[Blindtlk] Democracy in the NFB

Mon Dec 2 01:02:05 UTC 2013

Hi all,

For the record I am an active NFB member and I agree with Ray for the
most part. I do think that NFB could take steps to become more
democratic without sacrificing program strength or efficiency. The NFB
has developed an organizational culture of uniting around a strong
president and supporting that individual unanimously for decades. I
think there was a time early in NFB history when that kind of
leadership mentality was essential for the organization to survive.
Historically, there has been enough threat on the organization from
outside the blind community that any internal dissent could cause the
organization to crumble. I do think that those times are changing,
though, and that we can afford to become more democratic, to set term
limits on our leaders or at least to train multiple people for the top
leadership positions.
This kind of shift would not only be in line with American values in
general, but could also allow more diverse opinions and ideas to make
their way up to the top where they can be acted upon. The
super-democratic "other organization" Paul spoke of isn't what we want
either, but I think there is a balance that is more democratic and
transparent than where we are. However, in order for these changes to
occur, there needs to be a shift among the thinking of the membership
and not just at the top. Right now, no one wants to nominate an
alternate presidential candidate because the organizational culture is
really opposed to that kind of behavior.
Best,
Arielle

On 12/1/13, Cherylandmaxx <Cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
> X FYI his title is Dr which he got as an honorary and earned it from him
> alma Mata from college.
>
>
> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S®4
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Lauren Merryfield <lauren1 at catliness.com>
> Date:12/01/2013  6:50 PM  (GMT-05:00)
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List' <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fwd: [Nfbv-announce] Retirement of Dr. Maurer
>
> Hi,
> I do not see Mr. Maurer's supporting Mr. Riccobono and his subsequent
> election as a formality. Whoever leads us when Mr. Maurer steps down needs
> to have many of the qualities Mr. tenBroek, Dr. Jernigan, Mr. Maurer and
> others had, plus a thorough understanding of how to lead the NFB. Any of us
> out here might not possess those qualities and we certainly do not know the
> inner workings of the NFB.  It would be scary, and possibly disastrous,  if
> someone were elected President who wasn't fully prepared and ready to lead
> us.
>
> Personally, I'd like to see an open-minded  female finally lead the NFB,
> but, then, I'd like to see a liberal female run the USA, too, for a change.
> But that isn't happening yet.  So we're still behind the times.
>
>  I am thinking that Mr. Riccobono, though I do not know him, is probably the
> best one to lead us in the future. I do trust Mr. Maurer's and the National
> Board's thinking on most things, therefore, I do not feel as if Mr.
> Riccobono's stepping up to the Presidency as  only a formality. I'm sure he
> has been being prepared for this for some time, so it is no overnight
> decision on Mr. Maurer's part.
>
> I'm sure glad it isn't me. I am happy to let someone serve in that position
> and I do feel that my vote would count, were I able to attend the National
> Convention next summer, which I won't. Not unless I rob a big bank, haha.
> Many blessings,
> Laurenthe
>
> For my new book go to:
> www.TheresMoreThanOneWay.com
> curious about thirty-one? Go to:
> www.LettingTheCatOutOfTheBag.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Foret
> Jr
> Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2013 3:17 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fwd: [Nfbv-announce] Retirement of Dr. Maurer
>
> Paul, You seem, with respect, to be implying that one must choose between
> lack of transparency and a good program for the blind or else full
> transparency and a bad program for the blind.  I do not agree.  Here is what
> I think will go down.  Maurer will support Riccobono and then, when it comes
> convention time, and time to elect the next president, Riccobono will be
> chosen by acclamation without any competition.  Now, if one were to take
> this process strictly in parliamentary terms, it would be impossible to
> quarrel with its legitimacy.  My concern, to speak frankly, is this.  That
> looks too much like a mere hand off instead of a legitimate election.
> Smooth?  Yes.  Efficient?  You'd better believe it.  Morally right?  Well,
> that's where I have a slight problem.  I'm not saying that this way of doing
> it is completely wrong:  however, when you have a process that looks too
> much like you're just handing it off, you might as well not even bother with
> the formality of election.  Just might as well go ahead and crown Riccobono
> king of the movement.  I just do not feel terribly comfortable with the way
> things look like they're going to happen.  Call me a traitor to the movement
> if you will:  but,  'Tain't no skin off my nose.  Look, this procedure just
> don't set to well with me.
>
>         I ain't sayin that President Mauer can't support whom he pleases,
> and I ain't sayin he can not publically say whom he supports nor that he
> can't urge the members to back his choice:  But, to just do a hand off and
> have the election as a mere formality really bugs me.
>
>
>
> Sent from my Mac, the only computer with full accessibility for the blind
> built-in!
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray, still a very happy Mac and Iphone 5 user!
>
> On Dec 1, 2013, at 5:01 PM, Paul Wick <wickps at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Ray that's how things have always been in the Federation In the world
>> of the organized blind there is an organization that while it lacks
>> transparency has a strong program, while another has democratic forms,
>> but is kind of an empty suit when it comes to the programming
>> department; I would rather be part of the former than the latter. I
>> wish President-designate Riccobono well, and may he reach out to all
>> the unaffiliated blind people rather than just preaching to the choir.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Paul
>>
>> On 12/1/13, Ray Foret Jr <rforet7706 at comcast.net> wrote:
>>> I should like to pint out that there seems to be an assumption upon
>>> the part of the top NFB leadership that Mark
>>>>
>>>> Riccobono will sort of just be given the presency of the federation.
>>>> That strikes me as not being the proper democratic way to do things.
>>>> To assume that just because Doctor Maurer personally supports Mark
>>>> Riccobono for president he will just sort of be handed the
>>>> presidency by Dr. Maurer and the election of Mark Riccobono a mere
>>>> formality strikes me as being very improper.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my Mac, the only computer with full accessibility for the
>>> blind built-in!
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray, still a very happy Mac and Iphone 5 user!
>>>
>>> On Dec 1, 2013, at 12:44 PM, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Mark
>>>>> Riccobono
>>>
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>>
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