[Nfbf-l] picking and choosing NFB policies and constitutional requirements

[Sherri]

This is a lengthy message, so be prepared. I am deeply concerned about 
something that just came to my attention. Not being on the NFBF board, I 
have only learned about this through conversations with members.

First, let me say that I have been a member of the NFB since 1979. I love 
this organization and feel we have done more than any other blindness group 
to truly *change what it *means to be blind. I would like this to continue, 
but we must keep our integrity intact.

Let me give you some background. Around a year ago, the *policy (which is a 
*policy and not in any NFB *constitution) was discussed whereby if we are 
members of NFBF, we cannot be members of FCB or any affiliates of that 
organization. Because of this "*policy,  we lost some valuable members 
including my good friend and valued Pinellas chapter member Grant Downey, 
who explained in great detail in a letter why he joined both groups and that 
he deeply loved the Federation. But because of all the backlash, he resigned 
his membership. Thus, Pinellas lost a valued member and Newsline lost a 
great worker. It made me very sad!

A few months ago, Peter Cerullo NFBF Board member and Greater Daytona 
chapter president posted an e-mail questioning whether it is okay to have a 
sighted person i.e. a person who can legally drive a car, as a chapter 
president.

It has now come to my attention that we have a sighted chapter president in 
the state of Florida. I do not point this out to belittle anyone or make 
light of their capabilities. I am sure this person does a fine job and this 
is no way meant personally but only as it pertains to NFB philosophy and our 
constitution. It was brought up at the last board meeting and apparently 
(and I wasn't there, so can't say for sure) glossed over during the 
discussion.

A couple of months ago in our Central Florida chapter, we dissected the NFB 
pledge. It says we are to *support the *policies and *programs of the 
Federation and *abide by its *constitution. The NFBF constitution says the 
following. This also applies to the NFB constitution and to all chapter 
constitutions. I put a * beside the important words.
Section One-Officers

There shall be elected biannually, at the state convention in odd numbered 
years, a president, a second vice president, and a secretary.  There shall 
be elected biannually, at the state convention in even numbered years, a 
first vice president, and a treasurer.  The terms of these officers shall 
begin at the close of the convention at which they are qualified and 
elected.

The president is the chief executive officer of the organization.  The 
duties of all officers shall be those ordinarily associated with their 
respective offices.  The *president the *vice presidents must be *blind.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles states the following:
The Florida DHS&MV's vision standard is 20/50. If worse in one or either 
eye, you will be referred to a licensed vision specialist to see if it can 
be improved.
If one eye is blind, the other must have 20/40. The accepted minimum field 
of vision is 130 degrees.

This means if someone has a vehicle operator's license, this is the vision 
they must have. Of course, restrictions can be placed on licenses. My 2 
daughters can drive, but were born with congenital cataracts, so I am 
thoroughly familiar with this. They are quite blind without correction, but 
this does not qualify them to be chapter president or vice-president 
pursuant to the NFB constitution.

So this is my question. I would like to knoe which *policies and *programs 
we in the NFB of Florida *support and which we *do *not support? If we allow 
sighted people to be chapter or affiliate presidents, no mattter their other 
qualifications, I believe we should change our name to the National 
Federation for the Blind of Florida. In my opinion, if we expect people to 
resign because they are members of more than 1 blindness organization, then 
we should also *abide by the *law in our *constitution that says the 
*president and *vice-president must be *blind.

I hope that the NFBF board will take my concerns and those of other NFBF 
members seriously and deal with thismatter. Thank you for taking the time to 
read this e-mail.




Sherri Brun

Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one 
is paying attention.
Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com