[Nfbmt] Meet the Blind Month Membership Drive Information

Fri Sep 11 08:15:31 UTC 2015

Boy, am I late getting this out.  Sorry.  Something to think about,
chapters.  Joy 

From: President, National Federation of the Blind 
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 2:55 PM
Subject: Meet the Blind Month Membership Drive information

Meet the Blind Month Membership Drive

October, 2015

Event Overview

Event Name: Keep In Touch (KIT)

This will be a community open-house event, between two and two-and-a-half
hours long, to be held in the month of October. It will serve the purpose of
getting local communities familiar with the tools and techniques we use to
lead independent and fulfilling lives. The event will also be a great way to
reach out to members who are no longer active and to perspective members who
are unsure of what the National Federation of the Blind is all about. 

Event Materials

We have poster files available for you to print to use at your events.
Please find them on Dropbox by following this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fgyht0tg2hcjomk/AAD1x0IIVIY8XEm64Lneefkea?dl=0.
Descriptions of the three poster options can be found in the Word document
also in the Dropbox folder.

We also have wristbands with "75 in 75. Live the life you want." in Braille
for you to distribute to your attendees. In addition, the NFB Independence
Market has literature available for you to order to set out on your tables.
Please give enough lead time for these materials to be delivered to you. You
should have your order in no later than September 20. You can email your
order or questions to dtrevino at nfb.org or call 410-659-9314, extension 2358.
The most popular brochures are listed below:

.         Do You Know a Blind Person? - Item LBD38; Braille/Print; No Charge

.         NFB Jernigan Institute Brochure - Item LBJ19; Braille/Print; No
Charge

.         NFB-NEWSLINER Brochure - Item LBN11; Print; No Charge

.         What is the National Federation of the Blind? - Item LBW04;
Braille/Print; No Charge

Event Plan

August 26

State leaders should receive this event plan, review it with the leadership
team, and forward the event plan to chapter leaders.

August 27-31

Contact your chapter leadership. Forward the work plan and be sure they know
to contact state board members with questions or concerns.

August 31-September 10

Begin scouting your location for the open house. This event is not going to
require much in the way of space but you will need a quiet room so people
can talk. (Check church basements, school buildings, and other community
buildings for spaces you can use for free.) 

September 10-15

Talk to your chapter members and ask them each to take a station within the
open house. Coordinate with them as to who will be bringing which
demonstration materials and who will be contacting the NFB Independence
Market for literature. The following are suggestions of what stations you
could include, but you are not limited to them.

.         Braille reading/writing - The station manager should demonstrate a
Brailler and/or a slate and stylus. He or she should also mention the free
slate program.

.         Mobility - The station manager should demonstrate a long white
cane. If there is a guide dog user within the chapter who is willing to show
how they walk with the dog, encourage them to do so. The station manager
should also mention the free white cane program. 

.         Technology - The station manager should demonstrate a Braille
display, Braille notetaker, talking mobile phone, talking computer, etc.
Additionally, the IBTC and the KNFB Reader should be mentioned.

.         For children - The station manager should demonstrate
print/Braille books, tactile games, a beeper ball (if available), Braille
flashcards, etc. If there is a member of the NOPBC available to man the
station, be sure to have them mention the division.

.         Daily living - The station manager should demonstrate Brailled
measuring cups, clothing labels, labeled cans/boxes of food, etc. He or she
should also mention the Independence Market.

.         Membership - The station manager should be ready to take down
information from new members. They should be able to answer questions about
the Federation, as well.

September 15

Finalize your invitation flyers and start sending them out via email,
posting them on your social media platforms, and handing them to anyone you
think might want to attend. A few groups who might be interested are:

.         The Boy Scouts of America

.         Church youth groups

.         Boys and Girls Clubs

.         Service sororities and fraternities

.         Ladies auxiliaries

.         Law enforcement

.         High school community service clubs

You might also leave flyers at:

.         Eye doctors' offices

.         Your local vocational rehab office

.         Any blindness related organization in town

.         Schools/universities

September 15-17

Notify your state board of your event details. Ask for their assistance, if
necessary. 

September 17-20

State leadership should notify Jeannie Massay and Danielle Trevino of the
events happening within their affiliate.

September 20 through the event date

Chapter members and state board members should send out reminders of the
event via email and on social media every three days. As the event gets
closer, post every other day. Post once on the day before, once the day of,
and the day after, post a thank-you to those who came out and supported your
chapter. Also post any pictures you might have taken during your KIT event.
Use the hashtags: #NFBKIT and #MeetTheBlind.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeannie Massay at
405-600-0695 or at Jeannie.massay at nfbok.org. You can also contact me at
410-659-9314, extension 2358, or at dtrevino at nfb.org. 

Let's go build the Federation! 

Mark A. Riccobono, President

National Federation of the Blind

200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Phone: (410) 659-9314

Fax: (410) 659-5129

Email: officeofthepresident at nfb.org

Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice

Web:  <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org

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.

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Address: P.O. Box 1325, Great Falls, MT 59403 

Phone: (406) 454-3096

Email: president at nfbofmt.org

Web Site: 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.