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

Thu Aug 16 19:49:35 UTC 2018

 Hi everyone. My name is Rhonda, I think email is very accessible for people that have disabilities, I am also a Facebook user. But I don't think Facebook is very accessible. For people with multiple disabilities like myself. I am in some groups, but I feel like it does not work for me since I am totally blind and I'm also hearing your beard is well. I think the email groups I am also hearing impaired, I feel the email works for me because I can do easier communication with family and friends. And also keep up with groups that I'm in Port email. I feel that it works for me for make sense ability needs.

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 10, 2018, at 5:57 PM, Sarah via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I don't know whether this has already been said, so I will say it. I am grateful that the email list exists, though I am also a Facebook user. I have subscribed to a number of groups on FB and found the volume so high that I have unfollowed them, assuming I will check in from time to time. I never check most of them, and I am sure that I miss valuable conversations. With an email group, I can go past unwanted threads, either deleting original emails or deleting an entire thread if I wish. So the email group is invaluable to me.
> 
> 
> Rev. Sarah Blake LaRose
> http://www.sarahblakelarose.com
> Accessible instruction in Biblical languages
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum via NABS-L
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2018 4:17 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list' <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Chris Nusbaum <cnusbaumnfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Purpose of the NABS Email List in the 21st Century?
> 
> 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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