[nfbwatlk] Student Division

Gloria fairyfoot at webband.com
Thu Dec 4 23:21:24 UTC 2008 

Hi Kristina,

That was beautifully written.

Thank you!


Gloria Whipple
Corresponding Secretary
Inland Empire chapter
nfb of WA
Cell phone: 509-475-4993
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Kristina Lawrence
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:45 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Student Division

Lisa,

First let me say that I appreciate your frustration. However, I ask that you
remember that this is a public forum and that anyone, NFBW members and those
wishing to catch onto any challenges that the NFBW may have, read this list.
While the NFBW cannot work within a vacuum, I do think that some things out
to be kept off list and not give those looking for grist for the mill a free
handful.

We all work very hard on getting this affiliate up and running. Many of us
work at odd hours and do not blow our own horns so that others may
congratulate us. We work for the NFB and NFBW because it is something that
we value. We  value the hard won freedom and rights that this organization
has helped us to secure. Many of us remember whatit was like before the ADA
and before technology and I think this is part of the problem with getting a
student division up and running.

Many of our students are handed computers, books (digitally), readers,
proctors and many of the professors don't see a problem with us going to
school. There are still issues out there, but if it isn't handed to people
on a silver platter, they don't want it. Gone are the days when you can
expect people and students to come and search you out. You need to go to
them. The student division board and members, IMHO, need to go to the
schools and hold the events at the schools. The members of the student
division need to start up a phone tree and email tree that works and
includes all interested persons. It is going to take hard work. It is going
to take time and persistance. It is going to take a group effort and there
is nothing that the state board can do except give you the thumbs up, saying
good job and good effort. The state board cannot go to the schools for the
student division and drag the students to a meeting. The student division
has to offer the students of today something more than a beer and pizza
every few months. The state board cannot do this for you. We can help with
ideas, places, suggestions and the occasional $$, but as stated at our
convention and looking around at the economy, we need to be frugal in every
way.

A perfect opportunity is happening this next month. January 4th is Louis
Braille's birthday. Get a book fair together, get something related to
learning together that is fun, informative and a fund raiser. Think outside
of the box.

You, Jennifer, Jacob and other students have the energy and the desire to
see this through. You have the backing of the affiliate. Go do it!

Finally, when I say you need a phone tree or email tree that works, I joined
the student division when it formed. I was at the constitutional meeting and
the meeting the day after. I never was informed of any phone meetings, any
in person meetings and was left out of the loop entirely when planning for
the fall convention was done. All I had asked for was agenda and other
information so that it could be put into advertising and public relation
stuff. Nothing ever came my way. So, now that the dirty laundry has been
aired, let's clean it up and put it away. The new year is nearly here and a
fantastic time to move forward and get a fresh start on things. Talk to Noel
who is coordinating the Louis Braille Coin stuff here in the state. It could
be the jump start the division needs!

Good luck and keep the good efforts going.

Kris Lawrence
First V.P., NFBW

On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 10:08 PM, Lauren Merryfield <lauren1 at catliness.com>
wrote:
> Hi,
> OOOO, I liked your cat and mouse quote!
>
> I am a student of life; does that make me eligible?
> Thanks
> Lauren
> ----- 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
>
>
>>
>> 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)
>>
>>
>> **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the 
>> NEW AOL.com.
>>
>> (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolc
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