[Missouri-l] Here It Is: The Candidacy Statement

[Janelle Edwards]

I am reposting the following message, which did not reach the list for Judy.

-----Original Message-----
From: Judy Burch [mailto:basil05 at sbcglobal.net] 
Subject: Here It Is: The Candidacy Statement

Dear MGDU Members,

My name is Judy Burch, and this message is to let you all know that I have
decided to run for secretary of MGDU.  One reason that I have decided to do
so is that Nick Whitney asked me to run for this position, and I have a lot
of faith in Nick's abilities to lead MGDU forward.  

I am blind and have been using guide dogs since the age of 17.  I am
currently working with Indy, my 4-year-old German shepherd whom I received
from The Seeing Eye in Sept., 2008.  

It is a pleasure for me to submit my name to the slate of candidates running
for MGDU positions along with Nick,  and Janelle Edwards, who has been
secretary of our affiliate for two years now and who has done a really great
job.  As you know, Janelle will be running this year for the recording
secretary position of MCB, for which she is very much qualified.  She also
will be running for the vice-president position for MGDU.  

Below please find Nick's statement of candidacy for MGDU president.  

Judy Burch

Greetings MGDU Members and Friends:

I Nick Whitney, (with guide Cherub a 6 year old yellow lab) announce my
candidacy for President of MGDU. For those of you that don't know me let me
take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I was born in St.
Louis, and graduated from the Missouri School for the blind. I lived in St.
Louis until 1985 when I moved to Florida for employment. This is where I
started my career in transportation management. In 1990, I became the first
blind Certified Transit Manager in the country. I was a general manager in a
countywide system for 12 years, and general manager in Charleston SC for 3
years. In 2004, I returned to Missouri to start my own business. I currently
own Show-Me Distributors a company that sells products for the blind, in
Jefferson City.

Why would I like to be President of MGDU? As a blind person, I have been a
long time advocate for the rights of the blind, and guide dog users. I
believe in MGDU and the MCB and want to help lead MGDU. With my experience
as a blind person, in business and ADA certification, and many years working
with the blind community, I feel confident I can help move MGDU forward.
I currently serve as President of the Capitol City Council of the Blind in
Jefferson City, which is scheduled to become a new affiliate for MCB at
convention. I have held offices in other organizations. I am a member of the
Guide Dogs for the Blind Speakers Bureau and a member of the Lions. I was
president of the Lions club when I was in Florida. I have worked on
legislative issues, fundraising, and public relations, for professional and
non-profit organizations.

What are some things I would like MGDU to work on in the upcoming term?
* Build a team and all work together
* Look at current legislation and decide if we need to improve current laws
for guide dogs and users
* Have more than one meeting a year maybe using conference calls
* Be positive and promote the use of guide dogs by having events and
speaking engagements
* Develop literature for MGDU

We can work on these things and I am sure members have other good ideas.

If you would like to discuss any issues with me or have questions for me
please feel free to contact me at 573-893-8888, or by email at
nickcherub at aol.com

I look forward to working with all of you. See you at convention.