[nabs-l] Lack of communication

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Bridgit and all,
There is no nationwide standard for student status; it's all up to the
constitution in one's particular student division. Generally, student
division presidents must be students or recent graduates (i.e.
students in the previous year) but other officer positions can be
students or not depending on how your state decides to write its
constitution. Even if young adult non-students cannot serve in office,
however, they can comprise an important part of a student division's
membership base. Many non-students are considering school, or are
recent graduates looking for jobs. They need the information and
networking student divisions offer as much as, or perhaps more than,
current students do.
Best,
Arielle

On 9/9/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Arielle,
>
> Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but don't student division officers
> have to be students? Perhaps this is just a rule in Nebraska, but my
> understanding has always been that officers must be students, with one
> non-student board member, and in order to begin a student division,
> obviously you would need at least three enrolled students, any school
> level. To me, young adults indicates twenty-something's who aren't
> necessarily enrolled in school.
>
> And why I'm on the topic, do officers have to be academic students, or
> is the definition looser? Like those enrolled in training centers or
> taking classes offered at community learning annexes.
>
> We do have to be aware that people have lives and are busy, but NFB
> leadership should be able to respond to members in timely fashions.
> Though volunteers, this is part of leadership duties. If leadership
> can't effectively communicate efficiently and timely, or at all, perhaps
> they need to revaluate their position as leader. Two, three days, sure,
> I say keep your pants on, but weeks, months, not at all, this is
> ridiculous and unprofessional. I have to agree with Peter about the time
> it takes to hear back from affiliate and chapter leaders at times.
>
> I'll probably get in trouble for this, but I' pretty much considered a
> renegade these days anyway, but we had a situation where a member needed
> to speak with top leaders in regards to submitting information for a NFB
> event. This member began contacting people six months before the
> deadline, but the top leaders did not respond until three days before
> the deadline. I have to say, this puts a bitter taste in my mouth.
> Sadly, this case was not the exception.
>
> A past chapter president rarely received feedback and information even
> when they requested it. This president grew, rightfully so, frustrated
> with the blatant lack of communication. Come on! A chapter president? In
> the case of the affiliate/chapter relationship, chapters can't be left
> as a lone island floating around in the ocean. Leaders need to be
> responsive, and if a particular person can't do it, then they need to
> ask another leader to handle it.
>
> It also goes both ways- chapters need to be working alongside
> affiliates. It's kind of like how local, state and federal government
> works. Maybe government references are not the best argument now that I
> think about it! LOL
>
> Leaders are super busy- my reasoning for stepping down from a lot this
> year- and everyone needs to understand this and be respectful of others
> time, but on the flip side of the coin, leaders should be as accessible
> to their membership as possible. Even a quick communication just saying
> hey, I got your email/call, don't have much time today, but how about
> this date? Sorry, but this is the responsibility of a leader in any
> organization.
>
> And I'm not talking about silly things or things not immediate. Again,
> up until June, I was uber involved, holding officer positions on two
> boards and on another committee. I get that side, but I see how
> unresponsive some people can be. It's not easy at the top, but you
> should know that going in. I love this organization and believe 100% in
> it's philosophy, but the lack of communication and organization I see
> often, is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and resolved as
> best it can.
>
> Then again, I'm a perfectionist so maybe I'm crazy! *grin* I'll say
> this, know one should let the lack of communication be the reason they
> leave, at least not right away. There's a lot of variables, and we have
> to ask how proactive are we being. As frustrating as this can be,
> getting huffy and stomping out doesn't fix anything.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> Message: 14
> Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 10:19:28 -0600
> From: Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> 	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Lack of Communication
> Message-ID:
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>
> Hi all,
> With all respect, I think it important to remember that student division
> building, while dear to our hearts, is not a life-or-death emergency.
> Good organizing is a process that happens over months, not days. So a
> little patience is in order here. Also, while state presidents and
> regional reps can offer helpful advice, the best way to organize a
> division is to find other students. A division can be formed with only
> three students: a president, VP, and secretary/treasurer. Do you know
> other blind students at your school? If not, why not go to all the local
> chapter meetings around your state and make announcements about your
> student division? Further, student divisions can include youth and young
> adults, not just currently enrolled students. Perhaps there are a couple
> young adults in one of your state's local chapters who would be
> interested in joining up. Best, Arielle
>
>
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