Re: my campaign statement

[Guest guest]

Davey,

That was an excellent mission statement. Keep me posted on how things are

going.

Good luck,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Davey

Good luck to you - I hope that you win.... I like what you have to say....

I Remain, As Always

Barbara Ann Stidman

[Guest guest]

Candidate Davey Lamb wrote:

I will not use LPA funds to reimburse my expenses for mid-year meetings and

> annual conferences. The monies can be used for better purposes. I am

> appalled

> by people who use the national conference as a chance for another tax

> write-off.

Davey, I agree with the first half this paragraph. Officers who can afford

to do so should not use LPA funds to reimburse meeting and conference

expenses. However, I see NOTHING wrong with anyone claiming LPA

contributions, and conference travel expenses, as a deduction on their tax

forms. I'm sorry, but I pay a lot of money in taxes. For what? An

unnecessary war in Iraq? A national debt that is out of control? A social

security program that probably won't exist by the time I retire? For many

families, the conference is their ONE vacation a year, and the ONE chance

they have to see a medical expert who specializes in dwarfism. I would

encourage them to claim this a tax deduction. Lord knows the tax burden on

low income families is disproportionately steep.

I'm not sure if conference and meeting reimbursements still exist for

national officers. Perhaps one of our current executives or BOD members can

inform us on this? If so, when I get elected a VP of Programs, I am going

to suggest a voluntary reimbursement program for District Directors, and

national officers, that will get channeled directly into the Kitchen's

Travel Fund.

Bill Bradford

Candidate-elect, VP of Programs

--

A tranquil spirit revives the body...

(Proverbs 14:30)

" Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. "

Buddha

" It is better to travel well than to arrive. "

Buddha

[Guest guest]

What bothers me are National officers that take the free rooms then

invite their Non- National officer friends to stay for free in those

suites. All while these rooms could go to Doctors who volunteer at

Conference or Needy Families.

I know Davey NEVER took the free rooms at Conference. SInce he's

never been a National officer since that policy/bad habit started.

I understand the President getting a comped room, but quite often

it's become a boondoggle for more than just the President and his/her

family.

Davey, isn't part of the current clique that's running, he'll fight

the status quo. I believe LPA needs a professional like Davey,

especially someone who became an attorney many years ago when it was

really, really hard, and virtually unheard of.

From giving workshops on teaching young men how to dress for success

to always providing some sobering reality check on social issues,

Davey's been there.

he hasn't run for every office, nor is he doing it for the glory or

a freebie.

On Apr 25, 2006, at 1:07 AM, Bill Bradford wrote:

> Candidate Davey Lamb wrote:

>

> I will not use LPA funds to reimburse my expenses for mid-year

> meetings and

>> annual conferences. The monies can be used for better purposes.

>> I am

>> appalled

>> by people who use the national conference as a chance for another tax

>> write-off.

>

>

> Davey, I agree with the first half this paragraph. Officers who

> can afford

> to do so should not use LPA funds to reimburse meeting and conference

> expenses. However, I see NOTHING wrong with anyone claiming LPA

> contributions, and conference travel expenses, as a deduction on

> their tax

> forms. I'm sorry, but I pay a lot of money in taxes. For what? An

> unnecessary war in Iraq? A national debt that is out of control?

> A social

> security program that probably won't exist by the time I retire?

> For many

> families, the conference is their ONE vacation a year, and the ONE

> chance

> they have to see a medical expert who specializes in dwarfism. I

> would

> encourage them to claim this a tax deduction. Lord knows the tax

> burden on

> low income families is disproportionately steep.

>

> I'm not sure if conference and meeting reimbursements still exist for

> national officers. Perhaps one of our current executives or BOD

> members can

> inform us on this? If so, when I get elected a VP of Programs, I

> am going

> to suggest a voluntary reimbursement program for District

> Directors, and

> national officers, that will get channeled directly into the Kitchen's

> Travel Fund.

>

> Bill Bradford

> Candidate-elect, VP of Programs

[Guest guest]

> Members pay dues of $50.00 a year, and for some the only benefits

they believe they receive is the national newsletter.<

Members need to realize that LPA has an operation budget; office/

phones/a free (that cost money) telephone line for members to call/

printing/ mailings/ software/hardware/2 staff members. Those are all

benefits received from our dues, in addition to the newsletters. A

percentage of the funds also trickle down to the district level for

their needs.

At times officers must travel cross country to represent LPA's members

at national meetings. LPA needs to be a part of a national

conversation in regards to issues that affect individuals with

disabilities. We cannot expect that every volunteer will pay for these

trips from their own pocket. Not all LPA members have that level of

disposable income.

Members also receive numerous hours donated by volunteers across the

country who act as LPA's unpaid staff. For myself the operation is a

support system, a seat at a national table for discussion, not a

medium for me to receive insignificant trinkets hosting the LPA logo.

Although I cannot quote from memory I know there is some expense

incured when medical professionals attend LPA events. Hosting these

professionals at LPA gatherings (national and local) is a benefit.

All of the above mentioned are benefits supported by a mere $50. These

days that barely (or doesn't) pay for dinner for 2 at a decent

restaurant.

>I will not use LPA funds to reimburse my expenses for mid-year

meetings and annual conferences. The monies can be used for better

purposes.<

And 'hooray' that you have enough personal disposable funds to afford

to be a totally free volunteer, not all do. Most of the executive

positions require much more involvement and personal attention than

some full-time jobs, I honestly don't consider that officers

reimbursed for travel which they might not have undertaken otherwise

out of line.

For the most part one ends up using ones personal phone for LPA

business and I will bet that few get reimbursed for that expense.

>I am appalled by people who use the national conference as a chance

for another tax wrr, and not the business of any LPA representative

(or possible representative)? Your statement is rather judgemental and

intrusive of some ite-off.<

And this is a personal matteof LPA's members personal finances. If the

government allows it, I don't see how it would be anyone's business

outside of the member's home.

>Almost every membership organization I have been involved with has a

directory. I understand that some may believe there will be problems

in putting a directory together; however, I believe this can be overcome.<

I've no doubt it will only take a few clicks in the software that LPA

presently uses to track it's membership. Taking the time to sort it

out based on people's preferences will be what is time consuming and

making constant changes when members realize that this is an open door

to 'friends' and enemies alike is a task I'd hate to see my membership

dues wasted on.

I've heard this 'directory' idea tossed around for years now and I'm

still baffled in the age of electronic communication that any member

of LPA cannot find another who wants to be found. Those who are active

in the community belongs to one discussion board or another. The

younger members seem to belong to electronic boards, dating sites,

have websites, blogs or use web-based technology such as My Space. And

I'm sure that if one desperately needed to get in touch with another

member one could reach out to their local LPA representative to act as

an intermediary.

There are many free offerings online if members of LPA desire to

create an online community with an open membership list.

[Guest guest]

LPA has not reimbursed National officers for travel expenses to

national conferences during the 2004-2006 administration. However,

many Districts assist their Directors with travel/hotel expenses to

be sure that they are represented at the Board meetings.

Van Etten

LPA President

>

> I will not use LPA funds to reimburse my expenses for mid-year

meetings and

> > annual conferences. The monies can be used for better

purposes. I am

> > appalled

> > by people who use the national conference as a chance for

another tax

> > write-off.

>

>

> Davey, I agree with the first half this paragraph. Officers who

can afford

> to do so should not use LPA funds to reimburse meeting and

conference

> expenses. However, I see NOTHING wrong with anyone claiming LPA

> contributions, and conference travel expenses, as a deduction on

their tax

> forms. I'm sorry, but I pay a lot of money in taxes. For what?

An

> unnecessary war in Iraq? A national debt that is out of control?

A social

> security program that probably won't exist by the time I retire?

For many

> families, the conference is their ONE vacation a year, and the ONE

chance

> they have to see a medical expert who specializes in dwarfism. I

would

> encourage them to claim this a tax deduction. Lord knows the tax

burden on

> low income families is disproportionately steep.

>

> I'm not sure if conference and meeting reimbursements still exist

for

> national officers. Perhaps one of our current executives or BOD

members can

> inform us on this? If so, when I get elected a VP of Programs, I

am going

> to suggest a voluntary reimbursement program for District

Directors, and

> national officers, that will get channeled directly into the

Kitchen's

> Travel Fund.

>

> Bill Bradford

> Candidate-elect, VP of Programs

>

>

>

>

> --

> A tranquil spirit revives the body...

> (Proverbs 14:30)

>

> " Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. "

> Buddha

>

> " It is better to travel well than to arrive. "

> Buddha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Davey

I would like to try to clear up a couple of the statements you've

made in your message.I found these statements to be incorrect or

lacking in the full truth.

In 1975 at the Chicago conference there were a number of members

representing the LPA Medical Advisory Board. Drs. ,

Victor McKusick, Judy Hall and Rimoin to name of few. I joined

LPA in 1966 and met all of the above mentioned because I sought them

out for a diagnosis of my dwarf type.

As for being applled by some members using the conference for tax

write off purposes. Let me explain that many members use the

conference as their golden opportunuity to see a " experienced and

knowledged medical authority of dwarfism " . Parents many times are at

the mercy of their local physician who is limited in his/her

knowledge of the many types of dwarfism and the particulars of each.

Surely you are aware of the fact that some health insurance

providers are reluctant to pay for second opinions. The conference

services provided by the MAB , is not considered a second opinion in

insurance lingo, is a benefit to the members that is not only free

of charge but surpasses all others. We can not and will not deny

members the opportunity to be examined by a qualified medical

expert on dwarfism and we will not proceed to tell them it is " not

right " to use this trip as a tax write off. If you check your 1040

tax guide you will see that any and all trips to secure medical

diagnosis, treatment and testing is deductible.

You mentioned we are Hispanic and Africian American but you forgot

our Asian members. A good majority of our families have adopted

Korean children.

As for the improper use of hotel rooms by the officers of LPA, let

me just say that having been one of these officers I shared my room

with International members attending their first conference. I was

delighted to .I've had as many as 10 people in my hotel suite and

each one played a vital part of the conference or the board. During

my terms on the board the conference hotel contracts had a clause

where by the 10 rooms set aside for the mid-years board meeting were

carried over to the conference for the Kitchens Travel recipants.

I'm only trying to set the record straight , Davey, not get on your

case.

Carten

>

> As I mentioned in a previous post, I will include campaign

information on

> this listserv. This is my statement for LPA Today:

>

> I am running for national president of LPA. I would like to have

the

> opportunity to give back to LPA. In 1975 when I attended my first

national

> conference, I soon learned there were no doctors or lawyers who

were members. It was

> something that had never crossed my mind. I was about to enter my

first year

> at law school. Now there are doctors and lawyers who are

members. On May 28th

> I will be entering my 27th year of practicing law; yet we still

have a long

> way to go.

>

> A leader leads, taking positions that may not be popular, and

explains why we

> should be behind them. I will say and write what I think and

believe. It is

> my belief that someone in a leadership position needs to speak-out

on issues.

> Though the issue may be controversial, the person takes a stand

and explains

> the position to affect others.

>

> I am my own person. I will not cower to criticism. It appears in

the past

> others have been susceptible to personal attacks. This will not

phase me. I

> will separate the personal. Someone may say, " You're a lousy

human being.

> Shut-up and get out. " I will reply, " Thank you, next. " But at

the same time I

> want to build coalitions. One is able to accept divergent views

and maintain

> principle.

>

> If elected president, I will take the lead in fillng the void on

the

> executive committee. I will work with the elected members of the

executive committee

> to bring names forward for appointment to the vacancies - vice-

president of

> public relations, vice-president of finance and vice-president of

membership -

> at the start of new business on Sunday, July 2nd.

>

> Members pay dues of $50.00 a year, and for some the only benefits

they

> believe they receive is the national newsletter. Almost every

membership

> organization I have been involved with has a directory. I

understand that some may

> believe there will be problems in putting a directory together;

however, I believe

> this can be overcome. People who wish not to be included will not

be. I am

> investigating technological solutions that will provide members of

LPA the

> means to communicate effectively.

>

> I will not use LPA funds to reimburse my expenses for mid-year

meetings and

> annual conferences. The monies can be used for better purposes.

I am appalled

> by people who use the national conference as a chance for another

tax

> write-off.

>

> We are Protestants, Catholics, Jews, agnostics and atheists. We

are

> homosexual and heterosexual. We are Hispanic and African-

American. We are humanity.

> This is who we are.

>

> In 1994, at the national conference in San there was a

trip to a park

> where children tried to break a pinata with a stick. I heard a

child about

> 10 years old say, " I'm going to do a Rodney King on it. " I was

shocked, taken

> aback. I questioned where he learned this. Was it from his

parents, his

> peers? That evening I relayed the story to a friend of mine who

had been a past

> LPA national officer, and to my astonishment he laughed at the

situation. I

> just couldn't accept this - I was incensed.

>

> As people with dwarfism, we face discrimination every day in our

lives. How

> can we expect others to change if we have racist, sexist and

homophobic views?

> I began asking where do we get our prejudices and why are they

what they

> are. They come from families and peers. They're taught. One may

want to feel

> superior to someone, think that they're better. Regardless, the

prejudices are

> wrong and we should work to change them - and that begins with

discussion.

> We should start by being aware. By not confronting prejudice -

this is not who

> we are.

>

> Pastor Niemoller once said, " First they came to take the Jews, and

I was not

> a Jew, and I did not object. Then they came to take the

Catholics, and I was

> not a Catholic, and I did not object. Then they came to take the

trade

> unionists, and I was not a trade unionist, and I did not object.

Then they came to

> take me, and there was no one left to object. "

>

> If you wish to develop a dialogue over any of the issues you have,

please

> contact me at daveyolamb@... or my cell phone, 214-629-7876. I

look forward

> to hearing from you. I would appreciate your support.

>

> Davey Lamb

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

When I was on The executive Committee LPA Paid for our/my flights to

the mid-year board meetings

On Apr 25, 2006, at 4:42 PM, angelvan34997 wrote:

> LPA has not reimbursed National officers for travel expenses to

> national conferences during the 2004-2006 administration. However,

> many Districts assist their Directors with travel/hotel expenses to

> be sure that they are represented at the Board meetings.

>

> Van Etten

> LPA President

[Guest guest]

Tony,

I believe you were on the EC prior to 2004?

's email specifically dates 2004-2006. Apparently this is no longer

in practice.

Bill

On 4/25/06, tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

>

>

> When I was on The executive Committee LPA Paid for our/my flights to

> the mid-year board meetings

>

> On Apr 25, 2006, at 4:42 PM, angelvan34997 wrote:

>

> > LPA has not reimbursed National officers for travel expenses to

> > national conferences during the 2004-2006 administration. However,

> > many Districts assist their Directors with travel/hotel expenses to

> > be sure that they are represented at the Board meetings.

> >

> > Van Etten

> > LPA President

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

True, Bill I was just pointing out LPA did pay in the past. At quick

glance 's statement could have been read as policy for quite

some time.

Personally I have no issue with LPA funding the President's or any

other Volunteer's travel. My issue is Rooms and other comps that the

execs might get being utilized by non- authorized members.

Unless they were granted a room through LPA under an official program.

I recall one conference where I donated a room for a week to a family

it need. It felt great. LPA should continue those programs.

On Apr 25, 2006, at 11:47 PM, Bill Bradford wrote:

> Tony,

> I believe you were on the EC prior to 2004?

>

> 's email specifically dates 2004-2006. Apparently this is no

> longer

> in practice.

>

> Bill

[Guest guest]

>Personally I have no issue with LPA funding the President's or any

other Volunteer's travel. My issue is Rooms and other comps that the

execs might get being utilized by non- authorized members.<

So again, passing judgement on what people do in their private

time/space?

Technically if anyone is granted (for whatever reason) a room for

their stay during any LPA event I cannot imagine why it is anyone

else's business who stays in it with them. This is their space that is

being shared. These are their guest. Who has the right to pass

judgement on how they use what has been granted to them?

If someone attending on a Kitchens Scholarship is granted a room are

you also going to control who stays in it with them? As far as I

remember, there is no clause that states " you and you ALONE " .

" Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order!

Putting things in order always means getting other people under your

control. "

Denis Diderot (1713 - 1784), Supplement to Bougainville's 'Voyage,' 1796

> I recall one conference where I donated a room for a week to a

family it need. It felt great. LPA should continue those programs.

While I applaud your efforts and agree that LPA should start this type

of program, it reminds me of something Gloria Steinem once said,

" If men menstruated, they would brag about how much and for how long.

Gloria Steinem (1934 - )

,

LPA Lifetime Member