Western Regional Leadership Conference
Hilton Hotel
Vancouver, Washington
October 31 - November 1, 2008
"TAKING THE REINS OF LEADERSHIP"
On October 31, 2008, 27 individuals nominated by their leaders from different
ACB state affiliates in the Western Region of the United States gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Washington to attend the Western Regional
Leadership Conference. Hawaii delegation was composed of Filo Tu, Myles
Tamashiro, Norman Ota and Ronald Flormata. (Warren and Julie Toyama,
unfortunately, were unable to attend due to unexpected family tragedy. ) Washington Council of the Blind, headed by Cindy
Van Winkle and Sue Ammeter organized the conference with the help of some ACB
officers as facilitators, notably Mitch Pomerantz and Chris Gray. Members of ACB
affilitates fro Alaska, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, Montana, Oregon
and Washington particiapted in the
Conference. The idea of bringing potential future ACB leaders together for a
leadership training was first announced by Warren Toyama during the 2007 Hawaii
Association of the Blind Annual Convention. Meticulous
planning and preparations took almost two years which
culminated in this successful event. HAB President Warren Toyama pitched in
$3000 seed money to kick start the Conference.
So, what was discussed at the Conference? WCB, having done this leadership
training a number of times in Washington state in the past, spearheaded the
preparations and organization. Topics covered advocacy for the blind,
history of the blind movement, specifically the ACB, in the country, importance
of national conventions, fund raising and promotions. The highlight of the
Conference was when the body was divided into 4 groups eash assigned a specific
task which an ACB affiliate undertakes. And these were: 1) Preparing Convention
Agenda, 2) Public Relations, 3) Membership Brochure, and 4) Preparing a Board
Resolution. Each group was
supervised by an ACB officer to moderate and guide the group in coming up with
the desired output. Results?
Each of the 4 groups was able to draft practical and useful documents -
something which can actually be implemented when members return to their
respective areas. The Resolutions group, for instance, submitted a draft
resolution calling for ACB to provide ACB publications in DAISY format, among
its currently varied accessible formats. Not only is it timely but also
economical as it will save some ACB funds.
Overall, the Conference was a huge success, even surpassing participants'
expectations. Pacing was reasobly fast - never giving participants an excuse to
doze off even during unholy hours. Discussions were
always lively and well participated in. Everybody was ready to voice out his or
her opinion just demonsttrating a thriving democracy within the ACB
ranks. The true spirit of fellowship was pervasive during all discussions where
participants easily and unhesitatingly voiced out comments and suggestions.
This is a precedent ACB activity that should be replicated in the future,
perhaps in another region of the country. While we attempt to publish this
report on the HAB website, it is never our intent to replace the actual
holding of the Conference. You can never substitute the actual dynamics,
fellowship, exchange of ideas, networking one can experience by being there
yourself. The Web just cannot provide these attributes. What it does is
provide an insight on how we were able to conduct a very successful regional
leadership seminar where other ACB members would pick up points. For
those who were there, this is a great opportunity to go back to the Conference
and review the presentations, such as the Fund-raising programs.
Read the Agenda
Listen to Presentations / Discussions
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13