[Nfbc-info] Why I joined the NFB

[Rob Kaiser]

good morning all: 1st of all, let me personally thank every  1 who helped me 
with my situation last night even though this really wasn't a blind issue.

Now, why I joined the Federation:

When I 1st came out to Southern California, I started my job with the IRS 
collections call center in Santa Ana CA in Februrary of 1991. I, at that 
time, had the great pleasure of meting John & Deanna Bates, 2 long time 
members of the NFB.

Durring the next almost year or so, I would hear a lot of stories as to what 
the federation was doing & how it was helping people obtain better lives. I 
decided in early 1992. to join the Orange County chapter. Since then, I have 
attended several state conventions up to a few years ago when my health 
precluded this from happening. I have really enjoyed all of the great 
speakers & sessions we have had @ the state conventions. I have also enjoyed 
taking part in these conventions (singing the National Anthem ETC.)





Rob Kaiser
hm#(442)242-7044
email;
rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
-----Original Message----- 
From: Mary Willows via Nfbc-info
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 10:02 AM
To: 'NFB of California List'
Cc: Mary Willows
Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] Why I joined the NFB

Great idea, Darian.  Let's break it down even more.
1.  What got you to a convention or meeting?
2.  What made you come back and commit to the movement?

Personally, I attended my first event when the national convention was in 
Chicago in '72.  Once there, I found people who were getting around the 
hotel and the city of Chicago without help.  I liked that.  It became a goal 
for me.

Then, when I moved to San Francisco, I met some blind bowlers who always 
attended monthly meetings.  They had a bus which was donated and a driver 
who donated her time which picked up people starting at about 6:00 P.M. and 
we got to the meeting by 7:00.  The bus trip was always fun and people 
introduced themselves and made sure that new people got to where they needed 
to be.
We met at the American Red Cross building in SF.  There was a man at the 
door to greet and seat everybody.  Especially the new ones.  His name was 
Muzzy Marcelino.  He asked me to write down my name on his slate and stylus. 
I managed to do that but it was the first time I ever saw anyone actually 
use one of those things.
The topic was what made me go back.  They had just finished a state 
convention and were all up in arms about United Airlines because the "Fresno 
Six" were not allowed to fly on the same plane.  United wanted to put the 
Federationists on different flights.
Do I have to tell you that did not go over well at all.  In that group was 
the national Treasurer, (Muzzy Marcelino) the First Vice-President of NFBC, 
(Jim Willows), a young kid named Fred Schroeder and other leaders who I 
don't remember.
It impressed me since it was the 70's and these blind people were sticking 
up for themselves.  "Power to the People" and all that.
I can't say that I have never missed a convention since but I certainly can 
say that from that time on I knew that these were the kind of people I 
wanted to be around and learn from.

Everyone who reads this message should take my reminacing to heart and 
attend the convention of the National Federation of the Blind of California 
on October 30, 31 and November 1 at the Doubletree Hotel in Newark.  This is 
where you will meet the movers and shakers.  We will teach each other the 
truth about being blind and when the work is done, we will have a heck of a 
lot of fun.
Go to  www.sixdots.org  to register.

Sincerely,
Mary Willows

The National Federation of the blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day we raise the 
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles 
between blind people and our dreams.
You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

National Federation of the Blind of California (NFBC)
3934 Kern Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-462-8575

Thank you,
Mary Willows, President NFBC
mwillows at sbcglobal.net



-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darian 
Smith via Nfbc-info
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 8:29 PM
To: NFB of California List
Cc: Darian Smith
Subject: [Nfbc-info] Why I joined the NFB

Hi all,
Many of us remember what caused us to join the Federation, some of us 
probably don’t quite   remember what made us what to join or who encouraged 
our involvement and some of us still just like a good story and something 
positive to hang our hats on.
So I guess I’ll ask everyone who reads this just what made you join the NFB? 
Who made the “ask” and made us welcome in the movement?
   Yours in the Federation, Darian Smith 
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