[Arizona-students] nfb is great locally

Wed Jan 23 11:15:21 CST 2008

Hi everyone,

I think the below message brings up some interesting questions.  What do we,
as members of the NFB, do when we disagree with some of the decisions of NFB
national?  In Bob's below post, he mentions how when we become members, we
agree to be supportive of all of the NFB's programs on a local and national
level.  Honestly, I hadn't really given that statement much thought before
now.  When I think about it carefully, there are several of NFB national's
positions that I do not agree with.  Accessible currency and the SSI 
earnings limit come to mind.  I won't
go into my reasons for my beliefs on those issues, but if anyone wants to 
talk about any
of them on a separate list thread, I'd be open to a polite discussion.

But what does it mean to be supportive of NFB's national efforts, if a
member does not agree with them?  Below, Bob describes that as not
publicly attacking our leadership for their policies.  To me, that sounds
fair.  While I disagree on several issues, I would never dream about
publicly attacking anyone, leadership or otherwise, because that's not the
kind of person I am.  But, what I'm wondering is, are we allowed to voice
our opposition publicly, if it's not done in a confrontational way?  I
don't do a lot of that, but I have certainly done it before.

Here's what I mean.  One of my best friends and I decided we wanted to start
an NFB gay and lesbian group.  Not a division, but a small group where we
could network, meet one another, and share our experience about what life is
like for us as a member of a doubly stigmatized group... blind and gay.  We
wanted to hold our first meeting at national convention of 2006.  We set up
our location, planned our meeting, and started spreading the word about our
first gathering.  We realized we couldn't possibly tell everyone about our
meeting through word-of-mouth alone.  So we thought up different ways we
might let others know about us.

At national NFB gatherings, it is standard for any individual or group to
write announcements in Braille, give them to Dr. Maurer, and he will read
them in general session.  So this is what Craig and I did, we wrote up an
announcement.  In general session in 2006, Dr. Maurer refused to read the
announcement for our gay and lesbian federationists meeting.  He actually
started to read it, and then stopped.  This, of course, was very frustrating
to us.

Craig and I, being polite people, wanted to deal with our frustration in a
polite and productive way.  So we signed up to have an individual meeting
with Dr. Maurer.  The three of us had a long and amiable discussion about
the issue, but it soon became clear that we were of two completely different
opinions.  I won't go into the details of the discussion in this message,
but the end result was that Dr. Maurer said that he will never
support an NFB gay and lesbian group in any way, and that he would certainly
never read our meeting announcements.

So how did Craig and I handle our disagreement with national's policies?  We
had our meeting anyway, and formed an unofficial NFB gay and lesbians group
at convention of 2006.  Since then, we've had two other meetings, one at
Washington seminar of 07, and the other at convention 07.  They've been 
well-attended, and the individuals who take part in them seem to really
enjoy them.

Anyway, I bring this up because it demonstrates an important point about how
federationists deal with disagreements on national policy.  While I would
never publicly attack an NFB leader, I will publicly say that I disagree
with Dr. Maurer's stance on the above issue.  Does that make me any less of
an NFB member?  If when I say the NFB pledge, as I often do, that I support
the programs and policies of the federation, am I not being truthful?Some
would think so.  However, I believe that we can still be considered NFB
members and still engage in healthy and diplomatic opposition to national's
policies.

I see myself as an NFB member because I believe unwaveringly in the NFB's
basic philosophy.  I do work on the local and national level in terms of
recruiting membership, advocating for legislation, fundraising, and public
outreach.  I've served on the national board of the NFB student division, as
well as held numerous board positions on the local level of three different
states.  I've been a member of the NFB for 15 years, which is over half my
life.  I feel that I can say with confidence that I am a federationist.  But
that does not mean that I don't disagree with some policies.

So my question is, what do others think?  Can we still be NFB members and
yet voice opposition when appropriate?  I'd be curious to hear others'
thoughts on this issue.

All the best,

Allison Hilliker:
Secretary, NFBA.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Krezguy" <krezguy at cox.net>
To: "'Arizona Association of Blind Students List'"
<arizona-students at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 6:17 AM
Subject: Re: [Arizona-students] nfb is great locally

> Hello, Gabe,
> If you wish to become an NFB member, we ask you to promise to actively
> support our efforts on a local and national level.  At a minimum, we ask
> you
> to support the policies and programs of the NFB, which we interpret to
> mean
> that, after we form our policies at national and state conventions, we
> pull
> together, and do not publicly attack our leadership or policies.  If you
> can
> do that, we will be blad to welcome you.  If you cannot do that, we wish
> you
> well as an independent blind person.
> Regards,
> Bob Kresmer
>
>
> -----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 1:18 AM
> To: Arizona Association of Blind Students List
> Subject: Re: [Arizona-students] nfb is great locally
>
> this was the coolest most nicest email I ever received from a nfb
> member. you see why david ansdrews shouldn't be the email king
> representing you. he puts such a bad stint on the group if you know
> what I mean.
>
> I mean it thanks you Alison this was a nice pleasant email and I look
> forward to the welcome I get from you all. understand although most
> might not like my comments its how I feel, the thought of me
> worshiping the national group is not me, I think what I want and I
> call it how I see it I believe this is why I am successful in what I
> do. I didn't attend a nfb boot camp and I believe I adjusted to my
> blindness well after losing my sight.
>
> so please ignore my rants on national if you could and anything I can
> do to help, like show up to this lunch in or what ever I am glad to be
> used in any fashion the local crew seems fit.
>
>
>
> thank you again you really made my day.
>
> maybe you should teach a class in kindness to all other list members
> because they are rude and darrell kind of smells like turtle soup.
>
> oh yeh and tony often kills a topic.
>
> but beyond that I am sending an email requesting instructions to MS.
> hodges and hope to hear from her soon.
>
> one last thing, we need more braille present at any fuction, cost
> shouldn't be an issue and I litterally get emotionally hart broken
> when the blind doesn't furnish braille to the blind its kind of not
> right.
>
> and no, nothing and I mean nothing replaces a good braille hard copy
> when a print copy is available. no matter what darrel shandrow says.
>
> 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 12:15 AM, Allison Hilliker wrote:
>
> Gabe, I'm so excited that you want to become a member of the NFB of
> Arizona!We appreciate the below compliments and would look forward to
> having
> you join us.
>
> My only request would be that you tone down the criticisms a little.
> It's
> good that you express differing opinions sometimes, as the ability to
> question is a sign of an intelligent person, but sometimes if one makes
> their opinions known in a polite way, others will be more likely to
> respond
> to their opinions in a positive way.  If people think you are
> generally a
> nice guy, they'll be more likely to want to hear what you have to
> say.  I
> hope that makes sense.
>
> Aside from that, I think you will be a great addition to the NFBA.  We
> strive to be a productive group that does useful work on the local,
> state,
> and national levels.  We're always glad to have someone new who would
> like
> to
> join us in any of those areas.
>
> In order to pay your dues to become a member of the NFB of Arizona,
> you can
> write our treasurer, Donna Silba, at
> dsilba at cox.net.
>
>  She will be able to give you exact instructions on how to pay.  I
> believe
> you are in Phoenix, so I think you would like to be part of the Phoenix
> chapter.  Donna is the treasurer for that group too, so she can help
> you get
> signed up for that.  Also, if you'd like to talk to the chapter
> president, I
> can give you her contact info.  Her name is Vicki Hodges and her E-
> mail is
>
> vjazz at extremezone.com.  Sometimes she's hard to get by E-mail, so if you
> don't hear from her in a few days, E-mail me off list and I'll give
> you her
> phone number.
>
>
>
> If you can make it out to Peoria, you can join my chapter, the West
> Valley
> chapter.  I think we're a great group, but of course I'm biased.  I
> think
> it'd be fun if you'd join us.  We have a meeting this Saturday.  I
> won't be
> there this month since I'm going to the NFB's Washington seminar, but if
> you'd like to know, just let me know and I'll get you the info.  I know
> Peoria is hard to get to, but I think our president has some kind of
> dial-a-ride setup for Phoenix people to get to the meetings.  I'd
> suggest
> the bus, but it doesn't go into this part of Peoria unfortunately.
>
>
>
> Anyway, it's late and I need to get some sleep, but I hope this message
> was helpful to you.
>
>
>
> Again, I'm glad that you are interested in joining the NFBA.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Allison Hilliker
>
>
>
> hillikera at bmail.com.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "The BlindTechs Network" <info at theblindtechsnetwork.com>
> To: "Arizona Association of Blind Students List"
> <arizona-students at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:36 PM
> Subject: [Arizona-students] nfb is great locally
>
>
>> I have spoke to many people and would like to send my dues in and
>> become a member, I think this lunch in is a great idea and shows that
>> the nfb has great strength locally. don't get me wrong and misjudge my
>> last message, but I think you all are some smart people and I would
>> like to contribute to that.
>>
>> Where do I send my dues?
>>
>> 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)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Arizona-students mailing list
>> Arizona-students at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/arizona-students
>
> _______________________________________________
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> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/arizona-students
>
>
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>
>
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