[nabs-l] In opposition of divisions
Bridgit Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com
Fri Mar 11 22:10:49 UTC 2011
I did not intend to post on this again, but I would like to bring
something up for consideration.
You say that many areas do not have active chapters, and many chapters
lack the ability to function in the capacity that some divisions can.
I argue that, perhaps, if more effort-- on the organization's part as
well as individuals members-- to support chapters and help them grow and
flourish, we would find chapters have the ability to function in many
aspects that you say are not possible.
Perhaps the divisions have thinned the growth of chapters because we no
longer have to participate as an actual Federationist to feel like we
are supporting causes and initiatives. Please note the word, "feel."
People can now flock to divisions-- many which do not directly take
action to further these causes and initiatives-- but because they are
associated with the Federation, people feel plugged in.
I don't know how many email list I have seen where a person post
information or comments about legislative issues, NFB programs, and the
like-- only to be met with replies about how this list is not the
appropriate forum in which to address that news . In fact, I believe
when Joe brought up his blind driver challenge comments he mentions in
his post here, (this was another list) the same happened. This displays
the pulse for the masses considering themselves Federationist, or
associates of the organization.
I can only draw from my own experience, but I have witnessed year after
year the number of students who participate in NABS activities, but
never step foot in a chapter event or even an affiliate one for that
matter. NABS is important, but when its members fail to understand the
infrastructure of the organization they belong to, yes, I have problems
with this.
We claim to, "boast over 50,000 members," yet our conventions do not
exceed 2500, and our chapters often flounder due to the lack of
involvement from people in the communities, yet, where does this number
derive from?
Believe it or not, the chapters are meant to be the foundation of the
NFB. Chapters should draw in fresh membership; chapters should help
mold the philosophy we encourage; chapters should provide awareness and
action to the important issues; chapters should link members with the
proper resources including divisions. Instead, many chapters flounder,
and some fail, while divisions-- not all, but some-- receive promotion
that places chapters on the outskirts.
Joe commented on how other national organizations do not create
divisions. These organizations thrive on their chapters. Their work
and mission is accomplished by chapter members. They do not require
specialized divisions to provide information and resources, and to seek
support and equality with their endeavors.
Federation divisions originally were established because society did not
feel it necessary to include blind people in its construction. The NFB
created an environment where the blind could seek support, comiseration
and information about various interest-- professionally, academically
and recreationally-- but as Joe pointed out, the day has past when most
pursuits barr the blind, or if they do, legal action can be taken.
Now let me explain myself. I am by no means suggesting we have nothing
to fight for, nothing to oppose. We are still finding discrimination an
active part of society. I joined the NFB because I was sick of dealing
with society's perceptions. People accept me and the fact that I can
accomplish things, but most still think it is tedious and inefficient
for me to accomplish anything without sight. I seek true acceptance and
equality. We see this attitude everyday from employers refusing the
hire blind people, to schools limiting what blind kids can and can not
do, to national groups taking legal action against us, the NFB. And I
ask, what do most divisions do to combat this? Or what do they do to
help push legislation or educational efforts? Few do. Yet, this is the
basis of what chapters should do at the very least.
We could encourage members and potential members to participate in their
local chapters, and if one does not exist, develop one, so they can
further the goals that bring equality, acceptance and accessibility to
the blind. Instead, we have thousands of members floating around in
national divisions often unaware of what is happening outside a
particular division, and in no way participating in activities that
promote what the Federation stands for.
It should not take separate divisions to instill the importance of
issues. Students, parents, guide dog users, employees do not
necessarily require their own group to advance research or support
causes important to them. I argue that chapters have the potential to
act in each stead and call us to arms. The problem is that many of us
do not view chapters this way. I see this happening with my own chapter
where members begin to think the chapter is its own entity and only
functions to support causes specific to itself. This is backwards
thinking though. If all the people who currently participate solely in
divisions because they are seeking specific interest, would join a local
chapter, think of how much could be accomplished.
Arielle points out the importance of mentoring. This is vital to any
organization like the NFB. Mentoring is the link that cultivates growth
and stamina, but, once again, this is something chapters can do if more
members involved themselves. Many states lack the resources and
manpower to sustain divisions which means anyone belonging to a national
division may not have access to mentors through that division alone-- at
least not locally. Chapters stand a better chance-- or they should-- of
growing because the organization is based on the tiered idea of a
national head with state affiliates governing their areas and local
chapters policing for new members and ways to maintain membership. This
is why every year, during convention, a seminar is held discussing new
and inovative methods to create growth among chapters.
There was a time when multiple divisions in the Federation did not
exist, yet they did not lack growth nor the ability to further goals.
People had to join and, like it or not, they were aware of core issues
and philosophy because chapters reported on the heart of the
organization as well as taking action to promote and advocate these
goals.
I will say this: The student division and Parents of Blind Children
division seem to be two of the more vital divisions needed within the
Federation. Not only are these groups active-- at least at a national
level-- but they focus on specific concerns that must be addressed in
the world. Education must occur as early as possible, and when we reach
a population that allows for this exposure, the better chance we have to
ensure future generations will carry the torch with full belief in the
abilities of the blind.
I am not necessarily making an argument against divisions, but I am
argueing that we must encourage more growth among chapters. Trust me,
if we lose chapters, we will see the Federation grow stale. If we do
not cultivate the foundations on which this organization was built, we
will not withstand the test of time.
What Joe and others are merely attempting to do is to sharpen our
minds-- get us thinking and moving. We learn from the past, but without
thinking towards the future, we can not experience longevity. We must
consider all options and avenues even if they seem impossible or
ludacris. Complacency is not an option we should be ready to accept.
At the risk of droning on and on, I will sign off. Besides, I am
getting sleepy and my coherancy is beginning to wane, if it ever exist!
*smile*
Bridgit
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:36:04 -0500
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>, "National Association of Blind Students
mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID: <F29C50DAD032418489AF0F6084C0BC60 at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Joe,
Well, I do hope you stay despite your personal and professional
commitments;
you lend a perspective from an insider's view since you were more
involved
once in the student division.
I do agree with you that many divisions only exist
because NFB funds their efforts. It would be great if they fundraised
more
and did more on their own within the context of the NFB constitution. I
also agree that technology fulfills a need for communication, and
continues to grow with the times. More and more options are available
to
read and send emails on the go.
You raise some wonderful points and if I addressed them all, this email
would be a book.
I'll counter argue one point. Nfb divisions need to exist for the
networking
and mentoring that occurs with similar minded people.
Students are a minority and our issues may get lost if we didn't have a
collective voice and division to bring them to the national table. I
enjoyed going to the student seminars as part of washington seminar. I
got a lot out of the speeches for encouragement and tips on college
success.
In many areas of the state chapters do not exist or are not active. Even
if they exist, they have older working or retired adults who do not
think of student issues and frustrations.
So divisions fill a need that I see is not met elsewhere in nfb. Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Orozco
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 4:58 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Subject: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Arielle, and others,
Thank you for a well-written and compelling post. You certainly gave it
more thought than I ever meant for my outlandish notion to deserve, but
so long as you're entertaining my far-flung ideas, I'll give you a
little more analysis to better help you and others understand my
rationale.
For people to understand my point about divisions, they will need to
understand my theory on membership behavior. As technology expands, and
as we move further into an age of conveniences, it's only going to
become more difficult to motivate people to action and do the grunt work
that is necessary to make it possible for such a large organization to
accomplish significant tasks. Our generation does not have to fight the
tangible battles that our founders did to bring about better conditions.
True, things could be better for us today, but it would appear that we
have not faced the same deplorable challenges our current leadership
faced in their age to do things like entering and graduating from
college, things we take for granted today. We live in an era where
technology has sufficiently advanced to the point where we can complete
assignments with reasonable comfort. In fact, in another post I might
elaborate on an argument that for all its advantages, technology may be
partially responsible for the persistent unemployment rate among the
blind, because it provides a sense of productivity without actually
motivating blind people to be productive. In addition to technology, we
have a fairly decent set of laws and policies that protect persons with
disabilities, and so when faced with glaring adversities, we need only
find a group willing to take the issue to court and rectify the wrong.
Naturally, there are advantages to this sort of protection, but it also
promotes a sense of entitlement among the up and coming generation.
Young people know that they do not have to belong or participate in a
consumer group to enjoy the privileges that these groups have worked to
establish. Positive outcomes can be obtained through apps and lawsuits.
What this means in the context of the current discussion is that a lot
of people attend conventions to reconnect with people more than they do
to actively work toward resolving fundamental challenges. The
challenges that are most likely to be appealing are those that,
ironically, trace back to technology like the Kindle that would not read
or the airport kiosk that will not speak or the car that must one day
drive, and even these are challenges we can conveniently use technology
to advocate from our homes. Why attend national conventions when one can
listen to live streams of the event? Why visit our representatives'
district offices to speak on pertinent issues when one can send an
e-mail or lift a telephone? As technology continues to catch up to our
most basic desires, and even more importantly, as technology allows us
to fulfill our need for communication more conveniently, the less urgent
it becomes to do things like physically attending national conventions
and the less real those fundamental challenges around which conventions
are organized become.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with human interaction. It's healthy
and should be actively sought; however, one has to wonder where to draw
the line between doing the work of what blind people need and merely
providing a stage for what blind people want. We've seen how
conventions have been gradually reduced in length, and so the
diminishing time that we do have available amongst ourselves should be
put to productive use. In my opinion, this should mean actively
brainstorming ways to ensure that all the resolutions that are passed at
convention are actually fulfilled or significantly moved along as
opposed to constructing what generally amount to be nothing more than
position statements on current issues. I think we would achieve this if
we collapsed the division meeting schedule from the fanciful to the most
relevant.
You say that divisions are important first because they "facilitate the
mentoring and networking that is such an integral part of what we do."
While I am a huge fan of mentoring and networking, I believe both
services are met within local chapters and affiliates which do more to
meet our integral purpose around the clock than divisions can achieve
once or twice a year. To my knowledge, the NFB and ACB are the only
organizations that are as thinly spread as they are with their vast
menus of associations of this and divisions of that. If I were a
conspiracy theorist, I might wonder if the NFB has allowed so many
special interest groups to exist because they serve as a distraction
when fundamental progress is not achieved, but seriously, do we know of
any national organization that in addition to chapters, allows for so
many special interest groups?
Your second reason for promoting divisions is that they "inform the rest
of the organization about what advocacy issues matter and how to tackle
them." Again, with strong chapters and affiliates the same can be
achieved, perhaps with even better results because they can report on
issues from a local perspective. The National Center has the staff and
resources to not only monitor but react to developing issues. We do not
need e-mail lists to be associated with divisions for there to be e-mail
lists. We do not need to water down the convention agenda to allow for
division meetings that will cover the same concerns that could be openly
debated on the convention floor.
In other words, there is no element of uniqueness in either of these two
points. If the divisions disappeared tomorrow, the same level of
mentorship and networking and advocacy could occur. The National Center
could fashion departments around the four or five core issues under
which all divisions fall, organize roundtable discussions at conventions
to flesh out the current concerns of the day, save a little money by
maintaining a tighter convention, and still keep the activities we all
love and attend like the Louisiana play, the mock trial, and other
favorites.
If the various associations still want to exist, they can pay for
meeting space to coincide alongside the NFB convention or even pick
their own meeting sites and dates completely removed from the convention
altogether. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the
National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the National PTA are
just three examples of people who felt strongly enough about their
issues to form their own groups, plan their own conventions and make
great strides. One might even argue that separation from the NFB might
actually achieve the bonus of attracting more members if only because
some people do not come to conventions by virtue of them being hosted by
the NFB. To me it would seem that our current divisions are only able
to exist because the NFB is able to fund their efforts, and that, to me,
smells like baby-sitting.
I gave you the scenic tour of my rationale because the discussion
originally started in the context of the future of the NFB. In some
ways the organization has grown so large as to make the discussion of
one item impossible without touching on another, but in other ways the
organization has grown so thin as to make its actual size smaller than
we may know. My projection is that convention attendance in Orlando
will be slightly larger by virtue of the city where the convention is
being held. I do not think the attendance rate would be the same if the
convention had returned to Dallas for a consecutive year, and what does
that really tell you about the organization's productivity? Times are
changing, both in terms of how we act and communicate, and if Brice's
teacher's observation is correct, there will be differences among blind
people themselves. This means we should evaluate the capital of our
resources to see where we are performing well and where we are just
exhausting efforts as is the case with NFB divisions.
Now, having written all that, let me let you in on a secret that I can
afford to pass along since my days on the student lists are numbered.
The discussions are fantastic, but now that school is behind me, there
are too many personal and professional endeavors from which I should not
be allowing myself to be so easily distracted! Besides, only a few
people will have gotten this far in my rambling, so the secret will not
really get out unless you're a snitch.
I mean, Let's be serious. You and I know that divisions will not go
away just because I think they can be a potential drain on resources.
So why bother writing an elaborate case against them? Because it is
only through learning how to respond to opposing views that the
organization will remain strong. It is far easier to readily agree than
it is to coherently disagree. The majority of people who raise
opposition to the NFB's way of doing things usually do it from outside
the NFB and are almost always morons working with nothing more
substantive than hearsay, whereas I can write from firsthand knowledge
to hopefully push you to think outside the box in defense of what you
believe. Yes, I have my concerns about the future about the NFB, and I
genuinely believe that some of our leaders are about as useful as teats
on a bull, but I do not really think divisions are as threatening or a
waste of time as this post would lead you to believe. I could in fact
pull a U turn and argue against my own post line by line with equal
conviction. I'm really excited about the Blind Driver Challenge, but
last year I was curious to see how people would respond to my challenge
that the project is a waste of time and money. In a separate post, and
even in the current discussion, I advanced the controversial idea that
the NFB will cease to exist in fifty years. I had been hoping for
responses a little more vehement than what was said, because while today
some of you have argued for why divisions are necessary, tomorrow you
may need to argue for why the NFB itself is needed. This may sound
extreme, but remember that the ACB was partially born out of some
agencies' desire to see the NFB fail. We should not be lulled into
presuming that history is not capable of recurring wearing a different
outfit and toting the same intention.
So, if I can write long posts on both sides of an issue, what do I
really believe? I'll let you decide that for yourself. People assume
my loyalty to the cause is weak because of the posts I sometimes write.
I've never needed anyone's approval to know that I'm a loyal member and
would defend the organization when it comes down to the wire. If you
follow the NFB philosophy to the letter, you may help the organization
stay ahead. If you learn to defend it, you'll help the organization
stay there.
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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------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:36:48 -0800
From: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
To: jsorozco at gmail.com, National Association of Blind Students
mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID:
<AANLkTimchxdDJ3eHkWKTRC1fcQ8uJesa3tHTCX1pmaGd at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Joe,
you write too much! *smile*
Seriously, all.
Joe's point about chapters and the work they can do is the only
thing that really really jumped out at me.
Maybe the reason it did was because I actually need to get on with my
studying and other matters of the day that I've been multi- tasking
with thus far.
Chapters idealy should do the work of mentoring, but can you
counthow many chapters actually do make it a point to do this? I suspect
you could, and there would be the problem. I know that some do it,
but for the strong chapters that may exist, there are plenty of weak
ones. What I mean, is that for every chapter that meets, plans
activities and actually does them, there are probably five or six that
either don't plan anything, plan and don't follow through, or don't meet
so they can succeed or fail at the other two. I'm not suggesting (nor do
I think anyone is) that divisions should be a substitute for what
should happen on the state level, local level, or what does happen on
the national level at convention. What I would suggest, as is my
belief, is that if divisions are doing their job, they will support the
work of the organization, and of chapters (depending on if the division
is a state division or a national
division). Here's what I mean; On the national level, divisions
connect and contextualize information to people, helping bring people
into the greater organization. As well, those national divisions help
connect people to affiliates when they can, either formally, or
informally, as nabs does try to do. on the state level, state divisions
should connect people to chapters, and chapters to divisions, therefore
strenthening the collective power and ability for those affiliates to
mobilize, mentor, create, and overall do the good work that needs to
be done. I'm not sure that made sense... you be the judge.
Best,
Darian
On 3/10/11, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
> Arielle, and others,
>
> Thank you for a well-written and compelling post. You certainly gave
> it more thought than I ever meant for my outlandish notion to deserve,
> but so long as you're entertaining my far-flung ideas, I'll give you a
> little more analysis to better help you and others understand my
> rationale.
>
> For people to understand my point about divisions, they will need to
> understand my theory on membership behavior. As technology expands,
> and as we move further into an age of conveniences, it's only going to
> become more difficult to motivate people to action and do the grunt
> work that is necessary to make it possible for such a large
> organization to accomplish significant tasks. Our generation does not
> have to fight the tangible battles that our founders did to bring
> about better conditions. True, things could be better for us today,
> but it would appear that we have not faced the same deplorable
> challenges our current leadership faced in their age to do things like
> entering and graduating from college, things we take for granted
> today. We live in an era where technology has sufficiently advanced
> to the point where we can complete assignments with reasonable
> comfort. In fact, in another post I might elaborate on an argument
> that for all its advantages, technology may be partially responsible
> for the persistent unemployment rate among the blind, because it
> provides a sense of productivity without actually motivating blind
> people to be productive. In addition to technology, we have a fairly
> decent set of laws and policies that protect persons with
> disabilities, and so when faced with glaring adversities, we need only
> find a group willing to take the issue to court and rectify the wrong.
> Naturally, there are advantages to this sort of protection, but it
> also promotes a sense of entitlement among the up and coming
> generation. Young people know that they do not have to belong or
> participate in a consumer group to enjoy the privileges that these
> groups have worked to establish. Positive outcomes can be obtained
> through apps and lawsuits.
>
> What this means in the context of the current discussion is that a lot
> of people attend conventions to reconnect with people more than they
> do to actively work toward resolving fundamental challenges. The
> challenges that are most likely to be appealing are those that,
> ironically, trace back to technology like the Kindle that would not
> read or the airport kiosk that will not speak or the car that must one
> day drive, and even these are challenges we can conveniently use
> technology to advocate from our homes. Why attend national conventions
> when one can listen to live streams of the event? Why visit our
> representatives' district offices to speak on pertinent issues when
> one can send an e-mail or lift a telephone? As technology continues
> to catch up to our most basic desires, and even more importantly, as
> technology allows us to fulfill our need for communication more
> conveniently, the less urgent it becomes to do things like physically
> attending national conventions and the less real those fundamental
> challenges around which conventions are organized become.
>
> There is absolutely nothing wrong with human interaction. It's
> healthy and should be actively sought; however, one has to wonder
> where to draw the line between doing the work of what blind people
> need and merely providing a stage for what blind people want. We've
> seen how conventions have been gradually reduced in length, and so the
> diminishing time that we do have available amongst ourselves should be
> put to productive use. In my opinion, this should mean actively
> brainstorming ways to ensure that all the resolutions that are passed
> at convention are actually fulfilled or significantly moved along as
> opposed to constructing what generally amount to be nothing more than
> position statements on current issues. I think we would achieve this
> if we collapsed the division meeting schedule from the fanciful to the
> most relevant.
>
> You say that divisions are important first because they "facilitate
> the mentoring and networking that is such an integral part of what we
> do." While I am a huge fan of mentoring and networking, I believe both
> services are met within local chapters and affiliates which do more to
> meet our integral purpose around the clock than divisions can achieve
> once or twice a year. To my knowledge, the NFB and ACB are the only
> organizations that are as thinly spread as they are with their vast
> menus of associations of this and divisions of that. If I were a
> conspiracy theorist, I might wonder if the NFB has allowed so many
> special interest groups to exist because they serve as a distraction
> when fundamental progress is not achieved, but seriously, do we know
> of any national organization that in addition to chapters, allows for
> so many special interest groups?
>
> Your second reason for promoting divisions is that they "inform the
> rest of the organization about what advocacy issues matter and how to
> tackle them." Again, with strong chapters and affiliates the same can
> be achieved, perhaps with even better results because they can report
> on issues from a local perspective. The National Center has the staff
> and resources to not only monitor but react to developing issues. We
> do not need e-mail lists to be associated with divisions for there to
> be e-mail lists. We do not need to water down the convention agenda
> to allow for division meetings that will cover the same concerns that
> could be openly debated on the convention floor.
>
> In other words, there is no element of uniqueness in either of these
> two points. If the divisions disappeared tomorrow, the same level of
> mentorship and networking and advocacy could occur. The National
> Center could fashion departments around the four or five core issues
> under which all divisions fall, organize roundtable discussions at
> conventions to flesh out the current concerns of the day, save a
> little money by maintaining a tighter convention, and still keep the
> activities we all love and attend like the Louisiana play, the mock
> trial, and other favorites.
>
> If the various associations still want to exist, they can pay for
> meeting space to coincide alongside the NFB convention or even pick
> their own meeting sites and dates completely removed from the
> convention altogether. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of
> America, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the
> National PTA are just three examples of people who felt strongly
> enough about their issues to form their own groups, plan their own
> conventions and make great strides. One might even argue that
> separation from the NFB might actually achieve the bonus of attracting
> more members if only because some people do not come to conventions by
> virtue of them being hosted by the NFB. To me it would seem that our
> current divisions are only able to exist because the NFB is able to
> fund their efforts, and that, to me, smells like baby-sitting.
>
> I gave you the scenic tour of my rationale because the discussion
> originally started in the context of the future of the NFB. In some
> ways the organization has grown so large as to make the discussion of
> one item impossible without touching on another, but in other ways the
> organization has grown so thin as to make its actual size smaller than
> we may know. My projection is that convention attendance in Orlando
> will be slightly larger by virtue of the city where the convention is
> being held. I do not think the attendance rate would be the same if
> the convention had returned to Dallas for a consecutive year, and what
> does that really tell you about the organization's productivity?
> Times are changing, both in terms of how we act and communicate, and
> if Brice's teacher's observation is correct, there will be differences
> among blind people themselves. This means we should evaluate the
> capital of our resources to see where we are performing well and where
> we are just exhausting efforts as is the case with NFB divisions.
>
> Now, having written all that, let me let you in on a secret that I can
> afford to pass along since my days on the student lists are numbered.
> The discussions are fantastic, but now that school is behind me, there
> are too many personal and professional endeavors from which I should
> not be allowing myself to be so easily distracted! Besides, only a
> few people will have gotten this far in my rambling, so the secret
> will not really get out unless you're a snitch.
>
> I mean, Let's be serious. You and I know that divisions will not go
> away just because I think they can be a potential drain on resources.
> So why bother writing an elaborate case against them? Because it is
> only through learning how to respond to opposing views that the
> organization will remain strong. It is far easier to readily agree
> than it is to coherently disagree. The majority of people who raise
> opposition to the NFB's way of doing things usually do it from outside
> the NFB and are almost always morons working with nothing more
> substantive than hearsay, whereas I can write from firsthand knowledge
> to hopefully push you to think outside the box in defense of what you
> believe. Yes, I have my concerns about the future about the NFB, and
> I genuinely believe that some of our leaders are about as useful as
> teats on a bull, but I do not really think divisions are as
> threatening or a waste of time as this post would lead you to believe.
> I could in fact pull a U turn and argue against my own post line by
> line with equal conviction. I'm really excited about the Blind Driver
> Challenge, but last year I was curious to see how people would respond
> to my challenge that the project is a waste of time and money. In a
> separate post, and even in the current discussion, I advanced the
> controversial idea that the NFB will cease to exist in fifty years. I
> had been hoping for responses a little more vehement than what was
> said, because while today some of you have argued for why divisions
> are necessary, tomorrow you may need to argue for why the NFB itself
> is needed. This may sound extreme, but remember that the ACB was
> partially born out of some agencies' desire to see the NFB fail. We
> should not be lulled into presuming that history is not capable of
> recurring wearing a different outfit and toting the same intention.
>
> So, if I can write long posts on both sides of an issue, what do I
> really believe? I'll let you decide that for yourself. People assume
> my loyalty to the cause is weak because of the posts I sometimes
> write. I've never needed anyone's approval to know that I'm a loyal
> member and would defend the organization when it comes down to the
> wire. If you follow the NFB philosophy to the letter, you may help
> the organization stay ahead. If you learn to defend it, you'll help
> the organization stay there.
>
> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/dsmithnfb%40gm
> ail.com
>
--
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
? Robert Byrne
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:04:17 -0800
From: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
Subject: [nabs-l] Fwd: Save AmeriCorps - Call on March 15th
Message-ID:
<AANLkTik8D0paaSqK1uJ+GBWjXiyUCtQR2emV5NHZC3N1 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
As an AmeriCorps alum, I am sharing this with you folks. I am sure you
kno that national service via government funded programs is in serious
trouble (as is about everything right about now). AmeriCorps programs
are a huge deal and help many people, organizations and local
governments/cities. As well, I'm sure most colleges have some form
ofAmeriCorps program on campus. Well, these things may go, and go
soon/fast. As a blind person, this was a great way, and probably the
only way I could give back to my country and not be involved in the
military. This is a messageI came upon, and wanted to share.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Darian Smith <ds94124 at aol.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:52:34 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fwd: Save AmeriCorps - Call on March 15th
To: dsmithnfb at gmail.com
-----Original Message-----
From: saveamericorps <saveamericorps at americorpsalums.org>
To: ds94124 <ds94124 at aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 10, 2011 2:02 pm
Subject: Save AmeriCorps - Call on March 15th
Hi Darian,
OnTuesday,March 15th, we are asking you, your friends, your family, your
neighbors,the milk man, and anyone else you can think of to make a call
toSaveService in America! Help us get the attention of the entire Senate
byoverwhelming their offices with phone calls asking them to support
AmeriCorpsand keep national service alive in America! Congresshas passed
a short-term spending bill that will avert a federal governmentshutdown
for two weeks. Before March 18th, Congress must reach a compromise onthe
FY11 budget. As you know, the House already voted to eliminate
AmeriCorpswhen they passed H.R. 1. This week, the Senate weighedin: the
vote on H.R. 1 and on the Democratic alternative failed. Now,
seriousnegotiations will follow, as the House and Senate try to make the
toughdecisions and find common ground. The question is: will the
FY11 budgetagreement fund AmeriCorps and Corporation for National and
Community Service? Thatis why, onMarch 15th, we are going to flood their
offices with calls telling them tosupport AmeriCorps and service. The
best part is, you don't even have to takeoff from work for this! You
can locate your Senators hereand find the phone number to their office.
When you call, simply tell them yousupport AmeriCorps, what it does for
the country, and that Congress should keepit funded in the next
year.Your voice matters! Youcan also continue to help support service by
submitting your personal testimonialsof service. We're preparing a
collection of these to give tothe Senate. Our best stories will show how
national service has shaped andchanged the U.S. for the better for the
last 45 years and cutting it now wouldbe a terrible mistake. For those
who have already contributed stories, thankyou! For those who haven't,
now is your chance to share! That'sall for now, but keep following us
onFacebookandTwitterforupdates. Keep on the great work and
don'tforget to call your Senator on March 15th and tell them to Save
Service! Serve On!
The AmeriCorps Alums Team
Support the fight to keep AmeriCorps going strong.Donate.
600 Means Street, Ste. 210 | Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 202.729.8186 | Fax:202.729.8100
This email was sent to 'ds94124 at aol.com' from AmeriCorps Alums. If
youwish to stop receiving email from us, you can simply remove yourself
byvisiting:
http://www.americorpsalums.org/general/opt.asp?e=ds94124@aol.com
--
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
? Robert Byrne
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:56:30 -0500
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID: <CDE953EE2CAF45ECAA279F001F2D770C at Rufus>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
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
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:04:39 -0800
From: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
To: jsorozco at gmail.com, National Association of Blind Students
mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID:
<AANLkTimnz-rS7Y5jLMhP69oXu3BZHU6W-0SWuyHcDcFv at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/dsmithnfb%40gm
> ail.com
>
--
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
? Robert Byrne
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:52:02 -0500
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID: <ED88642E91B7432F8862A7059D174B6D at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="Windows-1252";
reply-type=original
Yep, young folks are driven away by politics or something. For instance
in
my area there are two chapters near me. None of them have young
members; I
believe Corbb attended Potomac chapter but that's the only young one I
know
about.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Darian Smith
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 8:04 PM
To: jsorozco at gmail.com ; National Association of Blind Students mailing
list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/dsmithnfb%40gm
> ail.com
>
--
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
? Robert Byrne
_______________________________________________
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/bookwormahb%40ea
rthlink.net
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:52:56 -0600
From: Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] In Opposition to Divisions
Message-ID:
<AANLkTi=PDAsMtDFsTfO+y_2N02XPuoYaWxJS+Q78VfKA at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Darion, why did you use brackets, instead of parentheses?
On 3/10/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> 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
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/dsmithnfb%40g
>> mail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> Darian Smith
> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>
> "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
>
> ? Robert Byrne
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/jlester8462%40
> students.pccua.edu
>
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:48:32 -0500
From: Nary Fernandez <trillian551 at gmail.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] MAC and Gmail
Message-ID: <85E92010-264D-4533-9695-F4EAFE340E19 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
How do i sync my address book? I still havent mastered the mail app.
Thanks.
Mary Fernandez
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 10, 2011, at 2:09 PM, Ignasi Cambra <ignasicambra at gmail.com>
wrote:
> The most efficient way of using gmail is through the mail app included
> in Mac os x. If you sink your gmail address book with your Mac, email
> addresses will complete themselves when typing etc. This is very
> simple to do and it works a lot better than the gmail site, but it
> only makes sense if you are using your own Mac and not somebody
> else's.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 10, 2011, at 12:21 PM, Mary Fernandez <trillian551 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>> So I have a mac question. Usually when you start typing a name in
>> gmail it will automatically finish the address. Is there anyway to do
>> that on a mac? When i use safari with gmail, it won't let me
>> automatically complete the name. Thanks.
>>
>>
>> --
>> 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/ignasicambra%
>> 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/trillian551%40
> gmail.com
------------------------------
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End of nabs-l Digest, Vol 53, Issue 14
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