[nabs-l] Lack of Communication

Fri Sep 9 16:07:34 UTC 2011

Hi Peter,
I got frustrated with lack of responses within my student division and that 
is why I really do not see NFB as much of a family. Great for overall 
national advocacy but when you have an individual problem at school due to a 
professor's attitude or you just need to have a technology question 
answered, you need the support of another blind individual who went through 
it. Yes it’s a
chronic problem all over the country. But come on, he asked the individual 
two days ago. Do you really feel that is enough time considering the student 
rep is also a student, family member, may sit on other student 
organizations, may have work, or may be studying for a test.
I don't feel we should be frustrated unless it has happened before or we 
have given it a few weeks.  Your suggestion of setting asside time to 
receive calls is a good one though.

I feel we need to balance our commitment to the NFB with our other life. I 
wonder just what some federationists do who belong to multiple chapters and 
take on so much? Do they have  a life outside NFB? I never saw you talk 
about work or family here.
Its important to live the philosophy which means doing what other sighted 
people do and educating the public while being involved in NFB.
If your  whole life is just blindness events, are you really educating the 
public and participating on terms of equality with your fellow peers?

It’s a problem of communication, but  I do not like the tone of be a loyal 
federationist
or else. Your right that the state president could assign other individuals 
to help him/her respond to questions/concerns.
However, I do not think naming names on a public archived list is right. It 
makes a bad situation worse. He could have just said he did not hear from 
his regional rep and asked what to do about it.

It’s a problem throughout the country and yes I hope its addressed because 
otherwise NFB will not be as strong. The key to effective organizations is 
good communication and with communication comes a plan of action and 
activities based on plans.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Peter Donahue
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 11:42 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Lack of Communication

Good morning everyone,

This is a chronic problem all over the country so I don't blame him for
being frustrated. The best way for affiliate board members to avoid being
called out publically is to respond to member issues and concerns in a
timely manner. The fact that individuals were called out on this list is a
symptom of a serious problem in this organization. If the problem is fixed
this wouldn't happen and activities and federation business would be delt
with in a more timely manner.

    The excuse that these are busy people with other commitments beyond the
NFB is a sorry one indeed. What happened to task assignment, and designated
calling hours. If someone knows they're going to be busy they can ask
another chapter or board member to handle inquiries from affiliate members.
They could also designate specific times during the day for those wanting to
reach a human being rather than a voicemail box to do so. Likewise if
there's a project to be done such as organizing a student division, planning
to broadcast a state convention, etc, the chapter or state president can
assign another person to work with the individual or group carrying out the
project so they can attend to other affiliate matters and their non-NFB
life. E-mail and voicemail are great but not when your messages go
unanswered. There is too much of this going on in this organization around
the country and it needs to stop!

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" <nabs-
l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Arkansas Association of Blind Students update

Communication problems calling out specific names probably shouldn't be
posted here. But general
questions about getting and building student associations would be alright.
I had a similar issue in Virginia. I'd call or email board members with no
response. The virginia association of blind students still has meetings at
state convention with a board. But I got disappointed in the group. A group
should do things and communicate with each other; a group meeting once a
year with no other plans was not useful to me. So I went through college and
advocated for myself and did what I could to succeed. This list was helpful
and still is, but the students in Virginia were not so helpful.
So I know what you mean about communication challenges; but you might want
to work that out with your state board members and/or regional rep.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Joshua Lester
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 4:43 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Arkansas Association of Blind Students update

Hi, it's Joshua Lester.
I still haven't heard from Candice Chapman, (my new regional
representative.)
I E-mailed her, 2 days ago.
I've asked my state president, but she hasn't responded either.
I don't know what else to do.
I've noticed that our other Arkansan isn't posting, anymore.
What's going on?
If anyone would be interested, he would be.
Thanks for your help.
Blessings, Joshua

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