Donna Brown
55 E. Sioux Ln.
Romney, WV 26757-1426
H: (304) 822-4679
C: (304) 940-0292
Email: [email protected]
1. I am Donna Brown, and I am a retired school teacher from Romney, West Virginia. I currently serve ACB in various capacities at the affiliate and national levels. Some of which include: President of my state affiliate, treasurer of the American Association of Blind Teachers, chair of the ACB Walk and Berl Colley Leadership Tqaining committees, on the ACB board of directors, and a member of the ACB Mentoring team. I would like to serve my final term on the ACB board of directors to continue working on such programs as developing new leaders and trying to improve communication between ACB leaders and affiliates; especially smaller affiliates.
2. As President of the Mountain State Council, I have been very instrumental in bringing in younger members, organizing and conducting student seminars, and creating ways to involve our younger members in our affiliate. Currently, I am happy to say that 50 percent of our affiliate board members are under the age of 45. As treasurer of AABT, I have organized fund-raisers to boost our treasury, and I have updated their membership form and dues collection options. I serve on the ACB Community Support committee, and I have served as a Zoom host for the ACB Community. At the national level, I serve as the Walk committee chair. Over the years, this fund-raiser has brought in over $600,000 to ACB and its affiliates. As chair of the Berl Colley Leadership Training committee, I assist with planning and conducting programs to help develop new leaders for ACB and its affiliates. As a member of the ACB Inspire Mentor team, it gives me another opportunity to help prepare future leaders within ACB.
3. As a member of the American Council of the Blind, I am proud to be a part of advocacy efforts on a variety of issues that will increase the independence and safety for all individuals who are blind or have low vision. If elected, I will do my best to encourage all ACB members, to, if they so desire, take an active role in ACB business, activities and advocacy efforts. Whether it's at the local, state or national level, I feel all members have something to offer, and they should be given the opportunity to serve in whatever ways they feel comfortable. As a blindness organization, we need to strive to support and advocate for all blind and low vision people regardless of whatever else they might bring to the table.
4. As with most organizations right now, one of the biggest challenges facing ACB is how members are handling change. Change has occurred and is occurring in many ways. Membership has declined, but the volume of the work that needs to be done has increased. The ways we communicate has changed, as well as how conventions and board meeting are held. If elected to the board, I would like to find ways to encourage more of our members to become more engaged in the work of the organization. This would include serving on committees, whether it be at the affiliate level or the national level. This would hopefully decrease the number of people serving on numerous committees, and having to attend multiple meetings each week. I would also have an open line of communication for anyone questioning or not understanding decisions made by the board.