What a Wonderful Year! Let's Grow Together
patty.vo...@gmail.com
Good morning, everyone,
I hope you’re doing well on what is, for me, a chilly Saturday morning.
Today, I’d like to take a moment to talk with you about my work as Membership Committee Chair and Board Member with and for Guide Dog Users, Incorporated (GDUI).
When I began this journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I’d been elected and appointed, so I simply leapt in and started learning as I went. Before long, members and I began exchanging thoughts and ideas, and genuine conversations started happening—not only during meetings or on GDUI chat lists and groups, but in other spaces as well.
I began running into people during community calls, and whenever we had the chance, we’d share a few words. Before I knew it, I was finding ways to slip in announcements while answering icebreaker questions or facilitating my own events.
At first, I was nervous about speaking up. But with a little guidance and practice, I began to find my rhythm—and now, here we are one year later!
Today, Guide Dog Users, Incorporated will hold its Annual Membership Meeting, and tomorrow our elections will begin. I’m hopeful and prayerful that more members than ever will get involved. Those who are qualified to vote have already received their voter information—please don’t put it off! Take a few moments to read about each candidate and make an informed decision when casting your vote.
If you need assistance or have questions, just reach out to the Nominating Committee. You can find their contact information and much more on our website:
If anyone had told me two years ago that I’d be doing all this, I’d probably have suggested *therapy.* Possibly *meds.*🐾🌟😍 But truthfully, it’s been an incredible experience. The work is important, deeply rewarding, and often great fun.
My greatest joy comes from seeing members gather, share ideas, laugh, learn, and build friendships. Watching our community grow stronger through shared purpose and participation reminds me every day why this work matters.
So come on, members of GDUI, let’s grow this organization bigger and better than it’s ever been!
Join me today at 1 PM Eastern for our Annual Membership Meeting. Here’s more about what is certain to be one of our best meetings yet.
🌟 Guide Dog Users Incorporated 🌟
Annual Membership Meeting
📅 Date: Saturday, October 18
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM Eastern
🎤 Special Guest Speaker:
Ann Chiappetta
Long-time guide dog handler & novelist
Ann has been a guide dog user since 2009. She will share insights about:
- The changes in her needs as a handler—now also using a support cane.
- Working with her third dog in a rural setting, traveling without sidewalks.
- How training methods and equipment have evolved.
- Her experiences with both guide dog school training and home training.
📖 Learn more about Ann here.
🎁 Door Prizes!
Stay for the entire meeting—you must be present to win!
🗳 Why Your Participation Matters
If we achieve a quorum, you—the members—can move business forward in the direction you want. This is your organization.
✍️ Don’t Miss It!
Mark your calendar, set a reminder, or braille it on your hand with your trusty slate and stylus—just make sure you’re there!
Patty L. Fletcher – Author and Content Promoter.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Updated November 2024
Patty L. Fletcher is a woman of passion and exploration.
She studies the art of manifestation and is a seeker of knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with it when it’s learned.
To learn more visit: https://pattysworlds.com/about/
If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, you may have a fresh start from any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.
Mary Pickford