[nfbwatlk] Student Division

Fri Dec 5 00:07:52 UTC 2008

Kris,

Here! Here!

KB

-----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
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>>
>>
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