiliate.

Sincerely,

Darian

From: Baracco, Andrew W 
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9:36 AM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals 
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP President Message

I really do not understand why it is such a big deal to be in an appointed place at an appointed time, or to let someone know when you can't make it.  This isn't something outside the box, it is simple common courtesy that you should have learned somewhere along the way.  It is showing others that you value their time and attention. Personally, I would not want an employee who is chronically late to work.  If a job applicant said that he or she might be on time some days, and not others, their application would disappear into the proverbial circular file. If a presenter told me that he or she would probably be late, he or she wouldn't be my presenter.  I realize that today it seems to bea all about me, and everyone else just has to deal, but that wouldn't be the case in any organization that I would run, or play a major part in. My boss is perennially  late to meetings, cancels at the last minute after everyone is there, etc. but he also pays me, so I have to give him that amount of slack.  But in a volunteer group, pay should be replaced by respect for others. People just shouldn't be expected to deal. They don't have to.  They can just walk, and you can't stop them.

Andy

From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Darian Slayton Fleming
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9:24 AM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP President Message

Well Jessie,you certainly tell it like it is.  I appreciate your candor.

I appreciate your points and will welcome your participation on whatever level you are able.

I understand that special interest affiliates struggle with these issues; ACB-HSP is not alone.  I trust that we will find a way to work together cooperatively.  Clearly this affiliate has issues to work on.

Darian

From: J.Rayl 

Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:26 AM

To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals 

Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP President Message

Well Darrien,  I've been there, as President, attempting to attend work obligations and family obligations.  And I've missed my share of conference calls / meetings.  You, and others, may remember well your criticisms of me for the very same (no need to deny it, I've heard one in the same at times I signed on to the calls and you had no clue I was there and you all were happily bad-mouthing me for it).

It is sad when this happens because realisticly, first, these positions are all volunteer and not one of us ever have to step up to the plate to take them; yet, because we care about the purposes of ACB and the affiliate, and the betterment, we do.

Then, however, when work, family, medical or personal obligations, or Heaven forbid, the slipage of a memory, interferes, we are berated and looked down on as though some unforgivable, unforgettable crime has been committed.  Now granted, when one accepts an officer position, there does need to be a high level of commitment, and I absolutely realize that.  Yet, I'm not sure just how I was to explain that my volunteer position took presidence over my job (wen I'd get called out for our commitment procedures even though some of you just knew I was making that up because your states do not have 24/seven commitment), etc. etc.  But okay, its easier to judge when you're in the jury seat than not, I know, and that is why, or one reason, we now have these problems within our organization.

I am sorry, though not surprised, that the three officers, resigned.  

I will not step forward at this time to offer my assistance because I, honestly, do not know that I'll 1. Be in Columbus for the entire convention or any part of it although I'd like to be and hope to be; and 2. I do not know how much time my dissertation will leave me.

However, what I will offer to you is presentations on conference calls--as I did before on just about any subject you so desire, leadership consultation, etc.  And there's a better than good probability I'll be late for the conference call (I'm late for everything).  

It is, essentially, yours and ACB-HSP's choice as to wheter you accept my offer or not.  

If I'm in Columbus, I'm happy to do a presentation then as well.

And I will, eventually, get my dues in which means you have one more member paid--whatever that is worth to your affiliate.

Stay well.

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

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: Darian Slayton Fleming 

  To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals 

  Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 11:42 PM

  Subject: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP President Message

  Dear ACB-HSP Members and Listers:

  I am writing to advise you that as president of ACB-HSP I committed a grievous error in not attending the August 5, 2012 conference call.  This was a very important meeting intended to discuss the direction of ACB-HSP.  Missing meetings, and low attendance on conference calls, among other things, have led to resignations of three officers from the ACB-HSP Board.  Andy Baracco resigned his position as Vice-President.  Marleen O’Neal has left the Secretary position.  Linda Porelle has resigned as Program Coordinator.

  I want to publicly apologize for my oversight.  I was on a family vacation and truly forgot to call in on August 5th.  I have also been studying to take my clinical social work licensure exam.  Admittedly, I have missed meetings on a few occasions.  At this point, it is not productive or appropriate for me to make excuses.  I cannot undo my mistakes.  However, I am committed to doing what I can to continue to try to build ACB-HSP.  I believe we have a valid and necessary purpose as a special interest affiliate of ACB.

  ACB-HSP faces some challenges involving finances and direction.  On the upside, we have had many successful programs at conference/convention.  Attendance at our main convention programs has increased over the past two years.  Members of our group have valuable and credible experience and qualifications.  This might be a good time to review and reevaluate our mission.

  According to ACB-HSP Bylaws, if a vacancy on the board occurs between conventions, the Board may appoint a member to fill the position until the next regular convention when an election may be held.  Treasurer, Deanna Austin and I are writing to ask members to write to us off list to offer input and/or volunteer to be appointed to the Board until July 2013 Conference/Convention.  Open positions are Vice-President, Secretary and Program Coordinator.  

  Write to me at:

  Darehart56 at hotmail.com

  Deanna Austin may be reached at:

  DeannaAustin2009 at comcast.net

  Respectfully,

  Darian Slayton Fleming

  ACB-HSP President

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