[Nfbf-l] The Constitution of the national Federation of the blind

[Dan Hicks via Nfbf-l]

Carlos, nobody is trying to sweep any issue under the rug. I admit that I
had hoped that this topic would run its course, as list members moved on to
more important topics. This is the kind of discussion that often generates
more heat than light and can result in hurt feelings all around. 

The NFBF Constitution, which I am obliged to uphold, says of the NFBF "The
President and Vice President must be blind." That is true of the NFBF. That
is the case at the present time with the NFBF as a whole. It does not say
"legally blind" or that the president or vice president may not have a
driver's license. 

Consider two things - the NFB's definition of blindness, as defined by Drs.
Ten Broek and Jernigan, is not the same as the legal definition of
blindness. So much for the state constitution, which is not being
challenged. 

What you are trying to interpret the constitution of the Pinellas Chapter.
That is not your job or mine. That is the job of the Pinellas Chapter. That
chapter unanimously elected its president. Until I hear complaints from
inside that chapter, I have no reason to worry or to try to make changes. 

The Pinellas president has been blind - legally and in our definition - for
most of his life. He has been a member of the NFB for about 40 years. That
is longer than your or I have been a member of the organization. For all his
life he has thought of himself as a blind guy and still does. He has
difficulty reading printed matter and caries out other day-to-day activities
as a blind guy. The fact that, since a new experimental surgical technique
has become available which allows this president to drive a car on a limited
basis, should not cause us to summarily discriminate against him in this
matter. 

All of the above notwithstanding, I knew there was some controversy about
this topic, so I decided to get the decision of a higher authority. To make
sure I was fulfilling my obligations, I called President Maurer to discuss
this issue. I told him that a controversy regarding our Pinellas Chapter,
and that it has elected a president who had been legally blind most of his
life, but had his vision restored to the point that he could drive with a
limited Florida Driver's License. 
Dr. Maurer asked me if I thought of the Pinellas President as a blind guy. I
said I was not sure, given the controversy. He asked me if the Pinellas
president thinks of himself as a blind guy. I said yes, he does. He asked me
if the Pinellas president was elected by his chapter. I said that he was.
Dr. Maurer's response to me was very clear: "Leave it alone," he said. He
said if the chapter is happy with its president, then that was what
mattered. 

So, I really do hope that this topic can be laid to rest. 

Ask Dr. Maurer about it if you feel you must, but I already know what he
will tell you.

Dan Hicks, President
NFBF


"Not all those who wander are lost."
		-J. R. R. Tolkien


-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carlos Montas
via Nfbf-l
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2014 4:20 PM
To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Nfbf-l] The Constitution of the national Federation of the blind

Good afternoon my name is Carlos Montas. I've been a member of this
organization for almost 10 years now I am writing because I am concerned
that the president of this affiliate does not apply the Constitution of the
organization to every member equally. I have also been made aware of the
fact that the president has asked that the issue of the Panellus chapter
president be swept under the rug. The last time I checked the president or
vice president of a local chapter or affiliate cannot be cited. As members
of this organization we must all abide by the policies and programs of the
Federation and abide by its constitution if this issue is not addressed
appropriately I along with other members of this affiliate will bring it up
at the national convention was Dr. Mauer and other members of the Federation
to deal with this issue. It is my hope that the president along with the
Board of Directors will deal with this issue appropriately sincerely Carlos
Montas

Sent from my iPhone
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