The following candidate statements were received for the 2022 office and board election at this year’s virtual Conference and Convention.
Candidates are responding to the following question:
In 300 words or less please tell us what position you are running for, why you are interested, what your qualifications are, and what you would like to accomplish during your term.
List of Candidates for Officer Positions
Second Vice-President, Rob Turner
List of Candidates for Board Positions
Board of Directors, Regina Marie Brink
Board of Directors, Andrea DeKlotz
Board of Directors, Larry Gassman
Officers:
My name is Gabe Griffith and I am running for the position of President.
I have served in every position on the board with the exception of Treasurer. This has given me the foundation to understand this organization and blend our rich history with what is needed for us to move in to the future.
I have worked very closely with Lisa Thomas to get everything done so CCB’s nonprofit suspension can be lifted. For several months Lisa and I spoke or texted every day, usually multiple times. Thankfully everything has been submitted and we’re now waiting for the IRS to approve our application.
Once our suspension is lifted and we can go back to fund raising I would still like to have CCB partner with for profit corporations to fund projects. I would like to start having some meetings so we can work on developing some plans for what projects we want CCB to tackle. That way once the suspension is lifted we are ready to move forward with those plans.
There have definitely been positives during this first term. I have been able to meet with many of our chapters and affiliates. In many of these cases that wouldn’t have been possible under what we used to call normal circumstances. Zoom has allowed me to travel all over the state, often being in many places on the same day. Meeting members, hearing what people are doing and answering questions is one of my favorite parts of this position.
CCB has been hit by a worldwide pandemic as well as suspension of our non profit but I believe we have reasons to be optimistic and I would appreciate the honor of a second term as your President as we move in to that future together.
Return to the Officer Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
Second Vice-President, Rob Turner
I am seeking a second term as second vice president. My membership in CCB goes all the way back to 1970 when I joined as a college student. Although longevity isn't a qualification as such, it speaks to my dedication and loyalty as a council member. I've been a successful president or vice president of four chapters and served many times as a secretary for chapters and statewide affiliates. I was the chairman of the credentials and nominating committees for eight conventions. My career of almost fifty years includes work experience as a computer programmer, vocational specialist, access technology trainer, technical support representative, and finally retired as a quality assurance engineer for Bookshare.org. I recently joined the Technical Operations Group (TOG) to help with administrative tasks and technical issues.
I've received several compliments on my ability to remain calm in heated discussions and an ability to think logically to solve problems. If elected to second vice president, I'll do my best to help CCB thrive.
Return to the Officer Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
My name is Lisa Thomas, and I am running for the position of Treasurer.
I have been CCB's current Treasurer since mid-2018 and WOW it’s been a crazy ride! The role and transparency of being Treasurer should not be taken lightly, it’s not about being liked or wanting the limelight; it’s about taking on a role, accepting the responsibility, and working together for a common goal to deliver accurate and precise information, encourage sustainable financial growth, communicate with CCB’s financial advisors, staff, and Board regularly and have the dedication in continuing to build a solid accounting foundation for years to come. And in my consideration to run again I took a step back to ensure I was doing this the best I can.
CCB's financial struggles over the years have been obvious and it will take all of us to incorporate change moving forward. Little did I know when I accepted this position, we'd have far more difficulties than money. As Treasurer, I have a lot of work still ahead of me. The pandemic has interrupted all our lives; but priority this past year or so has been and will continue to be correcting our tax delinquencies and reinstating CCB’s 501(c)3 status.
I will continue working and encouraging the Board on finding alternative revenue streams that will sustain CCB another 80+ years so the advocacy work and our organization’s mission statement will be tangible.
My dedication and commitment as Treasurer have never wavered, I don't know how to just be "Treasurer" at this point because I feel like I've been much more. This position has not been glamorous over the past 2 years, but I know where my commitment lies, and I will continue to work hard until our finances and nonprofit status are all back on track and sustainable.
Return to the Officer Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
Board of Directors:
Board of Directors, Regina Marie Brink
This is Regina Marie Brink and I am running for a director position on the California Council of the Blind Board. I have long been an advocate for people with disabilities, especially those with vision loss. I started when I was in high school by participating in Disability Awareness presentations. I have served as in officer or Board member on four boards of local organizations. In my presidency of the Capitol chapter, we gave away our first scholarship, amended our Constitution that had not been amended since 2015, and rejuvenated Chapter member participation. I led the team which formed the newest CCB affiliate, Inclusive Diversity of California and am currently president. I have participated in Legislative Seminars and Capital days for 2 years now. . I serve on the Multi-Cultural Affairs Committee, the Hispanic Affairs Committee, and The Resolution Taskforce on the National Level. I have worked as a Family Service Worker/Counselor, a Volunteer coordinator for the Society for the Blind, and currently as an actor/director with the Short Repertory Theater, Innervision Project. I received the JP Morgan Chase Leadership Award in 2020.
Integral to all of my accomplishments, has been my passion for people. Ensuring that all members of any organization I lead feel valued and supported is crucial. As a Board member, I want to insure that people facing vision loss as a lifelong companion or a new trauma in their lives, turn to CCB as their advocate and a source of strength. As the board reaches out to be a resource for its Chapters/affiliates , supports new members, increases employment opportunities and promotes policies and legislation that fosters equity and inclusion of all Californians who are blind or have low vision, I will continue my passion to empower CCB members, concentrating on growing this organization.
Return to the Board of Directors Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
Board of Directors, Andrea DeKlotz
My name is Andrea DeKlotz and I am seeking the position of Director on the board of the California Council of the Blind. I have been a member of CCB since 2002. I am a past president and currently serve as Secretary of the Orange County Chapter. I am a member of the Publications Committee and I have been the editor of the weekly CCB newsletter The Happenings since June of 2020. I have served for many years as co-chair of the technology and auction committees. I am both a facilitator and a qualified host for the American Council of the Blind community. I bring a solid background in technology, both in my work and home life, and strong communication skills to this position. I am a proud member of the disability community, and I feel I have demonstrated a desire to work hard in support and furtherance of our organization.
There are two main reasons why I wish to serve as a director. First, I am anxious to help our organization in negotiating our place in the future, whatever that may involve. I am also deeply concerned by the loss of membership in CCB. We need to explore new ways to increase membership, particularly as our aging population experienceing vision loss grows. We also need to attract younger members to ensure our organization's future viability. I am also saddened and disturbed by the divisions I have witnessed among our members in the recent past. While acknowledging and respecting our differences, we must focus on our commonalities and strengths as a community to remain effective and powerful. I feel this can not be expressed strongly enough, and I am excited to be an active part of this process. I hope you will consider supporting my candidacy, and I thank you for your attention.
Andrea DeKlotz
Return to the Board of Directors Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
Board of Directors, Larry Gassman
My name is Larry Gassman.
I am once again running for a board of directors position with the California Council Of the Blind.
I am a people person, and I enjoying helping people either through advocacy or working with others for a common cause or goal.
One of my goals is to see people succeed.
I am passionate about whatever I do in life, and I do not believe in joining any organization without trying to be of some help. This is why my organizational skills as well as my life experience would aid me greatly, should you elect me to the CCB Board of Directors.
I have been very fortunate to have volunteered with many organizations over the years.
I have chaired and produced 30 early radio conventions, worked for Marriott in a support position for over 20 years, and currently co-chair Accessible World.org.
I am the current President of the CCB Orange County chapter, and I now work for ACB as there Media Coordinator.
I am active with many committees both locally and on the national level.
In an earlier candidate board statement, I suggested that CCB has at least two major issues that must be faced.
We must continue to work more towards an improvement in our financial situation.
Revenue streams of the 1990’s are gone but I do believe we can build upon those ideas in 2022.
The second important goal to be faced is that of membership.
We are an older society. We need to continue to recruit younger members and find attractive reasons for joining.
I am truly honored to have the opportunity to run once again and to take an active part as a part of the CCB board of directors.
Return to the Board of Directors Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
Candidate’s Statement
Jeff Thom
I am running for re-election to the CCB board of directors. I have served as both my local chapter president and as president of CCB, and in various other officer and committee chair positions. I have also served in many other blindness-related organizations at the local state, and national level.
When I ran for my current CCB board term it was with the intent that I would not seek re-election. However, we are emerging from the Covid19 pandemic, trying to deal with a fairly sizable membership decline, and facing the need to enhance our advocacy efforts. I believe the institutional knowledge, my organizational experience, and awareness of our traditions and values that I have obtained over several decades, in combination with my willingness to embrace change and new ideas, will be of assistance to the leadership team in continuing to innovate and undertake new initiatives to attack the challenges that we face.
There are four major areas in which I feel CCB should focus during the next two years. First, it is essential that we begin to reverse the recent membership decline through local outreach with assistance from the state organization. Secondly, unless the pandemic has not eased, we need to have an in-person convention in 2023, so as to renew the relationship and networking that suffer markedly without personal contact. Third, we must enhance our advocacy efforts on behalf of the dramatically increasing number of Californians who are blind or have low vision. Finally, we must take advantage of opportunities to focus on resource sustainability for the organization
Return to the Board of Directors Candidate List
Return to the beginning of the Candidate List
