[nfbwatlk] Logistics of paying for state convention

[Nightingale, Noel]

NFB of Washington:

I mailed my pre-registration into the affiliate's post office box without a registration form.  I don't believe there was a registration form available at that time.  My check was accepted by the affiliate as having provided enough information.  That is no different than someone who uses on-line checking to send his or her pre-registration payment.

I believe that Dr. Jernigan, and Dr. Maurer, lived and live our philosophy of independence as well as anyone.  However, I also know that they were able to live independently in a way that evolved with the times.  I marvel at how far we have come in how technology allows us to do things without a reader and without a scribe, and appreciate those of you who have mastered those ways of accomplishing tasks.  I, myself, still live in the dark ages, but I fully support our affiliate in allowing payment for our activities being made on-line.  As a person who has handled the logistics of pre-registration, I support the notion that it is the money that in fact pre-registers someone, not the form.  If there is any confusion as to what the check is paying for, that can be clarified when the person shows up at the convention.

I would even support the elimination of the registration form.  If someone needs to tell us something unusual, he or she can let us know by phone, e-mail, or carrier pigeon.  As I have said so many times to the point of being annoying, if we are going to prioritize what printed information we distribute, I think it should be a convention announcement sent well in advance to various mailing lists.

I honor those whose sacrifices and dedication have allowed us to reach this point in time where we can argue about things like paying on-line or not.  We have not all reached the top of the stairs, but I know that many of us have climbed to the top or almost to the top because we were lifted there by others.  In turn, we should focus our time and energy for this convention on continuing to assist our blind brothers and sisters to continue the journey so that we can all stand together at the top of the stairs and celebrate  our achievements.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our convention and being renewed in my commitment to our movement.


Noel Nightingale
NFB of Washington Board of Directors