[Cagdu] The bottom-line Re: [Cabs-talk] Comments on Bruces post

[Juliett Cody]

,To the NFBC membership:
Due to an incredible load of homework, I will make this short.
1. We should have secret ballots. It is our right !This antiquated way is 
violating our privacy . It should be our choice to keep it private  whether 
it is represented through a chapter delegate system  or not.

2. Ringers should not be allowed to vote. These people do not know anything 
about our organization, so why should they be allowed to vote? Besides, this 
gives the opportunity for the  candidates to  cheat by bringing loads of 
people to vote for them.

I believe we need to make these vital changes before our next election. 
These are My thoughts,What are yours?
Juliet Cody
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Peterson" <its_mike at sbcglobal.net>
To: "California Association of Blind Students Mailing List" 
<cabs-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 3:45 AM
Subject: [Cabs-talk] Comments on Bruces post


> Hi Bruce lots of food for thought there.
> You caused me to think about the different ways the State has elected 
> officers, the "open convention, and the chapter delegate systems.
>  I think the reason I liked the old delegate system better than the 
> convention election system is because an election could be decided based 
> on a slate's ability to "get out the votes  In fact the I's versus Nays 
> doesn't even screen so nonmembers could make a vote sound louder than it 
> is.  The show of hands doesn't actually identify members either
> just assumes they are all members.
> ." and the vote by convention doesn't allow for a number of members to be 
> represented who can't afford to attend.
> The chapter delegate system allows each chapter a delegate and each 
> chapter can discuss the candidates for office months prior to the 
> convention and make the   decision as a group.
> I guess one problem with the chapter delegate system  is small chapters 
> with very few members could control the outcome theoretically.
>  Obviously though, .The chapter delegate system has weaknesses otherwise 
> I'm sure our leaders wouldn't have changed it.
> I wonder though how and when people should campaign for State office. 
> Should they wait until convention?  If they do that could seem to  favor 
> the administration?It would if the members were less known but not 
> necessarily if the candidates were board members in opposition.
> Although if board members actively campaign against the administration 
> their is a risk of a divided convention.
>
> Should they campaign a month in advance? if so how?
> I don't think I've ever seen guidelines.
> I think your advice about working together is in order though because if 
> you have two slates of officers most likely some people will win from both 
> slates.
> If someone can't pull them together you risk an ongoing schism that will 
> tear the affiliate in two.
> Maybe not this year but in time.
> To bad we couldn't do what the old San Fernando Valley chapter did in the 
> 70's.
> Than I set up an oposition slate to Bob Acosta'sfaction, not because of 
> what eventually split the affiliate but because I felt the chapter was 
> controled by a clique.
> When the elections were held each person was allowed to speak for three 
> minutes explaining his/her credentials and the vote was taken.
> I was running for a board member position and definitely an unknown, what 
> all most won the election for me was the speech by my oposition he'd have 
> been better not saying anything.
> I think the administration at the time felt more threatened than they 
> actually were--they had the votes.
> I did continue working with the chapter after my landslide loss.
> Later after the affiliate was reorganized I served as President 
> vice-president and I think board member of that chapter.  I think that 
> would've happened even had the split not have happened because over time I 
> won respect from the chapter members and many things I wanted pushed 
> through as policy I got in spite of losing.
> When I became chapter and student division President I really tried to 
> work with my board sometimes I was able to sometimes we had problems.
> In fact one board member who had more state clout than I did flatly stated 
> It's not my job I've done my time, when ask to assist with a project.
> That hurt my feelings a while but I survived.
> The project was taken care of.
> My key strategy,
> I tried to involve the membership as much as possible.
>
>         I remembered when I first joined and why I attempted to "fight" 
> the administration.
> I didn't want my members to feel that way about me.
> The State has undergone a major transition it takes time to set up an 
> administration and get it functioning on all cylinders.
> We've been kind of spoiled because most of the time we have leaders who 
> lead for a long time and we just expect when a new person comes in things 
> will stay like they were exactly.
> And, when there is change like when Mark Maurer took the National Dr 
> Jernigan was there by his side working with the transition.
> On the State and local levels that doesn't always happen.
> Perhaps in the future the affiliate should come up with acceptible 
> campaign guidelines but in the meantime choose your leaders wisely.
> Judge by track record, NFB philosophy, and the direction you think is best 
> for the affiliate.
> Also try to pick leaders who will unite all the factions.
> If you loose continue to build the affiliate and your day will come in 
> time.
> The campaign is the time for exploring different views just like in our 
> nation after that remember a kingdom divided against itself can not stand.
> We are a team. Our dreams our destiny our equality depend on us staying 
> that way.
> God Bless:
> Mike
>
>
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