[Nfb-editors] NFB logos/divisions

Fri May 20 23:46:21 UTC 2011

Mike,

I understand what you say, and I can see your point to a certain extent,
but I disagree that divisions having the logo with incorporated elements
would become confusing and only create a "hodgepodge" of divisions.
Again, it is still the NFB logo, which would not change itself, but an
added element would just identify what division/group a communication
was from.

Ultimately I don't think it is a huge deal either way.

I agree about the NFB being "one movement," but divisions have sprouted,
and many of them work to further goals that either do nothing to promote
equality (I mean in a political sense) or direct their goals in a
different direction.  In theory, I think the divisions can be good, but
the truth is that they do not bring in the attendance desired, and the
philosophy begins to water down with many members brought in through
divisions.

This is just life and I understand this, but I have seen a broad
spectrum of views on NFB philosophy in different divisions, and often it
is not up to par with Federation philosophy.  I do not blame the leaders
of divisions for this, but I do think divisions need to ensure that a
positive and progressive philosophy is being instilled, and that it is
clear that each division is an extension of the Federation, and that NFB
standards and rules will apply.

It is sad to me when I see Federation news or philosophy posted on a
division email list only to be met with people ranting about how it is
off topic or does not belong on this list.  In my opinion, anything
pertaining to the Federation and blindness is appropriate for any
division and its email list.

While the divisions work to draw people in because of a particular
interest, I don't think many of these people have any interest in the
Federation as a whole.  This also goes for chapters and affiliates.  We
need to work to bring a more unified voice to the organization.

When people join a chapter or affiliate or division, they must
understand that they are joining the Federation.  It is important they
have a clear idea of the goals and mission of the NFB.  It's like when
you get married- you're not just marrying that person, but the family.
I know a lot of NFB division members who do not consider themselves
Federationist, and in my opinion, this is very flawed.

Not everyone understands that the Federation is a political group, and
its first priority is to pursue equal opportunities for the blind.  Not
everyone cares about this either.  We've discussed this before, but I
would rather have a smaller group who is dedicated to this goal, than
have a large membership, but who mostly cares nothing for furthering
these efforts.

Now, having said all that, divisions do have the potential to draw
members in who might not otherwise be interested.  I'm not sure, though,
how some divisions can express the political action as the most
important goal.  I admit I have mixed feelings on the existence of most
divisions.  If it were the other way around where people joined the
Federation than later became involved in interest groups, it may work
better.  But usually it is the other way around, and sadly, not enough
of these people have a heart for the priorities of the NFB.

I do find that the parents of blind children, student and guide dog
divisions are essential.  These groups work towards sub-goals as the
Federation obviously can not direct its attention towards every aspect
vital to the life of blind people.  These groups are able to focus on
one area and cultivate action within that topic.  For the most part, I
believe these divisions are maintaining Federation goals and philosophy,
though of course, they are not perfect.

This is where I think affiliates and chapters are failing.  I think it
is their responsibility to draw the brunt of membership in and instill
that philosophy.  This is not the best analogy, but we don't have kids
skip grammar school before jumping into college where they can choose
what major they want.  To me, the chapters are like grammar school- they
work to bring in fresh members, and try to instill a positive
philosophy.  Then we have more members who understand what we do and
why.

Perhaps this makes no sense, most likely.  *grin*  I think my point is
that divisions are great for those of us who get what the Federation is
about, and we just enjoy the company of others who share our interest.
We need to pump chapters up and get them to understand this direction.

Here is my issue.  We can work to correct society's thinking about
blindness, but if blind people don't believe it, it doesn't really
matter what society thinks.  We have to change what it means to be blind
for the blind before we can truly change the minds of the non-blind.

I think the chapters are the foundation of this organization, and more
new people should be brought in through chapters and not divisions.

Okay, I'm rambling and lost my point long ago.  *smile*

Bridgit
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 14:31:35 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Nfb-editors] NFB logo
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP7370076CA4C6F714A7A834C48E0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Mike,

Trust me, I understand the importance and concept of logos.  Through
various campus activities, I've worked with public relations teams, and
I now am interning with a PR group.  One thing that is stressed over and
over is the importance of branding and maintaining it.

Technically, yes, it would be changing the logo to add something like a
guide dog, but this is why it would be presented before the board before
implementing.

However, since it is not a complete logo face lift, it is not changing
the brand of the NFB.  It is still simple and still NFB, it just gives a
specific brand to a division.  Where is the problem in that?

Our organization has many, many groups and it makes sense that these
groups would have the opportunity to incorporate something specific to
their group to bring distinction as to what NFB group it was.  The
Whosit would still be the Whosit, which is the official NFB logo, but
then a group can be specific with a design element so that it would be
the NFB guide dog group, or the NFB Texas affiliate, or the NFB student
division, etc.With so many interest groups, some which communicate
frequently outside the organization, it would be beneficial to bring
more specificity to these groups.

And now that I recall, I remember during the newsletter committee
meeting last year in Dallas, an employee of national said they can
create specific logos for NFB groups if divisions/groups wanted.  Very,
very interesting, but I'm being told here that this is not an option. Do
explain.

And as for the websites, of course a volunteer organization must
consider the cost, but there are ways of developing websites that are
cost-effective.  We have a lot of people in the organization who better
understand this stuff and could assist in gathering info.  Something
like the design of a website is just as crucial in terms of branding as
the logo is.  When people visit a NFB website, they should automatically
know it is NFB by its look and design.

Creating a template for a home page of NFB websites would not be a huge
undertaking, and individual web masters could incorporate the design the
best way they know how.  This would bring uniformity to the organization
that currently doesn't exist.  There are other volunteer-based
organizations that manage to develop this uniformity to make the
branding cohesive.

National has all the funds and best people working to maintain what
little branding exist, but it is equally important any other NFB related
groups follow national's format.  Perhaps national needs to look at
sharing and helping with some of the cost for changes that would provide
uniformity.  Perhaps affiliates and national divisions need to look at
the cost of redesigning websites and fundraise to meet this need.
However it is handled, I guarantee you, it is important for the NFB to
have one look.  The logo alone does not accomplish this.

If we ever want immediate recognition as the Federation, we need to
understand as a collective the importance of adopting whatever
precedence national sets so we have uniformity.

And any affiliates and divisions who have websites are obviously already
paying for it so to change the design would not require the same cost as
starting a website.  And if national provides a template, that does not
mean websites have to use the same programming national does in order to
make any change.  They should be able to work within the context of
whatever website format they use to adopt changes that reflect
national's website.

Anyway, I'm only trying to think of ways to strengthen this
organization.  I know some think I'm a loose canon who wants to change
the organization and does not prescribe to NFB standards, but the reason
I joined the Federation is because the core beliefs resonated with me,
and the mindset I already had after losing my vision was the mindset of
the Federation.  I had nothing in common with most organizations,
agencies and people who were blind.  Then I discovered the NFB and found
a collective who felt the way I did about blindness.

I'm very motivated and dedicated, and I only wish to help improve
wherever we can.  No person or entity has all the answers and does
everything right all the time, we work to stretch and strengthen.  That
is all I want- to make this organization bigger than it has ever been,
and succeed in ways that are fruitful.

Any critique is not made lightly with malice intended to defame and
undermine.  Regardless of what upper echelons think, I've been loyal to
this group, and I have fought tooth and nail for this organization.
Success can only come when we work together and not become elitist.  Not
just anyone should be able to jump into leadership positions, but we
also need to be open-minded when it comes to how we present the
organization.  Trying new things, expressing different perspectives is
not equal to changing the philosophy and mission of the Federation.  No
matter what I may think about the direction or presentation, I
whole-heartedly believe in the philosophy of this group.  I know I am
not winning popularity contest, and I'm very opinionated, but my passion
is driven by my motivation to make this organization better.

Bridgit

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 18:17:39 -0700
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] NFB logo
Message-ID: <00a901cc15c2$8c5e70e0$a51b52a0$@panix.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Bridgit:

That still changes the logo. The thing about logos is the KISS rule
applies
- Keep it Simple Stupid!

As for website uniformity, we are an organization of volunteers; only
the national office and a fortunate few affiliates have staff. For the
rest of us, we do website programming as best we can. Enforcing website
uniformity would require all to have common tools and people with common
programming skills and common templates. Either that or everything would
have to be done at HQ and I shudder at the bureaucracy that would
foster. (grin)

Mike

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 18:15:36 -0700
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] NFB logo
Message-ID: <00a501cc168b$6d828fc0$4887af40$@panix.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Bridgit:

I'm afraid we may have to agree to disagree. I believe that separate
logos for separate divisions places too much importance on divisions at
the expense of the NFB as a whole. In my view, the great strength of NFB
is that we are *one* movement -- not a hodge-podge of groups with
separate interests. To my way of thinking, the only reason for divisions
is that that the NFB as a whole cannot specialize sufficiently to
adequately confront the many incarnations of the problems re blindness
that we face.

I'll go further: I believe that taking "NFB" out of division names was
an aggregious error and should be corrected posthaste.

The upshot of this conviction is that while divisions should have
separate letterheads, there should be only one logo -- that of Whozit
since that one's been trademarked by NFB.

Incidentally, Hazel tenBroek, wife of the NFB's first president,
adamantly opposed divisions as fragmenting the Movement. Given the
seeming desire for customized logos, I wonder if she might not have been
right?

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 12:32 PM
To: nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfb-editors] NFB logo

Mike,