[acb-hsp] ACB-HSP Status Update

Tue Jan 22 16:01:30 EST 2013

Hi All,

I love our email list and think we should keep that.  I get a lot of
interesting posts from here, many which I pass on.  This is the strongest
part of our affiliate in my opinion.  The thing is that many of us work, and
we have responsibilities with our local chapters and affiliates.  This means
our time for personal stuff and family and friends is often limited.  Many
of us just don't have any more time to devote to ACB.  We are small, but
could be larger which would allow for more people to step forward in a
leadership role with us.  I think we could do just as much mentoring if we
promoted our email list more and for now don't turn in a membership list or
dues.  I never paid my dues this year because I owned two homes for about
three years and just didn't have a penny extra.  I think we should advertise
our email list in the convention newspaper and in the national magazine.  I
believe if we do this we can build up a larger membership base and then we
can re-examine our affiliates viability somewhere down the line.  Thanks for
listening, even if you disagree. 

Go Bravely,
Donna Rose, LMSW

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow
confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all
humanity...."--Martin Luther King, Jr.

-----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 12:39 PM
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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