[Blind-international-students] meeting minutes

Wed Oct 27 12:48:50 UTC 2010

Hello my fellow blind international students,
Sorry for my slow in providing response to some of the discussion that we have going on this list, but I think we have a positive vision going and I think we will have some good contribution to the blind community in America and world as well as some positive contribution to the disability community in the United States and world wide.
Jan, you presented some some good points both pro and cons with us joining with Causes for Changes and during our last meeting I somewhat provided some of the thoughts on what I am thinking.
But let me provide my thoughts in greater detail:
Generally when I am thinking about doing any project wheather it be for non-profit or for-profit, I like to use the step by step process that I was tought when writing a proposal:
	What is it that I or my group or organization wants to do?
	Who are the people that will be involved and who are the people who will benefit?
	What are the pros and what are the the cons of the project?
	How much if any would be the cost if we did the project?
	Is there anyone or any other group or organization who is doing the samething or related thing?
	If so would it be possible for my group to eather join or partner with that organization or group to carry out the project?
	Finally what is the outcome that we want to achieve?
I think we need to keep this in mind as we are thinking of what are some of the projects that we want to do and who we want to work with.
This step by step process will also help us in applying for the Paul G. Hern award.
Now to answer to some of the previous discussion:
Last time Hina you suggested that one project that Blind International could do is to create a distance learning program for blind students living in other countries.
I mentioned that the Hadley School already has a similar program to which you replyed that perhaps we could offer some of the courses that the Hadley does not offer such as computer courses.
I think a better approach would be to work with the Hadley school to perhaps assisting them with creating some additional courses and maybe some of us can help teach of some of the courses.
My thinking is that Hadley already has a well established program one which has a good reputation and a strong name. Working cepretly will not help anyone and would not serve the people we want to help well.
What my thinking is when it comes to working with Causes for Change is that both would be separate organizations maintaining eaches identy, but work to to together.
There is a common bond between us enhance we both want to help disabled people in under developed countries. In relationship we call this chemistry and in business we call this partnership. So since there is chemistry between Blind International Network and Causes for Changes, I would encourage for us when doing some projects to go into a partnership.
The advantage we would have is that we have resources and possible sources for fund which can help Causes for Change and the opposite. In addition, we can serve as the experts on blindness for clients of Causes for Change and perhaps they can be experts for us if we came across a client who is not blind.
 Finally I think working will help both Causes for Change and Blind International advance their goals and help both organizations with funding and name identification. To often the disability organizations work separately  and everyone is competing for attention and power. This to often drives donors and possible supporters away and causes them to not get involved in anything. So it think it will be great if we can show donors and supporters  that we are calabrating with other organizations where it is possible but still maintaining our identy.
Another advantage this would bring is that it would help us when we apply for the Paul G. Hern award. In addition, applying for this award would give some of us who want experience applying for grants to work with Katy who already has experience and something we can include in our resume.
Just some of my thoughts and sorry for the long rants.
Anmol

I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers.
Hellen Keller

--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Causes for Change International (CCI) <Info at CausesforChange.org> wrote:

> From: Causes for Change International (CCI) <Info at CausesforChange.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blind-international-students] meeting minutes
> To: "'Blind International Students Mailing List'" <blind-international-students at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 11:25 AM
> Thank you Hina,
> Yes, I am still searching for 
> a Braille Writer. It would be 
> great if we could get one along with
> any other supportive equipment that would
> be helpful to a group of individuals just
> learning to become independent: White canes,
> magnifying glasses and other items that you
> can think of. I have someone from Ecuador
> arriving in Chicago on the 20th and returning 
> to Ecuador on the 11th of December. 
> At that time I would be able to take the
> Opportunity to send these items.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blind-international-students-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blind-international-students-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of hina
> altaf
> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:04 AM
> To: Blind International Students Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blind-international-students] meeting
> minutes
> 
> dear jan, thanks for sending out the minutes. I think
> instead of
> legally blind, we should use words like people with
> significant vision
> lose. The time for next meeting is this coming sunday at 6
> pm central
> time. if anyone has any other plans please let me know
> ahead of time.
> any suggestions of what are some of the projects we can
> work on? zully
> the braille writer was already taken by someone else and if
> you still
> did not recieve one, i can try a few other resources.
> thanks.
> hina.
> 
> On 10/26/10, jan wright <jan.wrightfamily5 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > The meeting Began at 8:15 P.M. (EST).
> >
> > Those in attendance  were  Hina, Anmol,
> Zaby, Jan,  Philip and Imran.
> >
> > The goals and mission statement were read again. It
> was suggested and
> > adopted to change " Legally blind," and "Blind and Low
> Vision"  to
> > "Those with significant vision loss."
> > It was  pointed out that there are already
> international databases of
> > organizations. So, instead of reinventing the wheel,
> we will
> > "evaluate" already existing databases and make
> attempts to add to them
> > or correct them if/when possible.
> > The goals and mission statement were accepted as
> corrected.
> >
> >
> > Zaby  is going to Pakistan, Karachi to evaluate
> an organization where
> > blind people live and work. He will give us a report
> of his findings
> > when he returns. We wish him luck and a safe trip.
> > There was much discussion concerning publicity.
> > Anmol was to write an add for us to put on the email
> lists, etc.
> > We realize that we don't have a website, yet, but we
> could advertise
> > the blind-international-student mailing list
> > and our conference calls.
> > Anmol talked about putting  an advertisement in
> the Ziggler Magazine,
> > MIUSA  and the Braille  forum.
> > Hina will put  something on the technology list.
> > Everyone should put a blurb about the
> organization    on their email
> lists,
> > etc.
> > We could also advertise on newsline, Braille Monitor
> and the Student
> > division.
> > We also discussed making a web site.
> > Philip and Imran can create the web page.
> > Imran will look into setting  up a website and
> have a mailing list on
> > freelists.
> >
> > We discussed grant writing and defining projects that
> are important to
> > us. Hina would talk to Katy about grant writing. Anmol
> would
> > investigate the grant from AAPD.
> > Next meeting is   on Halloween. 
> The exact time is to be announced.
> > This meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.
> >
> > Respectfully submitted,
> > Jan Wright (am in the process of changing my last name
> to Ahmed)
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Blind-international-students at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-international-students_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
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> >
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> naaltaf1983%40gmail.com
> >
> 
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