[Nfbmt] phoneside chat

[Sheila Leigland]

I think that is a good idea. I also think that a weekend day might be 
better for most of us.

On 3/12/2015 8:13 PM, Bruce&Joy Breslauer via Nfbmt wrote:
> Well, I been doin some thinkin.  That's usually dangerous, but here goes.
>
>   
>
> I was thinkin that we have two chapters, the Yellowstone County Chapter and
> the Treasure State At Large chapter, and that's good, but they're far apart
> geographically and they each are separate from one another in how they
> conduct their affairs.  They are working toward a common goal, yes, but
> otherwise they don't have much to do with each other.
>
>   
>
> Maybe if we have a big invite- get-together fried-chicken home made apple
> pie ice cream social on the phone, invite a friend to come, that might be
> fun and help us build community and comradery.
>
>   
>
> I have been toying with the idea of starting a conference call for the whole
> affiliate.  FDR had his Fireside Chat, maybe we could have our Phoneside
> Chat.  Just get together for an hour or so and shoot the breeze, talk about
> the NFB Philosophy and how it has impacted our lives or how we wish it
> could, invite speakers or be speakers to address various topics, maybe share
> our testimonies, sing a few hymns . oh wait, that's probably another
> gathering.  But anyway, some of us oldsters might have some experiences to
> share with the rest of us about how we became blind and how that has
> affected our lives, positively or negatively.  I don't think it needs to be
> a therapy session, but we could just spend some time building a community,
> getting burning questions answered about the NFB and why it does what it
> does or what we want to do as an affiliate, not have it be so formal and
> scripted if you will as a chapter might be.  Ted could talk about fixing
> cars, Sheila could talk about raising kids, Joy could shut up for once and
> learn something.  Oh, did I really say that?  Somebody could talk about
> places they've traveled to, or situations they've been in where being a
> blind person was either funny or not, whether you've always been blind or
> whether you came to it later in life and how you adjusted, the sky and your
> imagination is the limit.  So I want to pick a time and a day that would
> work for most of us.  I want to set a few ground rules, like no picking on
> people, no hanging up mad, etc.  I want people to feel safe there and not
> ganged up on.  I'd love to run it, but I sure wouldn't turn down anybody
> else who wants to take over a meeting and expound on a topic.  I thought if
> we met once a month that would be a start.  I don't want this or anything
> else to start taking over our lives, those of us who have lives, but I think
> this could be really interesting and fun.
>
>   
>
> So I am looking for input for a day and time that might work for most of us.
> Week nights don't work well for me as a work-a-day person.  Week ends might
> work ok if the call takes maybe an hour and doesn't go much beyond that,
> unless by special consent or the topic is really really good.  I think it's
> only fair to say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so that we don't
> provide unnecessary grist for the rumor mill or create unnecessary
> misunderstandings and strife between or among us.  I want this to be a
> positive experience for all, but if it isn't, I want to have a way to
> address that and get it settled once and for all and go on with the life of
> the community building.  No grudges, no hard feelings, no covering it over
> and letting it fester.  Just the golden rule, treat each other like you'd
> want to be treated, and don't take any wooden nickels.  Does it say that
> somewhere in the Bible?  Anyway, let me hear from you and we'll plan a day
> and time soon.
>
>   
>
> Anybody have one of those old crank ice cream makers, the one where you use
> ice and rock salt?  Bring a banjo, a harmonica, a good story, and we'll all
> have a lemonade in the shade or maybe a Mint Julep and listen to the
> Dixieland band from the front porch.  Y'all come back now, ya hear?
>
>   
>
> Joy Breslauer, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Montana
>
> www.nfbofmt.org
>
>   
>
> Live the life you want
>
>   
>
> 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
>
>   
>
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