[Blindtlk] groups working together

Thu Sep 4 14:37:19 UTC 2014

Good morning Sheri and all:

I think 1st of all your chapter president should have informed the officers
of your chapter, I don't like the fact for anyone going behind anyone's back
on issues, this bring distrust within the chapter, affiliate and the
organization as a whole. If you don't have trust then what do you have.

2nd - My own opinions, I cannot see why it is so wrong to work with other
organizations, ACB, Lighthouse, maybe even other organizations that have
nothing to do with disabilities, to know about blindness.  I think it is
wrong, especially if the other organization has a good working relationship
with your chapter, why cause trouble, when one day, we might need the other
organizations for votes in DC, to make changes.

I will be doing a presentation at our state convention in November, I am
hoping that our streaming will be working, and those dates are November 7-9,
2014 in Niagara Falls, NY. About getting out in your own local community,
being involved not just with you chapter of the NFB, but being involved
where you live. Since I am on the board of our local chamber of commerce, I
go every month to our local town meetings to speak on issues. I am also
involved with NY Communities for a Change, on issues that affect my town,
and more.

All the local politicians and other organizations know who I am, and since
we are trying to increase membership for our chapter, we will be doing a
chapter meeting in my town every other month. We already have Senators,
Assembly people, local Legislators and other non-profit organizations who
are wanting to come to our meetings to learn more about the NFB and
Blindness. I also go to the local Board of Education meetings, etc.

Just a side note about increasing membership in your chapter, remember to
reach out to the sighted communities:

1. It will educate the sighted community as to what the blind can do.
2. We need members who can drive and offer members ways to get to local
chapter meetings and other events, that you might need members to help with.
As we know the biggest problem of getting members is the transportation to
and from physical meetings.

Cheryl Echevarria, Vice President
National Federation of the Blind, Greater Long Island Chapter
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
"Live the Life You Want"

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria is also the owner of Echevarria Travel
www.echevarriatravel.com; 631-456-5394 or reservations at echevarriatravel.com
and  has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri via
blindtlk
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2014 10:22 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] groups working together

My chapter is working on a White Cane Day activity. In the past for many
years, we have worked in conjunction with other groups in the area including
our Lighthouse and our local ACB chapter. We have planned successful events.

Wehn my local NFB chapter decided to take it on this year, our chapter
president let it be known that he would prefer if the other chapter was not
involved. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Lighthouse. 
Without my knowing it, he called the director of Lighthouse and told her
that we refuse to work with the local ACB chapter. The director said that
Lighthouse has to stay neutral and they would not take sides and choose one
organization over another.

I don't have any trouble with the two groups working together. Our chapter
has been having low meeting turn-outs and if we involve the police and city
and county officials, I would like to see a good turn-out. I am looking for
feedback and opinions about chapters working together where possible. 
Thanks.

Sherri

Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one
is paying attention.
Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com
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