[nabs-l] Lack of communication

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Ashley,

I agree with what you're saying, but if we were to start talking about
our lives outside of this listserve- family, hobbies, what we did last
weekend- some of us would get prompt responses about how our post was
inappropriate to this list. *wicked grin* Apparently I feel like a pot
mixer tonight.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

Message: 13
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 12:07:34 -0400
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Lack of Communication
Message-ID: <B3D6056AF58A4C0A8897C9EEBAFABABB at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
	reply-type=original

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