[nabs-l] Thoughts?

Mon Jun 27 03:53:06 UTC 2011

How does attending an NFB training center fit into that? Does that
count as being a student? I fully plan to enter grad school the year
after I go to BLIND, Inc.

Cindy

On 6/21/11, Mary Fernandez <trillian551 at gmail.com> wrote:
> did I not write P R O ceeding not P R E ceeding?
> M
>
> On 6/20/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Mary and all,
>> Just to clarify: Anyone running for a NABS board position (including
>> president or vice-president) must be a student during the year
>> following election, not the year preceding election.
>> Arielle
>>
>> On 6/20/11, Mary Fernandez <trillian551 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hello All,
>>> Arielle thank you so much for your informative and clear post; it
>>> really got to the heart of what I was trying to get at.
>>> The Constitution of any organized body, if well written, allows for
>>> clear specifications while being flexible enough for interpretation by
>>> the body of that organization. If a Constitution is to specific and
>>> constricting it might limit the potential of the organization, however
>>> by allowing for interpretation, it insures a structure that can be
>>> molded to fit the interests and needs of the organization. It is the
>>> duty of the membership of that body to uphold the Constitution. As
>>> elections draw closer I think that it is important for those who are
>>> voting to be familiar with at least the very basic requirements that
>>> we have written out in the NABS Constitution. And after doing so, that
>>> those we elect fit those Constitutional requirements. This brief
>>> excerpt for example, clearly states that anyone running for the
>>> positions of President and vice President must be students for a year
>>> proceeding their election. Personally, this is important to me. If we
>>> are an organization of Blind Students, then it follows logically, that
>>> I would want a Blind Student heading this organization. Well, what is
>>> a student? How strictly or ambiguously should we interpret that
>>> definition?
>>> To me, a student is someone who is,  in some way furthering their
>>> education. Whether it is in a training center, in graduate school, or
>>> in a part time capacity, or even planning to go abroad to do research,
>>> they are furthering their education. I have a harder time being
>>> convinced that someone who has a full time job and isn't enrolled in
>>> any academic classes, truly qualifies as a student. But there are many
>>> who disagree and have valid arguments for doing so. The point of this
>>> post for me, was to have all of us think about what we want in a
>>> leader, and to encourage us to ask questions of those who have stepped
>>> up and declared their intention to run for a NABS office.
>>> The point of a constitution is to provide structure to a body. It is a
>>> document that directly reflects what the majority of the membership
>>> thinks is important in the governing of their organization. If we
>>> consciously believe that there should be an amendment to a
>>> Constitution, then we should speak up and make that conscious
>>> decision. However, a Constitutional clause should not just be ignored
>>> because we are not responsible in the upholding of that document. If
>>> we begin to ignore what we at one point believed was important, we are
>>> letting the structure of our organization collapse. And without a
>>> structure what will be left?
>>> I'm not saying that we should not change and grow as our needs,
>>> thoughts and priorities change, but we should do so consciously and
>>> not because we do not know and do not care about our Constitution.
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Mary Fernandez
>>>
>>> On 6/18/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> I agree that  this constitutional clause is a bit ambiguous and could
>>>> be made more concrete in its application. The way I have seen it
>>>> interpreted is that candidates may run for the board if they intend to
>>>> be a student in either the fall term, spring term, or both in the year
>>>> following their election. So, someone who is not enrolled in fall, but
>>>> who is enrolled in spring is technically eligible under this
>>>> interpretation. The constitution also allows for people to finish out
>>>> their elected terms if they graduate mid-term, which happens
>>>> frequently. However, after graduation, the candidate is not eligible
>>>> to run for a second term, unless they plan to enroll in a different
>>>> educational program at that time.
>>>> The phrase "in school" has been interpreted quite loosely so that
>>>> part-time students or students at NFB training centers are eligible
>>>> for election.
>>>> I would support a discussion of how the membership wants to define
>>>> student status, and what they feel is necessary to be an appropriate
>>>> elected representative for the student division. For instance, I might
>>>> be willing to entertain the argument that people who have recently
>>>> graduated can still be appropriate representatives for NABS, since
>>>> much of the material we cover in NABS is relevant to young
>>>> professionals as well.
>>>> The other problem, though, is that this constitutional clause has not
>>>> been strictly enforced, and more than once, individuals have been
>>>> elected to the board despite having no intention to be in school
>>>> during the year following election. It is up to the membership to
>>>> challenge the eligibility of candidates they believe do not meet the
>>>> criteria, either because  they are not blind or because they are not
>>>> students. If someone is nominated for a position and a NABS member
>>>> challenges that candidate's eligibility, the membership can discuss
>>>> and vote on whether or not that particular candidate is eligible to
>>>> run. As far as I know, this is the only way to enforce constitutional
>>>> rules on eligibility, since the NABS president, as a non-voting chair
>>>> of the election, cannot do so. If we as an organization believe it is
>>>> important to have our leadership be made up only of students, then it
>>>> is our responsibility to ensure this happens-by not seeking election
>>>> to the board unless we will be students and by challenging  the
>>>> eligibility of those who attempt to run despite not being students.
>>>> If, on the other hand, we as a membership are not particularly
>>>> concerned about the student status of our board, then we can always
>>>> amend the constitution to drop that clause.
>>>> Arielle
>>>>
>>>> On 6/17/11, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Elizabeth,
>>>>>
>>>>> By her subject line, I think Mary was trying to ask our opinions
>>>>> on this part of the NABS constitution.  Hope this helps!
>>>>>
>>>>>  Chris
>>>>>
>>>>> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)
>>>>> To learn more about Camp Abilities and find a local camp near
>>>>> you, just click on this link to their national Web site:
>>>>> www.campabilities.org.
>>>>>
>>>>> The I C.A.N.  Foundation helps visually impaired youth in
>>>>> Maryland have the ability to confidently say "I can!" How? Click
>>>>> on this link to learn more and to contribute:
>>>>> www.icanfoundation.info.
>>>>>
>>>>>  Sent from my BrailleNote
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:00:47 -0400
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Thoughts?
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello Marry,
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for reminding all of us the duties associated with being
>>>>> elected to
>>>>> the NABS board.  Since the subject line of your message seems to
>>>>> imply a
>>>>> question of some kind, do you have any particular questions about
>>>>> this
>>>>> specific section of the constitution? I am simply asking because
>>>>> I am not
>>>>> quite sure what your purpose was for posting this to the list.
>>>>> Was it simply
>>>>> a reminder for those who may be seeking election this year, or
>>>>> did you have
>>>>> some questions about it?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Elizabeth
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>> From: "Mary Fernandez" <trillian551 at gmail.com
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9:20 AM
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Thoughts?
>>>>>
>>>>>  ARTICLE IV--Officers and Their Duties
>>>>>  "The President and Vice Presidents of this organization must be
>>>>> blind.
>>>>>  ...  All officers and board members must be in school for one
>>>>> year
>>>>>  following
>>>>>  their election.  "
>>>>>  for the complete NABS Constitution visit www.nabslink.org
>>>>>  -- Sincerely,
>>>>>  Mary Fernandez
>>>>>  President: Georgia Association of Blind Students
>>>>>  Emory University 2012
>>>>>  P.O.  Box 123056
>>>>>  Atlanta Ga.
>>>>>  30322
>>>>>  Phone: 732-857-7004
>>>>>
>>>>>  "It's not worth doing something unless someone, somewhere, would
>>>>> much
>>>>>  rather you weren't doing it."
>>>>>  Terry Pratchett
>>>>>
>>>>>  _______________________________________________
>>>>>  nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>  nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>  http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>  To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>> info for
>>>>>  nabs-l:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lizmohnke
>>>>> %40hotmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>> for nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dotkid.nu
>>>>> sbaum%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>>>> Email:
>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>> Website:
>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/trillian551%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Mary Fernandez
>>> President: Georgia Association of Blind Students
>>> Emory University 2012
>>> P.O. Box 123056
>>> Atlanta Ga.
>>> 30322
>>> Phone: 732-857-7004
>>>
>>> "It's not worth doing something unless someone, somewhere, would much
>>> rather you weren't doing it."
>>> Terry Pratchett
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Arielle Silverman
>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>> Email:
>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>> Website:
>> www.nabslink.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/trillian551%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> Mary Fernandez
> President: Georgia Association of Blind Students
> Emory University 2012
> P.O. Box 123056
> Atlanta Ga.
> 30322
> Phone: 732-857-7004
>
> "It's not worth doing something unless someone, somewhere, would much
> rather you weren't doing it."
> Terry Pratchett
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/clb5590%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Cindy Bennett
B.A. Psychology, UNC Wilmington

clb5590 at gmail.com
828.989.5383