[NFB-Blind-Crafters] Annual report

Sat Aug 8 14:35:44 UTC 2026

How can we get more members, if we just stay with in the NFB?

We would get more NFB members, maybe, but that is not expanding the group, much or expanding the NFB, either!

If seniors newly blind, new they could craft, they might join us and also join the NFB!

Terry

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2026 7:23 PM
To: Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org>
Cc: slery <slerythema at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Annual report

Okay, if groups are only allowed to stay inside of NFB, then your first draft of attracting only NFB members works. My original interpretation was that we were to contribute to the mission of NFB and I thought bringing outsiders into the organization was contributing. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Cindy

On 8/7/2026 3:01 PM, Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:

Cindy, this is good, and I like it, but I’m not sure. 

As I understand it, President Riccobono cares most how groups fit into the broader NFB and build up the organization.  He doesn’t want groups off in their own little world.  That’s why we put in the part about working within the NFB.  I’m not sure we should take it out altogether.

I can hold off until Monday to send the report in, so we have some time to mull it over.

Tracy

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters  <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2026 12:12 PM
To: Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters  <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org> <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org>
Cc: slery  <mailto:slerythema at gmail.com> <slerythema at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Annual report

I don't think we want to actually say inside and outside. Perhaps something more like this:

NFB’s Blind Crafters group connects blind crafters of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced, with support, resources, and techniques to assist in creating useful, practical, and beautiful crafts. By raising expectations, blind people can learn and teach skills and express creativity to create artistry and develop talents that will share the philosophy of the Federation to live the lives we want.

You don't want to alienate newcomers to the group by creating a separation between someone that is already a federationist and someone that is just looking for crafters but might decide to become a federationist after they meet and get to know people in the group.

Cindy

On 8/7/2026 8:27 AM, Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:

The “within the Federation” bit is part of our purpose statement, which is on the NFB website.

If people want, I can change it in the report to say:

The group is intended to connect blind crafters both inside and outside the Federation community and to motivate advancements in the broader movement. 

Is that OK?

Changing it on the website is more complicated.  I guess we should have written it differently when we changed from being a division to being a group, but there it is.

I’ll paste the whole thing in again below my signature.  It’s part of this message, not an attachment.

Tracy

Annual Report for Blind Crafters Group

Name of group and chair appointed by the national President:

Blind Crafters Group, Tracy Carcione group chair

Shared interest or community:

The group brings together blind people interested in all kinds of crafts.

Purpose:

NFB’s Blind Crafters group connects blind crafters of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced, with support, resources, and techniques to assist in creating useful, practical, and beautiful crafts. The group is intended to connect blind crafters both inside and outside the Federation community and to motivate advancements in the broader movement. By raising expectations, blind people can learn and teach skills and express creativity to create artistry and develop talents.

Achievements of the past year:

Some group members spoke to their local NFB chapters, state conventions, or seniors’  groups about the Crafters Group, letting people know that blindness is not an impediment to crafting.  Some people joined our group after these talks.

We’ve had some classes and a knit-along, and we’ve revived our regular chats.  More people are engaged in our activities, and people who never taught a class for us before have led classes and are willing to lead more.

Members regularly share blindness techniques related to crafting and help each other learn new skills.

Members have also taught me how to host a Zoom meeting and create a recording.

National Convention:

                                We did not have a meeting at our national convention, but 6 or 7 members attended and had an informal get-together over dinner.

Major goals for the upcoming year:

For the upcoming year, I hope to continue our growth and get more people engaged in making things happen.  We’ll have more classes, and continue the chats on various topics.  

Some of our members are interested in creating small businesses selling their craftwork, and we hope to create a chat series detailing accessible online selling and payment options.

We also want to explore crafts people are interested in but most don’t have much experience with, such as machine sewing.

We want to increase our outreach to the larger NFB, encouraging members to ask for time to make presentations to their chapters, affiliates, or other groups.

Remarks:

                                As part of the national board’s outreach to groups, I was contacted by the president of the NFB of Alabama.  I found our conversation very helpful and used her suggestions to increase engagement in the crafters group.  

Most of our interaction is through our listserve, which is the most active listserve I’m on. 

I believe our group remains viable.  I believe that expressing creativity is empowering.  

I want to increase member engagement, and would welcome ideas on how that can be done.  

Tracy Carcione, Blind Crafters Group leader

667 Chestnut Avenue, Teaneck, NJ, 07666

201-907-0894

carcione at access.net <mailto:carcione at access.net> 

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