[Youth-outreach] State and Regional Youth SLAMS`

Tue Aug 11 13:24:07 UTC 2009

Hello everyone,

   the Texas Association of Blind Students, (TABS) holds an annual student 
seminar. Perhaps we could take the lead on this and organize a "Texas SLAM" 
modeled on the NFB Youth SLAM. NASA is highly involved in this activity and 
with the Johnson Space Center in our back yard we'd be in a prime position 
to attempt a Youth SLAM on a state-wide level. Fortunately for us given that 
Texas is so large students would need to come to the activity's location 
thus getting them away from their parents. For us that concern is addressed 
by default. Down here you often need to take a plane to get from one end of 
the state to the other.

    I know for a fact that several states were not represented at this 
year's Youth SLAM. If state or regional events of this kind were organized 
more blind youth would be exposed to the NFB and its can-do philosophy and 
the momentum would be there for when the next national Youth SLAM was held 
thus swelling its ranks with blind teens and their mentors.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aziza C" <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com>
To: "Youth outreach projects Support List" <youth-outreach at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 1:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Youth-outreach] State and Regional Youth SLAMS`

I don't think smaller and closer events should replace the larger
ones, simply supliment them, assist them to get the message across.
Aziza

On 8/10/09, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
> On the other hand, with great respect, I would opine that trying to get
> said youth *away* from those overprotective parents for a few days is
> partly what this is all about and that's harder to do when one is close
> to home. Also, I suspect that a fair number of affiliates don't have the
> resources to foot most of the bill of a local "youth slam" event so
> either HQ will have to substantially subsidize such events or the local
> affiliates will have to come up with hard-to-come-by funds to make local
> events fly.
>
> Mike Freeman
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Aziza C" <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com>
> To: "Youth outreach projects Support List" <youth-outreach at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 2:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Youth-outreach] State and Regional Youth SLAMS`
>
>
> Nice suggestions Petter. I agree, sometimes smaller closer events are
> better places to start, especially for families new to the NFB with
> parents on the over-protective side. Shorter and closer to home events
> might appeal to those parents more, which can increase their
> confidence later when it comes to longer and farther events for their
> kids. When dealing with youth, we are not only teaching them and
> building their confidence, we have parents and family to teach as
> well, sometimes I think that is forgotten.
> Aziza
>
> On 8/10/09, Peter Donahue <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> Hello Mary Joe and listers,
>>
>>     Will efforts be made to host state or regional Youth SLAMS in
>> order to
>> expose a greater number of blind youth to the NFB and our philosophy
>> and to
>> bring this dynamic event "Closer to home" for these kids? Will you be
>> designing "How-to" information packs for states wishing to host such
>> an
>> event in their state or in a particular part of the country? Just some
>> food
>> for thought.
>>
>> Peter Donahue
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Thorpe, Mary Jo" <MThorpe at nfb.org>
>> To: <state_youth_coordinators at nfbnet.org>; "Youth outreach projects
>> Support
>> List" <youth-outreach at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: "Zakhnini, Karen" <KZakhnini at nfb.org>; "Thorpe, Mary Jo"
>> <MThorpe at nfb.org>
>> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 10:37 AM
>> Subject: [Youth-outreach] Now the NFB Youth Slam is over....
>>
>>
>> HI all,
>>     Well, the second NFB Youth Slam has come and gone with a lot of
>> exciting memories made and lessons learned.  Most importantly though,
>> a
>> brand new batch of youth were introduced to our organization and
>> unique
>> philosophy on blindness.  Thanks to all of you again who helped
>> recruit
>> this summer's great group.  But, don't forget, we still need all of
>> your
>> help to keep them engaged in our cause.
>>     Back in May, a member from our team sent contact information to
>> respective state presidents for youth who had applied and/or were
>> accepted to the NFB Youth Slam.  We hope that you will all take
>> advantage of this opportunity to follow up with these youth and get
>> them
>> engaged in your affiliates.  If you need this information again,
>> please
>> contact Becca Cordell at bcordell at nfb.org or at 410-659-9314 ext. 2312
>> to have this info re-sent to you.
>>     We had some of the brightest, exciting young people at this event
>> and know they can make great contributions to our organization.  Here
>> are a few suggestions how you as a state affiliate can start getting
>> them involved:
>>
>> *Invite NFB Youth Slam participants to speak at your next state
>> convention about their experience in the program
>>
>> *Have the chapter president from the youth's area contact them and
>> invite them to attend the next chapter meeting
>>
>> *Pair the NFB Youth Slam participant(s)  up with positive mentors in
>> your state
>>
>> *Ask your state's student division to contact these youth and invite
>> them to student activities
>>
>> *Invite the NFB Youth Slam participant(s) to write up something about
>> his/her experience for your affiliate's newsletter or website
>>
>> *If your state has a transition club, Jr. NFB chapter, or some other
>> kind of youth program, invite NFB Youth Slam participants to join if
>> they are not already a part of this program.
>>
>> If you have other ideas to share with these lists, please feel free to
>> do so.  We would love to hear what you all are doing to help involve
>> these youth in your states.  If you have any questions, please feel
>> free
>> to contact me.
>>
>>     On one last note, there are some great postings and podcasts from
>> the NFB Youth Slam participants available at www.blindscience.org.  I
>> encourage you all to check them out and share them with those you
>> know!
>> It's exciting to see how our work is making a difference.
>> Best of luck!!!
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle
>>
>>
>>
>> Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle, MEd, NOMC
>>
>> Education Program Manager
>>
>> Jernigan Institute
>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>> 1800 Johnson St.
>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>> Phone: (410)659-9314 ext. 2407
>> Email: MTHORPE at nfb.org <mailto:MTHORPE at nfb.org>
>> Visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/>
>>
>>
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>
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