1. Tell us why you are a candidate for the NAD Board position that you have chosen.
As a believer in member-centered advocacy, I am moved by the passion and dreams for the ideal society by my fellow Deaf citizens. I’ve lived and worked in several states within Region I. As a long time contributor at local and state-level advocacy organizations, I’m familiar with the politics within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, and a willing advocate. As a young leader, I bring ideas that are currently used by our generation.
2. Outline your background and the qualifications you bring to this position and the NAD Board as a whole.
As someone who has spent my career working on Deaf-related issues, I am familiar with politics impacting NAD. I am a project manager with a proven track record. I serve as a Board Member for the DC Association of the Deaf. I volunteered as the NAD Membership Chair for the last two years. During this time, I developed a marketing communications plan with headquarters. I also work with other NAD volunteers during presentations and exhibits.
3. Describe your vision for the NAD and its future.
When the 75th NAD conference take place (I’ll be really old), we will see ordinary Deaf people lead lives in a functional manner equal to any other citizen. With a strong focus on being a “member-run” organization, we quickly mobilize supporters ready to pave new routes with new trends impacting our community. NAD will become a household name, familiar to those who are also familiar with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
4. Explain the specific ways you would promote diversity and youth within the NAD.
With support from the board, local volunteers and state associations, I hope to organize networking fundraisers in each state within Region I. Those socials will have clearly defined objectives, one of which will be for youth programs for the minority groups within our community. If we are successful with this collaborative effort, then we can set a model for adoption by other regions. This has the potential of becoming an important channel for NAD.
5. Social networking is a popular way of sharing news. Explain how you will draw new supporters to the NAD through social media and related technologies.
Social networking is a great way to find inspiration through others. As listed in my website (http://maenglish14.blogspot.com), one of my goals is to establish an interactive communications channel with NAD members within Region I regarding news from Deaf people and state associations within Region I as well as advocacy headlines from NAD on our initiatives. When we tie this with the networking fundraisers, we could attract new supporters by noting achievements by members of NAD.
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