[nabs-l] Appreciating our roots

[Jedi]

Joe,

I first want to start by telling you that I agree with some of your 
observations.

First, young blind people not in the Federation tend not to see its 
benefits because there doesn't seem much worth fighting for and the NFB 
seems not to value individual preferences. Many of the young non-NFB 
folks I speak to tell me that they don't want to join because the NFB 
doesn't seem to honor the fact that they prefer to use their remaining 
vision or get more assistance than what most NFB-ers are comfortable 
with. These young people also notice how easy it is to get what they 
ask for in most situations. They're views on that tend to change when 
they meet an obstacle they can't overcome alone. And yes, state-wide 
events seem not to draw people in unless one lives in an affiliate that 
caters to the young as well as those of middle age and older.

I think you're right that we find ourselves in a bit of a bind so far 
as leadership is concerned. I don't think this is necessarily true 
nationally, but I definitely see it more on the state level. I know 
that Dr. Maurer has also observed this issue you're talking about in 
terms of older people not ready to give up the reigns and younger 
people not yet able to take them. I remember hearing him talk somewhat 
about this issue at a youth leadership seminar I attended back in 2006. 
I also think that Dr. Maurer and National are trying to address this 
issue in the states by some of the events you're talking about such as 
Youth slam. But first, I want to address your observations about fundraising.

You're right that there has become quite an emphasis on fundraising in 
past years. It's not that that emphasis hasn't been there. It's just 
that our fundraising techniques have changed and we require more money 
to continue moving forward with our new programming. Back in the day, 
our fundraising efforts included telephone solicitations, mailing 
campeigns, greeting card sales, private wills, bequests, etc. These 
things still go on, but I think we've really begun to understand how 
helpful each individual member of our movement can be in getting funds, 
especially with technologies like conveyo. The Race for 
Independence/The March for Independence is a publicity campaign meant 
to bring our efforts into the public mind and give a target for 
individual community contributors to think about. For one thing, it's 
much easier for a non-NFB person to give money if they feel there's 
some kind of immediate cause and the March for Independence/Race for 
Independence provides a spotlight and an immediate cause. More than 
that, it gives us all a great excuse to freak out the local townspeople 
wherever we happen to convene. *Grin*

about the places where our money goes. You're right that STEM programs 
like Youth Slam are very focused and may not represent the career goals 
of many students. However, these events include more than just science: 
there are philosophy discussions, technology seminars, recreational 
events, one-on-one mentoring opportunities, an opportunity to practice 
independent movement, and opportunity for people my age to practice 
mentoring and leadership skills, an opportunity to gain public 
attention and support, and opportunity to network with other 
foundations and agencies, and a way of giving young people contact with 
our movement in a seeminly less threatening environment. My affiliate 
has gained at least three participants since Youth Slam came around, 
and other kids are asking questions about Youth Slam. The science stuff 
is really just the surface of what we're really doing. If you haven't 
served at a Youth slam, you may want to and you'll know what I mean. 
And really, it takes a lot of money to put one of these on and support 
the staff and facilities for those who participate. The Jernigan 
Institute is definitely worth our money.

I also want to talk some about our leadership bind that I mentioned. I 
think Youth Slam is one way to draw in and retain youth. The 
Imagination grants are another way since they can be used for local 
seminars. My affiliate just used a grant to put on a seminar for blind 
youth, their parents, and the teachers and professionals who serve 
them. The seminar was a great success and I think we've gotten some new 
leadership out of it. The Affiliate Action crew has spent an aweful lot 
of time and resources to bring many of us to Baltimore to train us in 
ways that our affiliate leadership may not. for one thing, I've been to 
many training seminars put on by Affiliate Action where I learned about 
growing affiliates , teaching the philosophy, learning how to work with 
older leadership, etc. So I feel that when I do find myself in a 
leadership position, i'll be more than ready.

There is one thing I'd like to address spinning off your topic a bit. I 
think you're right that that there are a lot of affiliates and chapters 
where participation and energy are hard to come by. I experience that 
quite a lot and it drains my energy and enthusiasm as a local leader. I 
find it difficult to get excited about a project if I'm practically the 
only one doing it. I guess this takes me back to Briley and her initial 
statements. It's much easier and more meaningful to get involved in a 
colllective effort when one knows about its history. I know that my 
involvement has strengthened especially since I've learned the hard 
core parts of our history. If nothing else, I feel responsible for 
carrying out plans set forth by people who have suffered quite a lot on 
my behalf.

About the car. That one's kind of tricky. I know what you mean in that 
the car won't necessarily get us jobs in and of itself. I also hear 
corbb about blind people getting on the road. I think Corbb's right 
that we'll find some way to make sure blind drivers are as safe as our 
sighted counterparts. I know there are a few reasons why we're working 
with Virginia Tech to build this car. It's more than just blind people 
doing the same as the sighted do. First of all, having a car will open 
up a few more opportunities, especially to those who do not live in an 
area with good transit and who don't have a lot of money to aford cabs 
on a regular basis. Yes, the car itself would represent a considerable 
investment, but it's hard to tell just yet how much greater that 
investment would be compared to regular taxi service.In any case, the 
car's technology will prove that a seemingly visual environment can be 
adapted for non-visual use; technology manufacturers will then have no 
more excuses not to build products with everyone in mind. Finally, the 
general public can't imagine blind people walking around. Imagine how 
much they're thinking will have to be re-examined when blind people 
start driving! After all, the car has raised some interesting 
discussion among blind people.

I hope I'm making some sense.

Respectfully,
Jedi


Original message:
> 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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