[nabs-l] Behavior of Membership

[T. Joseph Carter]

Jeannie,

Jedi has been trying to convince me of this.  I'm not sold on the 
idea, because I think it sounds like election-stacking, even if with 
the most qualified people the committee can find.

Popularity contests are unfortunate, but they're the nature of 
popular election, the hallmark of democracy.

The issue I had was one of vote fidelity:  One person, one vote.  
Unregistered people should not get a vote, and registered people 
should have only one.  The notion that we elect people by seeing 
which group can scream the loudest ... is ludicrous.

We were told this is the only right way to run an election among the 
blind (untrue) and that the NABS constitution requires it (also 
untrue).  Add rude and embarrassing behavior in with that and a clear 
intent to halt discussion and you've got something that could never 
be considered "clear".

I also don't think it was wise to evoke the polarity response of a 
group of people who have grown up responding to "You can't" with 
"Just watch me!" by telling them that they have little recourse or 
appeal.  That kind of attitude can only make things really bad, 
really quickly.  To offer that in response to someone trying to calm 
the flames a bit was inconceivable.  I can't fathom the motivation 
behind it, honestly.

Joseph


On Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 03:11:35PM -0500, JMassay wrote:
>Arielle and all,
>
> 
>
>While others contest and are apparently upset by the election process, I am
>appalled and very disappointed by the rude and unruly behavior exhibited by
>many of my fellow students during the election and while our speakers were
>presenting.  For me, a way to put it in to perspective was to parallel our
>election to that of the National board election for the NFB. Anyone who was
>at general session during the elections would have been embarrassed should
>anyone on the national board or within the membership have acted the way
>that our student division did the previous Saturday at convention.
>Elections aren't, and never should be popularity contests. I, for one, feel
>that a nominating committee is the way to go. Each state student division
>could have representation without those states with many in attendance
>overwhelming a voice vote. Other nominations could be made from the floor
>but I think there need to be guidelines for doing so. While everyone indeed
>does have a right to their voice among the membership, divisiveness,
>contention and bad feelings are no way for any organization to accomplish
>anything. In the end, our accomplishments and the work we do together as an
>organization will measure our ability to change what it means to be blind. 
>
> 
>
>Respectfully,
>
> 
>
>Jeannie