[nfb-talk] Second go at- Question on NFB philosophy of fund raising

[Robert Leslie Newman]

NFBtalk members

For those of you who have read the below scenario and did not find it to be
philosophically unacceptable, then I ask- where is the philosophical line of
acceptable verses unacceptable asking for a donation? (Please take a minute
and help me with this. I plan to make a chapter building exercise out of
this and a newsletter article as well.)

 

At 06:38 AM 8/27/2010, you wrote:

>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).

> 

> 

 

 

 

Robert Leslie Newman

President- NFB Writers' Division

Division Website

http://www.nfb-writers-division.org

Personal Website-

http://www.thoughtprovoker.info