[nabs-l] Appreciating our roots

[Briley Pollard]

You make fair points, and much to think about. Though, to be fair, I did say that I think our current board is doing a great job, and full of people who want to work to change things.
On May 3, 2010, at 9:01 AM, Joe Orozco wrote:

> The trend toward intense fundraising began well before the economic crisis.
> And, I don't blame a nonprofit for engaging in fundraising.  Yet between
> 2001 and 2007, to me, there is almost a dramatic shift from grassroots
> advocacy to a consumer provider.  Perhaps this was owed to the immense
> ticket price of the building expansion, whose benefits I still do not see
> outweighing the costs.  It is just one more item the future leadership will
> need to administer with little direction as to what it is actually supposed
> to accomplish.  There is a very fine line between living for the money and
> living for your purpose.
> 
> My belief that the organization will fade is based on the general state of
> the affiliates.  We cannot assume the organization is doing well based on
> the Braille Monitor and yearly banquet addresses.  The decline of affiliate
> activity has also been observed well before the economic crisis.  You can
> teach a chapter how to organize itself, but if there are no funds to fuel
> those strategies, where exactly is that chapter expected to turn?  There is
> persistent pressure to raise money for what has now become an annual
> fundraising drive at the national convention.  I do not much care for these
> so-called friendly competitions among states to get the most pledges for
> this Race for Independence.  How about a race for the states who can bring
> the most people, to, convention?  The economy has only increased the rate at
> which affiliates are not capable of proper recruitment and education at the
> local level.
> 
> Fighting for an increase in social security caps?  That legislative item has
> been around for years.  Social security is a third rail issue that will not
> make progress in a climate where health care reform, financial reform and
> immigration reform already dominate the headlines.  Cars that the blind can
> drive?  How about giving blind people a destination to go with those cars.
> Without jobs, blind people won't be able to move them, let alone afford
> them, or do we honestly feel we will see a reasonable rate for the
> technology that will navigate them.
> 
> I don't know that I agree young people are not willing to assume roles of
> responsibility.  I think last summer's election is indicative of an eager
> group that is willing to do what they can to help their peers.  I think the
> bigger issue is attempting to carve out success while attempting to satisfy
> Baltimore, often work with uncooperative state affiliates and energize a new
> generation of young people who quite frankly do not necessarily see the
> benefits of coming around the NFB unless it is for the festivities of the
> annual convention.  There are always exceptions, but the older generation is
> too reluctant to let go of the reins, and young people are not prepared
> enough to take them over even if they had access.  I appreciate the benefits
> of the STEM program the NFB has locked on to help youth explore careers in
> math and science, but here's a reminder, not all youth, blind or sighted,
> want to go to work for NASA.  To me, this too is another reminder of a loyal
> finance base the NFB has worked up into a so-called innovative program.
> 
> Don't get me wrong.  Believe it or not, I have immense respect for the NFB.
> It never fails to inspire me to aim higher when I come around NFB events.
> Yet I fear that over the past several years my respect has mostly turned
> from inspiration to admiration of the way it has so seamlessly transformed
> itself without blatantly calling attention to itself.  This isn't civil
> rights anymore.  This is a shrewd combination of public relations and
> business practice.
> 
> Knowledge of the past is immensely important.  But, is it the young people
> that need to be reminded most, or the older generation?
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Joe
> 
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing 
> 
> 
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