[nfbwatlk] Student Division

Mike Freeman k7uij at panix.com
Thu Dec 4 05:19:41 UTC 2008 

Actually, one doesn't have to be a lawyer to join the National 
Association of Blind Lawyers, a diabetic to join the Diabetic Action 
Network, a computer scientist to join the NFB in Computer Science, etc. 
Obviously, however, if one is not a lawyer, one is not going to get CLE 
(Continuing Legal Education) credit for attending NABL's seminar; one 
wouldn't need it.

This is analogous to one not having to be blind to be a member of the 
NFB; the only requirement is that one be interested in the matters dealt 
with by the division(s) in question. Some groups or divisions --  
notably, the that dealing with amateur radio, have additional 
requirements for their officers (in this instance, all must have a valid 
amateur radio license). But anyone can join the group (it's supposed to 
get division status this year if Curtis Willoughby gets the constitution 
in).

Kay's points are well-taken, however.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kay Burrows" <theladykathryn4one at juno.com>
To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Student Division


Lisa,

Perhaps I am the only one that thought to be a member of the student
division one had to a student actively pursuing a degree or certificate 
or
to be considering an advanced degree or certificate.  I deemed it to be 
a
rather exclusive organization rather like some of the professional
divisions.  I also presumed it to be run by the members and not 
necessarily
with direction and support of the affiliate.  In fact I thought that it 
was
not a welcome place for "grey beards or snow tops" as most students are 
more
youthful than the rest of the membership.  There for I am a little 
confused
about your use of this forum.  Were your comments directed to the 
student
members only or to all affiliate members with their lack of concern for 
the
student division?

I find it hard to even conceive that any member, let alone a board 
member is
not concerned with fund raising.  For many of us it is a very 
frightening
and worrisome situation.  I do not know of a single chapter that does 
mot
benefit from the affiliate's pockets.

Many people work countless hours for the benefit of their chapter and 
the
affiliate and do not expect to have public recognition for their work. 
They
do what they do quietly, efficiently, and with much anonymity just 
because
they love and care about the organization and the work that it does. 
Mike
Freeman would not even think of telling everyone how many personal hours 
he
had spent organizing the convention that you thought "could have been 
done
better"  Rather than make sure criticisms in public you might consider
contacting Mike off list with suggestions for improvement and 
volunteering
time to bring them to fruition.  Every mouse wanted the cat to be 
belled,
but no mouse volunteered to put the bell around his neck.

I can not and try not to speak for others.  These are my thoughts and I 
take
responsibility for them.

Kay Burrows

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:05 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Student Division

Kay:

One does not have to be a student to be a member of NFB of Washington
Students. I'll have to look at the constitution for the division but I
believe that all officers must be students and I should think that a
majority of the voting membership of the division must be students also.
AS I say, I'll have to look back through my records to clarify this.

Insofar as I am aware, there is no set qualification for being a
"student" insofar as division membership is concerned but common sense
ought to rule. For example, Marty was a student since she was studying
to become a licensed massage therapist. Likewise, anyone going to school
to get an academic degree or to learn a trade is a student. I'm not sure
someone taking, say, a night-time course to learn how to knit for the
heck of it would be said to be a student, at least in the spirit of the
group the division is meant to represent and assist though, as I said
above, one does not need to be a student to be a member of the division.

At the risk of leaving someone out, at the formation of the division, I
believe that Lisa, Jennifer, Jacob and Marty were students and Andrea,
Mike Mello and, I think, Ben Prows, joined also although I'm a bit vague
on this last assertion except that both Andrea and Mike were "charter
members" and Andrea may have been a student at that time. Oh yes -- CT
may have joined also,

Insofar as I am aware, Jennifer, Lisa and Jacob are the only bona fide
students that are left though I am quick to admit that I could be wrong
and could be leaving someone else out. CRS Syndrome and all that!

Mike Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kay Burrows" <theladykathryn4one at juno.com>
To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:04 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Student Division



There are some areas of clarification that I would like to have in
understand the situation better.  How many students are member of the
affiliate?  Is the student division limited to only students?  What is
considered a student or what is the qualifying definition of a student?
Are
there parameters as to were and how many hours are needed to qualify?

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On
Behalf Of Mackenstadt, Gary
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:11 AM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Student Division


Lisa, I am a little concerned about your message.  I agree that you have
worked hard.  However, none of us live in a bubble.  I share your
disappointment about the students" division.  I have been in the
federation
for thirty-five years, and a students' division particularly on a state
level has always been a struggle.

We do not need to get in to a discussion about people';s commitment.  As
you
know, all of the work is not done on the list serve or telephone.
Maybe,
some of us do not spend enough time telling other people how much we
spend
on raising money, or organizing convention, working on legislation, or
doing
advocacy.  We are all volunteers.

The challenge remains the building of an active and productive movement.
The NFBW is one of fifty-two affiliates.  We get the job done
collectively.
All of us need to generate ideas and action.  We are all volunteers.  If
it
was not for jobs, college, families and everyday living, there would be
a
lot of time.

It is my plan to start communicating with the members of the fundraising
committee.  However, anyone on the committee is welcome to call me, and
we
can talk.  Since we are on the subject, we are currently filling out
some
paper work related to a bequest.  Most members of the Federation do not
understand how much paper work there is.  For the most part, the
treasurer
and president do the endless paper work.  Delegating the paper work is
not a
realistic option.



-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On
Behalf Of Nfbnorthwest at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:39 AM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Student Division

Hello:

I am very disappointed about the lack of interest in the Student
Division.
The convention was a good experience; however it could have been done
better.

I appeal to all officeers in this division  to recommit themselves to
this
division. I appeal to all students also. I think it is a disserve to our
membership when we don't even show up to elect officers or even to
commit
ourselves to even talking on the phone.

Jennifer "Jedi" Moerke has worked tirelessly on all our belf. I thank
her
for her dedication. Everyone knows where respnsibility lies. I will not
allow this division to fold up like a house of cards. This dision as
well as
the Bellingham chapter and this affiliate are far too important.

We in WA are as strong or as weak as we wish. Fund raising needs to be
taken seriously if this afiliate is to survive. No one seems to care
about
this issue either.

Jedi is very upset and frustrated at the NFB of WA; I share her
frustration.
I share her dedication and commitment. We can't do this alone.

I renew my commitment to this affiliate, the Student Division & the
CFB.

I will do whatever it takes to keep things going.

We need you to help.

Lisa A. Owen
Treasurer Officer & Fund Raising Chair
The Northwest Chapter
Secretary Officer
The NFB of WA Student Division
Fund Raising Committee Membeer
Member:
The Canadian Federation of the Blind
360-920-0405
_nfbnorthwest at aol.com_ (mailto:nfbnorthwest at aol.com)


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