Together, We Can Move NAD Forward!

My life journey has gotten me to this point in time and place for Deaf America.  It is my wish that Deaf America with its rich and diverse threads … deaf and hard of hearing people living in a place where freedom is not taken for granted.  The civil rights rightfully earned through years and years of advocacy, 125 years of documented advocacy efforts to protect the human rights; deaf and hard of hearing Americans.  It is my honor to run for the office of President of NAD and to serve as your president if you elect me for the term of 2006-2008 (a two year term).  The NAD is undergoing crucial times in making long-term strategies on where the NAD will be going in next 125 years.  As our past leaders stressed that our civil rights are NOT to be taken lightly, we will continue this tradition.  Time and time again, we know that, TOGETHER, we WILL move NAD forward!

Two Year Goals

•    Develop strategies on articulating the NAD to be more consumer-driven in areas of advocacy
•    Build a strong membership recruitment/retention program with attractive membership benefits to recruit new and renewing direct NAD members.
•    Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse groups and organizations serving deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
•    Strengthen current board governance utilizing a trust-building process through accountability measures and performance measures.
•    Address board diversity by including people of color at the NAD Board level and creating a “ripple effect”.
•    Strengthen committee structure of the NAD Board and involve individuals in areas of expertise and knowledge to move the NAD forward.
•    Explore ways/methods on how we can become more economically empowered to ensure that the deaf community is a direct beneficiary of profits now going to the private sector.
•    Begin a long-term commitment to new and innovative revenue streams by creating revenue-generating plans at every level within the organization.

The NAD is now at a crossroads; the opportunity to make changes happen has never been greater.  I see all of us moving forward toward a mindset with new determination, strong resolve, and a firmness of purpose!   By moving forward, the NAD will have an enthusiastic spokesperson, through the presidency, to carry a unified voice.

         My husband, Jim Scoggins.

By moving forward, the NAD, through collective efforts on leading and developing partnerships with state associations, affiliates, corporations, non-profit organizations – including those representing diverse groups – and building collaborative relationships to ensure immediate relief to everyday incidents of discrimination.  Empowering individuals with self-determination armed with resources and services is a basic human right.  This is what the NAD has been striving for all those years and will continue to do so to empower the deaf community as a whole.

During the next two years of my presidency, the NAD will ensure well-balanced representation of all ages, races, and ethnicities. We need men, women, seniors, youth, and Native American, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Caucasian, Deaf-Blind, Gay, Lesbian and many others involved to change the AND so that it reflects Deaf America, giving every group an opportunity to be involved in NAD activities.

Thank you for your support!