Region III Report Marva Johnson, Region III Representative FROM THE BOARD community. The attacks directed at one member of the Board also had an immense impact on the entire Board community. The attacks were laced with vicious lies and manipulations causing harm to the Board community as well as the communities we serve. Due to systematic barriers, we were unable to defend ourselves against the Greetings Region III and RID Membership! accusation. The constant barrage of attacks was distractThis will serve as my final report. Included in the report are ing and impeding the progression of the work. Like other members of the Board, I had to consider the impact to the my departing thoughts as Region III Representative and hard work and progress gained if I continued in my role as reports from the Affiliate Chapters. Region III Representative. I decided to stand in solidarity First, I would like to take a moment to share my departing with my community and step aside rather than continue to thoughts. I decided run for Region III Representative be a distraction. I am grateful for the experience of serving early in 2020. In my campaign I shared my experience as as Region III Representative. I am truly humbled by the a child of Deaf parents who believed strongly in commusupport, encouragement, and compassion I have received nity and taking care of each another. Once elected, I had from the Region III community and RID membership. the opportunity to work alongside many great minds from Moving forward I am committed to supporting the mission diverse experiences. The individuals on this Board honand vision of RID by fully supporting the incoming Board ored difference of each member as well as lifted the voices of Directors. In addition, I will continue to share my expeof everyone. My voice as a Black female- Deaf parented rience with the membership in hopes of creating opportuinterpreter from the rural parts of American was welcomed nities for healing. and valued in the community of the Board. We worked tirelessly on projects that would transform our field in ways Although I was in agony over the decision to resign, the conference had restored my hope and faith in the future of unimaginable. We were dedicated to being inclusive and RID. I had the opportunity to share space with wonderful transparent as we work our way through change. people from the RID community. The conference allowed Unfortunately, a small number of the RID membership us to discuss and learn about racism, audism and other community was able to attack an individual of our Board -isms! From the opening plenary to the closing remarks for Marva Johnson, NIC Region III Representative
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