The following candidate statements were received for the 2021 office and board election at this year’s virtual Conference and Convention.

Candidate List

Board of Directors, Christy Crespin

Board of Directors, Nelly Emerson

Board of Directors, Olivia Ostergaard

Officers:

First Vice-President, Sarah Harris

My name is Sarah Harris and I am running for the position of First Vice-President, which is the current Officer position that I am serving in. I hope to continue in this role to be a part of the great work and growth that CCB will continue to experience over the next few years and into the future.

I have served on the board of directors since 2017, as well as held the position of President of CCB Fresno during the same time frame. I am part of several CCB committees including: Bylaws, Convention Planning, Publications, and Resolutions. I am the chair of our dynamic Convention Planning Committee as well as co-chair of the valuable and essential Bylaws and Resolutions Committees.

My time in CCB may sound short to some, since I only joined in Spring of 2014. I did not waste any time in becoming part of the pieces that drive and support our organization.

Being a part of CCB continues to give me confidence, leadership opportunities, and that reminder of self-worth that we all need. Belonging to CCB motivated me to volunteer at our local blind center which led to employment with our local Center for Independent Living. In return, I will continue to give back to CCB countless late nights on zoom meetings or on the computer working on ways to further CCB’s mission. I thank CCB and my countless mentors that I have found along the way in the organization for giving me a chance and giving into my sometimes crazy ideas. One example being a month-long virtual convention…LOL

Please allow me to continue to serve this organization that has given so much to me. After all, the “Crazy Blind Lady” is committed! Be careful, I might commit you too!!!

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Secretary, Linda Porelle

I’m running for a second term as CCB Secretary. I’ve been a member of CCB and the San Francisco Chapter since 2005. I’m a highly organized, clear thinker and an articulate writer and speaker. I pay close attention during meetings and have an excellent attendance record. My board meeting minutes have been recognized as being clear, concise and informative, often requiring only occasional corrections prior to their acceptance by the board.
I’m also currently serving as:

Chair, CCB Publications Committee,
Member, CCB Resolutions, Scholarship and auction Committees;
Vice President, CLUA;
Member, BRLC and GSGDHI:
Chair, Student Education Access (SEA) Grant Committee, San Francisco Chapter.

Each of these commitments continues to provide an abundance of opportunities to work closely with and join in the camaraderie and support of many other devoted members of CCB.
In 2020, CCB initiated a board liaison structure to strengthen communication and offer support for our chapters and affiliates. I would like to devote some time and attention to more fully developing and implementing this new board member assignment for the benefit of the CCB community as a whole.
Fundraising is a critical component of our work in CCB. In 2020, I joined the auction committee. For the past two years I have been the lead author for the CCB annual appeal letter.
The primary role of secretary is to maintain an organized and accurate record of our proceedings. If elected, it will be my honor to serve CCB for another term.

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Board of Directors:

Board of Directors, Christy Crespin

My name is Christy Crespin, and I am running for my second term as Director.

CCB is at the core of my life. I have been a member since I received my first CCB scholarship as a college freshman in 1971. Now I am honored to be chair of the CCB Scholarship Committee. I have been an active advocate, which has influenced my career choice as licensed clinical social worker. I serve as a fund manager on the CCB Ellen Murphy Fund, assisting single women with vision loss over age 50 with crisis needs. I am an active member of Golden State Guide Dog Handlers, Inc. I am a board member of California Alliance On Aging and Vision Loss, our new CCB affiliate. I am president of Active Blind, Inland Valleys, which I helped to co-found in the early 1990s. I am privileged to serve as Board Liaison to CCB Students and Bayview.

When I last ran for this position, CCB was at a cross-road. Our ad hoc Phoenix Committee was aptly named; we wondered if this organization would survive. We have begun to rise from the ashes and be re-born. We are not yet all that we can be. Because CCB is near and dear to my heart, I continue to rise to the challenges and the opportunity to continue re-creating and shaping CCB as it continues to rise like the Phoenix.

I will retire on May 1st from 30 years of public service, and I have the opportunity to dedicate more time to CCB. I promise to uphold the CCB bylaws, Mission Statement, and its values with respect, honesty, inclusion, and integrity, asking the difficult questions, and advocating on behalf of the blindness community and the members of CCB. I humbly ask for your vote and the opportunity to actively serve on the CCB Board.

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Board of Directors, Nelly Emerson

My name is Nelly Marie Emerson. I am currently on the CCB Board of Directors. I plan to run for a second term. I hope to support fund raising efforts as well as outreach to youth and senior citizens. I am retired from California Dept. of Rehabilitation where I served as a Counselor-teacher for the blind, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Rehabilitation Supervisor, and Staff Services Manager 1. I deeply care about the productivity, independence, and well-being of blind persons.

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Board of Directors, Olivia Ostergaard

I’m Olivia (Livvie) Ostergaard. I’m interested in running for the CCB Board of Director position for 2021. I’ve been a member of CCB Fresno since 2009, and now their Chapter Liaison, a new position. I’ll be assisting the other officers, reaching out to absentee members, attending Community meetings, etc. I’m also a member of CAAVL,(CA Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss) GSGDGDHI, and attended the ACB Leadership Conference this year for the first time. I’m also on GSGDHI’s Advocacy Committee, and served on the 2018 Auction Committee. I attend CCB Board Meetings pretty regularly.
I’m interested in running because with my pas and present t advocacy experience, I feel I can contribute much to the Board. I’ve also was active in the Diabetics Group, Writer’s Group, and have written for the BC, The Forward! And Paw Tracks.
I feel that we need a more Non-Partisan perspective on the Board ,which helps when we’re advocating to our elected leaders. I know how to ask the right questions. I still would like to see a Diabetics Affiliate and would do whatever it takes to revisit this. Also, I’d like to see the devotions Committee regroup, assisting in its re-establishment. I also feel that fund-raising will be an integral part of the Board’s duties this year, and will do all I can to help in this effort. I feel that my new Chapter Liaison position could be utilized throughout the Board, to revitalize dying chapters, making us grow. I’ve got over thirty five years fighting for the blind, and I’m not giving up now! Thank you for letting me share.
Blessings.

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