[Ct-nfb] Weighing in on tax issue at state convention

Justin Salisbury PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu
Mon Jun 15 23:34:37 UTC 2015


Hey Gary,

Is that the only reason? If so, we can come up with many other options that empower blind people and provide variety.

Just to throw out a few ideas:

Self advocacy workshop
Chapter building workshop

If we all believe and take pride in what we do in the national Federation of the blind, people respond to that.

If we do it right, the selling points can be what we do in the Federation and the sense of community that we have together. We don't need to invite Tom Brady in order to make people want to come.

I think tax deductions are a great thing, but they are not a key component of what we do in our organization. I'm also not sure how many people Wood, whole day early just to talk about tax deductions if that's the only reason they would come.

Have a good one,
Justin

Sent from the iPhone of

Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin


 First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller


On Jun 15, 2015, at 8:37 AM, Gary Allen <garyallenct at gmail.com<mailto:garyallenct at gmail.com>> wrote:


The reason why it is important to have someone talk about taxes is because it is important to have a lot of different topics.  If someone who is blind already has a job they will have another reason to come to the convention on Friday.  If there is a new business devision it gives people yet another reason. To come to the convention.



On Saturday, June 13, 2015, Justin Salisbury via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
Hey everybody,

I am really grateful for the discussion that this has generated. It has sparked a new idea for me.

I had initially interpreted Rob’s message the same way Gary did. If I can take another crack at articulating my point, the employment-related topics really focus on empowering blind people to go out and participate in the world in a way that we all want to do it. The tax deduction part is nice, but it doesn’t accomplish the same thing. I always take advantage of tax deductions when I can get them; I want everyone to do the same, but I don’t think something like that should be given the same degree of priority as the employment topics. When we look at our agenda (and I don’t just mean the general session, I mean the whole schedule of our convention) our priorities as an organization are reflected in it. I want us to give more attention to employment, which reflects first-class citizenship, and less attention to the tax deductions, which reflect second-class citizenship.

Anne West has sparked an idea in me that, if I may say so myself, is a great one. I either hadn’t realized or had forgotten that Anne was a business owner, but I am a major believer that we need to start a Connecticut Association of Blind Merchants at this year’s convention. There are state merchants’ divisions across the country, and I had a great conversation with the Lousiana Association of Blind Merchants president in April. Now, I hadn’t figured out when to try to schedule the formation meeting at the convention, but maybe this time slot would be appropriate. I say so because the other topics would be about being employed by someone else, and the merchants’ division would be about being the employer yourself. Both would be on employment, but one from each perspective.

What do you think, Rob?

I am working with Edward to gather merchants in Connecticut, very few of whom are currently affiliate members. Earlier this year, when we had to advocate for vendors’ rights, it was really hard to do because we didn’t know them ourselves. We need to have an organized voice for our vendors to inform our affiliate. If anyone is interested in helping with this, please let me know!

Thanks, all!

Justin

Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','President at Alumni.ECU.edu');>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org');>] On Behalf Of Gary Allen via Ct-nfb
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2015 5:37 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
Cc: Gary Allen
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] Weighing in on tax issue at state convention

Rob was talking about personal. Tax deductions that have to deal with the blindness deduction

On Thursday, June 11, 2015, Anne West via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','ct-nfb at nfbnet.org');>> wrote:
I'm a business owner and I don't understand all of the tax deductions both
state and federal.  You need a professional such as an accountant to sort
all that out and there is no way tax deductions can be totally presented at
a job seminar.  A general outlook is great and should be noted but a
complete discussion. No.

Anne West
Ct.daffodil at snet.net



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