Marlaina Lieberg
15100 6th Avenue SW
Unit 728
Burien, WA  98166
(206) 979.3224
[email protected]

  1. I seek the office of Second Vice President of the American Council of the Blind.  Having served as ACB Secretary for six years, I am eager to continue serving on this Board.
    • Since 1972, I have been active in ACB at the local, state and national levels.  In my current affiliate, I served as Secretary and then Second Vice President; I founded Guide Dog Users of WA State 14 years ago, and am again serving as its President.  In the Massachusetts affiliate, I served as Secretary, Vice President and President.  I served GDUI for 2 years as its President. 
    • I owned a business for 13 years, working as an adaptive technology trainer and accessibility consultant.  Therefore, I understand that in today’s economy nonprofits must function more like businesses.  I will use my experience as a business owner to help guide and direct ACB’s financial future.
    • I bring a heart for ACB's work and believe strongly that leaders are responsible to teach, help and empower others to carry on our advocacy mission.  If elected, I will live up to my beliefs and reach my hand out to bring others along this advocacy journey.  I will never overlook ACB's mission:  “to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life, for all blind and visually impaired people”.
  2. As a member of the ACB Board, it has been my privilege to travel to many affiliate conventions.  I attend the entire convention, and meet and talk with members.  If elected, I will make every effort to accept each invitation to participate at affiliate conventions and interact with its members.
    • Serving as an officer means that I am responsible to hear what members have to say and address each concern.  If elected, I will assist struggling affiliates to receive appropriate guidance and direction to become strong and viable again.  To do this, I will promote the concept of the Board appointing one of its members as an affiliate liaison.  I believe the Board needs to revisit how it responds to our struggling affiliates to ensure we provide guidance and direction without mandates.  I recognize that the ACB structure does not and should not allow the Board to dictate to affiliates, but neither should it impede the Board from offering assistance when issues are raised. 
    • ACB is stronger and more successful due to the work of its affiliates, and we as Board members must do what it takes to help affiliates feel engaged and involved.  I will encourage affiliates to broadcast their news and share their successes on ACB Radio and in the ACB Braille Forum.  I will continue to work with ACB Radio to bring quality programming, including more news of our affiliates.  ACB Radio has the potential to be the Voice of Choice around the world; ACB is the organization of choice, and our radio can and should reflect that with pride.
  3. Long-term financial stability is a serious issue for ACB.  If elected, I will continue to support the growth of the ACB Advisory Board, whose members are people of financial means and influence.  I will do this by attempting to identify persons who may be suitable for service on this Board.
    • I will continue to follow, and when appropriate, question ACB’s investments and expenditures.  I am concerned that ACB asks members to financially support the organization at many levels, yet a significant number of our members either are unemployed or are earning less than average wages.  Therefore, if elected, I will work with staff to identify sources of income and assist in the grant writing process. I will make myself available to our Director of Development for speaking opportunities for which I am suited.  These would include potential donors and foundations. 
    • Our direct mail solicitation campaigns have been successful, and I support continuing this activity. However, this Board must make finding new and innovative ways to raise funds a priority.  I will promote the concept that ACB must develop a strong and viable plan for fundraising to include a far stronger social media presence, as well as more exposure in the media.  The more the public knows about our good works, the more likely the public will be to donate to our cause. 
    • Lastly, I support the concept that the Board must take a hard look at our current thrift store venture.  Thrift stores are now ubiquitous, and ACB may not be getting the best return on this venture.
  4. The following are three issues of the many about which I feel most passionate.  If elected, I will concentrate on finding ways to attract youth and minorities to join ACB. To do this, I will ask to work closely with our student affiliate.  I will also ask that I continue to serve as the Officer Liaison to ACB’s Multi-Cultural Affairs Committee.  These two entities are invaluable resources to reach the populations they serve.
    • If elected, I will work diligently to ensure that blind persons have greater access to TV and electronic devices.  The FCC appointed me to work with other ACB leaders on an FCC advisory panel, and my work as an advocate in that area is not done.  I will continue to respond to requests for public comment from the FCC, and as I have done in the past, assist any other blind person to do the same.  We cannot be left behind in this digital age. 
    • If elected, I will continue to advocate for the teaching and use of braille in every facet of daily living.  Yes, I am a computer user, but every document I create, including this one, is proof read in braille before it becomes public.  ACB must continue to take a strong public stand on the use and teaching of braille until it is no longer an issue in our society. 
    • Finally, I am honored to seek this office. I thank the BOP for these thoughtful questions and hope that if anyone has further questions of me you will feel free to e-mail me at  [email protected] or phone me at 206.979.3224. 

See you in Columbus!

This webpage was last updated June 4, 2013.