[Home-on-the-range] I pledge to participate in the efforts of the NFB...

[Cindy Ray]

I thought it was a marvelous convention and I am glad to have had the opportunity to be here with you. Sometimes it feels as if I never left. And I haven't so far. I am in the Kansas City Bus Station even as we speak. Why? Because last night my friend and I got to the Lawrence bus stop and waited. She never saw a bus, but they claimed it had gone through, so they needed to take pity on me for the night, fed me some wonderful crab cakes, helped me catch up on people I wondered about but didn't think of in my rush, and they borrowed, or had donated, a little dog food for Fisher, whose supply had quite run out in the final feeding before the bus that wasn't.

I believe in my own chapter I am going to try to do more mixing and minglling at events and to call people who haven't been there. Reaching out to them in small ways in big ones is important. If we do that, maybe more of us will be available to help with bigger things like legislation and fund raising. Many of you reached out to me in friendship, and Emily's mom took me to the bank when I couldn't get ATMs to give me money. So find ways to help someone. Who invited you to the NFB? What were those circumstances? I'd bet if you would share them, people would be pleased, and the people who helped youwould feel appreciated.

I met the Federation as a student at the Iowa Commission for the Blind. Everyone was going who was a student just about. The meetings were on Friday nights, and since there was no one to do things with because they were all at meetings, and because I was curious about what they were doing, I went and joined. Mostly I have never turned back.

CL


Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 12, 2012, at 9:58 AM, Dianne Hemphill <diannehemphill at cox.net> wrote:

> Hello federationists! Hopefully you found this most recent NFB of Kansas  convention energizing and encouraging as well as informative. There were some of  our federation family unable to attend this year and who look forward to hearing from each and every one of you about your thoughts, impressions and take aways from this year's state convention.  It was exciting to observe those in attendance at their first convention as well as those of us in attendance for many decades. 
> 
> As we step back and review what was meaningful to us personally, let us also begin to think in terms of our responsibility  to the organization. In our pledge, we claim that we  will actively participate in the efforts of the NFB... I challenge each of you to begin thinking about how you can now help someone else begin the positive journey within the NFB. Here are some ideas I heard our state leaders   talking about where you are needed:
> 1. Newsletter - this marvelous opportunity is open to someone or a team of people. Why not you?
> 2. Membership development - Our good fortune in finding the NFB was due to someone just like you who cared about giving hope to those who don't know who we are are why they might  begin a new positive life with blindness. So  who can you talk to? Here are few ideas: 
> blinded veterans
> adults blinded due to diabetes, accidents or other life changing events
> parents with blind children that they love and want the best life possible for
> college students
> blind people looking for employment
> senior's
> 
> 3. Communication- this is critical for those of us wanting to make sure we are up to date and informed with what's going on chapter wise, state affiliate wise and on the national scene. It is easier  than ever to share information. Please realize   that it is up to all of us to  contact others, send out a note on home on the range, etc
> 4. Learning by doing- it is very likely that your chapter president needs your help. Ask what you can do, or even better, ask if you can help raise funds for the chapter, present  a topic at the next or upcoming chapter meeting, call people who haven't attended a meeting for a while to see how they are; volunteer for one or more of the chapter's committees and then really follow through! We can all do something and when we offer work in some capacity we all make a difference in what it means to be blind - in the most positive way!
> 
> So, what are you waiting for? Let your chapter leaders and state affiliate leaders know you want to "actively participate".  I am so excited to hear what you are going to do to help our affiliate grow and get better and better. The National Federation of the Blind has made a difference  in your life...now let's make sure others have the same chance as we have had because  of this amazing organization. Dianne
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