[NFBOH-Cleveland] NFB--Recruitment and Membership

[Suzanne Turner]

The NFB--Recruitment and Membership
by Allen Harris
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	During my years in the Federation, people have asked, "Can I recruit
new members into our Federation?" My response is always, "only if you will."
Each of us in the NFB can recruit new members and can work with our members
to strengthen their interest and participation in our organization. In fact,
it is our responsibility to share our organization with anyone who may be
interested and who may add to our collective strength.
	I would like each of us to consider three points when thinking about
recruiting new members and supporting them as they become part of our
organization: 
1.	All of us can be effective recruiters of new members, and we should
use our personal characteristics and strengths to be successful. 
2.	Recruitment need not be a daunting task. We should think of
recruiting new members as the ongoing opportunity to find one person at a
time. 
3.	We should remember that we have a common characteristic; we are
blind. We should regard each person as someone who can benefit from and
contribute to the success of the NFB.
	I believe the success we have recruiting new members begins with an
individual commitment to building our organization; recruitment is not
reserved for a few leaders. Each of us knows other blind people or will meet
them over time, and we should regard every blind person we know as a
potential member. Each of us possesses certain strengths and characteristics
that make us good recruiters. In fact my style may not be successful with
one prospective member while you quite naturally work effectively with that
person. So get started and work to develop your ability to help bring new
people into the Federation.
	It is important to approach recruitment as a one-at-a-time process.
Though outreach campaigns can be effective, there is no substitute for very
personal efforts to work with prospective members and help them learn about
our organization. If each of us finds one person, each-one-bring-one, we
will continue to bring new people into our organization. They in turn will
bring talent to our efforts. Each time you meet a blind person or for that
matter any person who you know is not a member of the NFB, begin to plan for
his or her participation--the next chapter meeting, a fundraising
opportunity, a public outreach event, and so on. If you are able to get a
person to participate in an activity sponsored by the NFB, be sure to follow
up to plan the next opportunity. If each of us takes on this responsibility
one person at a time, we will change lives, increase our membership, and
strengthen our organization.
	Finally, it is important to remember that we all have blindness in
common, and we should not limit our recruitment of new members to a certain
few. The NFB is a diverse group of individuals who happen to be blind, and
any attitude that restricts our efforts to bring new people into the
movement is not consistent with our commitment to every blind person. We
want to see everyone who is blind, without regard for his or her place in
society, to benefit from and have the chance to contribute to our
Federation. This has been and must continue to be a characteristic of the
NFB that has made us strong, diverse, and representative in our work on
blindness issues. 
	It is also important to remember that, while everyone should be seen
as a prospective member, you should be able to recognize when it is time to
move on. In other words, invest time and energy in individuals who show
signs of interest and willingness to participate. When it is clear to me
that my efforts to bring a person into the NFB have not been successful, I
must move on. Joanne Wilson was one of those who helped me understand that
our future depends on finding members who want to build the NFB and not to
trouble about those who indicate that they would not or could not
participate effectively. She told me, "There are more where they came from."
We all have limits on our time and energy, so it is important to use these
resources well.
	Think carefully about how to recruit new members effectively, and
develop a strategy that works for you. You may not find my approach to new
members one with which you are comfortable, but you can develop an approach
that is uniquely yours. Each of us is responsible for building our
membership, and finding and developing new members one at a time will help
us grow and become more effective at our work. Being inclusive in our
recruitment efforts will insure our continued ability to be representative
in our work and to benefit from the broadest range of ideas and
possibilities. For me, the NFB is an easy gift to share with others because
our success on behalf of blind people is extraordinary. I find it a joy to
approach prospective members since everyone can benefit from and contribute
to our strength as a movement.
************
How to Share the Federation Message with Other Blind People

	Most of us are active in the Federation today because NFB members
reached out to us, befriended us, answered our questions, and said just the
right thing that made us want to be a part of the organization. And, though
we want in turn to reach out to other blind people, sometimes we find it
difficult to know just what to say to someone who has reservations about the
organization or even about blindness itself. Below are some suggestions for
ways we can respond to the common questions and reservations we encounter as
we extend a hand to other blind people.
************
1. What does the NFB do?
*	Our goal is to achieve full integration of blind people into all
aspects of society. We work to make this happen through public education,
legislation, programs for children, mentorship, scholarships for students,
senior outreach, professional groups, and much more.
*	We are the civil rights movement of blind people.
*	We are a nationwide group of blind people who come together to
provide support, encouragement, and practical advice to one another.
************
2. I'm not a joiner.
*	I know what you mean; I have never considered myself a joiner
either. But the NFB helped me personally, and that's what brought me into
the organization. 
*	Our organization has room for all levels of involvement. You can
even just join a listserv or come to an occasional meeting if that's all you
can do. 
*	By virtue of being blind, you are already part of a group. As group
members we work together to see that all blind people have the chance to
live their lives with dignity.
************
3. I don't get involved in politics.
*	You can do many things in the organization, and you don't have to
participate in every activity. Holding an office is not the only way to get
involved in the organization. 
*	The NFB doesn't affiliate with political parties. We work to pass
only legislation that will expand opportunities for blind people. 
************
4. I'm not blind.
*	Most people in the NFB are not totally blind; you'll fit right in.
*	Our focus is not on how much vision you do or don't have. We focus
on helping blind people figure out ways to get things done efficiently. 
*	We encourage people to use any tool that can help them get the job
done as efficiently and easily as possible, whether it is a magnifier, a
screen reader, a CCTV, or a cane.
************
5. The NFB is radical.
*	In the NFB we believe that blind people can lead fulfilling,
productive lives. Does this sound radical?
*	Because of society's negative attitudes about blindness, many people
might think that believing blindness isn't a tragedy is radical; but we are
working together to change society's attitudes about blindness so that
someday our belief in the capabilities of blind people won't be considered
particularly radical.
************
6. The NFB opposes dog guides.
*	We are not opposed to dog guides. We want blind people to use the
tools that work best for them.
*	A number of our national leaders and members are dog guide users.
*	We even have a dog guide division so that you can meet other dog
guide users.
*	We have filed many lawsuits to protect the rights of dog guide
users.
*	All blind people are welcome in our organization.
************
7. The NFB opposes audible traffic signals.
*	We are not opposed to audible traffic signals in situations in which
they are necessary; we just believe that blind people should have the chance
to travel anywhere and not be limited to crossing only those streets with
audible signals.
*	You don't have to agree with every policy of the organization. If
you want to improve the lives of blind people, you belong with us.
************
8. I can't get to meetings.
*	We want you to be a part of us, and we will be happy to help figure
something out. 
*	If no meeting is close to you, you can start attending a meeting a
little further away. Often members of a chapter help find a way to get
someone to the meeting by finding a driver or asking another member to help
the new person get there.
*	You can also get involved through listservs. A number of email lists
are sponsored by the NFB in which you can talk to people and exchange ideas.

************
9. How do I join?
*	attend local chapter meetings
*	attend state convention
*	attend national convention and Washington Seminar
*	read the Braille Monitor
************
Other Useful Tips
*	Recruitment is an all-the-time, everywhere commitment. Don't let
blind people or their family members pass you by.
*	Make sure you get contact information so that you can follow up.
*	Try to become a friend.
*	Listen to their concerns about blindness, and go out of your way to
help them.
*	Don't scare them away by coming on too strong. Remember, you
probably wouldn't appreciate a stranger's telling you that you are doing
everything in your life wrong.
*	Find out their interests and introduce them to other Federationists
who share those interests.
*	Don't get bogged down trying to explain the nuances of our
philosophy. Remember that coming to terms with blindness is a slow process.
*	Go out of your way to make them feel welcome in the organization.



Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> 
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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