[nfbwatlk] Student Division

Sun Dec 7 06:34:14 UTC 2008

Good Evening All.

No, I have not died. Just my e-mail has. Seriously though. Things have
been interesting on the technological end of things. So, that would be
why you haven't seen much of me on the topic of the student division.
I just got the messages.

Andrea gave a perfect account of what happened during last year's
student meeting. This year's student meeting saw low turn-out mostly
owing to the fact that it was Halloween weekend, and we had our
meeting on a Friday morning when students were least likely to be
available. I think our adopting of a new convention schedule might
resolve the problem next year; we'll get a better turn-out. We still
need to re-elect offices, and I sent an e-mail to that effect to those
who left their e-mail addresses with me at convention last October. It
is possible, then, that the e-mail didn't get through due to the
technical difficulties I seem to be having. As soon as finals are
finished, I will resend the e-mail and we'll carry on from there.

Let me speak to the matter of qualifications. Age is not an issue, nor
is student status, in whether someone joins the division. One need
only submit their dues of $5. We do not discriminate. our offices are
constituted to be reserved by a majority of students. That means that
three out of four officers should be students. However, that doesn't
mean that our officers' make-up cannot change if absolutely need be.
The President and Vice-President must be students.

That said, I invite anyone to be involved. The work (on all levels of
the affiliate) is difficult and requires much time and effort which
doesn't come easy when life happens. But, as others have said, we do
our best. For those of us who have more time available, I would
strongly encourage you to involve yourself as much as is desirable to
you. The work load has volume. As it has been said many times, more
hands make lighter work.

On 12/4/08, Kay Burrows <theladykathryn4one at juno.com> wrote:
> 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)
>>>
>>>
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>>
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-- 
Respectfully,
Jedi