[nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising

Sat Aug 28 04:03:53 UTC 2010

Actually, the term "handicap" comes from an entirely different origin than 
the folk-wisdom would have it, having nothing to do with a "cap in hand". Ah 
well.

I always wanted to have a blind demolition derby but figured the insurance 
would be too high! (grin)

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Johnson" <stevencjohnson at centurytel.net>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 8:41 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising

> Very interesting post.  I don't think it is a bad thing as stated by 
> Cindy,
> although my immediate feelings may not fall in line with foundational NFB
> philosophy.   It appears that an event like this does have the potential 
> to
> reduce and counteract the ideology, that the blind have fallen to a level
> that they are now acting like second class citizens, in a sense seeking
> charitable donations.  If I may expand, it conjurs up the image of where 
> the
> term handicap came from, and if I am thinking down the right lines, this 
> is
> what the NFB has worked so hard to move away from and indeed has done so
> quite well over the years of it's existence.  Kind of the Jerry Lewis
> telethon type image as well, but we also can dispute this in stating that
> persons who are blind are out in the community, educating on the
> philosophical construct of the NFB, and doing what it takes to better 
> inform
> the public that the blind are really no different than anyone else.
>
> I will think more on this one though.  We will be doing something similar
> with our Chapter but it is a silence the car event at a race track, and
> donations are asked for a swing, and it will be an opportunity to meet the
> blind as well from our area.  We just couldn't pull off having a blind
> racing night, as this would have been what we really wanted as it would 
> show
> that we can do anything we put our efforts toward.  Maybe next year.
>
> Steven
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Cindy Handel
> Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 7:07 AM
> To: newmanrl at cox.net; NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising
>
> Robert,
>
> I can't imagine what objection anyone would have to this type of fund
> raising.  You're selling something to raise funds, and providing 
> information
> about the NFB, via the literature you're handing out.  People are free,
> however, to simply accept the literature or make a donation, if they 
> choose
> and don't want to purchase the item you have for sale.  I really don't 
> know
> what, in our philosophy, would prevent such fundraising.  It sounds like a
> good idea, to me.  I'd like to use the idea in our chapter.
>
> Cindy
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
> To: "nfbtalk" <NFB-talk at NFBnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 7:38 AM
> Subject: [nfb-talk] Question of Philosophy- fund raising
>
>
> I have a question of NFB philosophy. I bring it to this list because I 
> know
> and want you all to give it to me straight from the philosophical 
> shoulder.
>
>
>
> Here is the situation: There is a debate upon the acceptability of the
> following method of fund raising. There are some in my local chapter, in 
> the
> affiliate in my state, in the division where I am the President, who feel
> that the below method of solicitation donations is not philosophically
> acceptable under NFB philosophy; some of the membership feel that the way 
> it
> is being handled is acceptable. Do read the description I present and give
> us your feelings.
>
>
>
>
>
> I am part of the Omaha chapter and for years I have participated in the
> Wal-Mart "Meet and greet." And note the title that we've given it, "Meet 
> and
> Greet."
>
>
>
> Allow me to set the scene- It is 10:00 AM, we have two six foot tables
> setup: one is outside the doors from the grocery store entrance and the
> other outside the general merchandise entrance. There is a large banner
> stretched across the full length of the front of the table, running just
> below the table-top, from the legs on the right hand side, to those on the
> left. The Banner is in the NFB colors of dark blue letters on a white
> background- it reads "National Federation of the Blind, Omaha chapter." 
> The
> chapter members manning the table are also wearing NFB labeled clothing.
>
>
>
> On the table-top, There are stacks of a variety of NFB literature , a 
> large
> donation jar, a slate and stylist for taking notes, someone's long white
> cane lying the full length of the table and a bill-identifier (we will
> demonstrate and even give change). Then yes, we will have some item to 
> sell
> to the potential donator; the item having been donated or purchased at a 
> low
> price, in order that we do monetarily gain from the transaction. (You know
> how this must go; this is a fund raiser, as well as an opportunity to
> educate the public.)
>
>
>
> The members who "people" the table either sit behind the table or stand to
> the side or out front to better engage the flow of customers coming in and
> out of the store.
>
>
>
> "Would you like to give a donation to the Omaha Chapter of the National
> Federation of the Blind?" Or, "Would you like to purchase a Mother's Day
> Flower and support the National Federation of the Blind?" Is one of 
> several
> different types of short, quick phrases that you might hear me or others
> say, as we hear new people traffic coming or going. These customers are
> always speeding by on their personal business and we learned long ago, 
> that
> what ever you say needs to be quick and to the point.
>
>
>
> Then, as a potential donator approaches the table, you might hear, "Would
> you like to help us do our work?" And/or "do you know a blind person?" Or,
> "Let us tell you about the Federation and what we do." And, knowing that
> most of these people are in a hurry to go about their business, we would
> hand them one of each of our broachers, saying something like "Please take
> these; we would like to tell you about our organization." And of course, 
> if
> the person is inclined to visit, we will go into as much depth about
> blindness as possible (answering their questions is always the priority).
>
>
>
>
>
> Some times, there will be a second organization similarly setup and across
> the entrance from us- like the "Make A Whish Foundation."
>
>
>
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
>
> President- NFB Writers' Division
>
> Division Website
>
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
>
> Personal Website-
>
> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
>
>
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