[nabs-l] Appreciating our roots

[David Andrews]

Joe:

While I have concerns about fund-raising, I will also point out that 
the NFB now has an Affiliate Services Department, something we didn't 
formally have for our first 60 plus years.

Dave

At 09:01 AM 5/3/2010, you 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