Greetings from the desk of the President. I understand from our newsletter editor, Frank Casey, that it?s once again time for our quarterly communication through our newsletter. I hope to convey in this message the need for better and more efficient communication within the American Council of the Blind of New York.
As I grow older, it seems as though time has been accelerating. Most recently it seems as though I learn about an event and it?s here. I mean time is moving so quickly I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the speed at which events come upon us. Take for example the ACBNY legislative weekend. We discussed the event at convention in November and wow! we, suddenly, found ourselves in Albany, on February 2nd. Now you ask, what does this have to do with communications?
Let me begin with the ACBNY calendar. During the first quarter we plan and execute the ACBNY annual legislative agenda. This is usually accomplished through a meeting of the legislative committee and continues with a board meeting and one of two of ACBNY?s annual meetings. Because this meeting concludes with visits to our legislators, it takes place in Albany. Next comes the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), our parent organization, in July. Finally, at some point during the fall, ACBNY, or one of its affiliates, hosts its annual convention, at which time we place our concentration on the operations of the organization.
Structurally the American Council of the Blind of New York has a board of directors which governs and guides the organization throughout the year between conventions. The board consists of six officers and eight delegates: one representative from each chapter and one member at large. As this board is widely spread throughout the state, we don?t often see each other, but we do hold board meetings at least every other month. These meetings are open to all members wishing to attend, as is true of all ACBNY Board meetings.
I attempt to manage and guide these meetings so that everyone can discuss their ideas and goals for the organization while offering some discussion on what they have done since the last meeting to help move the organization forward. We always entertain discussion on upcoming events and announcements so that the board members can be fully informed of the happenings around the state. It then becomes incumbent upon the officers and delegates to carry the information they acquire to their fellow members and friends of ACBNY. However, it is also incumbent upon us as members and friends to ask the tough questions mandating that our leaders provide us with the information we need to know.
If we take an active role in this organization, we will come to know the basic schedule, making the basic communication part of the conversation when that conversation is about the issues. We must remember it?s all about the issues, and issues are what must be communicated. The chapter meetings should be updates on the issues. The board meetings should be reports on the issues. The convention should be decisions about the issues. So let?s begin to discuss the issues at all of our meetings. Thank you.