[Cabs-talk] Great Job Forum-goers!

Mon Oct 12 17:28:42 UTC 2009

Mike and listers:
	When considering this question I think back to the day I first
became involved in CABS. I was immediately struck by the warm welcome I
received from CABS members, and the fact that I was immediately given an
opportunity to contribute. I have taken both these things to heart. 
	Mike, you speak of a new member who joined the organization at the
recommendation of a friend but knows little about us, nor about the
resources available to blind people in California. I have worked with
several new members over the past several months. The first thing I do is
give them a call. I tell them a little about CABS, then ask them some
interested questions about themselves. In that conversation most of the time
the opportunity comes up to offer them something: some information, some
resources, maybe even help or advice. My goal with that first phone call is
to give them something concrete in the name of CABS that will be of help to
them in their lives. 
	During that phone call, or during a follow-up call, I invite them to
join us in some activity or event. It could be a social event such as the
recently completed River Rafting trip, or a membership meeting. The key is
to invite them to join something and to welcome them with open arms when
they get there. 
	Most of the time during our conversations I learn something about
the new member, something about their interests, there skills, what they
enjoy doing. At this point I am able to give them an opportunity to
contribute to CABS, a chance to be an important contributing member of a
vibrant and growing organization. 
	The relationship between CABS and an individual member is one of
mutual giving. I know that CABS has given me back far more than what I have
been able to give. I have received practical knowledge which no classroom
can provide, friendships which will last a lifetime, and more smiles and
laughter than I can count. Most precious to me though, I have been given a
chance to belong to something, to contribute to an organization which truly
is making a difference in the lives of people. If I can pass that wonderful
feeling on to others, then I'll know I'm somewhere close to where I want to
be. 
Sincerely
Angela Fowler

-----Original Message-----
From: cabs-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:cabs-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Darien Smith
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:01 AM
To: California Association of Blind Students Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Cabs-talk] Great Job Forum-goers!

Hi Mike,

  Good questions for sure.
 To answer the first one.
To answer your question relating to differentiating one's self  to a new
cabs member, I first  would have to  say that I am here running in this
election for  the  individuals  who are new to blindness, who may not
understand what our philosophy is all about.  I would like to do my best to
make cabs open and accessible to every student who has
interest in being a part of it.   I want to be able to hear the
concerns of the membership, and address those concerns with the same
urgency and  vested interest as I would my own.    In short,  I want
the new member to feel like  that five dollars and the   two hours of
your time is well spent.  That you feel empowered to do something with
cabs, an be as involved with the NFB as you would like.  The last thing that
cabs would like to  portray  ourselves  is as an organization that  only
really pops up once a year, asks for money and  talks your ear off.
I know that I am here to take  the time and give the same positive
reinforcement, mentorship and presence that I was very fortunate to
get to the new members of our division,   who  may develop into great
leaders; not just here, but  in  whatever field, or arena they wish to
impact.

To the   second question.
   I  actually have given this a great amount of thought, considering the
short amount of time I've  had to sit on it.  I think that  I
would think about the possibility of     taking on Aziza's potential
vacant office, if I was  absolutely  without a shadow of a doubt confident
that I could  help the  board accomplish with it's set out to do from  that
position.  To be honest with you, I'm not  confident that I can. As if the
case with  all of the offices on this board, the skill-sets  needed in this
position are nothing to be taken lightly, and I  greatly appreciate the
dedication, skill and talent that Aziza's shown to  make that position a
very successful and productive one.
  That said, I feel  that when you  make a decision to take  on a leadership
role  and  or  any  role that requires of you  to be successful, using the
skills and talents that you have, you should consider if you are  putting
yourself in a position to be successful or not. If you  are not putting
yourself in that position to gbe successful, you are  not only doing
yourself a disservice, not just the team you work with, but the individuals
you work for.
 So,  at this moment,  I don't believe I would consider  the office of
secretary.
  However,  this may change, I  still have  to speak to  other people who
have  served in this capacity not  only in cabs, but in various parts of our
organization and in other organizations to fairly weigh it out.
  Thank you for your questions Mike, I think it's good that  people are
still asking questions, and should feel as if they can even after the forum
because  everybody should  feel like they are  a part of this conversation.

On 10/11/09, Michael Peterson <its.mike at att.net> wrote:
>     Hi Darien. I agree good job. and this forum successfully muted me 
> because lol I forgot how to unmute myself. Not a senior moment I just 
> don't do those conference lines using that feature much.
> However, I was successfully muted applying that to everyday life,  My 
> wife could be so lucky right?
> Anyway two questions one I would've ask and it's just for you all to 
> ponder no one has to answer it because the forum is over but it is a 
> thinking question the other question is for you specifically.
> question 1.  Assume I am a brand new cabs member or so I just got my 
> vote but I really don't know what NFB is philosophy or otherwise All I 
> know is I'm a blind student just leaving high school and my friend  
> ralph Sylvia or whoever told me to join this great blind organization. 
> I don't know about rehab at least not much anyway bookshare is a club 
> we have after school and as for centers for the blind I guess those 
> must be like the braille library or something.
>  I totally respect my friend so I joined this organization.
> Can you explain what makes your candidacy special to me what special 
> benefit you bring to the table I need that is at least better than your
oponents?
> I mean if you all want and do the same thing what would distinguish 
> you for me specifically a new student without a lot of knowledge about 
> well even blindness and my capabilities?
> 2.  My question for you is a follow-up a person said we have four 
> candidates and three positions president, first vice-president and 
> treasurer.  We have four candidates but only three can win.If Aziza 
> looses she says she will gladly continue as secretary so lets flip the
coin to an oposite scenario.
>
> If you are not elected for president or vice-president would you 
> consider replacing the post Aziza is giving up if she wins first vice
president?
> You seem like the four of you would click fabulously as a board.
> And I'm sure the other members not up for election would benefit from 
> all of you together.
> Have a great day.
> Mike Peterson
> Unmuted, I think
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Darian Smith" <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
> To: "cabs-talk" <cabs-talk at nfbnet.org>; "NFB of California List"
> <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 6:45 PM
> Subject: [Cabs-talk] Great Job Forum-goers!
>
>
>> Hello all,
>>  i would like to take this oppertunity to thank everybody  involved 
>> in making the cabs forum a success!
>> while I am not a board member with cabs, I just want to thank all of 
>> the individuals who took the time out of their sunday afternoon to be 
>> a part of  this forum. I  would also like to thank my fellow 
>> participants, who  made  the future of cabs, and the students cabs
>> serves   an  apparent  priority by being present  and answering  the
>> questions that the membership wanted answered.
>> I believe this has been a very positive and educational thing for us 
>> to be a part of,  My hope is that  we all got something from this.
>>  Thank you all,
>>  Darian smith
>>
>>
>> --
>> "And if you will join me in this improbable quest, if you feel 
>> destiny calling, and see as I see, a future of endless possibility 
>> stretching before us; if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now 
>> to shake off our slumber, and slough off our fear, and make good on 
>> the debt we owe past and future generations, then I'm ready to take 
>> up the cause, and march with you, and work with you. Together, 
>> starting today, let us finish the work that needs to be done, and 
>> usher in a new birth of freedom on this Earth."- Baraq Obama
>>
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--
"And if you will join me in this improbable quest, if you feel destiny
calling, and see as I see, a future of endless possibility stretching before
us; if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now to shake off our slumber,
and slough off our fear, and make good on the debt we owe past and future
generations, then I'm ready to take up the cause, and march with you, and
work with you. Together, starting today, let us finish the work that needs
to be done, and usher in a new birth of freedom on this Earth."- Baraq Obama

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