[Massachusetts-NFB] Board decision and guidelines for email list

[sharawinton at gmail.com]

Hello Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts, 

We are writing to provide an update on the affiliate's email list and the
recent unanimous decision by the NFB of Massachusetts Board of Directors to
establish a Communications Committee. The current email list will remain
unchanged through the 2027 state convention. No changes are planned before
then. 

The committee will include both board members and members of the general
membership. Co-chaired by Gene Kim and Mika Pyyhkala, the committee will
review the affiliate's email list, examine best practices for organizational
communications, evaluate our technology platforms, and develop
recommendations for improving communication throughout the affiliate. The
committee will also be able to meet and work outside regular board meetings
to fulfill its responsibilities. 

The committee will work toward presenting recommendations and options for
consideration at the convention, providing members an opportunity to offer
input on how this important communication channel should be managed moving
forward.

The Communications Committee will be an ongoing part of our affiliate's
work, extending beyond the email list to support effective, respectful, and
productive communication throughout our organization. Updates and decisions
may be shared through chapter meetings, the state convention, and other
appropriate channels.

Email Etiquette and Respectful Communication

In the meantime, we ask every member to remember that how we communicate
reflects who we are as a movement. Disrespectful, hostile, or hurtful
messages sent to the entire list can damage relationships, undermine our
unity, and harm the reputation of the National Federation of the Blind. We
can disagree, raise concerns, and advocate for change without resorting to
personal attacks or divisive exchanges.

If you have a grievance or concern, please direct it to the appropriate
board members or the individual involved rather than using the entire
membership list to address personal disputes. We all share responsibility
for maintaining a culture of respect, integrity, and constructive dialogue.

Please also take a moment to check the To and CC fields before sending or
replying to an email. Make sure your response is directed to the intended
recipient or recipients, and remove or add addresses as appropriate. This
simple step can help prevent unintended messages from reaching the entire
membership.

Additionally, please avoid sharing highly personal information or
information unrelated to the broader blind community on the affiliate-wide
list. Messages sent to the entire membership should be relevant to our
organization, its members, or its mission.

Committee Participation

Members interested in serving on the Communications Committee are encouraged
to contact Shara Winton by calling or texting 617-304-0347 or by emailing
Sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:Sharawinton at gmail.com> . Please understand
that the committee will be relatively small, and expressing interest does
not guarantee placement. Members selected to serve should be prepared to
work collaboratively, consider differing perspectives, and help develop
practical recommendations that benefit the affiliate as a whole.

Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to the National
Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts. By working together, we can
strengthen our communications, encourage constructive participation, and
preserve the unity and shared purpose that move our organization forward.

Let us demonstrate the respect, integrity, and commitment to one another
that our organization deserves.

 

With love, hope and determination,

Your Board of Directors

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