[Nfbsatx] The Chapter: A Foundation Block for the Federation

[Mary Donahue]

Good afternoon everyone,

 

                The following article is included in the January 2012
Braille Monitor. Considering that are chapter is growing, and that we have
elections coming up next month Mary and I felt that this article by Dan Frye
is  very timely. I had the opportunity to record some of Dan's presentations
made at recent national conventions. He is a seasoned federationist with
lotsof chapter development experience. Here is Dan's article:

 

>From the Web Site:
http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm12/bm1201/bm120109.htm


 


The Chapter: A Foundation Block for the Federation


by Daniel B. Frye

Description: Dan FryeFrom the Editor: Dan Frye is a management and program
specialist in the Rehabilitation Services Administration. He is responsible
for national management of the Randolph-Sheppard Program, and he is the
program officer for the Helen Keller National Center. Because he worked for
a number of years as part of the NFB's Department of Affiliate Action, he
was invited to make a presentation at last summer's Back to Basics seminar
at the Orlando convention. We asked him to recreate his presentation so that
everyone could have the benefit of his wisdom. This is Dan's re-creation of
what he said:

The local chapter, at its best, represents the entirety of the National
Federation of the Blind in microcosm. Here prospective members are
introduced to the Federation and first exposed to our programs, policies,
and practices. Here Federationists, new and seasoned, have the chance to
interact with blind leaders in their communities. Such interactions, from
the mundane and social to the profound and enlightening, provide the
opportunity for blindness-specific networking and lay the foundation for the
close-knit unity of purpose that distinguishes the NFB and is the secret of
our strength. Effective local chapters, in short, offer our members a
regular meeting place, an excellent training ground, and an ideal assembly
of like-minded people to promote the Federation's initiatives and messages
to the local, state, and national audiences that need to hear what we have
to say.

In addition to meeting the individual and organizational needs of our
grassroots membership, NFB chapters promote our philosophy, provide
blindness advocacy and other programming, and undertake performance of every
other role of the Federation at the local level. Chapters are fine
laboratories for explaining and exploring in small groups the Federation's
emotional and philosophical approach to blindness. Occasional seminars,
guided by seasoned leaders that examine in detail the messages that our
three principal national presidents have delivered in their annual banquet
addresses, enrich our membership. Chapters also engage in advocacy and
programming to help an individual member or address a unique challenge in a
town or city. Issues like public transportation, effective implementation of
the state's White Cane Law, and other imaginative ideas for educating the
general public about the normalcy of blindness are appropriate for any
chapter. And without question our best chapters are always prepared to unite
and help our state and national organizations pursue their goals.

Given the fundamental importance and character of local NFB chapters, we
must take the work and administration of these local units as seriously as
we do the efforts and activity of our state affiliates and national
organization. Often even the most well-meaning Federationists can become
forgetful or complacent about the significance of the local chapter in the
overall functioning of the NFB, since chapter work can sometimes seem
routine or boring. But our national organization and state affiliates will
be only as strong as the effective efforts of our best local chapters; the
converse of this principle is also true. Our weakest chapters will weaken
our efforts across the board.

Mindful then of the priority and attention our chapters deserve, local
leaders and members should pay attention to several governing principles
that will help our chapters run well, stay interesting, and reflect the
maturity and professionalism for which the Federation is best known. Some of
these principles include:

A-Cultivating Members and Electing Leaders: Many chapters are founded with
the best of intentions, but failure to cultivate new members and elect
strong leaders can cause the chapter to flounder. Electing strong chapter
leaders is as important for success as is doing so at higher levels of the
Federation. And attracting new members to the Federation through the local
chapter-the primary gateway to membership in the NFB-is important for
keeping a local chapter dynamic and fresh. In addition, recruiting new
members is especially critical because the Federation has something of
genuine value to teach people. Devote an entire meeting to welcoming and
orienting new members or devise other innovative ways to entice and educate
them. Mentor the most promising recruits and, in time, recommend them for
leadership seminars or other activities like national convention or a
Washington Seminar. But, by all means, keep your chapter strong through
sustained membership development.

B-Maintaining Accurate Records: Maintaining good records (meeting minutes
and an accurate and complete treasurer's report) is vital at every level of
the Federation. Close attention to preserving official records will
guarantee that the Federation as a whole is able to comply with state and
federal laws for nonprofit organizations. Well preserved records help us
retain a clear sense of our history and accomplishments. Some may complain
that these aspects of a chapter meeting are uninteresting, but such are the
mild hardships of running an important, mission-oriented organization.

C-Offering Programs: Our strongest chapters regularly include program items
at their monthly meetings. Items may include a guest speaker from the
community invited to communicate information to the chapter or for the
chapter subtly to educate the speaker about an aspect of blindness. No
matter what is done (big or small), a distinct program at each chapter
meeting will help to keep new and regular attendees engaged and inclined to
return again next month.

D-Promoting Chapter Relations with the State and National Organization: Our
best chapters clearly identify themselves with the work and mission of our
state and national organizations. Isolated local chapters that do not feel
an affinity with the broader Federation tend to deteriorate and, more
important, fail to represent and reflect the over-arching values of the
Federation accurately. Play the monthly presidential release so that chapter
members are aware of current national issues that need attention. Make sure
that your affiliate president, if not a member of your local chapter, visits
one of your monthly meetings from time to time so that members understand
what's happening across the state. Mostly, though, encourage as many chapter
members as possible to attend state and national functions. Only through
direct interaction with the larger Federation community will local members
truly grasp the awesome scope and vitality of the National Federation of the
Blind.

In summary, let the local NFB chapter be the hands-on welcoming committee
and respected ambassador for the work of the National Federation of the
Blind in your home town. Chapter leaders should use the many resources for
founding and strengthening local chapters developed by the NFB's Department
of Affiliate Action. For more information on local chapters of the NFB
contact Joanne Wilson, executive director of affiliate action, at (410)
659-9314, extension 2335; 
E-mail: jwilson at nfb.org

Peter and Mary Donahue

 

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