[Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Wed Dec 21 20:31:17 UTC 2016

Mike,

While I am probably lumped into the "young crowd" at only 35, grin, I
completely agree with your assessment.

My own observation is the younger people don't see the need to continue the
fight. Many feel entitled and reap the benefits of those who came before us,
so they don't fully understand the need to push further for equality and
fair treatment. I hear so many young people say that they get to go to
school and seek employment and have social lives, so they find nothing about
any organization attractive, and they don't understand why we push back so
much on certain issues. I can't tell you how many young people are the
demographic confused and not understanding why we do things like start our
own campaign against The Foundation Fighting Blindness's campaign that was
potentially so detrimental to blind people. Or why we pursue legal action
against entities refusing to work with and accommodate blind people. Or why
we encourage the use of nonvisual skills. It goes on and on. I hear this
more from younger people than older folks.

Our student division used to be active and thriving. Every year at state
convention, we had several students show up and participate in NABS
activities. Now, we were worried we would not have enough people to fill our
NABS board this year, and as of now, they have no active participation from
anyone outside the board in terms of other students. More non-students show
up to student meetings at our convention than actual students. Our chapters
see fewer and fewer students and young people joining and participating. In
my chapter, anyone younger than 30 just sits there, barely contributing to
discussions let alone events and activities.

The caveat is that our older generation wants to slow down, to some degree,
and let us younger members take the lead. But when so few of us understand
that we still have so much work to do, and that we need to take initiative
and step up to the plate, it creates a problem. It's becoming epidemic, and
I'm not sure what the solution is.

But I agree that the alternative is far worse. Those of us who get it, who
understand the march is not over, we need to keep marching, carrying the
banner. We may be limited, but we still need to make our voices heard.
Hopefully as the younger group matures, they will realize how important a
group like the Federation is and will finally stand and take their place in
line.

Bridgit

From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 12:10 PM
To: 'Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates'
<cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com>
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Janice et al:

I think part of the problem is our success. In the "old days" - thirty or
forty years ago - even though we had a cadre of young members - we felt
ourselves to be Shakespeare's "happy few". We felt embattled and gloried in
the fight even though we told ourselves (and, let it be said, often felt)
that we would rather have just gone on with our lives peaceably as
first-class citizens. Implicit in this is the fact that we *knew* that if we
didn't do things, they just wouldn't get done.

Contrast this with today when, as President Riccobono has said, we are
achieving unprecedented success. So what young people are joining us often
feel that they are no longer needed. It's the older members who still feel
impelled to stand on the barricades.

OTOH, part of the problem also lies in the very fact of our aging. Whether
for good or ill, many young people today feel that we ancients have nothing
to offer them. And, in truth, we don't offer the same opportunities for
food, drink and companionship leading to romantic encounters that would be
the case were we even twenty years younger.

But let us not delude ourselves: many, many nonprofits are feeling the same
way. Too many people of all ages are taken up with social media (which I
generally hate) and don't quite see the reason for the sort of human
interaction and activities that took up our time.

Put another way, there are more distractions now than there were thirty or
forty years ago.

But we have to keep trying -- the alternative is unthinkable.

Mike Freeman

From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Janice Toothman via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 7:59 AM
To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates
Cc: Janice Toothman
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Bridget,

I want to say that I share your frustration.  It is often hard when a few in
the Chapter/Affiliate do most of the work and the majority remain apathetic
or unmotivated.  

It is difficult enough coming up with ideas that will be successful and that
our members will feel excited about enough to be involved with getting the
project done.  I think we have to keep trying because the work of the
Federation is vital.  It is also a way to empower individuals that may not
have felt that had a say in their own future.  If they can recognize that
participating in fundraising,helps them build skills and confidence that
will make them a more independent and effective blind person.

Janice

On 12/21/2016 10:15 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Cash-and-Caring
wrote:

Agree with all points. And I don't share most these thoughts and feelings
with my general membership. As a leader, I understand it's my responsibility
to keep encouragement flowing, morale high and remain positive. But with
other leaders, sometimes a good vent is necessary, smile. But I agree that
lists like this are helpful and generate a lot of great ideas. I'm
frequently encouraged and excited by ideas I see on list like this. Thanks
to everyone who shares and provides suggestions.

Bridgit

From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Eric Guillory via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:55 AM
To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates
<mailto:cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org> <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eric Guillory  <mailto:eguillory at louisianacenter.org>
<eguillory at louisianacenter.org>
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

It can be discouraging. In talking with churches and other nonprofit
entities, there is seemingly a general feeling that the spirit of
volunteerism is down-particularly with regard to fundraising (both giving
and organizing). That is why lists such as this one and the encouragement
and ideas we are given by the list moderators is invaluable. Ideas and
trends will come and go. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on us as individuals
in positions of leadership to cultivate as much enthusiasm and excitement as
possible in our membership. This can be a thankless and difficult task, but
the rewards (membership and monetary) are well worth any frustration. Thanks
for all the good ideas and dialog. I will be putting some of them before our
affiliate and its chapters for future consideration.

Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services

Louisiana Center for the Blind

101 South Trenton Street

Ruston, LA 71270

Voice: 800-234-4166

Fax: 318-251-0109

Twitter: ericguillory

Skype: brllovingdad

 <http://www.louisianacenter.org/> www.louisianacenter.org

"Together, we are changing what it means to be blind."

From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:47 AM
To: 'Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Our student division used to do the exact same fundraiser, the one exception
being the chapter battle. It used to be a highlight of state convention.
Lots of people attended, staying late, having fun, with lots of contestant
participation, and raising a good amount for the division. For a few years
now, fewer and fewer people attended, including students, and it got to the
point where it was not worth the effort, unfortunately. The last 4 or 5
years, only a handful of people signed up to compete, and only slightly more
attended, most drifting off, away from the room where the event was. This
year, no one on the student division board wanted to do it, and there did
not seem to be interest from anyone else. I don't see it coming back anytime
soon.

I know I often sound like a naysayer on this list, full of negativity, and I
apologize for this. I'm actually a much more positive person, willing to
boost morale. It's just that I've seen this decline in interest in my
chapter and affiliate for a while, from both members and non-members. What
used to be successful and work, no longer does. What used to excite people
and make them invest, no longer does. New ideas have been considered and
tried, but we continue to see this lack of interest. So it becomes
frustrating for those of us still dedicated and invested and wanting to see
growth and motivation. Not so sure what the answers are any more.

Bridgit

From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Chang, Patti via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 6:54 AM
To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates
<cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org <mailto:cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Chang, Patti <PChang at nfb.org <mailto:PChang at nfb.org> >
Subject: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Our student chapter on Friday night of convention has a fun fundraiser
patterned onIdol. It is a talent or lack of talent contest. Each person pays
a $5 entry fee that gives them their first ticket to perform. Each
performance costs $5 after that first one. People can choose their music.
Karaoke with or without the vocals are usual but some people bring their own
instruments.  We have three judges, NABS rep,  National rep, and a guest.
The performances keep coming. There is a battle of the chapters when each
chapter sings something from a theme. This year it was sports. In fact the
chapter that wins that battle gets to pick the theme for the battle next
year. The judges comment after each performance which can be quite fun and
funny. There is also an individual winner who gets a gift card. Our students
have done quite well with this.  The beauty is that this fund raiser takes
only three or so people to run it well. 

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