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<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Hi:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>I also wasn’t going to respond to this thread because I was one of
the applicants for the Executive Director position. However, I did not
reapply when the position was reposted because I was unable to relocate to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:City></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>While I agree it is important to keep an open mind concerning the
candidate the Personnel Committee has recommended, I am disappointed that the
chosen candidate is not blind. I fear it sends the wrong message to the
general public: that we blind people are less able to serve in a leadership
capacity than those with sight. I also think it worth pointing out that
blind applicants usually </span></font>gain their experience through less
traveled career paths, and that the skills derived from these
off-the-beaten-path experiences are viewed as less valuable. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>And I agree – let’s think
outside of the box. If one of the candidates who is blind has the skills
but insufficient experience, why not offer him or her the job for a year at a
reduced salary (35,000) and invest the balance to hire a coach/consultant to
assist him/her to get up to speed?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Best, Peter <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
missouri-l-bounces@moblind.org [mailto:missouri-l-bounces@moblind.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Denny Huff<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, April 01, 2009
11:31 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Missouri-L@moblind.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Missouri
Chat</st1:PersonName>'; 'A private list for MCB board members.'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Missouri-l] No
sighted E.D.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I wasn’t going to
reply to this thread but I feel as though I need to let out some information
about the process of how we got here.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>The personnel
committee has worked hard on doing the job that was assigned to them and that
was to find the best person possible to present to the board.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>
I personally would love to have a blind Executive Director and the personnel
committee has expressed that desire also. Sometimes however, we have to
think out of the box and go a different direction than what we want to go.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>
There were 25 applications received for the E.D. position and of that number
about half were visually impaired. The personnel committee took a serious
look at each applicant and of those 25; there were only three that possessed
the qualifications they felt would meet the criteria we needed. One of
those took another job as E.D. in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wichita</st1:City>
<st1:State w:st="on">Kansas</st1:State></st1:place> and the personnel
committee interviewed the remaining two. Although both of the applicants
looked good on paper, only one stood out as a viable candidate. His name
is Bert Emmons from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Webster Groves</st1:City>
<st1:State w:st="on">MO.</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>
I will have to agree with Linda and John and say, let’s give him a
chance. Listen to what he has to say and what he can do for MCB.
The E.D. does not run the organization, but rather it is controled by the board
which, with the exception of the treasurer, is made up of visually impaired
members. Just because he is sighted does not mean he can’t help us and do
a good job at this position. I look at other blind related organizations
around the state and see sighted people in leadership positions and I don’t see
that it has been a detrament to them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>
We call ourselves an equal opportunity employer so let’s give equal opportunity
to this person. If the board interviews him and doesn’t like him, then by
all means, vote no for him, but don’t vote no just because he is sighted.
I want the best person for the job, not the best blind person. I want
what is best for MCB and if the board decides that he is not the best, then I
will whole heartedly support that decision and we will begin the application
process all over and work until we find someone we can all agree on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>
I want to add here that if you are not able to attend the board meeting then
you can listen to the stream by going to: <a href="http://www.moblind.org">www.moblind.org</a>
and clicking on the audio link. The board meeting begins on Friday night
at 7:00 PM with our parliamentarian providing us with some parliamentary
procedure training followed by some committee reports. We begin on
Saturday morning at 9:00 and both sessions will be streamed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>Many
thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>Denny
Huff<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>President<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2
color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>Missouri</span></font></st1:place></st1:State><font
size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'> Council of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>(636)
262-1383<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>(888)
362-1383<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D'>DHuff@MoBlind.Org<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
missouri-l-bounces@moblind.org [mailto:missouri-l-bounces@moblind.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>John and Donna Weidlich<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, April 01, 2009
10:41 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Phyllis Lovett;
Missouri-L@MoBlind.Org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Missouri-l] No
sighted E.D.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Phyllis, A while back I would have strongly agreed with you
but now i think we need to hire the best person, blind or sighted, whoever can
do the job that needs to be done. We still have blind leadership in the form of
the President and the Board. The ED doesn't run the organization but does
represent MCB to the sighted public, which could be a problem if the ED is
sighted. It pretty much depends on exactly what you want the ED to do. If MCB
is indeed in financial straits and we need the ED to primarily be a fund raiser
and if this person being recommended by the personnel committee can do that,
then that person should be hired. If we want the ED primarily to represent us,
then probably the ED should be blind. I agree with Linda. Let's meet this
person, listen to him and judge him on his merits, just as we want to be judged
on ours. If we can't say no blind people need apply, then we shouldn't
say no sighted need apply. If this person is good and can do what we need to
have done, bring him on. If he can't, then reject him and move on and keep
searching until we do find the right person. But if we do hire this person,
let's for heavens sake, give him a chance, get behind him and stop this endless
bickering and quareling. I, for one, am thoroughly sick and tired of it. If we
can't stop arguing about this, let's not have an ED at all. Just run the office,
spend the money until we go broke and wonder what happened to this great
organization that we used to have. John </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:phyllisbww@sbcglobal.net" title="phyllisbww@sbcglobal.net">Phyllis
Lovett</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:Missouri-L@MoBlind.Org" title="Missouri-L@MoBlind.Org">Missouri-L@MoBlind.Org</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Wednesday, April
01, 2009 5:28 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> [Missouri-l] No
sighted E.D.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The MCB grapevine is saying that the personnel committee has selected a
sighted man for the position of Executive Director. This move would
demean the goals of our organization. If MCB board hires a sighted
director, it gives the impression that we poor, stupid blind people cannot run
our organization. We have worked too many years and too hard to destroy
the knowledge of the abilities and capabilities of blind people that MCB
promotes. It would not give a positive statement to other disability
groups, city and state officials and other blind people. MCB members have
always been adamant about persons who are blind running our organization.
I feel having a sighted E.D. will lower the esteem of our organization.
Talk to your board members and encourage them to vote NO! This is my
opinion but many others share it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>To unsubscribe from the Missouri-L list, send an email message to:<br>
Missouri-l-request@MoBlind.org<br>
with the word, unsubscribe in the subject field.<br>
<br>
Other email lists available from MCB include:<br>
ATI - A general discussion of adaptive technology. To join, send a blank
EMail message to:<br>
ATI-Join@MoBlind.Org<br>
Chat - A general discussion list. Just about anything goes. To
Join, send a blank EMail message to:<br>
Chat-Join@MoBlind.Org<br>
<br>
Visit the MCB home Page at:<br>
WWW.MoBlind.Org<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
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