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

[Ray Foret Jr]

the long and the short of it is this.  No matter how you ask for money, thee will always be some who see it as begging.  Bearing that in mind, I guess that, for me at least, the line would be if I had to stand on a street corner with a tin cup in my hand and ask for money;  "Alms for the blind?" you know, like that.  I'd rather die first.


Sincerely,
The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!

A Very Proud and Happy Mac User!!!

E-Mail:
rforetjr at comcast dot net
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barefootedray

On Aug 28, 2010, at 7:14 AM, Robert Leslie Newman wrote:

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



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