[Nfbf-l] several questions!

Mon Feb 22 06:07:36 UTC 2010

Hi Rachel,

I think you are doing great.  The thing you need to remember is we are all
volunteering our time and effort.  Please do not beat yourself up.  For a
new chapter and new chapter president, you are doing fine.  It is very hard
to motivate members.  I think they get frustrated also because they have
health challenges in addition to the blindness issue, especially if they
could see before and are losing vision.  They have been so used to having
vision 60, 70 years and all of a sudden that has changed and a lot of folks
just cannot accept alternative ways of doing things.  Their adult children
or other family members who have vision worry and think they should not or
cannot do things any more.  So the frustration mounts and they figure "why
bother."  Also, economics plays a part.  Many people live on social
security, or set amount of money only, and between meds, food, rent, and
now having to have someone else drive them places, the last thing anyone
wants to think about is doing something that costs more money.  Our chapter
just had elections in February and filled all 7 positions.  I was very glad
that happened.  We have 11 chapter members as of this post ranging from 30
to 84 years of age.  Median age is probably 50ish.  We all have various
challenges mentioned above plus work and family issues that, at times, take
a priority over the NFB.  But you do what you can do and hope for the best
outcome.  We are having a fundraiser Saturday that we have never tried
before.  I, and our committee are hoping to get through it and have some
volunteer support along the way.  You asked about fundraising.  When I
became a member of the chapter, here, we sold World's Finest Chocolate for
many years and have talked about doing that again in the future.  It does
take up a lot of space in your house and time trying to pay them off and
make a profit for the chapter.  We have, in recent years, opted to purchase
candy at Sam's Club and sell it, which seems to make quick funds.  Candy is
not the most healthy choice, but it seems to get a better response than
other suggestions.  Hang in there, Rachel.  We have all been in your shoes
and, at times, continue to be in those shoes.  Any time you want to share,
give me a call or email me off list.
Judy

> [Original Message]
> From: Rachel Jacobs <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
> To: NFB of Florida Listserv <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>;
<nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>
> Date: 2/22/2010 12:02:11 AM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] several questions!
>
>
> Hello everyone! I know some of you have not heard from me in a while, but
hopefully you can understand how busy I have been being a graduate student.
I am hoping some of you can give me some assistance with the new Manasota
chapter. Our chapter  has not been up and running for even a year yet, and
I  know things take time. I am extremely frustrated for several reasons. I
know my chapter needs to do fundraising, but it is difficult getting mainly
80 and 90 year old people to do fundraising. I certainly hope no one feels
that my chapter has chosen to just not participate. I have tried in every
way I know possible to get my chapter out in the community . I know some of
you have given good ideas for raising money, but these are ideas that take
a lot of time and effort. Unfortunately I can not do everything for my
chapter, and I am feeling more and more so that this is what is happening.
I am very new to the NFB as well and it is difficult for me to run this
chapter without  some help. There is no one else in my chapter other than
Kelly James who has  known about the NFB. I am desperately trying to just
get our group use to what the NFB is about. I don't think we can get right
out in the community without knowing the basics. On the other hand, I know
our affiliate expects us to be  out there raising money Do any of you have
any ideas for raising money that doesn't take a whole lot of effort. I am
willing to put in the effort, but I can't expect people in their 80s and
90s to. I wish I could have attended the leadership conference, but
unfortunately I could not attned due to other things going on with school.
As much as I love the NFBF, my school priorities had to come first.  
>
>  
>
> I was also wondering if it is possible for me to have access to everyone
who receives talking books. I thought it might be benefitial to send out a
letter again to everyone in this area telling them about our meetings.
>
>  
>
> I certainly want all of you to know that our chapter is doing things out
in our community. We had a few members set up a booth at a low vission
fair, and I was very excited about that. We are also in the process of
bringing literature on the NFB to different places including libraries and
doctor's offices. These  are small steps, but it takes small steps at first
to get things going. 
>
>  
>
> My chapter is having elections in April, and I am hoping that I will have
a board elected who actually wants to participate. 
>
>  
>
> I am sorry about the length of this e-mail, but all of this needed to be
said. I look forward to any suggestions any of you may have. I am hoping
that I will be able to attend state and national this year in hopes that I
will gain more ideas and support on how to strengthen this chapter. .
>
>  
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rachel Jacobs   
>  		 	   		  
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