[nabs-l] Appreciating our roots

Mon May 3 20:35:13 UTC 2010

Well articulated as always, Jedi.
On May 3, 2010, at 12:21 PM, Jedi wrote:

> 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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