<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">Hi Tony, Stuart here.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">As far as organizations for either the Deaf or Blind go, Guide Dog Users International has my vote as the best. They were using VoteNow since even before the pandemic. I would say all of the organizations I belong to that do this better use an Action by Written Consent or Ballot model for voting rather than the mentioned Proxy Voting. I feel the ones who didn't host their own that were done through AssociationVoting.com, were also OK both times I've used that platform with two different organizations. I think Sierra Club does their (I believe) fully custom voting platform the best, and they are very supportive on issues of public and community equal opportunity access I've found in my Missouri chapter. National Catholic Partnership on Disability also has a system that works and I don't think they've spent funding on it to custom develop other than for physical mailing costs to accommodate persons who are unable to use or uncomfortable with technology. The point is a bit more academic than merely emulating another organization, though, as the rules for remote meetings and electronic voting possibilities for nonprofits varies by the state of incorporation first and foremost and then secondarily by the governing documents required and/or permitted by that state's regulations (some of the same things can also have different names by state). Remote member participation and engagement is also about more than voting of course, but I hope that answers your question. I wasn't actually trying to spark discussion, and I'm not wanting to poach members for anywhere else or anything. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Thanks again!</div><div dir="ltr">EOM</div><div dir="ltr"><br>On Jun 8, 2023, at 9:42 AM, Tony May <kg6sxy@gmail.com> wrote:<br><br></div><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">Which organizations do you believe handle inabilities to travel better in terms of including remote members?</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Take care, </div><div dir="ltr">Tony</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Jun 8, 2023, at 8:59 AM, Tracie Inman <tracielinman@gmail.com> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Hi Stuart, <div>Tracie here. I am in total agreement. It makes me feel very frustrated when people fail to embrace change that is needed to move forward. In this case, I don't believe it is an issue of an unwillingness to embrace change. It is more a desire to align the division's constitution to the NFB's policies. The problem with this is that the DeafBlind experiences more barriers than the hearing Blind. This makes life a little more challenging. Many who are DeafBlind also have other Disabilities as well which can make it more costly and difficult to achieve the independence which our non-DeafBlind peers take for granted. I believe that the very nature of our disability calls for more inclusion, and slightly different guidelines, than the mainstream members of our Federation family. </div><div><br></div><div>Kind Regards,</div><div>Tracie</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 9:42 AM Stuart Salvador via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Hi Tony, Stuart here.<br>
<br>
Thanks so much for answering my question! I will stop paying dues and going to meetings in that case. If possible, please expedite removing me from counting in membership numbers.<br>
<br>
As for the suggestion, I have no problem if others want to spend time on that. If I'm told there's a chance for change that's one thing, but I'm told there's no chance in this case and there are other organizations that allow me to fully have a voice so I'll focus there. Apparently this division is being reorganized yet still can't be bothered to seek opportunity for inclusion at a fulcrum point of potential change. Personally, I have more than enough people I need to write into all the time and convince to do the right thing in government, at businesses, in my neighborhood, for my medical needs, and even within my family. I'd rather spend my time advocating for DeafBlind rights with everyone else in the world than pleading with other DeafBlind to get them to care or value other DeafBlind with other disabilities that make them different. Doing the latter to me uses up limited energy and saps motivation to advocate for us all, because it really takes the wind out of my sails the most when other DeafBlind find a way to be at ease with a status quo discriminating against the next person for their differences. <br>
<br>
I appreciate the acknowledgement of frustration, thanks again very much!<br>
EOM<br>
<br>
On Jun 8, 2023, at 5:29 AM, Tony May <<a href="mailto:kg6sxy@gmail.com" target="_blank">kg6sxy@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
Hello Stuart,<br>
<br>
No one seems to have answered your original question. To leave a division, don’t renew your membership and stop showing up to meetings. I know how frustrating it can feel when you can’t vote in person and can’t travel. You can still sway the opinions of people that can vote ahead of conventions. It’s not the same as a personal vote but it is better than nothing.<br>
<br>
Take care, <br>
Tony<br>
<br>
<br>
> On Jun 8, 2023, at 2:27 AM, Stuart Salvador via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> Hi all, Stuart here with a clarification.<br>
> <br>
> Proxy voting enables a vote in absence. An inclusive perspective may<br>
> posit we can establish a presence to effect change, exert influence<br>
> and advocate as best we're able, even when conditions or capacity make<br>
> travel untenable. Homebound, like me, are now able to contribute more<br>
> than ever, if allowed.<br>
> <br>
> As an example: at one time, only landowners who maintained a residence<br>
> were permitted to vote. If instead only travelers can vote, it seems<br>
> the opposite extreme. Hypothetically, if someone came on the news<br>
> today to declare all who couldn't be physically present at a specific<br>
> US voting location somewhere in the country during a specific period<br>
> of time would now be prevented from voting entirely by any means, I<br>
> can't see how NFB could in good faith argue against it when that's the<br>
> practice NFB is apparently following for voting itself. I would want<br>
> to advocate against that, and I'd not want to be undermined in my<br>
> messaging by being a member of an organization favoring or practicing<br>
> it as the right to vote is foundational and fundamental.<br>
> <br>
> Thanks again!<br>
> EOM<br>
> <br>
> <br>
>> On Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 12:34 AM Peter Donahue via NFB-DB<br>
>> <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br>
>> <br>
>> Hello everyone,<br>
>> <br>
>> Proxy voting has been a no-no in the federation for years.<br>
>> <br>
>> Peter Donahue<br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> -----Original Message-----<br>
>> From: NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> On Behalf Of Stuart Salvador via NFB-DB<br>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 10:35 PM<br>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>><br>
>> Cc: Stuart Salvador <<a href="mailto:stuartsalvador@gmail.com" target="_blank">stuartsalvador@gmail.com</a>><br>
>> Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] Membership Cancellation?<br>
>> <br>
>> Doula,<br>
>> <br>
>> I'm sorry if I have anything incorrect. I understand that somehow I could in some way have someone physically at the meeting move to elect people who aren't present, but that's not my greatest concern. What I understood was that, regardless of that, there's no provisions to allow voting for anyone that can't physically travel or attend and no chance to change that. Is that correct?<br>
>> <br>
>> If so, my understanding was it doesn't matter what the constitution says now or in the 1940's, who received it in advance, who is elected to serve, or who is on a Board when, no matter what the organizational division does, it will never permit voting by anyone who can't physically be present wherever the meeting is located because it's required to be in the constitution because it's what President Riccobono and/or the Board of NFB says. Is that correct?<br>
>> <br>
>> If yes to both, then as for my feelings on inclusion, what you are hearing from me is accurate I think on my feeling. Basically, I have more than enough challenges with discrimination already in my daily life, and I already have everyone else in the world it feels like attacking me these days. So, while I want to advocate for DeafBlind like myself whenever and however I can, my feeling is I should not be a member if persons with multiple disabilities who are DeafBlind that prevent them from being in person to have a voice, yet are paying dues, enter into a "taxation without representation" relationship where they never actually vote in anyone who represents them because it won't ever be allowed.<br>
>> <br>
>> So, my thinking was to figure out how do I not be a member since NFB isn't including myself or others like me anyway. Otherwise, I basically am giving a +1 to its practices as per its membership number when I would feel like I'm doing something really wrong even if I'm only a drop in the bucket.<br>
>> <br>
>> Thanks!<br>
>> EOM<br>
>> <br>
>>> On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 10:03 PM Doula Jarboe via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Stuart,<br>
>>> <br>
>>> What you are saying isn't correct. The people at the in person<br>
>>> meeting can move to elect people who aren't present in person. If<br>
>>> that motion passes, and you have someone there in person who nominates<br>
>>> you, then you may be elected without having to be there in person. I<br>
>>> hear you saying that this goes against inclusion, and I think that's<br>
>>> something that needs to be worked on. I hope that clears this up for you.<br>
>>> Warmly,<br>
>>> Doula<br>
>>> <br>
>>> -----Original Message-----<br>
>>> From: NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> On Behalf Of Stuart Salvador<br>
>>> via NFB-DB<br>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 7:28 PM<br>
>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>><br>
>>> Cc: Stuart Salvador <<a href="mailto:stuartsalvador@gmail.com" target="_blank">stuartsalvador@gmail.com</a>><br>
>>> Subject: [NFB-DB] Membership Cancellation?<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Hi all, Stuart here.<br>
>>> <br>
>>> It came up on the call tonight that there's no provisions to allow<br>
>>> voting for anyone that can't physically travel or attend and no chance<br>
>>> to change that. I've enjoyed communicating on the list-serv, but how<br>
>>> does one stop being a member?<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Thanks!<br>
>>> EOM<br>
>>> <br>
>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>> NFB-DB mailing list<br>
>>> <a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br>
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for<br>
>>> NFB-DB:<br>
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>>> <a href="http://il.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">il.com</a><br>
>>> <br>
>>> <br>
>>> _______________________________________________<br>
>>> NFB-DB mailing list<br>
>>> <a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br>
>>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>
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>>> <a href="http://mail.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">mail.com</a><br>
>> <br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> NFB-DB mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br>
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>> <br>
>> <br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> NFB-DB mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br>
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> <br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
> NFB-DB mailing list<br>
> <a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br>
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:<br>
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<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
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</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font face="georgia, serif" size="4" color="#000000"><i style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Tracie Inman</i></font></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></span></div><div><font size="4" face="arial black, sans-serif"><b><i><br></i></b></font></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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