[nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions

[Jorge Paez]

I think that will be much like the question asked earlier about how we deal with people who are blind but have other disabilities.
And in the same way that some used to complain about the NFB's focus on technology.

I think what we do and how we do it may change slightly from generation to generation, but any change is good, as long as we keep our founding principles in mind.



Jorge



On Mar 10, 2011, at 8:04 PM, Darian Smith wrote:

> Lol of course,
> I honestly do believe everything in it's place, and find your place
> within those places.
> 
> If you can get involved in a local chapter, then please do.  I think
> that with younger members getting involved in the organization, it's a
> give  and take type of thing, in  that newer  members should  be as
> open to teaching and learning as older members  should be.   Sometimes
> the politics in state affiliates and in  chapters (often they play on
> each other) can drive younger folks away.  These are the folks, that
> see all that is wrong in society and think " why are we fighting over
> [these things], when [these things] are  the root of the whole
> problem?"
>  And this brings  us back to what seems to be an age old question.
> How can  you    build new rooms onto an existing house when you are
> not sure that that house can withstand the new construction?
> I think you  get  the idea, and with everything  that we do, we want
> to respect what has been,  create  the new, and marry the both when
> possible.
> 
> 
> On 3/10/11, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Darian,
>> 
>> Oh, come on now.  Just because I admitted I was okay with divisions does not
>> mean I advocated divisions should supplement or even replace local chapters.
>> If I were to rank them, local chapters would absolutely be at the top of the
>> priority list for several reasons.  First, they give you a greater frequency
>> to see your fellow members.  Second, they are ultimately the organizations
>> that carry our message to the greater community.  Third, it's because
>> chapters are mostly run by older people that young people should get in
>> there and learn everything they can about why things are the way they are
>> from these veterans, and finally, chapters provide the best perspective to
>> learn about leadership skills you cannot readily achieve from national
>> divisions.  Where as divisions might be considered the arms of the
>> organization, never doubt that the heart of the NFB lies in its chapters,
>> and if things like poor follow-through, lack of planning or lack of
>> organization are keeping students from investigating their local chapters,
>> you should get in their and change it into what you think a smooth chapter
>> should operate like.  Students usually have a million reasons not to attend
>> chapter meetings, but when you leave school, life only gets more demanding.
>> If you are not motivated now, you will not feel compelled later, and the
>> middle age gap that appears to have filled the NFB will continue to prevail.
>> I won't be a hypocrite and tell you I am an avid participant of my local
>> chapter.  I stopped attending after my work and school schedule no longer
>> allowed it, but then again, I'm not claiming to be the hard working member I
>> once was either.  I'll come back eventually in all my controversial glory,
>> and when I do, it won't be to find out how to help a division or even an
>> affiliate board.  It'll be how to strengthen my local chapter, and if one
>> doesn't exist, it'll be to set up the best damn chapter that ever did
>> breathe.  Meanwhile, I hope to do what I can to help the NFB by way of my
>> small business.  See?  I can, sometimes, write shorter posts. LOL
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> 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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> 
> 
> -- 
> Darian Smith
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> 
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