Randy Hayhurst

My name is Randy Hayhurst. I became a member of SCN in 1999, thanks to the compassion and help of Steve and Melissa Guest. I needed a lot of help to get started because I am totally Blind.

I became totally Blind as a result of a traumatic automobile accident on March 15, 1994. I have two artificial eyes that serve no function, except for decoration. While I was recuperating at Harbor View Hospital (after 30 days in a coma) the Doctors explained about my injuries and how I would never see again. With that in mind, I started to think about my future and how I could go back to work. In listing my assets and liabilities as a potential employee, I came up with these facts:

A) All I have to my credit is a high school education.

B) I had been a successful, self-motivating, record setting salesman for Frito-Lay.

C) I had no practical computer knowledge, whatsoever. I could not even type!

So, I decided that I needed to get over my fear of technology and learn how to use a computer so I would be more employable.This line of thinking led me to the services in the area that gave me an opportunity to learn computers.

To make a long story short (if its not too late!) I now find myself as the Executive Director of the Special Technology Access Resource (STAR) of Seattle Computer Center. The STAR of Seattle provides state of the art computer and Internet access to all citizens of Seattle regardless of physical or financial limitations. To accomplish this we have computers which are adaptable to meet a wide variety of physical access issues. We are the only computer lab of this kind in the United States.

I believe in SCN and have already done some work in promoting it to my patrons. I now will share the answers to the following questions

1. What do you think should be SCNA's highest priorities over the next?

Three years? Recruiting, training, and retaining new volunteers. Increasing membership while maintaining the same or higher level of quality. Updating and improving service.

2. What specific strengths would you bring to SCNA by serving on the Board of Directors?

The same dedication that I have for STAR, objective input, and a strong desire to make SCN be all it can.

3. What specifically, beyond coming to the monthly meetings, are you Hoping to work on within the SCNA Board? Our current board level Committees include Finance, Human Resources, Board Member Development & Recruiting, and Governance.

I possess skills that cover all of these areas, and will be willing to participate where I am needed. I am also willing to take notes and generate minutes of meetings.

4. How, as a board member, would you seek to increase SCNA's outreach?

I already do so through the STAR Center and a monthly talk show on the Evergreen Radio Reading Service.