List of new ACB candidates for the 2025 elections
pres...@guidedogusersinc.org
Hi all,
The following information is being shared for informational purposes only. The Guide Dog Users, Incorporated special interest affiliate of ACB neither recommends nor endorses any of the below candidates. For those candidates who mention supplemental material in their statements, please contact them directly related to receiving that.
[end greeting]
Christine Hunsinger, candidate for Board of Director
AS we approach the hybrid portion of our ACB Convention where officers and members of the Board of Directors will be elected, I want to remind everyone that I have posted a candidate page on the ACB website at
and created a short request for your vote which was played on ACB Media along with the requests from officer candidates.
It was obvious to me that there would be a board position available after the officer elections ended so I began considering running in May of this year. I have participated in the candidate forums offered by the Board of Publications and by the Next Generation affiliate. Those podcasts are available as part of the ACB Business listings in the podcasts for ACB.
I hope that the information in the podcasts as well as my candidate page on the ACB website will help you make an informed decision when this position is voted on.
If you have additional questions for me, my email is cs.hun...@verizon.net and my phone is 412-414-1628.
Thank you for your consideration.
Chris Hunsinger she/her, president GTCB
Cheryl Cumings - Announcing my candidacy for the open Board seat
Hello,
My name is Cheryl Cumings and I live in Seattle, Washington.
I’m sending this note to let you know that I am placing my name into consideration for the ACB Board seat that will become open if a current Director becomes the Second Vice President, and I am asking for your vote.
I currently serve as the Chair of the ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee and I am a Team Member of the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program.
I’ve been a member of ACB for at least 25 years. Due to my commitment to serve and to bring new and more people to serve, I’ve taken on many roles first in the Bay State Council of the Blind and now in my new home town of Seattle, joining the United Blind of Seattle in Washington state.
Service, community, participation and always making space for a diversity of voices are values that drive my leadership. I am committed to work to fully realize the mission of the American Council of the blind.
Because I believe in diversity, equity and inclusion, I became a member of ACB Women, the employment committee and the Multicultural Affairs Committee.
For more than 20 years, I co-hosted Cooking in the Dark with the goal of encouraging more people who are blind and low vision to get in the kitchen and cook.
I’ve pursued a professional career in government and the nonprofit sector, Beginning with an Internship at the Illinois Attorney General’s office and later with the Department of Defense. Wanting to work more directly with people, I became a Peace Corps Volunteer and served 2 years in santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Upon returning to the United States, I got married and moved to Boston Massachusetts. It was in Boston that I participated in a leadership program and was given many opportunities to use the skills I gained.
With this brief introduction, , I ask for your support and vote.
I would love to hear from you and invite you to contact me
Email:
phone:
Warm regards,
Cheryl
Pat Tussing Candidate Statement for ACB Board of Directors
I am Patricia Tussing
And I am running for a position on the Board of Directors
I am a businesswoman working in financial markets
Although I was illiterate at age 11, I later attended Vassar College and the University of Madrid.
I have been a successful lobbyist for 44 years and helping parents, I started The Literacy Project which I have directed for 25 years without taking financial compensation.
I am a life member of CCLVI where I served on the Board
And I am a life member of ACB and of BITS. I belong to the Braille Revival league.
I have worked on zoning as Co-Chair of the Group that saved and enabled The Martin Luther King Community Center to relocate—a process which required negotiating and 1 year’s work to keep neighborhood interests fairly represented.
I was Vice president of The Circle City (Indianapolis) Chapter and The Hoosier All-State chapter (virtual) which I helped start.
I serve on the American Council of the Blind of Indiana Board of Directors,, am Fund Raising chair for Indiana and raised $6500 for the 2024 Convention.
I was on the Fund-Raising Committee for CCLVI and serve on the Fund-Raising Committee for BITS.
I am on the Resource Development Committee where I set up and ran 2 Interstate Auctions which raised $9,000 this last year and
am on the Get Up and Get Moving Committee
I am interested as to how to better incorporate new members into welcoming meetings.
I want us to repeat the regional listening sessions of 2 years ago and increase fund raising and nationwide publicity so more people will learn about our wonderful community.
In Dallas, I will help host the July 9th meeting to promote Planned Giving which was my idea.
I speak Spanish and have lived in the third World which is why our ACB media and Community Events are so vital as we are making history as they are broadcast worldwide.
If elected, I hope people will send emails with real solutions so we
Welcome and support all members and best grow our membership and via innovation achieve and win our advocacy goals!
I value what others think, love freedom and truly appreciate and love the ACB.
I thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Tussing
Amanda Selm - Placing My Hat in the Ring for the ACB Board of Publications Should A Position Become Available
Dear ACB Family,
Happy Summer and Happy Convention Season. I am looking forward to connecting with several of you in Dallas in just a few short days.
I am thrilled to announce that if a position should become available, I am interested in the open seat on the ACB Board of Publications. I have spent the last several weeks reflecting on my ACB Leadership Journey and evaluating my next steps. I believe after much reflection, prayer, and speaking with other leaders, this is my next step. I have created an outline below to help you learn more about me.
Who Am I, and Why I Am I Running for the BOP?
I currently reside in Louisville KY with my husband, Matt Selm, and our daughters, Charlotte and Meredith. I enjoy reading, photography, journaling and using creative prompts, helping out at my church and at my daughter’s school, being with my family, traveling, and of course catching up with my ACB Family. I am currently unemployed as I have spent the last eight years as a stay-at-home mom. However, our youngest daughter will be starting Kindergarten in August, so my hope is to return to school to pursue my Masters Degree as I currently seek employment. My educational background consists of a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
I am running for the Board of Publications because I care about ACB and its members. I love both creative and informative writing. I love talking, but not to
the point to where I like to hear myself talk either. Though I am
not perfect at either, I believe I could use these skills well on the BOP. I enjoy getting to know our members through their submissions in the Braille Forum, The ACB Voices Blog, and Member at the Mic. These types of publications in my opinion create a family like atmosphere in ACB.
State Level Involvement
Membership Involvement:
- I first became a member of the Kentucky Council of the Blind in 2014. I became a KCB Life Member in 2021.
- I am a member of three chapters, the Greater Louisville Council of the Blind (GLCB), the Kentucky Council of Citizens with Low Vision (KCCLV), and KCB Next Generation.
- I have served on KCB’s Convention Committee since being involved with KCB with the exception 2014, 2016, and 2020. I continue to serve on this committee today, or whenever we begin the planning process for our 2025 Convention.
- I have served on and assisted KCB’s Public Relations Committee with social media since 2015. I still assist this committee today as needed.
- I have participated in several Soundprints episodes to speak about state and national level issues and events.
- As a member, I attend our monthly KCB Board Meetings whenever I have the opportunity.
Leadership Involvement:
- I was one of the Charter Members of KCB Next Generation. This chapter was chartered during the 2014 Kentucky Council of the Blind Conference and Convention.
- I was elected to serve two consecutive terms on the KCB Board of Directors. I served from 2015 to 2019.
- I chaired our KCB Crossroads Leadership Conference Committee in 2018 and 2019.
- I chaired our KCB Convention Committee in 2018 and 2019.
- I served as the Secretary for KCB Next Generation from 2015 to 2018.
- I served as Vice President of the Kentucky Council of Citizens with Low Vision (KCCLV) from 2018 to 2020.
- In 2021, I chaired KCB’s Nominating Committee.
National Level Involvement
Membership Involvement:
- I was introduced to the American Council of the Blind in 2018 during my first ACB Conference and Convention in Saint Louis.
- I served on the Durward K McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee from 2019 to 2024.
- I have served on the ACB Awards Committee in 2021 and 2022.
- I have served on the ACB Brenda Dillon Walk Committee since 2021.
- I was recently appointed to serve on the ACB Scholarship Committee.
- I serve on ACB Next Generation’s Membership Committee.
- Currently, I am a member of ACB Next Generation, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), and Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS).
Leadership Involvement:
- In 2019, I was appointed Chair of the ACB Next Generation Steering Committee. I served in this position until ACB Next Generation was chartered as an affiliate during the ACB Board of Directors meeting held during the 2020 DC Leadership Conference.
- In 2019, I received one of five of the ACB and JP Morgan and Chase Leadership Fellows Awards.
- In 2020, I was elected President of ACB Next Generation and served two consecutive terms. I moved into the Immediate Past President position this past January.
- I currently Co-Chair the ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk Committee with Donna Brown.
- I currently serve as Chair of our ACB Next Generation Programs Committee and our ACB Next Generation Convention Committee.
My Passion
My passion is teaching and helping individuals develop their skills and talents. With both committees I chair in ACB Next Generation, my goal is to create opportunities for members to learn and grow in their skills while capitalizing on their strengths. The goal at the end of my term is to make sure these members feel confident in moving into other areas of involvement with ACB Next Generation and in other organizations, as well as to feel compelled to take on new leadership roles. At the beginning of my term, I told both of my committees, “I will no hold you hand, but I will walk alongside you if you need me. I am here to set you up for success, not failure.” In my opinion, this helps individuals feel less overwhelmed and creates a less stressful environment for learning and growing. The biggest rejection I received as an affiliate president was, “I don’t know how too… (fill in the blank).”
My Skills
- I am a team player and work well with others.
- I am patient and considerate listening to both sides of the issue.
- Those who know me well would describe me as creative and innovative.
- I give credit where credit is due.
- I am curious, and I ask questions.
- I am a self-starter, enthusiastic, and bring energy to everything I am involved in.
- I am familiar with several AI programs and social media platforms.
Recent Accomplishments
- With the assistance of the Berl Colley Leadership Institute, I setup a leadership themed virtual speed networking session. We will hold the in person session this Friday in Dallas.
- In partnership with our ACB Next Generation President and our ACB Next Generation Programs Committee, setup a Candidates Forum for our ACB family to get to know the individuals running for the ACB Board of Directors.
- Assisted in setting up a Board and Committee Retreat with a team of current and past ACB Next Generation Board Members and our Affiliate Liaison.
- I am in the process of putting together a proposal for a Blind and Low Vision Ministry at our church. This is still in the beginning process, however the first step is developing the idea.
- In the last two years, I have submitted two publications to the ACB Braille Forum and E-Forum. Please see attached below.
I look forward to serving our ACB Membership in this position. Whether it is through creating content, receiving and answering comments and questions, or representing our members during monthly meetings, I will do my very best to serve my ACB Family, all while continuing to learn and grow on my personal Leadership Journey. Let’s learn and lead together!
With Much Excitement and Enthusiasm,
Amanda Selm
Janeen Lea candidate statement for ACB president
Hey y'all. My name is Janeen Lea and I am announcing my candidacy for president of the American Council of the Blind, hereinafter referred to as ACB.
I've been a member of this organization for 6 years, and it has been a rollercoaster; I want to make a smoother ride for our members than the ride I've experienced.
I would like to see more of a "we" environment in leadership than an "I" environment. I believe that teamwork makes the dream work. I also believe that everyone's voice matters, and I believe in delegations and partnerships with our membership.
As president, I want to be the biggest cheerleader for the board team. I want to set up office hours once a week with at least two of our board members, where our membership can come to share their concerns and comments. I also will work very hard to make sure the promised email address to connect to the board will come to fruition.
I believe that a leader should have a succession plan. So I like to plant seeds and watch them grow, and with that, having other gardeners take over.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope I can count on your vote. If you have any questions or would like to chat, feel free to email me at jane...@aol.com or text me at 765-621-0064.
Please allow 24 hours for me to return your call or message. It's better to text than to email. :)
Presidentially yours,
Janeen Lea
Linda Porelle
On Jul 2, 2025, at 9:19 PM, Pres...@guidedogusersinc.org wrote:
--
You are receiving this message because you are a member of Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI).
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GDUI Members Announce" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to announce+u...@guidedogusersinc.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/guidedogusersinc.org/d/msgid/announce/003501dbebb8%2484f17c90%248ed475b0%24%40guidedogusersinc.org.
Debby Phillips
Hey, thanks for sending all of this. Having all of these candidates information in one place is quite helpful. There are definitely some great people running for positions. Warmly, Debby and Ruby
You are receiving this message because you are a current member of Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) who has subscribed to the GDUI Business list either via email or via the Web.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GDUI Business" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to business+u...@guidedogusersinc.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/guidedogusersinc.org/d/msgid/business/B1272B3D-3870-4C67-847A-A05678B14032%40gmail.com.