[announce] Holiday Greetings

[Mitch Pomerantz]

Colleagues:
 
As we have just concluded the Festival of Lights (Chanukah) and approach
Christmas, I want to wish everyone in the American Council of the Blind
family a happy and healthy holiday season.
 
It has been an interesting and challenging 2009, both for ACB, as well as
for our members.  While we are being told that the worst of America's
economic down-turn is behind us, it appears that difficult times will be
with us for months, and perhaps years to come.  As is the case with flesh
and blood families, when times are the toughest, the ACB family works
together to survive.  We came through 2009 in relatively good shape and the
Board of Directors just passed a budget for 2010 which, while austere, does
not cut basic programs and services.  Our organization had a successful
year, culminating in the court victory against the Social Security
Administration and a number of structured negotiations settlements.
 
On a personal note, Donna and I had the opportunity to travel to several
state affiliate conventions and meet many active ACB members from throughout
the country.  My first year of retirement from fulltime paid employment gave
me the opportunity to devote all of my energies to ACB.  There is an old
expression about work expanding to fill the available time and that was
certainly true in my case.
 
While I have a few loose ends to take care of next week, my plan is to take
a brief respite from day-to-day ACB business until January 4th.  I will
continue to check my e-mail and respond to telephone calls, but my hope is
to take a mental break, if at all possible.
 
Again, I want to wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a most Happy New
Year.  Donna and I will be at the Rose Parade cheering on the Ohio State
School for the Blind marching band.  I am told that it will be the eighth
entry in the parade so if you can, please watch and listen.
 
 
Sincerely,
Mitch Pomerantz, president
American Council of the Blind
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