[acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update

Mon Jan 21 21:50:26 EST 2013

Hello Darien and other members

I believe this affiliate could potentially help younger human service 
providers, and students with much assistance and mentoring. However, the 
events of the past few months, dating back to the 2012 convention make me 
wonder whether there is enough leadership and participation for the 
affiliate to continue.  We are not the only affiliate having such problems. 
I am aware of at least one other affiliate having very similar problems.

I have been retired for several years now, and do not feel my current 
situation would allow me to take a leadership role.  I have just moved into 
a retirement community and am still adjusting to this move.  Additionally, I 
was recently elected President of the District of Columbia Council of the 
blind.  There is a lot of work to do in
relation to this
.
I would not gbe able to take on any other leadership responsibilities at 
this time.

I would certainly be willing to continue my membership.  and pay my dues.  I 
will be going to the convention, but could not take on a lot of planning 
responsibility for it.  Last year I was unable to attend the business 
meeting because I was   program  chairperson for another affiliate and our 
major program time conflicted with the business meeting.  I see the problem 
the affiliates are having as related to the fact that so much is packed into 
so little time at the convention.  I have serious doubts about any affiliate 
being able to run, based solely on annual meetings.  Any affiliate needs to 
have leadership involved throughout the year.

Another thing which is making it difficult for the affiliates is the fact 
that it seems every national committee seems to find it necessary to do a 
presentation during the convention     which adds to the competition for 
meeting time.

If we are going to dissolve, and do this through an annual convention it may 
be difficult to get enough members there to make this decision.  Maybe the 
best approach would be not to send a membership list and dues this year.
  How many people have paid dues at this point?

I hope my thoughts  are of some help in figuring out what to do.

Marilyn Lutter

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darian Slayton Fleming" <darehart56 at hotmail.com>
To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals" <acb-hsp at acb.org>
Cc: <abayzyn at bazyncommunications.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2013 10:38 PM
Subject: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update

Hello List:

There has been talk on this list about the affairs and status of the ACB 
Human Service Professionals (ACB-HSP) Organization. I am writing to update 
you on the status of this special interest affiliate. In addition, I am 
asking for your recommendations about how this organization should proceed 
based on this information.

At the 2012 conference, ACB-HSP held a networking session that was attended 
by only seven or eight people. Most were new and some of them joined the 
affiliate. The conversation was meaningful, but our treasury took a hit 
since we did not have enough attendees to pay for the event. We ended up 
owing ACB $45.

The diversity session was better attended, but not by much. About ten people 
were present for Peter Autchul’s excellent presentation.

The business meeting, in contrast, was attended only by our treasurer, 
Deanna Austin, two people who joined the organization and me. We were to 
hold officer elections, but we did not have a quorum.

This was followed by a conference call that I planned. Those of you who have 
been following this know that I forgot to attend the call.

Since then three of the five officers on the board have resigned.

I attempted to hold a membership only conference call to explore remedies 
and to decide how to proceed. Again, Deanna Austin and I attended along with 
one other member. It was not possible to make any decisions with a lack of 
participation.

At previous times, with lulls in participation and other problems, the 
organization has floundered. Then interested members have taken leadership 
roles and revived the organization. I am at a loss as to what to try next. 
Deanna Austin believes in this organization. However, she had not planned to 
run for election again and wishes to step down. This would leave the 
affiliate with only one officer.

Some people have suggested dissolving the affiliate. According to our 
bylaws, the affiliate can only dissolve officially at an annual convention 
affiliate business meeting with the vote of four fifths of the membership 
present and voting.

It is time to begin planning for the 2013 Human Service Professionals 
affiliate program. I have had an inquiry about whether HSP wants to 
participate in a program activity that has been publicized on the convention 
planning list. I am very interested in seeing Human Service Professionals 
survive. I attended convention last year because of my position, despite 
financial difficulties and the fact that three of the five officers were not 
attending due to finances and other obligations.

I believe ACB Human Service Professionals serves as a forum for providing 
education and support to students who are future professionals and to human 
service professionals who are blind. Through networking, we educate 
ourselves and potential employers and community partners. We have sponsored 
some wonderful programs.

Although I have made mistakes, I am willing to try to work on reviving our 
organization. However, I am only one person and cannot make decisions alone 
for this affiliate. Due to current circumstances, I am not willing to plan 
programs, incur further financial hardship attending the 2013 convention to 
implement programs or continue to pursue support for the affiliate if 
participation continues to be minimal.

I would welcome comments on this list about your thoughts about how we shall 
move forward. Do you think we should allow the affiliate to dissolve? There 
are only two ways the affiliate can dissolve. According to our bylaws, there 
must be a vote of four fifths of the members present and voting at a 
national convention. Would any of you members plan to attend a business 
meeting in July 2013 in order to vote to dissolve?

Otherwise, we can fail to submit a membership roster and dues for three 
years; then the credentials committee could recommend to the ACB that our 
charter be lifted.

If you believe we should attempt to move forward in a positive direction, do 
you plan to attend convention? Do you plan to join the organization or renew 
your membership by paying your dues by February 15th, 2013? Please let us 
know what you think by replying to this E-mail.

If we want to revive our affiliate, we could also have someone from the 
membership committee work with us to resolve differences and difficulties.

If you plan to join or renew your membership, please send a check for $10 to 
Deanna Austin, treasurer, by February 15 so she can send our information and 
money to ACB before March 15, 2013. Deanna’s address is 5248 Spring Creek 
Court., Indianapolis IN 46254.

If you believe we should continue the organization, please let me know if 
you would take a position on the board. The vacancies are vice-president, 
secretary, treasurer and program director. The board has the authority to 
appoint officers, if vacancies occur between annual conventions, and Deanna 
and I would convene a meeting to do so. You must be a paid member to be 
appointed to a position.

Your ideas are welcome. I will need to make a decision about whether to plan 
programs and whether I am in a position to attend the 2013 convention.

I look forward to your feedback. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Darian Slayton Fleming

ACB Human Service Professionals President

(503) 253-9543 (home)

(503) 522-3272 (cell)

Darehart56 at hotmail.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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