[Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter

Sat Nov 20 16:50:51 UTC 2010

Dear Rachel,

This is a problem that every chapter faces from time to time.
I would suggest that you ask for a copy of your membership list as it was 
likely submitted to Gloria when your chapter paid it's dues this last year 
This will give you a way around your membership person not responding.  .
You, and or another member you still have contact with, may need to share 
the list and make some calls to people.
It always takes the most pushing to get the car out of the ditch, but once 
it is out, it can get going on it's own again.
First get some kind of list and share it with others.  Then systemmatically 
begin building the chapter up over time.  You can not do it all over night, 
so be patient, it will come with persistence.
Run your meetings with whom ever shows up.
Establish a regular meeting time and place and stick to it.
You can advertise in your local news under sections called "Community 
Calendar" or "Club News."
Submit pieces to the media 3 to 4 weeks in advance of meetings and get the 
word out to people.
Many churches and community centers have newsletters and ask them to include 
a note about your meetings as well.

Developed a "media list" of newspapers, radio stations, and TV station in 
your area and cultivate contacts with them.
I know you are a student and busier than a one armed paper hanger in a 
hurricane, but I know you can do it.  Seek help where you can and they all 
don't have to be Blind people.  Having a sighted volunteer or two to help is 
okay.
Just make use of whatever and whoever you have at hand and you will get the 
job done.

My chapter limped along with just 7 members for several years until we 
established our own chapter newsletter and began sending it out under the 
"Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Law"
If you need more info on how to do this, I can supply it to you.  It cost 
almost nothing to do this each month and is a great way to communicate and 
build your chapter.  .
We found ways to get transportation for our members , over time, and then we 
just took off and grew.
You know NFB philosophy and so just continue to spread it everywhere you go 
and to whoever you meet.  BE the example, the role model and just believe in 
yourself and in the philosophy.
If transportation is an issue, and I bet it is.  Ash some local community 
service club, like the Lion's Club, to help your chapter members out by 
driving them in to your meetings.
You could also ask if they could help you with a small grant to pay for 
telephone bill coverage to help you communicate with your board and members 
or to publish your monthly newsletter.
It can all be done as long as you do not give up looking for a way.
If I can be of help, I live in Boca Raton in Palm Beach County and have been 
a chapter President and Board member since 1987 when I helped found the Palm 
Beach County Chapter.
My contact info is as follows:
David Evans
19601 Carolina Circle
Boca Raton, Fl. 33434
Home: (561) 482-5684
E-mail: drevans at bellsouth.net

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rachel" <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 6:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter

> Thanks so much. I have spoken to my vice president and he informed me he 
> is going to something else tomorrow during the same time as our meeting. I 
> can't get a hold of my membership persoon, and the fund raiser quitt. I am 
> unable to even run a meeting tomorrow. It's really not good!
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Judith Hamilton" <jrhamilton51 at earthlink.net>
> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 5:33 PM
> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
>
>> Rachel,
>>
>> Above all, do not panic.  I have been there quite a few times this year.
>> It is not easy, but please hang in there.  Have you tried 3-way 
>> conference
>> calling for your board meetings, prior to the actual meeting?  I know a
>> lot of folks, especially the elderly ones may not know how to do it or 
>> may
>> be on such a fixed income that they cannot afford the charges for it and
>> will probably have a fit when they see a $2 charge on their phone bill.
>> Right now that is the charge for AT&T; soon to increase next year to $3 
>> per
>> 3-way call next year.  I know on the Florida west coast there is a
>> different monopoly telephone company, but most older people may hang on 
>> to
>> their landlines and you might be able to use this as an option.  Of 
>> course,
>> there is free conference call, which are usually long distance numbers 
>> and
>> that might set them off also depending on what plans they have.  I know
>> this probably is not much help, but I just wanted to let you know that I
>> understand what you are going through and that you are not alone.
>> Judy
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> [Original Message]
>>> From: rachel <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
>>> To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Date: 11/19/2010 1:25:17 PM
>>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
>>>
>>> Hello. I am having major problems with my chapter and I'm not sure what
>> to do! I think I have lost my membership pperson now Raigan! I have
>> e-mailed him and called him and he will not respond to anything. He has 
>> all
>> of the member information. At this point  I don't think I can run any
>> meetings. I am supposed to have ameeting tomorrow but without members of
>> the board showing up I can't run the meeting. What should I do at this
>> point!
>>> Thanks
>>> Rachel Jacobs
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>>
>>
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>
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