[acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update

[Baracco, Andrew W]

I agree with Linda, and I also think that we are being too hard on
ourselves.  I feel that everyone involved with this group has worked
hard, and we have tried many things. Perhaps the reality is that there
just isn't a need for a group like this at least at this time. As I
think about it, it seems that most, if not all of the professionally
based ACB affiliates are suffering, I. e. HSP, ACBGE, and BITS.  Perhaps
this is partly due to the fact that ACB is aging, and many members are
retiring. personally, I am still working, but retirement is definitely
in my windshield, and I am basically on cruise control as far as work is
concerned.

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
Of Linda Porelle
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:39 AM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update

Dear HSP Members~
I'm observing this discussion with sadness. What I'm hearing is that
members, at least most of those who have responded so far, have offered
compelling reasons why they won't be available to revive this affiliate.
In addition, very few have responded at all.
Although it might be seen as a kind of palliative care that simply
postpones the inevitable dissolution of the affiliate,I support the
option of not sending in a roster and dues for this year. This gives us
a bit more time to review our situation.
As for any attempt to revive the affiliate, I will go on record here
with a possibly controversial proposal.
I suggest seeking consultation with the ACB mechanism, whatever that
might be, which is in charge of supporting affiliates in crisis.
In addition, I recommend that all current officers offer their
resignation as a prelude to re-organization. In my view, this might
create an opening for change. Of course, I would support a plan for new
elections that would include current officers as candidates.
I suspect that this may cause an uproar. I offer it in the spirit of
bringing in air and light to our troubled affiliate.
Sincerely,
Linda
PS I'm currently planning to  attend the las Vegas convention.
PPS I also agree that the affiliate needs to be active outside
conventions but our conference calls have not been well attended in the
past couple of years.
We will need lots of new ideas and many hearts and minds to carry them
forward.


On 1/21/13, Peter Altschul <paltschul at centurytel.net> wrote:
> Hi:
>
> Congratulations, Marilyn, on your election!
>
> For what it's worth, the Convention Coordinator told me that she is 
> going to make a major effort to encourage affiliates to work together 
> on their program planning so the competition won't be so horrendous.
>
> Best, Peter
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On 
> Behalf Of MARILYN LUTTER
> Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 8:50 PM
> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update
>
> 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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