[Journalists] Some Clarity on, "Want to Start Crafters Division of the NFB"

Fri Jul 27 12:55:13 CDT 2007

Hi Everet,

Thanks for sharing the information, but let's keep the topics focusing
on journalism.
There are plenty of ways to find information about other interest groups
and devisions.

Thanks!!

Elizabeth Campbell
(817) 390-7696
Fax: (817) 390-7789
-----Original Message-----
From: journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Everett Gavel
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 12:49 PM
To: Blindhands at aol.com
Cc: NFB Fundraising Mailing List; NFBnet Teachers of the Visually
Impaired/Blind Mailing List; Blind Professional Journalists List; NFBnet
NAB Entrepreneurs Mailing List; Jobs for the Blind; Diabetes Talk for
the Blind; nasb at nfbnet.org; Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List;
NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [Journalists] Some Clarity on,"Want to Start Crafters Division
of the NFB"

Hello all,

After spouting off on my opinion about a Crafter's
Division of the NFB the other day - and hoping some of
you could provide clarity on it, thankfully, Joyce Kane
replied to me (offlist).  Joyce is the person behind
this Crafter's Division effort, and requests contact
from those interested.  Her e-mail address, and
message, is below.

Joyce sent me a message with more details than were in
that original mass-post to the lists.  Below is her
response to me, which she has said I could share with
the lists.  Since I've brought up discussion on this
matter, I felt like I should share the clarifying
message, too.  With me, the matter has been settled for
the most part.  Her message below seems to make far
more sense out of it than that original post did.

With the examples she gives below, I fully agree that
such ignorance is why divisions could, sometimes
should, be formed.  So people can focus specifically on
that area, to both educate the unknowing and make for
better accessibility, in that area.

I hope her message helps some here gain clarity, as it
has with me.  I think such a division has a purpose, as
long as it keeps focused and actually does what it sets
out to do.  Which, as a division, should be more than
just a gathering place for people with similar
interests.  Seems to me too many divisions get a
mission written-up, get some bylaws going, vote in
people, and don't really do much else.  If that's all
any, any, new divisions will do, I am not for any of
them.  But if one can be formed and actually make a
difference on a continuing, year-to-year basis, then
I'm all for it.

Yes, they make fine gathering places for those with
similar interests.  And maybe I'm misunderstanding what
a division is.  But seems to me a discussion list or
group could be for gathering places. Divisions seem
more business-like to me, and should be focused on
making actual changes and improvements among the
massive misunderstandings and ignorance towards the
truths of blindness so prevalent in the world.  At the
same time, it could be a "gathering place."  But a
division seems like it should be making actual, useful,
change--first and foremost.

Joyce's message of clarification is below.  Just below
my short reply to her, which is directly below.

Thanks, Joyce,
Everett

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Everett Gavel"
<EverettG at SuccessfulAdaptations.com>
To: <Blindhands at aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] [Jobs] Want to Start
Crafters Division of the NFB

Hi Joyce,

Thank you.  That's the logic and wisdom I was hoping
for.  I just wish your reply had been public.  Because
what you share below makes such a division seem
sensible.  What was sent out as the notice was,
perhaps, too generic.  It did not seem to make nearly
as much sense in it's case for a division, as you do
below.   Thanks for taking the time to help me
understand better, and see the other side of it more
clearly.

If that's what you can do, what you say below, that's a
great set of reasons that need changing, indeed.  I beg
you though, don't let happen what has happened to too
many divisions.  Don't write up a pretty-sounding
mission statement or set of bylaws, then never really
do much at all once you're formed and have voted in
some people.

Those changes you speak of below, they need to be made,
indeed.  I'm all for helping if and when I can.  But
too often, it seems, a lack of serious action is what
follows.  Admittedly, I've too often been a part of the
problem rather than a part of the solution.  But I keep
on trying to be better, and trying to take more regular
action.  (smile)

May God bless your efforts, Joyce.  Thanks again for
shedding some understanding upon this for me.   Hey,
would you mind if I shared this message with a few
lists that have had brief discussions since I
originally replied to the Crafter's post?  It'd help
your efforts, I think.

Thanks,
Everett
www.everettgavel.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Blindhands at aol.com>
To: <EverettG at SuccessfulAdaptations.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 5:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] [Jobs] Want to Start
Crafters Division of the NFB

> Dear Everett:
>
> I am sorry you feel the way you do about what I
wrote.  I am a crafter  and
> went blind 10 years ago.  I had basically worked in
crafts while my  children
> grew up and manufactured and wholesaled beside
retailed my unique  items.
>
> I hope this can turn into something for everyone that
is blind.
>
> After I went blind all I had was sighted people
telling me I could not do
> this or that because I was blind.  I could not find
another blind person to
> talk with that had figured out how to do
candlemaking, quilting, sewing on a
> machine, knitting or whatever I had had interest in
prior to going blind.
>
> I finally got tired of the "You can't do it"   With a
lot of  trial and error
> and there was frustration I did not give up and
learned for  myself how to go
> about learning things.  If a group of us could show
others  how we do it, it
> is a worthwhile venture.
>
> I had sighted people refuse to sell me antique
circular sock machines, a
> knitting machine and had other sighted people try to
discourage me in joining
> some crafters groups because I could not see.
>
> I would like this to be a place at convention that we
can help each other
> learn by showing, teach another, share our
creativeness and enjoy our  crafts.
> I would like this to be a place where folks running
their own  business might
> come and purchase our creations, others learn how to
turn what  they love to
> do into a business, etc.
>
> Isn't all these divisions just that?  Not exactly a
social get  together, but
> a place to network with others that have been there
and done  that?
>
> Where else could we get so many blind people to
gather in one place that
> have the same interest.  No matter if this is a group
or a division I  believe
> the 50 names I have gathered since this hit the NFB
lists prove that  people
> have interest in this.
>
> Joyce Kane
>
>
>

_______________________________________________
Journalists mailing list
Journalists at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/journalists