[Blindtlk] what the NFB Should Do!

[Graves, Diane]

Steve,

I'll second that motion. Thank you Marion, and all of the other leaders here who have exhibited outstanding leadership skills and offer focus and direction on the barricades.


Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647
 
"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 8:42 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] what the NFB Should Do!

Marion, 
I used to be one of those people, and then got involved.  I would not change
a thing, turn back, but continue to jump in, get my hands dirty, voice my
views, stand up and say it like it is, and be a voice that needs to be
heard.  You can thank me for being a NFB member, but we also need to thank
you for being both an NFB member and leader..thanks!

Steve Johnson
La Crosse Chapter-NFB VP
Wisconsin WAGDU President

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 8:09 AM
To: NAGDU List; blindtlk at nfbnet.org; NFB Chapter presidents; FLAGDU List
Cc: marion.gwizdala at verizon.net
Subject: [Blindtlk] what the NFB Should Do!

Dear All,
    Please excuse this cross-posting but I think it is important enough that
I wanted to share it with as many of you as possible. When I speak with many
blind people who find out I am a leader in the Federation, I often have them
say, "The NFB should ...". You can fill in the blank with a myriad of
suggestions of what needs to be done to improve the lives of the blind.
Generally, my response is, "Are you a member of the NFB?" The most frequent
answer is "No!" This opens the door for me to share that the Federation is a
membership organization -  a grass roots Movement in which each member must
be actively involved in order for us to improve our lives. It is not dr.
Maurer; it is not the Board of Directors; it is not the people who work at
the National Center for the Blind; it is not our divisions, our affiliates,
or our chapters! It is each and every member of the movement! I then invite
them to become a member of the NFB and hear the same tired excuses of not
being a joiner, not having enough time, not wanting to choose sides, not
agreeing with the philosophy, yah dah yah dah yah dah yawn! "In other
words," I say, "you want someone else to solve your problems for you and are
unwilling to help. Is that right?" Of course, they think I am a rude,
obnoxious, belligerent Federationist, what my wife and I would call "C.B." -
Confirmation Bias - the bias that "All Federationists are (fill in the
blank!" and this experience confirms this belief! 
    I praise those of you who have joined me in our effort to improve the
lives of the blind. You have not made it someone else's problem to solve;
you have made it yours! To paraphrase the words of Mahatma Gandhi , "You are
the change you want to see in the world!" Thank you for your service and for
joining me on the barricades! On to Orlando!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
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