Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Releases Statement
On November 10, 2003, the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) released the following statement:
After reviewing the voluminous correspondence concerning the resignation of Charlie Crawford, the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) has decided that a statement should be made expressing the thinking of the Pennsylvania affiliate.
We want to express our deepest regret and disappointment with the resolution reached with regard to the resignation of Charles Crawford. We regret the inestimable loss of an individual of Mr. Crawford’s background in blindness-related issues and his commitment and energy to our organization.
It is our judgment that losing Mr. Crawford as executive director is critical and we wonder if every effort was made to prevent it. We have lost his very capable and successful leadership in legislative advocacy and the close working relationships he had developed with the personnel of government offices and other disability group representatives. Charlie kept us informed on what was happening with a clear statement of what action should be taken, who to call or whom to write to and what the issue was. Melanie Brunson does this too, but there were two persons working on advocacy. Now there is only one. No one is irreplaceable, but it will take at least six months until a new executive director is on the job and an additional year to build up the kind of relationships and respect for ACB that Charlie had worked so hard to establish. His loss to ACB is a serious loss to our advocacy efforts. We are disappointed that our leadership has lacked the ability to reach a solution more beneficial to all involved, especially to ACB.
We believe that ACB’s operating philosophy is not so narrow that it cannot encompass differences of opinion, a variation of how things should be done and agreement to disagree and move on if a compromise cannot be worked out. Pennsylvania Council of the Blind recognizes the inappropriateness for public discussion of the details of a personnel issue, but we are left with a sense of growing intolerance among our leadership for differing opinions and approaches.
Without question, it is our preference that Mr. Crawford be reinstated as executive director of ACB, but given that his resignation has been accepted by our leadership and financial compensation agreed to by Mr. Crawford, there is little possibility for a reversal of the situation as it stands.
If indeed there is no going back, then we must look to the future, adopting those measures which will ensure that we as an organization will never find ourselves in this situation again. We, therefore, call on ACB’s board to consider the following suggestions:
- Review all policies and practices which govern the board’s and national committees’ relationship with our national office. If these policies and practices are inadequate, and given what has occurred it would seem so, then revise them or develop new ones in their place.
- Report on and disseminate these policies and practices at our 2004 national convention.
We do believe that taking these steps may assist considerably in restoring our confidence and respect for our national leadership.
[Signed] Pennsylvania Council of the Blind
Jay Doudna, President
Ohio Speaks
On Wednesday, November 20, Arlene Cohen, president of ACB of Ohio, shared the following message with other ACB leaders on the ACB-Leadership listserv:
As the weeks have unfolded Ohio has watched, listened, and learned. We now feel that we can remain silent no longer. The apparent direction of our national organization troubles us greatly.
This is a critical time for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. There are many in government and business that see this time as a golden opportunity to undo the tireless work of the last 30 years. All we have to do is look at the recent struggles of visually impaired individuals and the response of both government and in some cases the courts. Legislation paramount to the future of those who are blind or visually impaired is in Congress at this time.
Where does our organization find itself at this critical time? It is bordering on insolvency. It finds itself fractured by loss of its executive director and perhaps most disturbing of all seems to be going down a path that makes free and open discussion impossible.
We see and hear accusations and diatribe. What we don’t see and hear is a plan to move this organization to the position of strength necessary to ensure its future. While we worry about what is said in our national publications and listservs and who has said it, those that would deny us our place in society rejoice in our confusion.
Several questions need to be answered. We can only hope that our leadership has clearly thought through its current course of action and can bring forward its plan for the future. One hopes that the drastic action taken by this national board and president has not been done without a clear plan of action. It is time to share that plan with the membership. We cannot wait for the next general meeting. To do so would invite the demise of the organization.
Ohio must ask our national leadership: Where are we going and how will you lead us there?
Arlene Cohen, President
ACB of Ohio
Colorado Convention
The American Council of the Blind of Colorado will hold its 2004 convention on April 16, 17 and 18 of 2004. The theme is “Communication, the Future and You.” We will be at the Red Lion Inn, 4040 Quebec, Denver, CO 80216. The room rates are $56 per night plus tax; call (303) 321-6666 for reservations. Be sure to mention ACBC to get the convention rate. For further information, please call Bob Levy at (303) 940-9846.
GDUI Gazette
Guide Dog Users, Inc. wishes to announce the availability of the new “GDUI Gazette,” a recorded informational message intended to keep members and friends up-to-date on issues and happenings concerning guide dogs and their handlers. The message will include the latest between-issues-of-Pawtracks guide dog news and product reviews, and will be updated the first day of each month. To reach the “GDUI Gazette,” call (206) 333-3598. For further information on either the Gazette or GDUI, call toll-free 1-888-858-1008.
Maine Celebrates 100
The 100th annual convention of the Maine Fraternal Association was held at the Holiday Inn at Waterville October 24-26. Guests enjoyed socializing, singing along with Gene Monahan, the cash bar, and lots of conversation and laughter.
President Carson Wood opened the Saturday morning session with a welcome for everyone, followed by keynote speaker Chris Gray. Wood delivered the president’s message, and vice president Mel Clarrage presented a year-end review. Elections of officers and a business meeting followed. New officers are: Brian Higgins, president; Bruce Archer, vice president; Deborah DeLong, recording secretary; Patricia Monahan, corresponding secretary; and Mark Sinclair and Lynne Alciere, board members.
Lunch was served. George Guidall, a professional theatrical actor and recorded book reader, explained the finer points of the craft, along with demonstrations of some of his work. This was a premium presentation, enjoyed by all.
Becky Barnes from Guiding Eyes presented an informative session on conflict resolution. Graham Buck, also from Guiding Eyes, brought a demo dog named Oates for all to try. Oates is a male black lab, with a quiet, calm personality. Oates, having extraordinary qualities, will go into specialized service, above and beyond the duties of a regular guide dog.
Other exhibitors were Harold “Bud” Lewis from the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired; the Iris Networks; Steve Sawczyn displaying technology; and Mike Moran from The Seeing Eye.
After a short break, a dinner banquet was served followed by the opening of a cash bar. Mary and David Crocker provided live and recorded music and karaoke. On Sunday morning, breakfast was served. Gary Crocker, a Maine humorist, brought the convention to a close with everyone rolling out of their seats in hearty laughter. The convention adjourned at 11 a.m.
We want to extend a special thank-you to Leona McKenna and Deborah DeLong for all of their hard work. The great success of this convention couldn’t have happened without you.
New Listserv for Council of Families with Visual Impairment
CFVI, a special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, is excited to announce the formation of a new computer listserv, [email protected]. This list is a place to discuss issues of interest and importance to all family members as they relate to vision loss. You can subscribe to the list by sending a blank message to [email protected].
The “Ernest Challenge” Has Been Given: Who Will Step Up to the Plate and Match It?
On November 8, 2003, Terry Atwater, president of the Capital City Council of the Blind, located in Olympia, Wash., delivered a check for $1,000 to ACB treasurer Ardis Bazyn. “This is a challenge grant to all local and state affiliates of the American Council of the Blind. The brainchild of CCCB member Gary Ernest, it is a way for all of us within ACB to assist with the great educational and advocacy programs of our national organization,” Atwater explained. Hopefully, Atwater’s gift from his chapter of the Washington Council of the Blind will be the first of many that ACB will receive.