[Home-on-the-range] Call for Resolutions

[Rob Tabor]

Hello Kansas Federationists,

 

State convention time is just around the corner. It seems it was only
yesterday we were all talking about the national convention in Orlando and
state convention seemed so far off in the sweltering heat and humidity of
July. But now the time has flown and November 8 is only a week away. A
perennial rite of an NFB convention is the preparation, discussion and
voting on resolutions. As you think about resolutions keep the following
considerations in mind.

 

. One idea per resolution. Each resolution should pertain to one idea topic
or subject. Resolutions can get quite lengthy to say the least, and trying
to cover multiple subjects in a resolution can be both daunting and
confusing to those on the receiving end. Of course you can make multiple
request or demands within the body of the resolution, but these should all
pertain to one subject or topic to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding
on the part of those whose actions or decisions we are trying to influence.

 

. Make Sure it pertains primarily to blindness. The resolution should be
written with a clear intent to benefit the blind in a tangible and direct
way. Of course there is nothing wrong with a resolution that if fully
implemented also benefits those with other impairments or even other
constituencies beyond the disability rights communities. For example, U.S>
House Bill 831, the proposed Fair Wages For workers With Disabilities Act,
will benefit all workers with disabilities, not just the blind exclusively.
This being noted, it is generally safe to assume that a resolution that may
benefit the blind in a way that is too indirect or benefits us in an
incidental way is unlikely to receive a Do Pass vote from the committee or
passed on a up or down vote in convention.

 

. Follow the prescribed form. Each resolution should include at least one
Whereas clause and one Be It Resolved clause. The Whereas clause(s) provides
language giving the background and reasons why you are advocating a change
in policy or practice related to blindness. The Be It Resolved clause(s)
specify what we want the entity or group on the receiving end to do or to
refrain from doing. The NFb website contains  year by year links and
Microsoft  Word documents of resolutions in final form as passed by the
national convention and can be found at https://nfb.org/resolutions.

 

. Prepare To Advocate With The Committee. As we do at each convention, the
resolutions committee will meet on Friday evening at 7:00pm to study and
revise draft resolutions. It is expected that the author of the resolution
will be asked to present a brief summary of the resolution and to explain
why the convention should pass it. If you are unable to attend the Friday
evening committee markup session you are advised to arrange for someone to
speak on behalf of your resolution.

 

. Don't hesitate to ask questions or ask for help in drafting. I am
available for your assistance and my contact information is posted after my
signature.

 

Ideally we would like to have a representative from each chapter as a voting
member of the committee, so I am inviting each chapter president to appoint
one of your members to represent your chapter. It is also helpful if  you
will advise me as to whom you have appointed so I can know who to expect to
be at the committee table and to whom any drafts submitted in advance should
be distributed.

 

So let's see those powerful resolutions and we'll show 'em how resolved we
federationsists can be.

 

Best regards,

Rob Tabor _ NFBK Resolutions Chairman

1234 Tennessee ST, Lawrence, KS 66044

Home:  (785) 841-3875

iPhone:  (785) 865-9959

email:  rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net

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