[nabs-l] recruiting young people and keeping them involvedin the NFB
Jessica Kostiw
jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com
Thu Feb 4 01:07:24 UTC 2010
Well well stated JedI! Right on!!! common sense isn't so common, and I
think all too often the opposite of what you just stated occurs much much
more than people want to admit!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] recruiting young people and keeping them involvedin
the NFB
> I've had it in mind to comment on what should be said to older members
> regarding the recruitment and retention of newer/younger members. Here are
> my thoughts as someone who is a member of what could be called an "older"
> affiliate with few young people in it.
>
> No matter what happens, no matter what events are held and who they are
> designed to target, the real key to recruiting and retaining new/young
> people is to honor them. What does that mean? To honor someone is to
> listen carefully to them and treat them in a manner that says "We value
> what you have to contribute." Each of us has our own perceptions of
> reality; we intuit meaning out of those perceptions and give them varying
> levels of significance and make decisions based on all those things. So
> often, it's easy to assume that young people are automatically
> inexperienced, unrefined, or simply don't know what they're talking about.
> That's not always true. When we honor people, we hear them out completely,
> inquire of them for further elaboration and meaning, and add our own
> experiences and opinions to the mix to come up with something
> collaborative. In the process, we all learn something: young or new
> members learn how to navigate the new culture they're in, and older and
> more seasoned members learn how to incorporate fresh ideas into the
> existing system. New members know when they are valued or not valued.
> Think about those times in any social situation when you get the feeling
> like you're not welcome. It may have been nothing that anyone has done or
> said directly, but you just know. for that reason, it's important to pay
> attention to not only what's said or done, but what's not said or done.
> And on that note, it's important to ask ourselves at all times, "Is this
> an affiliate or chapter I would want to belong to?" If the answer is yes,
> keep doing what you're doing. If the answer is no or even maybe, it's time
> to re-evaluate and see what you come up with. As a final thought in this
> section, be aware of not only how your members treat new people, but how
> they treat each other. New members will evaluate their interest in the
> group if there is an atmosphere of mutual respect and honor toward all
> members no matter who or what they are. If that mutual respect doesn't
> exist, rest assured that you won't see those new members again.
>
> Now what about events? It's not exactly true that all young people want
> big parties with no work involved, but a number of people seem to think
> that we do. I venture to say that a more appropriate way to think of
> things is to say that young people want to be a part of whatever's going
> on. Yes, a little social intermixed with work is important for all of us
> regardless of age or standing in the organization, and the affiliate or
> chapter would do some good to take that into account. If young people feel
> passionate about what they're doing in the Federation, they'll show up and
> provide their energy to it. yes, there will be young people who won't, but
> that's true of all people.
>
> I remember one thing that both Joanne and Dr. shroeder have said in the
> past and that is this: first and foremost, be a friend to new people in
> the Federation. Get to know them. Find out what they're dreams, passions,
> worries, and ideas are. In the process, you'll know what kinds of projects
> they might be interested in and put them to work right away. Put young
> people's energy to good use as soon as its available, and there's nothing
> more exciting to a newly blind person or a blind person brought up feeling
> useless that there is something they can do and they're expected to do it.
>
> I hope these comments help. Good luck with your elders at your upcoming
> convention.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
>
> Original message:
>> Listers,
>> Granted, this is to Karri and Dacia, but can apply to everybody.
>> another real helpful tool is your nabs student advisor. Kerri: I
>> believe your advisor is karen Andersen
>> Dacia: I believe your advisor is Megan Whalan (forgive the tuypos if
>> any, I'm in a bit of a rush). Both of these individuals are great
>> resources in addition to being just great people!
>> Now I'll shut up lol.
>> have a great day all,
>> Darian
>
>> On 2/2/10, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Kerri,
>>> I heard about the event you guys had at convention; it sounded like
>>> a good time for sure!
>>> If you have three people who are interested in getting something
>>> started; you have three more than some and sometimes it's not the
>>> number of people, but the effort those three put into the efforts.
>>> We'll be sending out the
>>> info for the next call - yes fellow listers another one is coming up
>>> soon! so please do keep a look out on the list serve for it. As
>>> always, these calls are open to everybody and you are more than
>>> welcome to listen or comment as you feel (so long as it's done with
>>> respect in mind). Kerri, you are more than welcome to-as anybody is
>>> to contact me off-list should you have any questions or wish to
>>> chat.
>>> Best,
>>> Darian
>
>
>
>>> On 2/1/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hey Darian:
>
>>>> Those are some good ideas.
>
>>>> I am hoping to go to convention this year.
>
>>>> I am in West Virginia. They are sort of a rural little state.
>>>> We really don't have a student division right now. Money was raised at
>>>> our last state convention to start one. Right now it has like three
>>>> members and no officers or anything like that.
>>>> So, we are sort of getting one...
>
>>>> I am hoping soon I can get involved with NABS nationally though since
>>>> our state doesn't have one. I hope to attend the next conference call.
>>>> I would've attended the last one but I am not attending Washington
>>>> Seminar and I mistakenly thought you had to be attending that to
>>>> participate lol.
>
>>>> Kerri
>
>>>> On 2/1/10, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 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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>
>
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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
>
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>
>
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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
>
>
>
>> --
>> 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
>
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