[nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB PS
Sandra Gayer
sandragayer7 at gmail.com
Mon Apr 14 06:03:42 UTC 2014
Hello,
Both sides could share their downloadable resources. There was never
anything stopping them!
Very best wishes,
Sandra.
On 4/14/14, Antonio Guimaraes <freethaught at gmail.com> wrote:
> Kaiti,
>
> I thought Unified English Braille would resolve interlibrary loans across
> countries. Smile.
>
> Oh, you're talking about the even more universal system of braille music,
> and libraries can't get it straight.
>
> One more reason for me to believe UEB was too much of a hype.
>
> Now we read the same braille as the Brits, but we can't get their books
> under our fingers. It goes both ways. I doubt NLS will just open up their
> collection for any blind person in the world. After all, the program is
> funded by the American government.
>
> But I digress.
>
> Antonio
>
> On Apr 4, 2014, at 11:52 AM, Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Sandra,
>>
>> I feel you on the library issue; I know a girl from the UK who is
>> about my age, and she's told me stories about things that have
>> happened to her RNIB books. However, as Darian says, I do wish we had
>> some of the transportation options that Europeans have. It would be
>> so nice to use a train to get from point A to point B, and though we
>> do have them in the U.S, we don't have many of them. Kind of
>> something silly, but I tend to travel a lot in the summers.
>>
>> Funny story though. Our music section of the Library of Congress
>> isn't as big as I would have hoped it would be. There aren't that
>> many books for my instrument. I tried to get an etude book in braille
>> music, and first was told that it didn't exist. Then I asked about
>> the second book in the series, even though I wasn't working on it yet,
>> and I was told that it had been brailled, but it would have to be
>> borrowed from RNIB and then shipped to me, a process which could take
>> a really long time to sort out between the two libraries. I wonder
>> why the two libraries can't interact more for the sharing of
>> materials?
>>
>> Do you guys have a counterpart to bookshare? Honestly, I prefer using
>> it to Web Braille, because I think the books are higher quality. I
>> also never use BARD so it's kind of pointless to even deal with it
>> when Bookshare is available.
>>
>> On 4/4/14, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Sandra,
>>> I'm sure that we have an appreciation for what we have. Many of us
>>> here
>>> have contributed in one way or another to what the NFB is today.
>>> I think this concern comes from a place where people care about what's
>>> going on and want to make a change, and hopefully this is what comes of
>>> it.
>>>
>>> Besides I'm sure that there are things people in Europe complain about
>>> that americans would roll their eyes at *smile*.
>>> Darian
>>> On Apr 4, 2014, at 12:41 AM, Sandra Gayer <sandragayer7 at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello again,
>>>> While I'm ranting about privaleges In America, you guys have web
>>>> Braille while we still have to put up with Braille books being bent in
>>>> half and sometimes ripped by members of our loving postal service.
>>>>
>>>> I'm sorry I'm coming across as a grumpy old woman before my time, hee
>>>> hee! I'm just saying, be greatful for what you have and if you don't
>>>> like having what the rest of us can only fantasize about, change what
>>>> you can. If that doesn't work, build your own organisation whereyou
>>>> can implement your ideas for change. I'm sure that's how The NFB
>>>> started; someone had a dream about how they could make the world a
>>>> better place for visually impaired people. From where I'm sitting,
>>>> they're not doing a bad job!
>>>>
>>>> Very best wishes,
>>>> Sandra.
>>>>
>>>> On 4/4/14, Sandra Gayer <sandragayer7 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>> It's hard for me to sit here and listen to all this. I'm in Europe and
>>>>> we don't have any of the opportunities you're complaining about;
>>>>> conventions, visually impaired leaders, independence philosophy etc.
>>>>> You could always live in England where there's disability specific
>>>>> hate crime! You wouldn't have any 'Youth Slams' to organise or
>>>>> complain about here, trust me! You certainly wouldn't have the luxury
>>>>> of criticising how a visually impaired national gathering is run
>>>>> because they are very rare here. As for visually impaired people at
>>>>> the top of an organisation, don't make me laugh!
>>>>>
>>>>> Very best wishes,
>>>>> Sandra.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 4/3/14, Antonio Guimaraes <freethaught at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Jedi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Extremely well said. Your ease with words, and adeptedness when
>>>>>> writing
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> mobile device both deserve my public acknowledgement for a job well
>>>>>> done.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> May I say, tongue in cheek, that you inspire me. Smiles.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Antonio M Guimaraes Jr.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Apr 2, 2014, at 10:32 PM, Jedi Moerke
>>>>>>> <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh my goodness! I have so many thoughts in my mind and have no idea
>>>>>>> where
>>>>>>> to start!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't want to get into the details here, but I can honestly say
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> have had my experience of disillusionment with the organization. I
>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>> that I felt an outsider, judged, not welcome, isolated, and like I
>>>>>>> had
>>>>>>> nothing to contribute that anyone wants in this organization. In
>>>>>>> short,
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> felt completely worthless and that I didn't belong. Were there
>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>> people and experiences in the organization that helped me to feel
>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>> way? Yes. But I also came to find that my expectations for life in
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> federation were also to blame.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My membership in the Nfb has radically changed my life for the
>>>>>>> better.
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> honestly don't think I would be the person I am without the
>>>>>>> knowledge
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> experience I have gained by my membership in it. Like many newcomers
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> organizations like the Nfb, I immediately became enamored with every
>>>>>>> aspect of the organization and initially felt that the organization
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> its members could not do wrong. Unfortunately, a few experiences
>>>>>>> radically
>>>>>>> shifted my opinion in the opposite direction and I felt completely
>>>>>>> disoriented. Self reflection caused me to recognize a few things
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> might be relevant to this discussion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> First, there is a difference between the ideals of the organization
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> the members of the organization. I believe the ideals of the
>>>>>>> Federation
>>>>>>> our sound. I believe that the Federation philosophy strives to
>>>>>>> support
>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>> blind people no matter the circumstance. Dr. Jernigan used to say
>>>>>>> that,
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> everything that matters, we are one. I really believe that is the
>>>>>>> attitude we all strive for. The reality is that we fall short
>>>>>>> sometimes
>>>>>>> for one reason or another. But that is no reason to quit. I really
>>>>>>> believe
>>>>>>> that it is better to stay and encourage members around us to strive
>>>>>>> toward
>>>>>>> our stated ideals rather than to leave with bitterness in our
>>>>>>> hearts
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> a bad attitude. And that is not to say that encouraging others
>>>>>>> toward
>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>> organizational ideals isn't challenging. I myself have faced that
>>>>>>> challenge and have come out better for it. To tell you the truth, I
>>>>>>> believe the membership I impacted also came out better as well. I
>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>> believe that we managed to build a stronger relationship as a
>>>>>>> result.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I also found that I had to look at the expectations I had for myself
>>>>>>> within the organization. I perceived a set of rules for perfection
>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> member of the organization. It took me a long time and quite a lot
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> personal agonizing to realize that my worth as a blind person and a
>>>>>>> member
>>>>>>> is not determined by how well I follow these rules. In fact, I
>>>>>>> decided
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> do away with these rules altogether. I am honestly much happier for
>>>>>>> it.
>>>>>>> In
>>>>>>> the process of my personal reflection, I learned that many other
>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the organization decided to throw away whatever rules they perceived
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> being a perfect Nfb member. And strangely, I started to recognize
>>>>>>> overtime
>>>>>>> that there really were no rules for Nfb perfection to begin with and
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> it was all in our heads. Are there judgmental people in the
>>>>>>> organization?
>>>>>>> Absolutely. However, I bet that they are probably judgmental in
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>> areas of their life as well. Not just in there Nfb membership. I say
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> hell with them. I can think of better things to do than worry about
>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>> That said, I do believe that the ideas we call Nfb philosophy make
>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>> good points and recommendations for what blind people can do to
>>>>>>> better
>>>>>>> themselves. I am living proof that many of these recommendations
>>>>>>> truly
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> make a difference. It's up to you whether or not you are willing to
>>>>>>> assess
>>>>>>> your own life to determine what recommendations will help you
>>>>>>> improve.
>>>>>>> Everyone has room to grow, so I encourage all of you too take down
>>>>>>> whatever defenses you may have and have a listen. You never know,
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> might find something helpful somewhere. And the stuff that isn't
>>>>>>> helpful
>>>>>>> to you and your situation? Don't worry about it. In fact, feel free
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> offer your own ideas. There are those who will not listen, but there
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> also plenty who will. You never know, your perspective may someday
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> added to our common philosophy. At the very least, your willingness
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> speak your ideas may make room for some other member of the
>>>>>>> Federation.
>>>>>>> But that can't happen if you decide to leave.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I want to say a few words about the shift our organization seems to
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> undergoing. I think that Steve had a point when he said that our
>>>>>>> organization is not the same organization from the 80s and 90s. The
>>>>>>> field
>>>>>>> of blindness has changed dramatically since then. More agencies are
>>>>>>> willing to work with us and many are wanting to learn from us. We
>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>> learned a lot about our capabilities in the last 20 or 30 years. We
>>>>>>> now
>>>>>>> know that we can drive a car or practice arts in the STEM fields.
>>>>>>> Technology has changed our lives in a number of ways making some
>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>> easier and some things more difficult. Lastly, the way we advocate
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> ourselves has changed a great deal as well. So naturally, the way
>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>> express ourselves is going to change. But that does not mean that
>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>> mission has changed. And yes, we have taken on a few initiatives
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> cost
>>>>>>> a lot of money. In the current budgetary climate, we do need to work
>>>>>>> harder at raising some funds in order to keep these initiatives
>>>>>>> afloat.
>>>>>>> That said, I believe the national organization recognizes that not
>>>>>>> everyone is as enthusiastic about fundraising as others. I think the
>>>>>>> national organizations goals for us as members is for each of us to
>>>>>>> participate in fundraising in whatever way we can even if our
>>>>>>> participation is quiet. Some of us take part via our own personal
>>>>>>> contributions. Others are able to persuade people outside of the
>>>>>>> organization to donate various sums of money. Some of us prefer to
>>>>>>> sell
>>>>>>> things for our chapters during convention or Deering meet the blind
>>>>>>> campaigns. Whatever it takes. I think the important thing is for you
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> what you can. Every little bit helps. It is likely that you may have
>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>> enthusiasm for some other part of our mission such as advocacy or
>>>>>>> public
>>>>>>> education. So spend your time on those efforts rather than moaning
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> our fundraising efforts. Trust me when I tell you that there are
>>>>>>> members
>>>>>>> who moan about our public education efforts. So it goes both ways
>>>>>>> really.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As a cane travel instructor, I was particularly struck by someone's
>>>>>>> comment regarding their suppose it inability to do structured
>>>>>>> discovery
>>>>>>> perfectly. I hate to disappoint you and all, but there is no perfect
>>>>>>> way
>>>>>>> to do structure discovery. Structure discovery is about teaching
>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>> the skills they need to make sense of the world and to act in it
>>>>>>> given
>>>>>>> their abilities and challenges. A teacher who is not sensitive to a
>>>>>>> person's challenges is no teacher at all. Likewise, a teacher who
>>>>>>> does
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>> push a student out of their comfort zone is no teacher at all. And
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>> doesn't really matter if that teacher is a travel instructor or a
>>>>>>> mentor
>>>>>>> at convention. The best teachers keep students in a sweet spot where
>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>> are definitely challenged, but not so challenged as to make the
>>>>>>> experience
>>>>>>> a total wash. If you are the student so to speak and find yourself
>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> teacher who either doesn't push you or who pushes you beyond your
>>>>>>> ability,
>>>>>>> then it is your responsibility to find somebody who can keep you in
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> sweet spot. It is also up to you to recognize the difference between
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> actual challenges and those that are self-imposed. As a final
>>>>>>> thought,
>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>> you do structure discovery perfectly, then you are probably doing it
>>>>>>> wrong
>>>>>>> anyway as structured discovery is never perfect, and that is true no
>>>>>>> matter what kind of blind person you are.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> At the risk of babbling, let me finish my commentary by saying that
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>> of you who have felt displaced as members of our organization are
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>> alone. Many of us have had that experience and I think it comes with
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> territory of being one member among many within a vast organization
>>>>>>> whose
>>>>>>> membership succumbs to human failings. I suggest you keep talking to
>>>>>>> people about your experience as you will likely find someone who has
>>>>>>> been
>>>>>>> there and who can be both a support system and an advisor to you as
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> what you might do to find your place among us once again. Like I
>>>>>>> said,
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> have been there before and I am still working on finding my place.
>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>> really sure when or how I will get there, but I am still confident
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> will nonetheless.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Respectfully,
>>>>>>> Jedi
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Apr 1, 2014, at 6:28 PM, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>> There has been some wonderful discussion here, and I'm sorry if I
>>>>>>>> somehow
>>>>>>>> repeat something that has been said, as i have not been able to get
>>>>>>>> quite
>>>>>>>> caught up on every message. nonetheless, Joe once again has
>>>>>>>> brought
>>>>>>>> up a host of great points, an I feel compelled to jump in here.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It has been mentioned that the organization seems to focus on two
>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>> primarily; 1. fundraising, and 2. recruiting new members.
>>>>>>>> I think both things are very important, but they should go hand
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> hand
>>>>>>>> with being exemplary stewards of our funds and a true effort
>>>>>>>> towards
>>>>>>>> accepting /retaining our current membership. different people take
>>>>>>>> different things from the organization. Some love what we do and
>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> be a part of it, others can't give time but can give money, some
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>> money but time, some want to be leaders and nothing more, some want
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> members with no responsibility in the organization.
>>>>>>>> Honestly, I think it's very important that we continue to make an
>>>>>>>> effort
>>>>>>>> to accept people where they are in their blindness and meet their
>>>>>>>> needs/answer questions where appropriate. doing these things over
>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>> will allow for us to be able to come to know our fellow members as
>>>>>>>> people, as friends and this is what keeps people around.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Some of us feel like we don't have a real connection with people
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>>> chapter, or affiliate and this is truly disheartening. Sometimes
>>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>>> need
>>>>>>>> to reach out to the right person, sometimes there is more that we
>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> and simply giving up won't solve the problem. It of course is
>>>>>>>> totally
>>>>>>>> possible that for whatever reason the leadership isn't very
>>>>>>>> receptive
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> new people or new ideas. If you believe in what the federation
>>>>>>>> stands
>>>>>>>> for and believe what we do is worth the time you are willing to
>>>>>>>> give,
>>>>>>>> then finding the right outlet in some part of the organization is
>>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>>> important, and I hope that everyone here does this.
>>>>>>>> it is my opinion that we each has something unique to offer the
>>>>>>>> movement.
>>>>>>>> some of us are fundraisers, some of us are natural leaders, some of
>>>>>>>> us
>>>>>>>> know how to network, and in the grass-roots community work that we
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>> of these things are important.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Darian
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 30, 2014, at 11:00 AM, Arielle Silverman
>>>>>>>>> <arielle71 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi Joe,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have not been following the
>>>>>>>>> Braille Monitor that closely but I can understand what you are
>>>>>>>>> saying
>>>>>>>>> about the increased emphasis on fund-raising. I have also felt
>>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>> the national convention is turning into more of a carnival with
>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>> the exhibitors and prizes being given away, and much of banquet
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> used to focus on philosophy and NFB spirit is now taken up with
>>>>>>>>> prize
>>>>>>>>> drawings and the like.
>>>>>>>>> To be fair, NFB was stronger financially when we joined than it is
>>>>>>>>> now, and I understand that some national programs have been cut
>>>>>>>>> due
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> a decrease in revenue from what used to be steady reliable income
>>>>>>>>> sources. So NFB may be pushing fund-raising more, but the
>>>>>>>>> alternative
>>>>>>>>> could be a loss of programs and resources.
>>>>>>>>> I have not heard of anyone being blatantly turned away or refused
>>>>>>>>> membership in an NFB chapter. If that ever happens it is truly
>>>>>>>>> shameful. I do think that sometimes prospective members choose not
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> join because they perceive hostility from the organization or
>>>>>>>>> judgment
>>>>>>>>> of their lifestyle choices. I think part of that is perception
>>>>>>>>> only,
>>>>>>>>> and part of it is reality. The NFB is stereotyped as a radical
>>>>>>>>> one-size-fits-all organization, and new members expecting to find
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> could be especially sensitive to cues of hostility. However, there
>>>>>>>>> probably is some real lack of acceptance among certain segments of
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> organization, which, again, is unfortunate. I will say that I am
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> the most graceful blind person and was relatively unskilled when I
>>>>>>>>> first joined, and I still felt completely accepted. But I know not
>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>> of us are so lucky. I would encourage prospective members who have
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> negative experience to try again in a different chapter or
>>>>>>>>> division
>>>>>>>>> and perhaps they will find acceptance there. But at the same time,
>>>>>>>>> this is something we need to be sensitive to in the organization.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Arielle
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 3/30/14, Michael Capelle <michael.capelle at frontier.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Hello all.
>>>>>>>>>> This is why I am not apart of any "blind movement." I live my
>>>>>>>>>> own
>>>>>>>>>> life,
>>>>>>>>>> live my own philosophy, ETC. I do not believe in a one size fits
>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>> mentality, which is unfurtunately what the NFB does.
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>>>> Mike
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: RJ Sandefur
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 11:51 AM
>>>>>>>>>> To: jsoro620 at gmail.com ; National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>>>>> mailing
>>>>>>>>>> list
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Joe, I agree with you. I had to attend both college, and Seminary
>>>>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>>>>> the NFB's help, although it would have been nice to have a
>>>>>>>>>> mentoor.
>>>>>>>>>> RJ
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>> From: "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 12:25 PM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> 2006 was the last year I attended a national convention. While
>>>>>>>>>>> there
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>>> caught up in the ra ra of the movement and felt glad to be in
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> company
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> so many people who could relate to the challenges that awaited
>>>>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> recent college graduate. I left convention, finished up my
>>>>>>>>>>> summer
>>>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> counselor in Iowa, and set off for DC to begin my business with
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> real
>>>>>>>>>>> world. I would never take away someone's enthusiasm from
>>>>>>>>>>> attending
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> national convention or Washington Seminar or one of the weekend
>>>>>>>>>>> leadership
>>>>>>>>>>> seminars in Baltimore. They are very well-suited to boost a
>>>>>>>>>>> person's
>>>>>>>>>>> spirit,
>>>>>>>>>>> but I believe too many people fall through the cracks when faced
>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>> reality outside of those infrequent gatherings.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> To be fair, the organization is no different from any other
>>>>>>>>>>> nonprofit
>>>>>>>>>>> business. It needs money to sustain itself, and in turn it needs
>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>>> members to help raise the money. Still, I found it rather
>>>>>>>>>>> disappointing
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> so much of the board meeting I tuned into listen to last summer
>>>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>>> dominated by calls to raise money for this fund or that effort.
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> found
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> even sadder that a recent issue of the Braille Monitor, our
>>>>>>>>>>> monthly
>>>>>>>>>>> dose
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> inspiration, featured several articles just to the focus of
>>>>>>>>>>> generating
>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>>> ways to drum up more financial support, but perhaps the most
>>>>>>>>>>> frustrating
>>>>>>>>>>> byproduct of this new NFB are the e-mails from so-called friends
>>>>>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>>>>>> whom
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> have not heard in years but boldly ask me to contribute to their
>>>>>>>>>>> NFB
>>>>>>>>>>> fundraising campaigns.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> In short, at some point the NFB embraced enterprise and forgot
>>>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> movement. Between 2006 and 2012 I went on to help lead
>>>>>>>>>>> development
>>>>>>>>>>> efforts
>>>>>>>>>>> for other nonprofits outside of the blindness field, also
>>>>>>>>>>> national
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> scope.
>>>>>>>>>>> They too made fundraising a priority, but it never felt like the
>>>>>>>>>>> top,
>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> only, priority. It gets tiresome when we focus on recruiting new
>>>>>>>>>>> blood
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> raising new money and forget about strengthening the members and
>>>>>>>>>>> resources
>>>>>>>>>>> we've already had.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Nowadays I have the privilege of knowing some excellent blind
>>>>>>>>>>> professionals.
>>>>>>>>>>> I think they would do well in the NFB. They are smarter than I
>>>>>>>>>>> ever
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>> and have accomplished more than I may ever achieve, but they
>>>>>>>>>>> shun
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> organization because they were turned away or because they were
>>>>>>>>>>> never
>>>>>>>>>>> welcomed in the first place. It's something I should have kept
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> mind
>>>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>>>> I had my brief taste of leadership in the organization. I had
>>>>>>>>>>> too
>>>>>>>>>>> much
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> mouth on me to ever be anyone's golden child, but I was reliable
>>>>>>>>>>> enough
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> get the job done. But, getting the job done should have really
>>>>>>>>>>> meant
>>>>>>>>>>> attracting and pulling in these men and women who could have
>>>>>>>>>>> made
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> NFB
>>>>>>>>>>> lots better, listening to new ideas, and most important,
>>>>>>>>>>> remaining
>>>>>>>>>>> true
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> the cause and not some multi-million-dollar institute we find
>>>>>>>>>>> ourselves
>>>>>>>>>>> incapable of sustaining.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So, what does any of this have to do with the original post? I
>>>>>>>>>>> don't
>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> to ever be said I was a hypocrite. The leadership may as well
>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>> what I
>>>>>>>>>>> think of them, but more importantly, to the college kids on the
>>>>>>>>>>> verge
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> spreading their own wings, I want you to know the NFB banner
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>>>>> your way so far. Take what's great about the organization and
>>>>>>>>>>> leave
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> political drama and marketing ploys behind. In the end it will
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>>>> own
>>>>>>>>>>> wits and talents that will earn your pay check. The NFB will
>>>>>>>>>>> never
>>>>>>>>>>> give
>>>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>>> anything new. The philosophy merely helps you uncover what you
>>>>>>>>>>> always
>>>>>>>>>>> had
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> be successful. Anything could happen with the new NFB president,
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> be the first to retract my words if he is brave enough to
>>>>>>>>>>> reverse
>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>> downward spiral. You see, we no longer live in a world where the
>>>>>>>>>>> NFB
>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>> necessary for collective momentum. Technology has seen to that.
>>>>>>>>>>> Whether
>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>> not the movement sticks around largely depends on how badly we
>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> exist.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Is the ACB doing it any better? That's debatable, but you know
>>>>>>>>>>> what
>>>>>>>>>>> I've
>>>>>>>>>>> found from the people I've met on that side of the house? They
>>>>>>>>>>> seem
>>>>>>>>>>> happier,
>>>>>>>>>>> and that's something we can't seem to figure out in our camp.
>>>>>>>>>>> The
>>>>>>>>>>> few
>>>>>>>>>>> victories they celebrate they do with even less money. Let that
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> lesson
>>>>>>>>>>> in financial management to you.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know what the hell I'm doing back here. I told myself I
>>>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>>>> never
>>>>>>>>>>> become one of those bitter former NFB members. My only goal was
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> provide
>>>>>>>>>>> different perspectives to the new generation of leaders coming
>>>>>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>>>>>> through
>>>>>>>>>>> the ranks. After all, if you never taste the real world, you
>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>> no
>>>>>>>>>>> business leading. That's like the teacher who teaches because
>>>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>>>> couldn't
>>>>>>>>>>> cut it, and believe it or not, I want to see more and more of
>>>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>>> excel
>>>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>>> whatever it is you want to do. The more of you there are, the
>>>>>>>>>>> greater
>>>>>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>>>>>> strength.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Moving forward I reckon I'll keep my opinions to myself here
>>>>>>>>>>> lest
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> rotten apple that spoils the bunch, but in some lame attempt to
>>>>>>>>>>> answer
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> original question, my answer would be this:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The characteristics of a successful blind person are humility to
>>>>>>>>>>> consume
>>>>>>>>>>> what they need to be successful, fortitude to turn away what
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> not,
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> wisdom to recognize the difference.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Visit my blog:
>>>>>>>>>>> http://joeorozco.com/blog
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/joltingjacksandefur%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/michael.capelle%40frontier.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/loneblindjedi%40samobile.net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freethaught%40gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sandragayer7%40gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Soprano Singer
>>>>> www.sandragayer.com
>>>>>
>>>>> Broadcast Presenter
>>>>>
>>>>> www.insightradio.co.uk/music-box.html
>>>>>
>>>>> Voiceover Artist
>>>>>
>>>>> www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Soprano Singer
>>>> www.sandragayer.com
>>>>
>>>> Broadcast Presenter
>>>>
>>>> www.insightradio.co.uk/music-box.html
>>>>
>>>> Voiceover Artist
>>>>
>>>> www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet104%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freethaught%40gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sandragayer7%40gmail.com
>
--
Soprano Singer
www.sandragayer.com
Broadcast Presenter
www.insightradio.co.uk/music-box.html
Voiceover Artist
www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
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