[nabs-l] The role of a student division?

[Angela fowler]

Jim, I like the way you think. 
	Now, before I get myself in trouble by supporting this idea, let me
say that his state's situation is different than say... Mine in California.
He's in a very rural state with I presume very few chapters scattered around
a large area. In California there are many chapters with diverse membership,
so the question isn't so clear but in Jim's case I think its very clear. We
need to give these 20-somethings something to relate too.  
	Now Jim says that his local chapter is composed primarily of folks
30 years older than himself, folks in their 50's. A group needs to be
started in that area which makes the younger folks feel at home. Since
younger folks identify more with their student days, why not start with
MABS? 
	Trust me, when the non-student group of people under 30 gets strong
enough they will break away from MABS and either form their own chapter or
join the one that already exists. Student groups focus on college related
stuff, and a non-student can't relate, believe me I've been there. Jim is in
a situation however, where he needs to give them some place to start, and
the logical place is MABS.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jim Reed
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 11:10 AM
To: NABS mail list
Subject: [nabs-l] The role of a student division?

Hello all, 

I just had dinner with the Montana State affiliate President, and he
admitted to me that one of his motivations for begining a student division
is to serve as a way to recruit young people into the MAB/NFB.

Keeping that goal in mind, I began thinking, "How best can MABS accomplish
the goal of recruiting younger members into the MAB/NFB?" 

It seems to me that one of the best ways to accomplish that goal would be to
open the student division up to non-students. For example, there are
probably alot (I use the term losely) of blind people in Montana who are my
age (27), and are not students.

Along those same lines, I went to my first chapter meeting not to long ago,
and the average age ot those attending was probably 30 years older than me.
Because of this demographic situation, I have no desire to attend another
chapter meeting, and I assume others my age will feel the same way.
(However,  because I am MABS President, I feel obligated to attemd those
meetings, and will continue to do so.)

My point is that most people my age are not going to be a division
president, thus are not "obligated" to attend chapter meeting, thus they
probably wont. How do we reach out to this demographic? I believe we reach
out to this demographic be somehow making it so that young persons (students
or not), can work, and interact with blind persons their own age. Via a
"young persons division?" I'm not sure;  I don't want to create any
age-related conflict within the state affiliate.

It seems to me that since the student population is small, MABS could
increase its membership and strive towards achiving the goal of the state
affiliate President by expanding its membership to younger folks who are not
students.

Thoughts?

Jim

Homer Simpson's brain: "Use reverse psychology." 
 Homer: "Oh, that sounds too complicated." 
 Homer's brain: "Okay, don't use reverse psychology."
 Homer: "Okay, I will!"


      
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