[nfbmi-talk] Proposed Mailing List Policy

Sun Feb 2 23:04:13 UTC 2014

Thanks for this well-written message Terry.
I think for many of us, the Washington Seminar timeline involved us 
coming back Wednesday or later and then spending the next day or two 
catching up on the work or school we may have fallen behind on while we 
were gone. I definitely will add my two cents to the others who have 
posted now that I am mostly caught up with work obligations and will 
post that soon. Remember I'm running a one-man business so don't have 
anyone else to pick up the slack while I'm gone. I don't say this for 
any pity, just to put timelines in perspective.

Best regards,
J.J.

On 2/1/2014 12:38 AM, Terry D. Eagle wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I wish to add my two cents on the function of this list.  The list purpose
> is to inform, educate, share and inspire discussion on a variety of topics
> on blindness and the impact upon the lives of blind persons and significant
> others of blind persons, whether children, parent, employer, etc.  Given
> that framework, on behalf of
>   the vast many list members  who are unable to attend NFB state board
> meetings, it seems to me that NFB events sponsored and paid for with
> affiliate funds, such as Washington seminar, ought to be a newsworthy and
> informative event and associated issues, and should be reported first-hand
> on this list, and not held for a board meeting.
>
> Using Washington Seminar as an example, and it applies to other sponsored
> and funded events, such as national convention, much good and further action
> could result from a timely summary, posted to this list by event
> participants, of the issues addressed, with whom, and the results obtained
> during the Washington seminar.  Since education of legislators, on issues of
> significance to blind persons involving pending legislation,   is one of the
> important tasks NFB undertakes to change what it means to be blind, it is
> appropriate and meaningful to have such news openly reported.
>
> Please allow me to take this point a couple steps further. First, we should
> be proud of the advocacy we undertake on behalf of all blind persons.  So
> why not display and showcase the positive action in which we are engaged for
> the betterment of blind people.  While we may shock, outrage, and even
> inform and educate our foe who monitor this list, it may also be just the
> topic and fuel to spark further interest and action by the casual reader of
> this list, or the fence-sitter who may be discerning whether they join and
> get involved in NFB, or some other lesser known organization.  Timely and
> important information about our cause and associated action may just be the
> tipping point.
>
> Using Washington Seminar as an example, say our seminar participants were to
> secure an additional Congress person or Senator as a co-sponsor  for a
> certain piece of pending legislation that could advance the bill forward.
> Such information being reported here would provide an opportunity for
> constituants from that lehislators district to communicate their thanks and
> appreciation for supporting the NFB  efforts by becoming a bill co-sponsor.
> Taking it one step further, it gives other list members an opportunity to
> reach out to their legislators whom are not co-sponsors to encourage them to
> come on board as a bill co-sponsor.
>
> So there is much positive and beneficial potential action that could come
> from reporting on affiliate events on this list, rather than waiting to
> reporting only to the board, and an expectation that the board do the
> reporting in some fashion to all members.
>
> I have previously written about the 80/20 rule associated with an
> organization's membership and percentage of members actually involved in
> undertaking the action needed to accomplish the goals of the organization.
> We really need more members to do as Dr Jernigan spoke about at my first
> national convention as an adult at age 18 in 1974 in Chicago.  As with
> everything in life, Dr. Jerigan said, we all choose or don't choose to make
> NFB a priority in our life.  I say to those that choose to not make it a
> priority, and don't contribute to fulfilling the needs of the organization,
> and then complain when others do, should counter-balance that which they
> don't like, with positivr contribution on their part.  It is all a matter of
> priority or not choosing to make it such..
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Matt
> McCubbin
> Sent: Friday, January 31, 2014 3:28 PM
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Proposed Mailing List Policy
>
> Dear Joe,
> I'm sure J.J. and our delegates from Washington Seminar will report
> soon or at our next board meeting. Correct me if I am wrong, but it
> seems whenever this topic of list management is brought up you seem to
> get personally offended. I believe J.J. and Fred have valid points
> about list traffic and the lack of discussion brought upon by your
> numerous messages to this list, and believe discussion at our next
> board meeting is warranted.
> This issue is not about stifling your right to free speech, it is
> simply about common mailing list courtesy and the reputation of our
> organization.
> Just my opinion,
> Matt
>
> On 1/31/14, joe harcz Comcast <joeharcz at comcast.net> wrote:
>> I would like to see a complete report to this list about the Washington
>> Seminar and your activities J.J.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Joe
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, January 31, 2014 12:41 PM
>> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Proposed Mailing List Policy
>>
>>
>>> I'd like to propose a list policy that we do not allow official
> government
>>> business, FOIA requests, etc. to be sent and then copied or forwarded to
>>> this list. In addition to the potential overload of email it creates, it
>>> has the possibility  of giving the impression that the NFB of Michigan is
>>>
>>> a party to the request where it was not. This is potentially damaging to
>>> our reputation and may hinder the progress that we are trying to make.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best regards,
>>> J.J.
>>>
>>>
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