[nabs-l] recruiting young people and keeping them involved in the NFB

[Darian Smith]

Karri and Dacia,

  The question of how to get youth involved is our  organization's
version of " what's  the meaning of life"  - a question that  we all
think we have an answer to but  not just one things seems to work.
(ok, maybe  not the best thing I could have used, but I'm sure you get
the point)
 Affiliate action is always a good direction to go in, as well;   the
National Association of Blind Student's website "www.nabslink.org" is
also a good  aveanue.
  I also  would suggest talking with the President of  the Parents
Divisionon both state and  national levels to see how to get  in
contact with parents of blind children and  possibly work out a joint
meeting between the parent's division and the student division  at a
state convention or something like that.  This way, you can  saw there
is something for everyone. and both groups can have   their own little
focus groups.
 Another way of doing things is to  try to develope relationships with
 your school for the  blind and or teachers of the visually impaired;
invite them to convention, if any of them have  a view of blindness
that is similar in philosiphy to that of the NFB; have them speak at
your student meeting- if they know they are going to talk, maybe they
might bring some students too?
  Karri- this past year's convention was a great one to be at for
sure.  There always is  such great energy at these conventions, but
this last one stood out to me in just  the livelyness of it.  There is
generally alot of activity  going on- so many places to go to  and
people to see and not enough time to do it.  if you get the
oppertunity to go to this year's convention (in Dallas Texas) I would
very much say "Do it!" :)
 my question for you Karri is, what state are you in?  are you
involved with  the student division / chapter in your state?
  Best,
 Darian Smith
 Board member  /membership co-chair
 National association of blind students


On 2/1/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi:
>
> I am a 22-year-old college student. I really like the NFB and all it
> stands for including it's philosophy of equality for the bind and
> making blindness a nuisence with proper training.
>
> Have you tried contacting the Aphiliate Action department at the
> National Center?
> What about the Jernigan Institute?
> They may have some good suggestions.
>
> As for myself, when I was younger the NFB really tried to get involved
> in my Mother and I's lives. But, my mother for some reason didn't like
> them...I guess she thought she could do better with me.
> I wish so much now that she would've gotten involved...because the NFB
> seems to have so much for youth...at least youth under 18 or who are
> still in high school.
> I also had a lot of misconceptions about the NFB when I got older...I
> thought they were just a bunch of blind people.
> I was bored this past July and decided to listen to the convention. I
> was fascinated and immediately was hooked.
>
> I honestly don't know and can't understand why it's hard to keep youth
> interested in the NFB...I honestly wish I were younger sometimes so I
> could participate in all the social, and academic programs the NFB has
> to offer for students under 18.
> I hope this message does not offend anyone...just my thoughts.
> But, I would try contacting the Aphiliate Action department and the
> Jernigan Institute.
>
> Kerri
>
> On 2/1/10, daisydacia at centurytel.net <daisydacia at centurytel.net> wrote:
>> Hi everyone,
>> Two weeks from now, the MO state affiliate will be hosting an officers
>> seminar.  I was asked to present on the topic of recruiting young people
>> and
>> also how to keep them involved.  Any suggestions to include in my
>> presentation as well as any literature anyone can think of would be
>> helpful.
>>  If any literature could be sent as an attachment or if I could have a
>> website to go to it would be most helpful.  I need the info by the end of
>> this week, please.
>>
>> thank you in advance.
>>
>> Dacia Luck
>>
>>
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-- 
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
The National Federation of the Blind has launched a nationwide teacher
recruitment campaign to help attract energetic and passionate
individuals into the field of blindness education, and we need your
help!   To Get Involved  go to:
www.TeachBlindStudents.org