[Arizona-students] nfba legislative lunch

Wed Jan 23 10:36:14 CST 2008

Hi Gabe and all,

Gabe, you spoke last night of the sense of pride and community that you
observed in our local NFB chapters and affiliate. I have been a member of
the NFB of Arizona for nearly five years and I agree with you one hundred
percent. I have also been active on the national level of the NFB, and I am
confident that this pride and community comes directly from the national
organization. At the legislative lunch we will be advocating for legislation
that affects us in Arizona, but the ideas and background supporting our
legislative efforts comes from national. Our national backing is what
inspires our chapter meeting discussions, our efforts to reach out to blind
people and our seminars. I believe that without the national organization we
would lack a clear foundation and clear goals to work toward, as well as
many valuable resources and mentors.

The way the NFB is set up, if you join a local chapter you also join the NFB
at large. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with specific policies or
stances that the NFB takes nationally. What we ask is that the disagreement
be done respectfully and constructively. Name-calling toward national or
toward an affiliate president is never well received. It is not
constructive--it does not help us improve as an organization. The NFB
doesn't ask for blind obedience; we do ask for respect and cooperation.

This kind of organizational structure doesn't appeal to everyone and I have
no problem with people who choose not to affiliate or who choose to only be
active locally. If you don't wish to support our national movement, that is
fine. If you do decide to join us on a local level, we ask you to be
respectful and supportive of our national initiatives, and to express your
opinions in a tactful manner.

I also strongly encourage you to attend the meetings of the chapter that you
wish to join and to pay your dues in person. The Phoenix chapter meets on
the first Saturday morning of each month and I believe the president is
still Vicki Hodges. Meetings are at 2000 W. Bethany Home Rd. at the Phoenix
Baptist Hospital. Email me off-list if you need the chapter president's
phone number.

Cheers
Arielle
Past Secretary, NFB of Arizona; Second Vice-President, Arizona Association
of Blind Students

-----Original Message-----
From: arizona-students-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:arizona-students-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The BlindTechs
Network
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:04 AM
To: Arizona Association of Blind Students List
Subject: Re: [Arizona-students] nfba legislative lunch

you know, why is this guy avidly be littling my comments. is this the  
example you want to set to all students? I gave you a compliment I  
praised you locally and god damn me to hell because I made opinions  
about the nfb church that you appearent don't agree with. can I have  
an opinion or does that go out the window when I sign up.

I liked alison's representation a lot better than yours mr. president,  
you seem a little closed minded at this time.

would if I want to pay dues to both the west valley and the phoenix  
chapters, or all they local chapters, I can't do that now because of  
my opinions.

may I have an opinion, may I state publically that I sure in the heck  
wish I can tell the difference between a 20 and a 100 with out a money  
identifyer and or having to ask some one like a blundering idiot hey  
is this a 20 or a 100. and then leaving my self open to getting robbed  
on the phoenix streets for announcing my financial retainment.

The BlindTechs Network
www.theblindtechsnetwork.com
info at theblindtechsnetwork.com
623-565-9357 (west phoenix Arizona)
480-297-7569 (East Phoenix Arizona)
562-219-2309 (Los Angeles California)

On Jan 23, 2008, at 7:42 AM, Krezguy wrote:

Hello, Dave,
Thank you for your thoughtful and respectful reply to Gabe.  Your
perspective is instructional to all the participants in the listserv,
especially regarding recruiting prospective NFB members.  We want to  
open
doors to those with an open mind, and give them a chance to accept or  
reject
our message and methods.

Regards,
Bob Kresmer

-----Original Message-----
From: arizona-students-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:arizona-students-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:57 PM
To: Arizona Association of Blind Students List
Subject: Re: [Arizona-students] nfba legislative lunch

Gabe:

The ACB, and the  NFB see themselves somewhat differently.  The NFB
thinks of itself as a strong national movement.  The national part of
it is important to us.  You may or may not agree, but that is the way
we view it.

First if you become a member, you are agreeing not to attack the
national organization in public.  Since you feel the way that you do,
and have, and are likely to continue doing so, both yourself and the
NFB might be happier in the long run if you didn't join.

People who are most comfortable in the NFB see the need for strong
national leadership and a national strong national presence.

The ACB was started by people who weren't comfortable with what the
strong national leadership were doing, so emphasized the local.

It sounds to me like you might be more comfortable with this
approach.  I am not trying to be critical of you, just being honest
and looking ahead.

Dave

At 09:33 PM 1/22/2008, you wrote:
> thanks. I've been meaning to become a member but can not find a person
> in their right mind to tell me what people do locally. every time I
> ask some one they always mention national. personally I think national
> are a bunch of retarded children with no parents and well, I think for
> the accessable money thing, dvs television etc they really suck.
>
> now let me tell you though don't get me wrong. I just left the local
> acb arizona board for the same thing though, all they did was sit on
> their ass and hand out money to senior citizens and embezzle it all of
> in to personal accounts but we won't go there. so I see the nfb does
> great things locally.
>
> will I be excepted if I think the local group is strong and the
> national group are idiots?
> The BlindTechs Network
> www.theblindtechsnetwork.com
> info at theblindtechsnetwork.com
> 623-565-9357 (west phoenix Arizona)
> 480-297-7569 (East Phoenix Arizona)
> 562-219-2309 (Los Angeles California)
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 22, 2008, at 6:58 PM, Mark Feliz wrote:
>
> Hello Gabe:
>
> You have a valid question about a card, in that, many organizations
> have "membership" cards. NFBA. does in fact have a membership card
> available to members; however, we haven't been very diligent in making
> use of such a card.
>
> Sorry you got caught up in a bit of humor, as, NFBA. activities are
> open to all.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Mark Feliz
> National Federation of the Blind of Arizona
> East Valley Chapter President
> 1038 W. Hillview St
> Mesa, AZ  85201
> 480-890-8943
> _______________________________________________
> Arizona-students mailing list
> Arizona-students at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/arizona-students
>
> _______________________________________________
> Arizona-students mailing list
> Arizona-students at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/arizona-students
>
>
>
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