[Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Re: [NFBF-Leaders] picking and choosing NFB policies and constitutional requirements

Thu May 1 20:57:40 UTC 2014

I'm bothered by the below comment in previous email.  

The writer wrote:   'I don't know if it is correct or not to say........I  miss driving.'    

I've had a few similar attitudinal responses, which seem to arise from a rigidity deeply rooted  and firmly shaped by an almost militant NFB position on whatever particular subject being addressed.  

Strict thought patterns, repetition of action does indeed produce desired change, results.  This is a given.    

NFB has brought **blind, blindness! visually  impaired,  low vision** into the real world of work, travel, education, recreation, professional endeavors , family and friendships, all , I repeat...all of which the world has never experienced.   (before someone goes running to the wood shed for an axe to chop any NFB politically incorrect verbiage on my part....wait up! there's more.)

It is easy for me to understand the whys and wherefores organizational policy at every level and how, without stringent adherence...well,  utter chaos would ensue.  I "get it".  

What thought troubles me is I'm possibly in an unwritten *politically incorrect NFB-ism because I miss driving too?    I can not say I  miss being in *that other world in NFB venues? But, I do miss seeing beautiful, handsome, smiley faces.  I do miss my four best bestest of friends, which are my two reading eyes  and two ears, imperfect as they operated,  in * that other world.   

I no longer live in, or am dominated by my past experience of *that other world.  Rest assured, I cross over from time to time but I'm no longer governed by it.  Most important to me is to feel free to share *that other world with all NFB friends and vice versus.  

Only six years ago, 2008, did the blind community come into my life. A few short months later, a room full of people living with a dual sensory loss, and no two deafblind manifestations alike.   I was 69 years young, lived as an hoh/vi my entire life with no support, etc.  I had never heard of NFB or any other organization for helping blind or someone like myself.  I did know of VR and the RP Foundation, neither gave any support.

My point here?  In reading an NFB member questioning if NFB sanctions only an NFB predicated thought is troubling to me.  By the end of 2008 I let go of *that other world when *something in me *knew I'd found my *real world!   And here I am, in 2014, an NFBF two year old!      

Some strong, almost bullying attitudes hopefully can moderate.  Mine included, which I attend to daily because..........I miss * that other world once in a while.

Thank you, Sherri, for your excellent educational email!

My best,

Brooke Evans
NFBF DB Division
Board member

NFBF StateWide
Chapter member

Sent from my iPad

> On May 1, 2014, at 12:06 PM, "Darlene Laibl-Crowe" <dlaiblcrowe at att.net> wrote:
> 
> Amen!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Holly
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 10:41 PM
> To: NFBF-Leaders at yahoogroups.com
> Cc: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Re: [NFBF-Leaders] picking and choosing NFB policies and constitutional requirements
> 
> Sherri,
> I totally agree with you. I feel that some of the policies are out dated such as the dual membership. I know that the statewide chapter lost a fundraiser due to this policy. 
> We, the NFBF can't pick and choose which policies we follow. Your post was very well written and thought out. I hope the State aboard is just as concerned as you and I are on this matter. If this gets brushed under the rug...what else doesn't matter to our State Board?
> I used to drive, some people believe that if I lived in Georgia I could drive again, each state has their requirements. I don't know if this is correct or not, but I do know that I truly miss it. More on days like today, when I walk home in the rain and have to go get the baby another 3/10 of a mile from the house. But the fact is that I can't drive a car, I have an electric motorized pedal bike. Since it has pedals it is legal for me to ride. When Peter's email came out, I thought he was writing it about me. My bike does not have a tag, it is not registered and does not require a drivers license. 
> It will be interesting how this issue is resolved at a State Level.
> Holly Idler
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Apr 30, 2014, at 8:09 PM, "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 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
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