[nfbwatlk] NFBW Spring Seminar

[Albert Sanchez]

Sounds like a good time was had by all! Wish we could've been their!
Albert Sanchez
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mjc59 at q.com>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 9:07 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] NFBW Spring Seminar


> Thirty-two Federationists from across  the state gathered in Seattle last 
> Saturday. There were 40 and 50 year veterans and members who joined this 
> year. Members came from Greater Seattle/King County, Vancouver, Spokane, 
> Marysville, Sequim and Oak Harbor. We spent the day learning, connecting, 
> and recommitting ourselves to the growth of OUR NFB.
>
> For me it was one of the most inspiring, energizing days I have spent in 
> this affiliate!
>
> We spent a large part of the morning getting to know each other better; 
> why we joined the NFB, why we were still here and what we wanted out ot 
> the day. It took a while for 32 people to answer these questions, but I 
> think it was well worth the time. Some people learned about the NFB 
> through our scholarships. Others needed help with a blindness-related 
> issue and came to the Federation for assistance. Some originally came to 
> meet men/women and for the parties. Some met their life partners through 
> the organization. One person heard of the NFB, listened to Dr. Jernigan's 
> speeches and decided to write to him to see if this thing was for real. 
> (Dr, Jernigan, of course, wrote back. It was for real.)
>
> We listened to the Presidential Release, a vital  tool for staying 
> connected to our national news, and discussed legislation. Legislative 
> updates will be posted to the list soon.
>
> After lunch we settled into the  work of determining what we want for our 
> affiliate and who will work on specific issues. Communication, fundraising 
> and membership development were the themes of the discussion; which took 
> place during the NFBW Board meeting and in general session. Here are some 
> of the projects and commitments we made for the coming year:
>
> * There will be an organizing team which will work on revitalizing our 
> Tacoma chapter and exploring the potential for a chapter in Yakima. The 
> team will include Marci, Mike Mello, Julie Warrington and several Clarke 
> County chapter members.
>
> * Members of the Seattle chapter will fork with the Julie and the SnoKing 
> chapter to help develop membership.
>
> * Michael Dickneite will help us to spread our information to other 
> teachers of blind children. We will draw more on the many teachers from 
> our state who have attended  the Teacher of  Tomorrow seminars.
>
> * We will work on getting a debit card for the affiliate; something which 
> is becoming a necessity. Gary will call our national office and help with 
> this.
>
> * Cindy and  Marci will gather chapter membership lists and will send out 
> a list of NFBW Board members, chapter presidents and their contact 
> information to every board member and chapter president in whatever 
> formats desired.
>
> * The NFBW Board will begin holding monthly meetings via free conference 
> call. All board meetings are open to all NFB members and affiliate members 
> are encouraged to participate. Board meetings will  be held on the 1st 
> Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. Pacific Time beginning with the initial 
> meeting on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. The phone number to call is 
> 1-218-339-3600 and the code to join our call is 849246 followed by the # 
> sign. This information will be sent to all chapter presidents and posted 
> on the listserv one week prior to each board meeting.
>
> * We will get more information out to the general public about the NFB 
> through booths at street fairs, farmers markets and Meet The Blind Month 
> Activities (October)
>
> * We will hold more statewide fundraisers. One will be an evening of music 
> and merriment at a local venue. Several members frequent local "watering 
> holes" and will check with owners to help us find a place. Jim Portillo, 
> Seattle chapter member and folk musician, offered to play. Don Mitchell's 
> group may also be recruited to play. Julie Warrington has some family 
> members who have a band.  We would make money by getting the owner to 
> donate the evening's cover charge to the NFBW.
>
> * Mike Mello will find out how we can fundraise through grocery store 
> cards where a percentage of the amount spent is donated to the 
> organization.
>
> * We will get on the list  of organizations participating in the Big Give 
> Day; a fundraising event sponsored by the Seattle Foundation in which the 
> general public gives to an organization and the foundation matches the 
> money raised.
>
> I would personally like to thank Mike Mello, Jacob Struiksma and all of 
> the Greater Seattle chapter and state affiliate members who made 
> arrangements for the excellent food we had, helped with transportation 
> planning and other logistics for this seminar.
>
> The discussion was positive, energetic and action-oriented. We reconnected 
> with old friends, made new ones and came away with a clear direction for 
> OUR NFB of Washington.  I hope that those of you who were unable to attend 
> can gain a sense of the energy and commitment and will help to make these 
> things a reality.  See you soon!
>
> Marci Carpenter
> 206-933-7971
> mjc59 at q.com
> _______________________________________________
> nfbwatlk mailing list
> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nfbwatlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/albertsanchez%40suddenlink.net