[nabs-l] NABS: A Division of the National Federation of the Blind

[RJ Sandefur]

Sean, An organization is only successfull if the members of said 
organization work together. The pastor can't do it all on his own. The 
people have to do their part in order for the church to run smoothly. I'm 
speaking from a secular point of view. RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Whalen via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <nabs-presidents at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2014 5:18 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] NABS: A Division of the National Federation of the Blind


> Good afternoon,
>
>
>
> I have been closely following the various threads we have working here on
> the list, and I feel obliged to come out and make a couple points 
> absolutely
> clear. Several messages, while I'm sure this was not the intention, have
> suggested or implied that NABS views itself or functions as something
> separate or apart from the National Federation of the Blind. In fact, this
> notion seems to have become a campaign issue in some cases. I am all for a
> healthy discourse on the future of NABS, where we can improve, where we 
> have
> fallen short, etc. But I would urge that we confine this discourse to 
> issues
> that are actually issues. Could the relationship between NABS and our
> leaders in Baltimore be strengthened? Yes, of course it could. Things can
> always be improved and we should always be striving to make things better.
> But I do not want anybody following these posts to come away with the
> impression that NABS' leadership and national leadership do not have a 
> rock
> solid working relationship. Moreover, I do not want anybody to embrace the
> mistaken notion that we on the NABS Board, and in NABS in general, are not
> actively engaged in supporting the work of the Federation.
>
>
>
> On the first point regarding collaboration and cooperation between the 
> NABS
> Board and the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore, our 
> headquarters,
> let me say without equivocation: Dr. Maurer is the leader of NFB and NABS. 
> I
> shouldn't have to say it. There is no question here. But, more to the 
> point,
> Dr. Maurer is a mentor, partner and friend. Likewise with Anil Lewis, Mark
> Riccobono, Jesse Hartle and numerous other national leaders. When NABS has
> faced difficulties or when I have needed advice and support I have picked 
> up
> the phone and called Dr. Maurer and our other leaders. Without exception
> they have been supportive and willing to help. NABS is NFB and NFB is 
> NABS,
> success for either is success for both. When our organization has 
> undertaken
> initiatives of particular import to students, NABS has always been eager 
> and
> ready to do what we can to support the work of our Federation. We
> collaborated closely with Anil Lewis and Dr. Maurer to put on a student
> leadership seminar last June. Led by Cindy Bennett, NABS has worked side 
> by
> side with our governmental affairs team to collect student stories
> highlighting the need for the TEACH Act. These are but two examples. The
> bottom line is that I know that I can call upon our national leadership 
> for
> guidance and support and have frequently done so. And while I can't speak
> for anybody, I am reasonably certain that our national leaders know that
> they can call on me and on NABS. Many of our leaders are folks who I
> consider friends. And I am certainly not the only member of the NABS Board
> who enjoys both professional and personal relationships with the 
> leadership
> of our movement.
>
>
>
> Now, on the question of how engaged NABS is in the work of the NFB; the
> proof is in the pudding. Seven of the nine NABS Board members currently
> serve in the leadership of their local chapters or state affiliates, and
> some on both. I myself, though currently holding no elected position 
> outside
> of NABS, have served as Treasurer of two chapters and on the board of the
> NFB of Wisconsin. I am also active in my state. We have several folks on 
> our
> board who work as BELL coordinators. Start looking off the board and at 
> our
> membership, and we are only scratching the surface. NABS members are an
> active and vital part of the NFB, and to suggest otherwise either exhibits 
> a
> misunderstanding of the facts or is downright disingenuous. Let me be 
> clear.
> We can do better. We must do better in order to realize the goals toward
> which we are all working. However, the idea that NABS is a simple social
> club whose members are not involved in real work on the part of the
> Federation misses the mark and fails to acknowledge a lot of folks who are
> doing good work on behalf of the cause.
>
>
>
> Again, I am not saying that things are perfect or no work is needed. NABS
> could do a better job communicating with our leadership, as well as with 
> our
> members. I could have done a better job personally as President on these
> issues. But I am absolutely proud of the work we have done and stand firm 
> in
> my conviction that NABS is bigger, stronger, more transparent, better
> funded, and more active than it was five years ago when I came onto the
> board under Arielle Silverman, who, despite her modest post to this list,
> deserves a whole lot of the credit for strengthening our division and our
> entire organization. Arielle was a strong leader who was always ready to
> listen to and consider other points of view. She enabled all of us to
> contribute. I'll wrap up this message by thanking her for that. Arielle
> taught me some valuable lessons about leadership, and I have always tried 
> to
> follow her example of inclusiveness and deliberation. I hope I have
> succeeded in living up to her example in this regard.
>
>
>
> As always, please feel free to be in touch with any thoughts, questions or
> suggestions about NABS and the work we all do together.
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
>
>
>
> Sean
>
>
>
> Sean Whalen
>
> President, National Association of Blind Students
>
> (608) 332-4147
>
> Nabs.president at gmail.com
>
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