[NABS-L] Purpose of the NABS Email List in the 21st Century?

Tue Aug 7 17:37:11 UTC 2018

Hi,
I’m not allowed on social media, so a mailing list like this is absolutely necessary in order for me to communicate with all of you.

Thanks,
Jessica

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 7, 2018, at 12:30 PM, michael Ausbun via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello All:
> I have been thinking about the discussion that has been taking place, and in
> lieu of president Webster's questions, you can find my thoughts, or at least
> some of them, below:
> 1. Should the Outreach Committee institute weekly discussion starters on the
> list?
>    I am of the opinion that this should absolutely be the case. I do
> not think that we should ask questions merely to ask questions-"what is your
> favorite animal?"-but I think that facilitating discussion weekly would be
> useful. There are a lot of people with a variety of circumstances
> prohibiting group participation, or, asking questions that may be on their
> minds. It's the old adage, "there are no stupid questions; ask, because
> someone else most certainly has the same question."
>    Further, I think these directed questions could be utilized in a way
> to assist our students in understanding, and engaging with, our
> organizational philosophy. Our philosophy and history is rich and wide
> reaching. Often I have found that our members do not know where to start. If
> provided the  first step, I believe our members will be fully capable on
> continuing exploration and find their place in our beautiful organization. 
> 2. How do we make the list more active, but also not too overwhelming with
> email traffic? 
>    This question has been on my mind for many years. I do not believe
> that you can have both simultaneously. As our student division  grows we
> will necessarily see an up in traffic. If we, the membership, are
> contributing thoughtfully and continuing to provide engaging questions and
> comments, there likely will be more contributions. My only suggestion is
> that people be conscious regarding the number of posts and the information
> provided. For example, we should all try to read the entirety of the
> conversation so we do not duplicate information, and try not to post back to
> back to back with no other responses between our posts on a given topic. 
> 3. What are ways we can better engage our members?
>    Electronically, we need to move to other social media platforms.
> People like me, isolated to Facebook and twitter, are behind the times. We
> are losing out on possible connections with a younger audience. Instagram,
> snapchat, and the like are ever popular with those born after 2000. Although
> there are a lot of students in their collegiate years, we must find those
> students in compulsory education. Those in K-12 need us, and quite frankly,
> we need them to. 
> I have other thoughts, but I need to reflect a little longer.
> Respectfully,
> Michael Ausbun
> Secretary/Treasurer, Louisiana Association of Blind Students
> Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nevada
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of President, NABS |
> Kathryn Webster via NABS-L
> Sent: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 6:22 AM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: President, NABS | Kathryn Webster <nabs.president at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Purpose of the NABS Email List in the 21st Century?
> 
> I love this discussion! It sparks so many ideas on how we can further
> improve our mailing list. 
> 
> Some initial thoughts come to mind -
> 1. Should the Outreach Committee institute weekly discussion starters on the
> list?
> 2. How do we make the list more active, but also not too overwhelming with
> email traffic? 
> 3. What are ways we can better engage our members?
> 
> These are just some immediate questions I have, but I am excited to hear
> from all of you! Let's get our creative juices flowing!
> 
> Love,
> Kathryn
> 
> Kathryn C. Webster
> President | National Association of Blind Students
>   A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind
> (203) 273-8463
> Nabs.president at gmail.com | www.nabslink.org
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Dail
> via NABS-L
> Sent: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 9:14 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jessica Dail <jldail13 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Purpose of the NABS Email List in the 21st Century?
> 
> Hi,
> Yes, I feel the email lists are absolutely necessary for people like myself,
> who are not allowed on social media.
> 
> Having these lists still allows everyone to communicate and keep up with the
> happenings of the NFB. 
> 
> Thanks,
> Jessica
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 6, 2018, at 10:18 PM, Elizabeth Mohnke via NABS-L
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> As the National Association of Blind Students reaches out to new 
>> members
> and new partners, there has been an increase in various media platforms used
> to connect with these new members and partners. So in the new age of media
> platforms, how do you see the NABS email list fitting in with these other
> media platforms?
>> 
>> What do you believe should be the purpose of the NABS email list now 
>> that
> we use other media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter? Do you still see
> a role for the NABS email list among these new media platforms? If so what
> do you believe the role of the NABS email list should be among these new
> media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter?
>> 
>> I feel as though the discussion on the NABS email list has decreased 
>> as
> other media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have become more popular.
> So I am just curious if there is still a place for the NABS email list in
> the 21st century.
>> 
>> I look forward to receiving your ideas in regards to this matter.
>> 
>> Warm regards,
>> Elizabeth
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