[Nfbwv-talk] FW: A truly great idea

[Smyth, Charlene R]

Greetings Fellow Federationists,

I really like the chapter meeting idea in the below message and wanted to share it with you.

Charlene

From: 75days <75days at nfb.org<mailto:75days at nfb.org>>
Date: September 3, 2014, 4:56:59 PM EDT
Subject: A truly great idea
Greetings 75ers,

Kevan Worley here. Are you checking our Build the National Federation of the Blind in 75 Days Facebook page? I know you will enjoy and be motivated by our building chapters idea of the day. Please encourage your fellow Federationists, family members, and friends to like us on Facebook and use our twitter hashtag, #nfb75in75.

Now here is a truly inspiring idea. Many of you know long-time leader and author Deborah Kendrick from our Ohio affiliate. During last evenings training and discussion call, which focused on how to hold your organizing meeting, Deborah shared how she begins a chapter meeting. It is a great ice breaker and communicates our philosophy in a wonderfully welcoming and interactive way. Here is what she writes:
MINI BLINDS
For the last few years, we have opened our meetings in the NFB Cincinnati chapter with what I whimsically dubbed “Mini Blinds.”  As we go around the room introducing ourselves, each person gives his or her name, tells whether or not he/she is wearing NFB insignia, and finally, adds a response to the Mini Blind of the month.
To introduce the Mini Blind, I tell a little story and then frame a question for others to follow suit.
Examples:
What is one cool thing about being blind?
What is your favorite low-tech solution to a blindness-related puzzle?
Who was the first person you met in the Federation?
I set it up by telling a story.  For example, last year, I suddenly started giggling one day at convention when I realized that panic-stricken sighted people wanting to give directions often begin shouting “GO straight!  Go straight!”  They do this whether the direction is at all relevant to the situation or not!
So I asked each person to give an example of good or bad verbal directions they’d been given.

Admittedly, I am more creative some months than others, but our members enjoy the Mini Blinds and it gives us a way to learn a bit about one another, share attitudes, and sometimes laugh!
--Deborah Kendrick


At your service,
Kevan Worley
Co-chair
National Federation of the Blind 75 Days of Action Campaign
Jeannie Massay
Co-chair
"Live the Life you Want"
866-543-6808
This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the individuals or entities originally addressed, and may contain confidential and privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of this email is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy or printout.