[nabs-l] Lack of communication

[Ashley Bramlett]

Bridgit,
Acording to Arielle's note, student division members can be young adults, 
not necessarily students. I am not sure about the officers. But in Virginia, 
officers have to be students for one year following their election.

She said
"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. "

As to communication, its an issue. Months of no response is unreasonable 
buta few days is okay.
Remember this thread started because Joshua did not receive a response in 
two days. I think one needs to wait a bit longer than publicly saying 
something about it.
But I agree that weeks or months is too long and is unprofessional. Being a 
leader means you take on the responsibility of leading and communicating 
with members.

My suggestion is that next election you vote for new leaders if you do not 
like the current ones. Also be consistent. If you do not get a response in a 
week, call the following weeks on the same day. Also try multiple leaders. 
If one doesn't respond, call someone else on the board.  Suggest ways to 
communicate. In Virginia we have the website with major events on the 
calendar and chapter locations. The meetings and events are announced in the 
newsletter, NFB Vigilant. State events like the board meeting and convention 
are announced on the list serv.
Finally, most chapters have an email announcement list and the leader sends 
out this announcement.

Also, while email is an efficient way to get to many people with 
communication, not everyone has email or a computer and not everyone can use 
a computer. So be sure to call those who cannot do it electronically. In the 
days before email, there were phone trees. We did this in girl scouts. The 
leader would start the message by calling person A; then A would call B and 
so on. This way the leader did not have to call a dozen people.

I know what you mean of lack of communication. If I get no response, I try 
someone else or just stop trying.

Ashley


-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 5:27 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Lack of communication

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:

<CALAYQJALaZWzcjSqeG6_7bd=OOezN2NjqY5vLOHhyd29m+1RuA at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

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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