[Blindtlk] Resolution that didn't pass about apple
T. Joseph Carter
carter.tjoseph at gmail.com
Fri Sep 9 07:54:20 UTC 2011
There will definitely be some growing pains, that much is certain.
But the $5 product for doing OCR is not intended for the blind, it
just happens to work. If it works as well as our KNFB Reader, then
what that tells me is that the proprietary vertical market product
has been replaced by mainstream solutions.
I think Microsoft's new version of Narrator is expected to take
advantage of Microsoft's existing accessibility APIs, which means it
will probably work like other screen readers for Windows do—perhaps
not like JAWS, but there are alternatives to JAWS out there.
If it does not, then it will not replace those options. Consider
that System Access has not caused people to stop buying JAWS.
Joseph
On Wed, Sep 07, 2011 at 08:38:44PM -0500, David Andrews wrote:
>Joseph:
>
>This is different from the resolutions -- but I think there are some
>bad trends in assistive technology, and Apple is at the core of them.
>I say this with mixed feelings. They are to be commended for much of
>what they have done, they have shown that a touch screen UI could be
>made accessible. On the other hand, their free product, voice over,
>will pressure Microsoft to offer a free screen reader too. The word
>is that the next version of Windows with Narrator will be
>substantially beefed up. Once there is a free screen reader from MS,
>many people will stop buying JAWS and the like. It is unlikely that
>the free products will have all the stuff we need to make employment
>sites accessible. Voiceover doesn't, it works or it doesn't. I
>don't think any of us want to be dependent on our employment from
>what Microsoft or Apple do for free.
>
>Also, on the iDevices, inexpensive apps have become the norm. So,
>people in the blind community want, and expect $2 and $5 apps too.
>NO AT developer can make money selling stuff for $2, the market is
>just to small.
>
>I am afraid there are some unforeseen consequences to what Apple has
>and is doing. And ... you want us to be grateful and kiss up to
>them.
>
>Dave
>
>\At 04:39 AM 9/6/2011, you wrote:
>>Dave, I don't think it's unreasonable to be a bit miffed under the
>>circumstances. So far the NFB is 1 for 3 when it comes to
>>recognizing the effort they've put into creating accessibility (and
>>inventing new technology to do it pretty much from scratch). And
>>the only reason the NFB is even 1 for 3 is because the
>>misrepresentation of the capabilities and functions of VoiceOver
>>were so profound that EVERYBODY who'd ever actually used it
>>screamed foul. The NFB's track record with Apple is pretty poor, so
>>from their perspective it's got to look like we're shooting our
>>mouths off once again, without the faintest clue what we're talking
>>about. We've certainly done so in the past. Which, in point of
>>fact, WE ARE. If Apple starts telling me that I cannot have a
>>certain kind of program, I'm going to tell them to stick it and go
>>write for Android. It's happened before. Actually, it's happened
>>rather a lot. The entire world is clamoring for Apple to cut that
>>crap out. And while their customers who give them money are
>>demanding they stop placing restrictions on apps, the NFB is
>>arguing the opposite. And trying to condemn them for not doing so
>>without being told. You can mince words all you like, but the fact
>>is that the NFB screwed the pooch bigtime with these two
>>resolutions. We made enemies of people who should be our friends.
>>We've belittled the people who made the touch screen accessible
>>once too often, and they are sick of it. We've badmouthed the
>>people who made accessibility free, rather than more than the cost
>>of the computer you're running it on once too often, and they
>>resent it. We've made it clear that we are not willing to work
>>WITH them, only to dictate terms TO them, and they think we can
>>take a hike. Apple accessibility does not NEED the NFB. They're
>>doing a damned fine job without us, while we have done little but
>>baselessly snipe at them from the sidelines. They plan to continue
>>to improve the state of the art, including the state of the art for
>>accessibility. If Peter is a fair example of a Federationist, the
>>NFB has no desire to actually help them do it. On the contrary, we
>>want to cost them developers, customers, revenue, and all based on
>>a pie-in-the-sky notion that there should never be any software we
>>can't use. And dammit, if Adobe can't make Photoshop accessible,
>>then they should be FORBIDDEN from releasing the program on Apple
>>devices! I think someone estimated that 75% of Macs have Photoshop
>>installed, by the way. Joseph On Mon, Sep 05, 2011 at 02:30:38PM
>>-0500, David Andrews wrote: >Joseph, I think things should have,
>>and could have been handled >differently, and better, but on the
>>other side, Apple needs to get a >thicker skin. The more
>>successful they are, the more they will be >criticized and
>>questioned. They can't have it both ways. They can't >make all
>>the decisions and not expect any push back. > >Dave > >At 10:47 AM
>>9/5/2011, you wrote: >>I know several Apple employees personally.
>>I cannot really say >>more, because Apple is a company full of
>>secrets. ANY >>communication that does not happen through official
>>channels is >>subject to employees losing their jobs. (Add that to
>>the list of >>Apple as big brother.) There's no chance that we're
>>going to lose >>the accessibility in Apple products, but the
>>hostile relationship >>Peter Donahue and others want the NFB to
>>have with Apple is now a >>fact of life. Apple will continue to
>>work on accessibility, but at >>least those I've talked to don't
>>have much love for the NFB for >>undermining and belittling their
>>hard work. IMO, that's exactly >>what we did. Joseph On Sun, Sep
>>04, 2011 at 09:10:18AM -0500, Ray >>Foret Jr wrote: >Say, How do
>>you know for sure that the people at >>Apple are now unwilling to
>>work with us? I fear we are really >>going down the wrong road
>>now. My hope is that this situation is >>not irreparable. What I
>>intend to do with this is write and open >>letter to Dr. Maurer
>>about this and include many of the points we >>discussed here.
>>Look, it seems to me that we can choose the more >>hostile
>>relationship; in which case we stand a chance of loosing >>what
>>accessibility to Apple we already have; or, we can choose to >>try
>>to repair what we can and build a positive relationship and get
>>>>working together on this. IF we let Anger be the driving force
>>>>behind what we do, we will destroy all the good work we've done
>>so >>far. I see us changing; and, frankly, I do not like it. It
>>seems >>to me that we're running the risk of loosing something very
>>>>valuable as an organization. I'm afraid that if we keep this up,
>>>>we'll have happen to us what Dr. Jernigan warned us about in his
>>>>banquet speech in 1997. > >What are we becoming when we let this
>>>>happen to us? > > >Sincerely, >The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!! >
>>>>>Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!! > >Skype name:
>>>>>barefootedray > >Facebook: >facebook.com /r ay.foretjr.1 > > >
>>>On >>Sep 4, 2011, at 8:00 AM, T. Joseph Carter wrote: > >> I can
>>tell >>you that people in Apple's accessibility department have
>>reacted >>negatively enough to BOTH of the resolutions that they
>>are not the >>least bit inclined to work with us in the future. >>
>>>> I believe >>the exact words, at least those I'm willing to quote
>>here on the >>mailing list, were that the NFB can go to hell. I
>>won't say where >>this individual said we could stick our
>>resolutions. >> >> >>Corporate policy remains 100% accessibility,
>>but we have alienated >>Apple who is trying to do the right thing
>>while we suck up to >>Google for their continued bad behavior. >>
>>>> The resolutions were >>both seen at Apple, and they've already
>>had an impact on Apple's >>willingness to work with us to further
>>improve accessibility. Just >>Â
not the impact anyone but Freedom
>>Scientific was hoping for. >> >>>> But Apple is evil, so it
>>doesn't matter. And Google is awesome, >>so who cares if they do
>>anything accessibly? Right? Right? >> >> >>Joseph >> >> >> On Sat,
>>Sep 03, 2011 at 06:17:46PM -0500, Ray Foret >>Jr wrote: >>> But,
>>Peter, I ask you. Would you be forever in a war >>camp mode? Just
>>think of the resolution concerning Google and the >>ones concerning
>>Apple. Why the disparity? A fair question I >>think. >>> >>> >>>
>>Sincerely, >>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!! >>>>> >>> Now a
>>very proud and happy Mac user!!! >>> >>> Skype name: >>>>>
>>barefootedray >>> >>> Facebook: >>> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>>>>>>> >>> >>> >>> On Sep 3, 2011, at 3:48 PM, Peter Donahue wrote:
>>>>>>> >>>> Hello Ray and everyone, >>>> >>>> The wording was fine.
>>>>It's the "Let's be grateful" attitude that makes folks >>>> feel
>>>>otherwise. >>>> >>>> Peter Donahue >>>> >>>> >>>> ----- Original
>>>>Message ----- >>>> From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at att.net> >>>>
>>To: >>"Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>> Sent:
>>>>Saturday, September 03, 2011 3:23 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk]
>>>>Resolution that didn't pass about apple >>>> >>>> >>>> Not with
>>me >>Peter. We need to strongly encourage people, not bitch at
>>them. >>>>>> We need to change the wording of the resolution so
>>that it has >>the desired >>>> effect without being bitchy about
>>it. There are >>times we need to use a >>>> hammer, and other
>>times, a feather will >>do just as well. So, we commend >>>>
>>Google for trying to be >>accessible but bitch at Apple even though
>>they are >>>> more >>accessible than Google? Tell me, is it
>>because Google paid us >>money, >>>> (being a sponsor of our
>>convention) and Apple didn't? >>What kind of outfit >>>> are we
>>when we stoop to that level? >>>> >>>>>> Sorry for the language,
>>but, that's the way it is. >>>> >>>> >>>>>> Sincerely, >>>> The
>>Constantly Barefooted Ray!!! >>>> >>>> Now >>a very proud and happy
>>Mac user!!! >>>> >>>> Skype name: >>>> >>barefootedray >>>> >>>>
>>Facebook: >>>> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1 >>>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On
>>Sep 3, 2011, at 2:58 PM, Peter Donahue >>wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello
>>Cheryl and everyone, >>>>> >>>>> The >>wording was fine with me.
>>>>>>> >>>>> Peter Donahue >>>>> >>>>> >>----- Original Message
>>----- >>>>> From: "cheryl echevarria" >><cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" >><blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>>
>>Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 >>12:25 PM >>>>> Subject: Re:
>>[Blindtlk] Resolution that didn't pass >>about apple >>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>>> The issue was the wording of the >>Resolution, if I remember
>>correctly, that >>>>> it was to harsh, >>and for it to pass that we
>>all had to agree on the >>>>> wording. >>>>>>> >>>>> it has nothing
>>to do with the Resolution as a whole, >>but the wording of >>>>>
>>the >>>>> resolution couldn't be passed, >>it can be brought to the
>>floor of >>>>> convention >>>>> next year, >>to be voted on again
>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Leading the Way in >>Independent Travel! >>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheryl Echevarria >>>>> >>http://www.echevarriatravel.co m
>>>>>>> 631-456-5394 >>>>> >>reservations at echevarriatrave l.com >>>>>
>>>>>>> Affiliated as an >>Independent Contractor with Superior
>>Travel, located in >>>>> >>Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com
>>>>>>> >>>>> Affiliated as an >>Independent Contractor with Absolute
>>Cruise & Travel, >>>>> Inc. >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ----- Original
>>Message ----- >>>>> From: "cheryl >>echevarria"
>><cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> >>>>> To: "Blind Talk >>Mailing List"
>><blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, September >>03, 2011
>>12:58 PM >>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Resolution that didn't >>pass
>>about apple >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Well maybe people on this list
>>>>that voted against it elaborate as to why >>>>>> they voted
>>against >>it. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Leading the Way in Independent
>>Travel! >>>>>>>> >>>>>> Cheryl Echevarria >>>>>>
>>>>http://www.echevarriatravel.c om >>>>>> 631-456-5394 >>>>>>
>>>>reservations at echevarriatrav el.com >>>>>> >>>>>> Affiliated as an
>>>>Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in >>>>>>
>>>>Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com >>>>>> >>>>>> Affiliated as
>>an >>Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, >>>>>>
>>Inc. >>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>>
>>From: "Ray >>Foret Jr" <rforetjr at att.net> >>>>>> To: "Blind Talk
>>Mailing List" >><blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>>> Sent: Friday,
>>September 02, 2011 4:56 >>PM >>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] [Bulk]
>>Re: a great article >>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ah yes, I have a
>>recording of the stream of that >>particular days' >>>>>>> events.
>>I must say, that was quite an >>episode. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>
>>Sincerely, >>>>>>> The Constantly >>Barefooted Ray!!! >>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Now a very proud and happy Mac >>user!!! >>>>>>> >>>>>>>
>>Skype name: >>>>>>> barefootedray >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Facebook:
>>>>>>>>> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1 >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>> >> >
>>>>>>>>> On Sep 2, 2011, at 3:31 PM, Marsha Drenth >>wrote: >>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> An example of not all of us following like >>zombies, at
>>the national >>>>>>>> convention. A resolution about >>apple. Don't
>>quite remember the >>>>>>>> wordage, but >>>>>>>> it >>did not
>>pass. More than half of the floor voted against it. If you
>>>>>>>>>>>> were >>>>>>>> at the convention you would know what I am
>>>>talking about. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I was one of the many who voted
>>>>against the resolution. I didn't think >>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> was
>>>>fair, and not something the NFB needed to make an resolution for.
>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Others are welcome to chime in here... >>>>>>>>
>>>>Marsha >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>> >>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org >>[mailto:blindtlk-bo
>>unces at nfbnet.org] >>>>>>>> On >>>>>>>> Behalf Of >>Bryan Schulz
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 10:19 PM >>>>>>>>>> To:
>>Blind Talk Mailing List >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: >>[Blindtlk] a great
>>article >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> hi, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>no point in
>>rehashing the lost funds as they have been forgiven in >>the
>>>>>>>>>> midwest. >>>>>>>> i was the only one to push the issue
>>>>and was blasted for it. it's >>>>>>>> things >>>>>>>> like that
>>>>which make the nfb taste bitter. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Not all of us
>>>>just follow in line like zombies. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'd like to
>>see >>more examples of that. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Bryan Schulz
>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>>>> From:
>>"Marsha >>Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> >>>>>>>> To: "'Blind
>>Talk Mailing >>List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>>>>> Sent:
>>Thursday, September 01, >>2011 8:14 PM >>>>>>>> Subject: Re:
>>[Blindtlk] a great article >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> This
>>thread is very tiring, very >>frustrating and gets us no where. So
>>>>>>>>>>> if >>>>>>>>> us >>>>>>>>>>> NFB members never ask the
>>tough questions, and look the >>other way. >>>>>>>>> What >>>>>>>>>
>>was >>>>>>>>> the illegal >>behavior your speaking of? I am pretty
>>sure if there was >>>>>>>>> >>any >>>>>>>>> illegal behavior, we
>>just as much any other person >>would ask the >>>>>>>>> "tough"
>>>>>>>>>>> questions. Not all of us >>just follow in line like
>>zombies. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> If your so >>anti-NFB, why do you hang
>>out here. Your welcome to leave >>>>>>>>> >>any >>>>>>>>> time. We
>>would rather you go away. So our list can go >>back to being
>>>>>>>>>>> constructive and productive. Oh wait that >>is right, we
>>are all lyres, >>>>>>>>> we >>>>>>>>> allow illegal >>behavior, and
>>follow like zombies. You can think what >>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>>>>
>>want. But this skirting around subjects does nothing. We >>are not
>>>>>>>>>>> going to >>>>>>>>> change our minds about what we
>>>>think. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Marsha >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>>> From:
>>>>blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org >>>>>>>>> >>[
>>mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On >>>>>>>>> Behalf Of Bryan
>>>>Schulz >>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 7:07 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re:
>>>>[Blindtlk] a great article >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> hi, >>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> no, i'm not accusing anyone, the event already
>>happened. >>>>>>>>>>> the point is don't ask tough questions unless
>>you have >>thick skin. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Bryan Schulz >>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> >>----- Original Message ----- >>>>>>>>> From: "T. Joseph
>>Carter" >><carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> >>>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk
>>Mailing List" >><blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday,
>>September 01, 2011 >>5:49 PM >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] a
>>great article >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I see, my mistake.
>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> You >>aren't taking pot shots at the ACB
>>without facts to back it up. >>>>>>>>>>>> You >>>>>>>>>> are taking
>>pot shots at the NFB without >>facts. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> It
>>takes a lot of guts to come into an >>organization and start
>>>>>>>>>>>> accusing >>>>>>>>>> its >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> members
>>of vaguely illegal activities without offering >>any specifics
>>>>>>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>>>> evidence. But I'm sure >>doing so will
>>get you all the consideration >>>>>>>>>> you're >>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> due. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> And with that, I >>think I'm
>>about finished with the discussion. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>Joseph
>>- KF7QZC >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Thu, Sep 01, >>2011 at
>>05:36:54PM -0500, Bryan Schulz wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> hi, >>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> no, i'm not talking about the acb but the >>point still
>>applies. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Bryan Schulz >>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "T. >>Joseph Carter"
>>>>>>>>>>>>> <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> >>>>>>>>>>> >>To: "Blind
>>Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> >>>>>>>>>>> >>Sent:
>>Thursday, September 01, 2011 5:09 PM >>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re:
>>>>[Blindtlk] a great article >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>suggest if that helps you maximize your involvement with and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> benefit >>>>>>>>>>>> from an organization, you find
>>>>another organization. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Perhaps though,
>>we >>don't want to go down this road, or at least >>>>>>>>>>>> not
>>in >>>>>>>>>>>>>> this fashion. The ACB has in the past allowed
>>its >>members to make >>>>>>>>>>>> baseless, unsupported, and
>>uncontested >>claims of illegal behavior >>>>>>>>>>>> by the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NFB. >>It was rather off-putting, and I'd have
>>thought so even if I >>>>>>>>>>>>>> were >>>>>>>>>>>> not a
>>Federationist! Indeed, it >>seems always to be so, in any
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> organization, whether or >>not I have any affiliation
>>with anybody. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>If there's something new
>>and recent that needs to be discussed >>>>>>>>>>>>>> regarding
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the ACB, we should probably do >>it, but in a new
>>thread with the >>>>>>>>>>>> relevant >>>>>>>>>>>> >>details. If
>>it's a rehash of old wrongdoings by former officers, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>I >>>>>>>>>>>> don't >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> know how >>useful it
>>would be to debate today. It's like discussing >>>>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> questionable action taken by Janet Reno >>while she
>>worked for Bill >>>>>>>>>>>> Clinton. Anyone personally >>affected
>>would find it relevant, but >>>>>>>>>>>> society >>>>>>>>>>>>>> as
>>a whole wouldn't be interested today. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>Sometimes the bad guys get away with it. Usually when >>the good
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> guys >>>>>>>>>>>> don't stand up to them >>until its
>>too late. But that takes me off >>>>>>>>>>>> on my >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>own tangent. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Joseph - KF7QZC
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Thu, Sep 01, 2011 at
>>>>03:53:02PM -0500, Bryan Schulz 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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>
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