[Ohio-talk] Fw: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions

Fri Oct 28 17:56:36 UTC 2011

I am not aware of any chapters in the affiliate that have this problem; but 
before we do, here is more sage advice from David Evans. Paul
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list" <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions


>
> Dear All,
>
> If you have a number of children in your chapter, you can form a "Students 
> Committee."  You can give them one vote in chapter issues collectively, 
> and let the  take part in all other chapter duties and events, but give 
> them a voice.  You might be surprised.
> Giving the kids somekind of voice and including them in decision making 
> will empower them, encourage them and prepare them for leadership in the 
> future.
> This, of course needs to be reasonable and measured, but ignoring them 
> will drive them away or send the message that they are not wanted or 
> needed.
> Give them their own projects to do and work on.
>
> Maybe an outreach project such as an awareness day at their schools to 
> educate the other children as to Blindness or disability.
> Have them show the other kids how , we as Blind people, do things ; use 
> computers, read Braille, travel and read books.
> Let them figure it out, with a little advice  from adult advisors.
> Let them come on trips to see local politicians on Blindness issues.
> You need to view them as you would young plants.  They need some attention 
> and care or they will die and blow away.  Cultivate them, encourage them 
> and show them how to act as role models and mentors.  The children are our 
> future.  Lead them in the direction you want them to go or by nature they 
> will take their own direction and the opportunity to make good NFB members 
> of them maybe lost.
> Children 13 and above is usually a good age to start them off as chapter 
> members and the guide is how mature they are for their age.
> I know 45 year olds that have less maturity than some kids of 13.
> Use them or lose them as they say.
>
> Give them some duties to perform at meetings, such things as holding the 
> flag, leading in the pledge of Allegiance, collecting or running tickets 
> for a 50/50 drawing, passing out copies of agendas, reading things aloud 
> to the group, anything that makes them feel useful and wanted.
>
> David Evans, President
> Palm Beach County Chapter, Florida
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Nickie Pearl" <njp at insightbb.com>
> To: "NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list" 
> <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 8:00 AM
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions
>
>
>> Veronica--I believe as chapter presidents we have a good handle on our 
>> members.  You may have some mature, outgoing, involved middle schoolers. 
>> When I sit here and evaluate my chapter, I do not have that.  The middle 
>> school age kids that are around my chapter are just there because of 
>> their parents and would rather play than sit and listen to our issues. 
>> I'm not going to force anything on them ...in due time.  I do get great 
>> response when I ask for their help in an activity or event though!
>> For my chapter, I would have to vote for the youngster to be in high 
>> school before becoming a member.
>>
>> Have a great day!
>> Nickie
>>
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: Veronica Smith
>> Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:43 PM
>> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'
>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions
>>
>> Why do they have to be high school age.  Even in mid school, the kids 
>> have a
>> student government and serve on a board, President, vice president,
>> secretary and treasurer.  Much like our board, I don't think that 
>> children
>> should be able to be on our boards but having a say whether something 
>> should
>> or should not be done in our chapter seems okay to me.  My daughter has 
>> been
>> attending meeting with me for about 4 years now, she listens to the 
>> issues,
>> she gets into some of the discussions and she helps out at each and every
>> meeting and fund raiser we have.  She is no doubt a true NFBer.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nickie Pearl
>> Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 6:31 AM
>> To: NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list
>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions
>>
>> Kelly,
>>    I have some dues paying members who live out in the state and never
>> attend a chapter meeting or events.  They are on our membership list and
>> occasionally make it to a state convention.  We add them to our mailing 
>> list
>>
>> so they receive our quarterly newsletter. I hear from them time to time 
>> but
>> not on a regular basis.   If someone wants to be a member but never show 
>> up,
>>
>> that's their prerogative! Our dues are only $2 a year, we do not use dues 
>> as
>>
>> a fundraiser  or anything.
>> You bring up a good point about kids.  We have many members who have kids
>> and the kids are at alot of our activities, but dues for kids have never
>> been brought up.  If it ever were brought up, I'd have to vote for a high
>> school age.
>>
>> Have a great day!
>> Nickie Pearl
>> Louisville Ky
>>
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: Kellye Thurman
>> Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 7:57 AM
>> To: NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list
>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions
>>
>> Great thank you! We have some children that are between the ages of 
>> 10-18,
>> and a member in Oklahoma that has family here in Arkansas, but she does 
>> not
>> attend chapter or events... so it has raised some hard feelings in the
>> chapter. I thought I would see how other chapters handle :)
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Oct 17, 2011, at 4:54 AM, "Michelle Clark" <mcikeyc at aol.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Kelly,
>>>
>>> In the Chapter in which I am President, a dues paying member is 
>>> considered
>>> active.  We have youth in our  chapter as well. If they are paying
>>> members,
>>> they are allowed to vote as they currently are all at least 17 years 
>>> old.
>>>
>>> Michelle Clark
>>> President
>>> National Harbor Chapter
>>> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kellye 
>>> Thurman
>>> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 8:37 PM
>>> To: Chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Chapter-presidents] Chapter Constitutions
>>>
>>> Good Evening All - I am new to this distribution list and am enjoying
>>> seeing
>>> your advice & experience!
>>>
>>> I am reaching out to you to keep from re-inventing the wheel. I am a
>>> president with only a year under my belt. The chapter has asked me two
>>> questions about voting & membership.
>>>
>>> Do you allow children to vote in your chapter & if not , what age do you
>>> allow them to vote?
>>>
>>> How do you determine what an "active" member is in your chapter?
>>>
>>> I appreciate your feedback in advance!
>>>
>>> Kellye Thurman
>>> NFB of Northwest Arkansas
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>
>
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