[nabs-l] a great article

[Chris Nusbaum]

Hi everyone,

As I try to learn more about both organizations, I have 
subscribed to both the Braille Monitor and the Braille Forum.  
The Monitor, as you know, is the Federation (NFB's)  publication 
and the Forum is the Council (or ACB's) publication.  I found a 
great article in July's Forum entitled "Fifteen Ways to Maximize 
your ACB Membership," giving fifteen tips on how to take 
advantage of all ACB (or any organization, for that matter) has 
to offer.  I think this could also apply to the Federation and to 
NABS or any other special-interest division, and is some good 
advice.  To be accurate, I added "or NFB" in parentheses to some 
parts of the article.  I have pasted the article below.  Any 
thoughts on this? I promise I'm not trying to force the ACB down 
your throats; in fact, I'm a Federationist in nature, but want to 
learn about both.  Here is the article.

15 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ACB (or NFB) MEMBERSHIP
  by Kenneth Semien Sr.
  All too often, people join organizations without taking
advantage of the opportunity to truly know intricate details of 
its purpose,
mission, and operating practices.  This can very well result in a 
lack of
participation and could ultimately result in a decision to 
forfeit what
could have been the ideal vehicle to enhance your life, build 
great
relationships and effectively share personal skills and abilities 
that can
make an enormous difference.  In an effort to encourage you to 
explore the
meaningful efforts of ACB, I have included the tips listed below 
to assist
you in being all you can be and help you join with others whose 
skills
complement yours.
  1.  Be inquisitive and don't hesitate to ask questions.
  2.  Become familiar with the history, mission, and purpose by
reviewing it often enough to be able to repeat it to others.  In 
turn
someone may realize that this is the organization they have been 
looking
for.
  3.  Make a personal commitment to identify ways to get 
involved.
  4.  Find out who the officers are and become acquainted with
them and their roles and responsibilities, as well as members you 
observe
actively participating in events and projects associated with our
organization.
  5.  Make your skills and abilities known to leaders of your
chapter, affiliate, or the president of our organization.
  6.  Make every effort to participate in chapter, state 
affiliate
and national meetings, seminars, conferences and conventions.
  7.  Inquire about available committees you may be able to serve
on to assist the organization in achieving its goals and 
objectives.  Seek
to join committees that allow you to utilize your skills and 
abilities in
the most effective and efficient manner.
  8.  If you have access to the Internet, sign up for up-to-date
news and announcements from all levels of our organization.  Ask 
a president
or member to tell you how to take advantage of this option.
  9.  Listen to or read publications/newsletters distributed by 
our
organization on all levels.  This is one of the best ways to 
learn about
useful resources, access inspirational stories, scholarships, 
awards, and
upcoming projects and events.
  10.  Identify special-interest groups that meet your personal
needs.  These groups provide you the opportunity to network with 
others
sharing common interests, such as your prior or current 
occupation, hobbies,
health concerns and so much more.
  11.  Obtain your own copy of the constitution and bylaws to 
learn
of the agreed-upon operating practices and procedures of our 
organization.
  12.  Prepare for future involvement as an officer by becoming
familiar with officer titles and duties.
  13.  Participate in conference calls to build your knowledge,
such as membership focus calls, periodic Office Hours conference 
calls with
the ACB president, committee calls, and special-interest group 
calls.
  14.  Explore the web sites of your chapter, state affiliate and
our national organization.  You may locate information on the web 
site that
you didn't think of inquiring about.
  15.  Pay your annual dues faithfully and encourage others to do
the same.
  The more you know and the more you become involved, the more 
you
will begin to know that you have joined a phenomenal organization 
that is
continuing to grow.  Have a great ACB (or NFB) adventure!

 Chris Nusbaum

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The 
real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that 
exists.  If a blind person has the proper training and 
opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a mere physical 
nuisance." -- Kenneth Jernigan (President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, 1968-1986.)

  Visit the I C.A.N.  Foundation online at: 
www.icanfoundation.info for
information on our foundation and how it helps blind and visually
impaired children in MD say "I can!"


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