[Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter

Thu Nov 25 12:57:10 UTC 2010

DAN, FIRST LET ME WISH YOU AND ALL READING A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I AM 
CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER A BOARD OF A CHAPTER THAT HAS BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE 
NOT PARTICIPATING IN MEETINGS OR BOARD CONFERENCES, ETC.,
 CAN THE CHAPTER HAVE SOME SORT OF EMERGENCY ELECTION TO ELECT AN INTERIM 
BOARD THAT WILL BE ACTIVE AND HARD WORKING UNTIL THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL 
ELECTIONS ARE ready? JUST CURIOUS IS ALL, AS I FEEL THAT IF THERE ARE 
ELECTED LEADERS IN A CHAPTER THAT ISN'T LEADING OR EVEN PARTICIPATING, for 
that matter, AND THERE ARE MORE THAN JUST ONE I BELIEVE THIS MIGHT GET THE 
CHAPTER Motivated ONCE AGAIN TO GET ACTIVE AND INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY 
ONCE MORE KH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Hicks" <danjhicks at yahoo.com>
To: "'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 11:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter

Rachel and everyone,

Kathy is absolutely right. I have served on both the state and national
scholarship committees and can tell you that the very most important
characteristics these committees have sought in our candidates is the
appearance of a good probability that the contestant will represent blind
people well, the likelihood that they will serve as a role-model to other
blind people, and leadership. Usually, these positive traits manifest
themselves in the way these candidates have performed as NFB members or in
the interest said candidates express in our organization. Even with these
criteria used as a filter, we still have no way of knowing how involved a
scholarship winner will be in the NFB and the NFBF. We can only pick those
who appear to have the potential to be leaders in the organization and then
try to motivate them and keep them motivated. It's tough, but it's the only
way.

I have been following the discussion about your chapter that started with
your heart-felt plea for help. More than once I have started to write a
reply, but others have done a good job of saying most of what I would have
said and then some.

I can only say that I have been there, too. I was president of the Orlando
Chapter about 20 years ago, and it was not a good time for motivating
people. I would plan a meeting and send out 100-plus meeting invitations --
all via snail-mail -- and follow up with some phone calls and get a handful
of people at some meetings. My low point was a rainy Saturday when I almost
didn't go, but decided to do it anyway, in case people showed up. Well, I
was the only one in that meeting room that day. Although I was almost
drenched from the wind and rain, I waited for most of an hour and then went
on home to wonder if it was all worth it.

I don't think anybody would have blamed me if I had just given up on the
chapter and allowed it to fold. I did keep it going and others eventually
led the chapter. In a few months it will be the chapter in the city hosting
our next National Convention.

We can all offer you support and advice and sympathy and our own stories of
"Hay, I know how you feel 'cause I've been there!" but only you can decide
what is the right thing to do for your chapter and for you.

I know you have done a lot to keep your chapter going. I am sure that you
have worked harder and tried more attempted solutions than most of us on
this list can know. I hope that you will continue to support your chapter
and try to build it by continuing to try more ways of attracting new members
and leaders in your area.

However, it really is your choice in the end.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can help with.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Dan Hicks, President
NFBF

"New ideas pass through three periods: (1) It can't be done. (2) It probably
can be done, but it's not worth doing. (3) I knew it was a good idea all
along!"
                      - Arthur C. Clarke

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of
> Kathy Davis
> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 5:35 PM
> To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
>
> Hi Rachel and Everyone,
> It is impossible to assure that a scholarship winner will join and be
active
> in any given local chapter. The same thing happens for national
scholarship
> winners. I know this from having been active in the national scholarship
> program during the four years that I was state president and over the many
> years that I have headed up the state program. We just have to take a
chance
> and even if one or two winners truly become federationists, it is worth it
> to gain a few good new members. . Certainly on both the state and national
> levels we do our best to ignite within the spirit of any scholarship
winner
> or applicant a desire to join our ranks and to be active; however, this
> doesn't happen in many cases. Sad but true!
>
> Kathy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
> Of rachel
> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 3:51 PM
> To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
>
> I think that may be a good idea. It really is very unfortunate that very
few
> scholarship winners have stayed around.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "TaraPrakash" <taraprakash at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 4:37 PM
> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
>
> > Sherri.
> >
> > FCB offers scholarships too. If I remember correctly NFBF scholarship
> > does not require the winners to participate in the chapter activities.
> > I wonder if we should have that requirement from now on? National
> > scholarship winners are asked to join the activities for one year. We
> > can ask the state scholarship winners to do the same. As a scholarship
> > committee member you can think about the feasibility of this proposal.
> > The other suggestion to think about is asking the NFBF scholarship
> > applicants to get a reference letter from their chapter president.
> > That way there will be an interaction between the applicant and the
> chapter.
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
> > To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 1:37 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >
> >
> >> Oh that's really sad! Glad for FCB, but all things considered and him
> >> being a scholarship winner and all ....
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "rachel" <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
> >> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 10:54 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>
> >>
> >>> It's possible, but a friend of mine happened to see Raigan the other
> >>> day at a FCB meeting. I'm guessing he may now be with their chapter.
> >>>
> >>> --------------------------------------------------
> >>> From: "Kirk" <kvharmon54 at gmail.com>
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 10:41 AM
> >>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>
> >>>> Has anyone thought that perhaps Reagan is ill or something to that
> >>>> affect?
> >>>> God forbid, but there has to be some sort of  reason for this
> >>>> unresponsiveness. KH
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>> From: "Kathy Davis" <kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>
> >>>> To: "'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 10:10 AM
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Everyone,
> >>>>
> >>>> I left Reagan a message yesterday asking him to call me back but
> >>>> haven't heard from him at this point. Don't know what is going on
> >>>> on that front.
> >>>>
> >>>> Kathy
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> >>>> On Behalf Of Sherri
> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 1:24 AM
> >>>> To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>
> >>>> He seemed to have so much enthusiasm. I'm disappointed. Let's hope
> >>>> this is a temporary thing.
> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>> From: "rachel" <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
> >>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 10:20 AM
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> Kathy is aware of what is going on and said she would try calling
him.
> >>>>> I thought Raigan was reliable but he has been proving me more and
more
> >>>>> wrong.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --------------------------------------------------
> >>>>> From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
> >>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2010 6:52 PM
> >>>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Rachel, Please call Kathy Davis and let her know. I think she has a
> >>>>>> pretty good rapport with Raigan. If you can't reach Kathy then I
will
> >>>>>> attempt to call him for you. Hang in there! We'll do our best to
help
> >>>>>> you through this.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Sherri
> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>>> From: "rachel" <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
> >>>>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 6:02 PM
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Thanks so much. I have spoken to my vice president and he informed
> >>>>>>> me he is going to something else tomorrow during the same time as
> >>>>>>> our
> >>>> meeting.
> >>>>>>> I can't get a hold of my membership persoon, and the fund raiser
> >>>>>>> quitt.
> >>>>>>> I am unable to even run a meeting tomorrow. It's really not good!
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
> >>>>>>> From: "Judith Hamilton" <jrhamilton51 at earthlink.net>
> >>>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 5:33 PM
> >>>>>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Rachel,
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Above all, do not panic.  I have been there quite a few times
this
> >>>>>>>> year.
> >>>>>>>> It is not easy, but please hang in there.  Have you tried 3-way
> >>>>>>>> conference calling for your board meetings, prior to the actual
> >>>>>>>> meeting?  I know a lot of folks, especially the elderly ones may
> >>>>>>>> not know how to do it or may be on such a fixed income that they
> >>>>>>>> cannot afford the charges for it and will probably have a fit
when
> >>>>>>>> they see a $2 charge on their phone bill.
> >>>>>>>> Right now that is the charge for AT&T; soon to increase next year
> >>>>>>>> to $3 per 3-way call next year.  I know on the Florida west coast
> >>>>>>>> there is a different monopoly telephone company, but most older
> >>>>>>>> people may hang on to their landlines and you might be able to
use
> >>>>>>>> this as an option.  Of course, there is free conference call,
which
> >>>>>>>> are usually long distance numbers and that might set them off
also
> >>>>>>>> depending on what plans they have.  I know this probably is not
> >>>>>>>> much help, but I just wanted to let you know that I understand
what
> >>>>>>>> you are going through and that you are not alone.
> >>>>>>>> Judy
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> [Original Message]
> >>>>>>>>> From: rachel <oceanrls at hotmail.com>
> >>>>>>>>> To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>>>>>> Date: 11/19/2010 1:25:17 PM
> >>>>>>>>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] Manasota chapter
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Hello. I am having major problems with my chapter and I'm not
sure
> >>>>>>>>> what
> >>>>>>>> to do! I think I have lost my membership pperson now Raigan! I
have
> >>>>>>>> e-mailed him and called him and he will not respond to anything.
He
> >>>>>>>> has all of the member information. At this point  I don't think I
> >>>>>>>> can run any meetings. I am supposed to have ameeting tomorrow but
> >>>>>>>> without members of the board showing up I can't run the meeting.
> >>>>>>>> What should I do at this point!
> >>>>>>>>> Thanks
> >>>>>>>>> Rachel Jacobs
> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>>>>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
info
> >>>>>>>>> for
> >>>>>>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/jrhamilton5
> >>>>>>>> 1%40earth
> >>>>>>>> link.net
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>>>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >>>>>>>> for
> >>>>>>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/oceanrls%40
> >>>>>>>> hotmail.com
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >>>>>>> for
> >>>>>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40
> >>>>>>> gmail.com
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for
> >>>>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/oceanrls%40ho
> >>>>>> tmail.com
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for
> >>>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gm
> >>>>> ail.com
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/kdavisnfbf%40cfl.rr.
> >>>> com
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/kvharmon54%40gmail.c
> om
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >>>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/oceanrls%40hotmail.c
> om
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >>> Nfbf-l:
> >>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.co
> m
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Nfbf-l mailing list
> >> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> Nfbf-l:
> >>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/taraprakash%40gmail.
> com
> >>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Nfbf-l mailing list
> > Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > Nfbf-l:
> >
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/oceanrls%40hotmail.c
> om
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfbf-l:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/kdavisnfbf%40cfl.rr.
> com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfbf-l:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/danjhicks%40yahoo.co
m

_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
Nfbf-l:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/kvharmon54%40gmail.com 