[Blindtlk] a great article

Sat Sep 3 12:35:12 UTC 2011

The advice in the piece you posted here is good advice for anyone 
joining any organization.

I try to be flexible about what people post here -- and it needs to 
directly be blindness related.  Also, we are not a reflector for the 
Braille Forum, so while I won't say no forum stuff here -- at some 
point I will say no.  You can paraphrase stuff, post links etc., and 
the occasional direct post is ok, but this is not the Braille Forum 
and our members do not pay to have their stuff carried by our system.

If you knew how many dots, and how much ink has been used over the 
years by the Forum, in attacking the NFB, you might be more judicious 
about what you take from them.

Yes, there are areas in which the NFB and ACB can and should 
cooperate -- but they are not our friends and it is not our job to 
promote them or their publications.

Dave

At 08:07 PM 9/2/2011, you wrote:
>Hi Dave,
>
>I agree with you on your comments on Brian's thoughts. Now, I'm just
>curious... did you read the article, and if so, what did you think of
>my posting of another Forum article?
>
>Chris
>
>On 9/2/11, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
> > Bryan:
> >
> > I for one must say that I am tired of your negativity and
> > cynicism.  It is getting a bit old.
> >
> > It isn't what a person asks that is the problem, but how and where!
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 03:53 PM 9/1/2011, you wrote:
> >>hi,
> >>
> >>there should be at least one more.
> >>#16. Don't ask tough questions even when a member does something
> >>questionable and probably illegal.
> >>
> >>Bryan Schulz
> >>
> >>----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Nusbaum"
> >> <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
> >>To: "NABS list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "Blind Talk list"
> >><blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "Gary Legates" <gary.legates at comcast.net>
> >>Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 3:02 PM
> >>Subject: [Blindtlk] a great article
> >>
> >>
> >>>Hi everyone,
> >>>
> >>>As I try to learn more about both organizations, I have subscribed
> >>>to both the Braille Monitor and the Braille Forum.  The Monitor, as
> >>>you know, is the Federation (NFB's)  publication and the Forum is
> >>>the Council (or ACB's) publication.  I found a great article in
> >>>July's Forum entitled "Fifteen Ways to Maximize your ACB
> >>>Membership," giving fifteen tips on how to take advantage of all
> >>>ACB (or any organization, for that matter) has to offer.  I think
> >>>this could also apply to the Federation and to NABS or any other
> >>>special-interest division, and is some good advice.  To be
> >>>accurate, I added "or NFB" in parentheses to some parts of the
> >>>article.  I have pasted the article below.  Any thoughts on this? I
> >>>promise I'm not trying to force the ACB down your throats; in fact,
> >>>I'm a Federationist in nature, but want to learn about both.  Here
> >>>is the article.
> >>>
> >>>15 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ACB (or NFB) MEMBERSHIP
> >>>  by Kenneth Semien Sr.
> >>>  All too often, people join organizations without taking
> >>>advantage of the opportunity to truly know intricate details of its
> >>> purpose,
> >>>mission, and operating practices.  This can very well result in a lack of
> >>>participation and could ultimately result in a decision to forfeit what
> >>>could have been the ideal vehicle to enhance your life, build great
> >>>relationships and effectively share personal skills and abilities that can
> >>>make an enormous difference.  In an effort to encourage you to explore the
> >>>meaningful efforts of ACB, I have included the tips listed below to assist
> >>>you in being all you can be and help you join with others whose skills
> >>>complement yours.
> >>>  1.  Be inquisitive and don't hesitate to ask questions.
> >>>  2.  Become familiar with the history, mission, and purpose by
> >>>reviewing it often enough to be able to repeat it to others.  In turn
> >>>someone may realize that this is the organization they have been looking
> >>>for.
> >>>  3.  Make a personal commitment to identify ways to get involved.
> >>>  4.  Find out who the officers are and become acquainted with
> >>>them and their roles and responsibilities, as well as members you observe
> >>>actively participating in events and projects associated with our
> >>>organization.
> >>>  5.  Make your skills and abilities known to leaders of your
> >>>chapter, affiliate, or the president of our organization.
> >>>  6.  Make every effort to participate in chapter, state affiliate
> >>>and national meetings, seminars, conferences and conventions.
> >>>  7.  Inquire about available committees you may be able to serve
> >>>on to assist the organization in achieving its goals and objectives.  Seek
> >>>to join committees that allow you to utilize your skills and abilities in
> >>>the most effective and efficient manner.
> >>>  8.  If you have access to the Internet, sign up for up-to-date
> >>>news and announcements from all levels of our organization.  Ask a
> >>> president
> >>>or member to tell you how to take advantage of this option.
> >>>  9.  Listen to or read publications/newsletters distributed by our
> >>>organization on all levels.  This is one of the best ways to learn about
> >>>useful resources, access inspirational stories, scholarships, awards, and
> >>>upcoming projects and events.
> >>>  10.  Identify special-interest groups that meet your personal
> >>>needs.  These groups provide you the opportunity to network with others
> >>>sharing common interests, such as your prior or current occupation,
> >>> hobbies,
> >>>health concerns and so much more.
> >>>  11.  Obtain your own copy of the constitution and bylaws to learn
> >>>of the agreed-upon operating practices and procedures of our organization.
> >>>  12.  Prepare for future involvement as an officer by becoming
> >>>familiar with officer titles and duties.
> >>>  13.  Participate in conference calls to build your knowledge,
> >>>such as membership focus calls, periodic Office Hours conference calls
> >>> with
> >>>the ACB president, committee calls, and special-interest group calls.
> >>>  14.  Explore the web sites of your chapter, state affiliate and
> >>>our national organization.  You may locate information on the web site
> >>> that
> >>>you didn't think of inquiring about.
> >>>  15.  Pay your annual dues faithfully and encourage others to do
> >>>the same.
> >>>  The more you know and the more you become involved, the more you
> >>>will begin to know that you have joined a phenomenal organization that is
> >>>continuing to grow.  Have a great ACB (or NFB) adventure!
> >>>
> >>>Chris Nusbaum
> >>>
> >>>"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The
> >>>real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that
> >>>exists.  If a blind person has the proper training and opportunity,
> >>>blindness can be reduced to a mere physical nuisance." -- Kenneth
> >>>Jernigan (President of the National Federation of the Blind, 1968-1986.)
> >>>
> >>>  Visit the I C.A.N.  Foundation online at: www.icanfoundation.info for
> >>>information on our foundation and how it helps blind and visually
> >>>impaired children in MD say "I can!"
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Sent from my BrailleNote
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > blindtlk mailing list
> > blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > blindtlk:
> > 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dotkid.nusbaum%40gmail.com
> >
>
>
>--
>Chris Nusbaum
>
>"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real
>problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that exists. If
>a blind person has the proper training and opportunity, blindness can
>be reduced to a mere physical nuissence." -- Kenneth Jernigan