[Ohio-talk] The NFB--Recruitment and Membership

Thu Mar 8 13:23:31 UTC 2018

Thank you, Richard for both the Harris and the Diggs articles. These are great reminders full of good ideas.
Barbara
Barbara Pierce 
President Emerita
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
440-774-8077
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:19 AM, Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The NFB--Recruitment and Membership
> by Allen Harris
> ************
> 	During my years in the Federation, people have asked, "Can I recruit
> new members into our Federation?" My response is always, "only if you will."
> Each of us in the NFB can recruit new members and can work with our members
> to strengthen their interest and participation in our organization. In fact,
> it is our responsibility to share our organization with anyone who may be
> interested and who may add to our collective strength.
> 	I would like each of us to consider three points when thinking about
> recruiting new members and supporting them as they become part of our
> organization: 
> 1.	All of us can be effective recruiters of new members, and we should
> use our personal characteristics and strengths to be successful. 
> 2.	Recruitment need not be a daunting task. We should think of
> recruiting new members as the ongoing opportunity to find one person at a
> time. 
> 3.	We should remember that we have a common characteristic; we are
> blind. We should regard each person as someone who can benefit from and
> contribute to the success of the NFB.
> 	I believe the success we have recruiting new members begins with an
> individual commitment to building our organization; recruitment is not
> reserved for a few leaders. Each of us knows other blind people or will meet
> them over time, and we should regard every blind person we know as a
> potential member. Each of us possesses certain strengths and characteristics
> that make us good recruiters. In fact my style may not be successful with
> one prospective member while you quite naturally work effectively with that
> person. So get started and work to develop your ability to help bring new
> people into the Federation.
> 	It is important to approach recruitment as a one-at-a-time process.
> Though outreach campaigns can be effective, there is no substitute for very
> personal efforts to work with prospective members and help them learn about
> our organization. If each of us finds one person, each-one-bring-one, we
> will continue to bring new people into our organization. They in turn will
> bring talent to our efforts. Each time you meet a blind person or for that
> matter any person who you know is not a member of the NFB, begin to plan for
> his or her participation--the next chapter meeting, a fundraising
> opportunity, a public outreach event, and so on. If you are able to get a
> person to participate in an activity sponsored by the NFB, be sure to follow
> up to plan the next opportunity. If each of us takes on this responsibility
> one person at a time, we will change lives, increase our membership, and
> strengthen our organization.
> 	Finally, it is important to remember that we all have blindness in
> common, and we should not limit our recruitment of new members to a certain
> few. The NFB is a diverse group of individuals who happen to be blind, and
> any attitude that restricts our efforts to bring new people into the
> movement is not consistent with our commitment to every blind person. We
> want to see everyone who is blind, without regard for his or her place in
> society, to benefit from and have the chance to contribute to our
> Federation. This has been and must continue to be a characteristic of the
> NFB that has made us strong, diverse, and representative in our work on
> blindness issues. 
> 	It is also important to remember that, while everyone should be seen
> as a prospective member, you should be able to recognize when it is time to
> move on. In other words, invest time and energy in individuals who show
> signs of interest and willingness to participate. When it is clear to me
> that my efforts to bring a person into the NFB have not been successful, I
> must move on. Joanne Wilson was one of those who helped me understand that
> our future depends on finding members who want to build the NFB and not to
> trouble about those who indicate that they would not or could not
> participate effectively. She told me, "There are more where they came from."
> We all have limits on our time and energy, so it is important to use these
> resources well.
> 	Think carefully about how to recruit new members effectively, and
> develop a strategy that works for you. You may not find my approach to new
> members one with which you are comfortable, but you can develop an approach
> that is uniquely yours. Each of us is responsible for building our
> membership, and finding and developing new members one at a time will help
> us grow and become more effective at our work. Being inclusive in our
> recruitment efforts will insure our continued ability to be representative
> in our work and to benefit from the broadest range of ideas and
> possibilities. For me, the NFB is an easy gift to share with others because
> our success on behalf of blind people is extraordinary. I find it a joy to
> approach prospective members since everyone can benefit from and contribute
> to our strength as a movement.
> ************
> How to Share the Federation Message with Other Blind People
> 
> 	Most of us are active in the Federation today because NFB members
> reached out to us, befriended us, answered our questions, and said just the
> right thing that made us want to be a part of the organization. And, though
> we want in turn to reach out to other blind people, sometimes we find it
> difficult to know just what to say to someone who has reservations about the
> organization or even about blindness itself. Below are some suggestions for
> ways we can respond to the common questions and reservations we encounter as
> we extend a hand to other blind people.
> ************
> 1. What does the NFB do?
> *	Our goal is to achieve full integration of blind people into all
> aspects of society. We work to make this happen through public education,
> legislation, programs for children, mentorship, scholarships for students,
> senior outreach, professional groups, and much more.
> *	We are the civil rights movement of blind people.
> *	We are a nationwide group of blind people who come together to
> provide support, encouragement, and practical advice to one another.
> ************
> 2. I'm not a joiner.
> *	I know what you mean; I have never considered myself a joiner
> either. But the NFB helped me personally, and that's what brought me into
> the organization. 
> *	Our organization has room for all levels of involvement. You can
> even just join a listserv or come to an occasional meeting if that's all you
> can do. 
> *	By virtue of being blind, you are already part of a group. As group
> members we work together to see that all blind people have the chance to
> live their lives with dignity.
> ************
> 3. I don't get involved in politics.
> *	You can do many things in the organization, and you don't have to
> participate in every activity. Holding an office is not the only way to get
> involved in the organization. 
> *	The NFB doesn't affiliate with political parties. We work to pass
> only legislation that will expand opportunities for blind people. 
> ************
> 4. I'm not blind.
> *	Most people in the NFB are not totally blind; you'll fit right in.
> *	Our focus is not on how much vision you do or don't have. We focus
> on helping blind people figure out ways to get things done efficiently. 
> *	We encourage people to use any tool that can help them get the job
> done as efficiently and easily as possible, whether it is a magnifier, a
> screen reader, a CCTV, or a cane.
> ************
> 5. The NFB is radical.
> *	In the NFB we believe that blind people can lead fulfilling,
> productive lives. Does this sound radical?
> *	Because of society's negative attitudes about blindness, many people
> might think that believing blindness isn't a tragedy is radical; but we are
> working together to change society's attitudes about blindness so that
> someday our belief in the capabilities of blind people won't be considered
> particularly radical.
> ************
> 6. The NFB opposes dog guides.
> *	We are not opposed to dog guides. We want blind people to use the
> tools that work best for them.
> *	A number of our national leaders and members are dog guide users.
> *	We even have a dog guide division so that you can meet other dog
> guide users.
> *	We have filed many lawsuits to protect the rights of dog guide
> users.
> *	All blind people are welcome in our organization.
> ************
> 7. The NFB opposes audible traffic signals.
> *	We are not opposed to audible traffic signals in situations in which
> they are necessary; we just believe that blind people should have the chance
> to travel anywhere and not be limited to crossing only those streets with
> audible signals.
> *	You don't have to agree with every policy of the organization. If
> you want to improve the lives of blind people, you belong with us.
> ************
> 8. I can't get to meetings.
> *	We want you to be a part of us, and we will be happy to help figure
> something out. 
> *	If no meeting is close to you, you can start attending a meeting a
> little further away. Often members of a chapter help find a way to get
> someone to the meeting by finding a driver or asking another member to help
> the new person get there.
> *	You can also get involved through listservs. A number of email lists
> are sponsored by the NFB in which you can talk to people and exchange ideas.
> 
> ************
> 9. How do I join?
> *	attend local chapter meetings
> *	attend state convention
> *	attend national convention and Washington Seminar
> *	read the Braille Monitor
> ************
> Other Useful Tips
> *	Recruitment is an all-the-time, everywhere commitment. Don't let
> blind people or their family members pass you by.
> *	Make sure you get contact information so that you can follow up.
> *	Try to become a friend.
> *	Listen to their concerns about blindness, and go out of your way to
> help them.
> *	Don't scare them away by coming on too strong. Remember, you
> probably wouldn't appreciate a stranger's telling you that you are doing
> everything in your life wrong.
> *	Find out their interests and introduce them to other Federationists
> who share those interests.
> *	Don't get bogged down trying to explain the nuances of our
> philosophy. Remember that coming to terms with blindness is a slow process.
> *	Go out of your way to make them feel welcome in the organization.
> 
> 
> 
> Richard Payne,  President
> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> 937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
> Rchpay7 at gmail.com
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back
> 
> 
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