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

Fri Aug 10 20:16:39 UTC 2018

Hi Friends:

Elizabeth, thank you for starting this important and very timely
conversation. Many of you have already said what I would have said if I
hadn't come so late to the party, so I will follow Michael's advice and
avoid merely echoing other people's comments after reading the entire
thread. However, I would like to offer one reflection.

It seems that some contributors have referred to the listserv as being
useful for those who are not on social media, implying that it is not as
useful for those who are. Personally, I have found that the list and social
media are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are different platforms which
serve different but equally legitimate purposes. For instance, I think
social media can often start a series of one-sided conversations. Though
people of course have the option to comment on Facebook posts or reply to
tweets, it is not as easy (or as common) for many people to chime in on a
conversation on social media as it is for people to do so on a listserv.
Since most social media users are only skimming through their feeds in their
free time, they are less likely to read the entire comments section of an
organization's post attentively than they are to reading a chain of email
correspondence. So, in my observation, organizations tend to use social
media as a way to announce what they are doing. On a personal level, I
coordinated social media for NABS for two years. Because of the nature of
social media, I was not able to have the conversations on those platforms
that I was able to have on this list. Even so, as an active social media
user and list member, I have found both to be useful in their own ways.

It may also be worth noting that, as many of us know, email is still the
primary means of professional and organizational communication. As part of
our student status, many of us are working to build a professional network
which will serve us well as we move into the workforce. In my opinion, this
list is a great way to find people who would be good additions to our
networks, who we can then contact off-list for more detailed conversations.
By the same token, this list can also be considered a kind of social
network, as it allows us to ask questions of each other and bounce ideas off
of people who share our interests and circumstances. So, it seems to me that
this list can be viewed as a marriage of the best elements of social
networking and professional email correspondence.

When I have more time for more reflection, I'll try my hand at answering
Kathryn's questions. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing more
perspectives on this topic.

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of michael Ausbun via
NABS-L
Sent: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 12:31 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: michael.ausbun at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Purpose of the NABS Email List in the 21st Century?

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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