[Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Thu Dec 22 00:55:50 UTC 2016

My endeavors to get our younger people involved with social media have been unsuccessful. I've asked and appointed younger people to handle and assist with handling our social media, and I'm still the only one doing it. And very little activity happens on our social media pages, despite my frequent post and updates, which happen at least once a week, usually more than once though.

I've personally asked members to take charge of an event, insisting they had the qualities and ability to be in charge and/or handle an event. Usually, the work is not done, or is not done thoroughly. One member quit because despite our frequent interjections that he was more than capable of being in leadership, he disagreed, and now he says he only wants to participate in organizations that do social things; he wants nothing to do with outreach and advocacy; his words, not mine. This is an extreme example, but does demonstrate the obstacle I've come up against in both my chapter and affiliate, particularly with younger members. Even when point-blank asked to do something, more often than not, they hem-and-haw and either begrudgingly take on a task or out-right say no.

These are people we are including, investing in, giving specific responsibilities to, and they still are not motivated or encouraged to step up.

So what does one do when one employs these methods and suggestions, maintaining communication, providing specific opportunities, making appointments, and no one bites?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of walhoframona--- via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 2:36 PM
To: Mike Freeman via Cash-and-Caring <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
Cc: walhoframona at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

We have two couples under 30 in our chapter and some singles as well. They want to be needed, and we need them immediately to help us with social media and to help get the word out  to reach others their age. Old folks remember Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's Power of Positive Thinking. And there are many books and speeches of that kind. Let us keep them in mind! 
Ramona

On Dec 21, 2016 11:10 AM, Mike Freeman via Cash-and-Caring <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> Janice et al:
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> Put another way, there are more distractions now than there were thirty or forty years ago.
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> But we have to keep trying -- the alternative is unthinkable.
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> Mike Freeman
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> 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
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> Bridget,
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> 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.  
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> 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.
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> Janice
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> On 12/21/2016 10:15 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Cash-and-Caring wrote:
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>> 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.
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>> Bridgit
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>> 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 <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Eric Guillory <eguillory at louisianacenter.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL
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>> 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.
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>> Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services
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>> Louisiana Center for the Blind
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>> 101 South Trenton Street
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>> Ruston, LA 71270
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>> Voice: 800-234-4166
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>> Fax: 318-251-0109
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>> Twitter: ericguillory
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>> Skype: brllovingdad
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>> www.louisianacenter.org
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>> “Together, we are changing what it means to be blind.”
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>> 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
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>> 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.
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>> 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.
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>> Bridgit
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>> 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>
>> Cc: Chang, Patti <PChang at nfb.org>
>> Subject: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL
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>> 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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