[Mt-blind] A RESPONSE TO JIM MARKS

[Jerry Hutch]

To the list,

When I first saw the message from Jim Marks and some of the later 
threads, I thought to myself, stay out of the discussion, it will do no 
good.  Then I thought of an old phrase, "The turtle only makes progress 
when he sticks his head out".  So.....

In the business world, a business is known by its name.  That name 
should reflect who and what that business is.  The name, Montana 
Association for the Blind has been in proud use for over sixty years.  
That name represents who we are and what we are.  This is known as 
business identity.  In an earlier message it was stated that quote 
"Blind people need the name recognition in our advocacy to improve our 
lives and the lives of blind persons who follow us." unquote.  That name 
has been the Montana Association for the Blind.  It is not now and never 
has been the NFB of Montana. 

Our identity is also known by what we have accomplished.  First and 
foremost is a program for the blind and the visually impaired called the 
Summer Orientation Program.  This program has done more to enhance the 
lives of the blind and visually impaired than any other program 
supported or funded by the Montana Association for the Blind.  This is 
truly the identity of the Association.  Through the efforts of MAB 
members, reaching out to the blind and visually impaired in our 
communities, this is how we are known.

An earlier message has stated that change is coming. Why?  What is so 
very wrong about the current goals and aims of the MAB?  Does anyone 
really think that changing the name of our organization to the NFB of 
Montana is going to make a difference?  A difference to who?  And for 
what purpose? To do this is a foolish thing and accomplishes nothing.  
The only difference will be that we will be a very small group (or 
division; again that word) in a larger group of individuals.  Where then 
is our identity? 

We currently have a name that has been long used and that has a proud 
tradition.  Why should we give it up?

Our membership is low.  Is that because past leadership has not done all 
that it can to promote the MAB in our local communities?   Or is it that 
Montana is so large in area and so small in population that it is hard 
to get persons with a common cause together in one place.  Look at the 
attendance at our state conventions.  Look at our chapter meetings.  If 
transportation is not available, members will not attend.  This is an 
issue that we need to address, not should we change our name.  What 
about pedestrian safety, for everyone not just the blind and visually 
impaired?   What about access to the internet for the blind and visually 
impaired?   What about.....(fill in the blank)?  Do you support the 
MAB?  Do you or your chapter get out and sell MAB calendars?  If not, why?


I was one of the attendees at the last convention who stood and 
identified myself during the vote to oppose the change of the by-laws to 
allow a division (that is a very good word) of parents of blind or 
visually impaired children to become a separate but equal entity in our 
organization.  Why do we need a separate entity or division in the 
Association. The NFB has many divisions already, one of them being for 
the parents of blind children.  Is not support for those parents 
available from the NFB?  Is this not what the NFB states that it will 
do?  It has been suggested that the Association starts a students 
division?  Why?  The NFB already has a students division.  My fear then 
and now, is that these sighted parents will change the voting makeup of 
the Association and by shear number change what and who the Montana 
Association for the Blind is.  Our by-laws state that the majority of 
voting members shall be blind or visually impaired.  Do we need to 
change the by-laws?  How will we continue to be the association for the 
blind?

On Sunday morning, September 16th, I stood before the assembled members 
of the Association who had met in convention, and took an oath "to 
uphold the Constitution and By-laws of the Montana Association for the 
Blind" as an officer elected by the membership of the MAB.  I do not 
recall that oath saying anything about the NFB of Montana or the 
National Federation of the Blind. 

I will, with Bernice and Myrle and many others around the state, 
continue to support the Montana Association for the Blind by sitting on 
the board of directors and promoting to the best of my ability the 
Montana Association for the Blind in any way that I can.

Jerry Hutch
Capital City Chapter
Helena


As a post script: just before sending this message I was fortunate 
enough to read Jim Marks latest posting about the SOP being in conflict 
with the NFB national Convention.  In my humble opinion, the date for 
the SOP will not change! This was discussed at the October Board of 
Directors meeting in Butte.

Please read the minutes of the meeting!  Both Carroll College and MSU 
before would not host the SOP other than during the summer break at each 
of the schools as it currently is done.  By not supporting the MAB and 
its programs, you are missing an important part of the MAB experience.  
It sounds as if the NFB is more important to you than the MAB.


-------------- next part --------------
To the list,
When I first saw the message from Jim Marks and some of the later threads, I thought to myself, stay out of the discussion, it will do no good.  Then I thought of an old phrase, “The turtle only makes progress when he sticks his head out”.  So…..
In the business world, a business is known by its name.  That name should reflect who and what that business is.  The name, Montana Association for the Blind has been in proud use for over sixty years.  That name represents who we are and what we are.  This is known as business identity.  In an earlier message it was stated that quote “Blind people need the name recognition in our advocacy to improve our lives and the lives of blind persons who follow us.” unquote.  That name has been the Montana Association for the Blind.  It is not now and never has been the NFB of Montana. 
Our identity is also known by what we have accomplished.  First and foremost is a program for the blind and the visually impaired called the Summer Orientation Program.  This program has done more to enhance the lives of the blind and visually impaired than any other program supported or funded by the Montana Association for the Blind.  This is truly the identity of the Association.  Through the efforts of MAB members, reaching out to the blind and visually impaired in our communities, this is how we are known.
An earlier message has stated that change is coming. Why?  What is so very wrong about the current goals and aims of the MAB?  Does anyone really think that changing the name of our organization to the NFB of Montana is going to make a difference?  A difference to who?  And for what purpose? To do this is a foolish thing and accomplishes nothing.  The only difference will be that we will be a very small group (or division; again that word) in a larger group of individuals.  Where then is our identity? 
We currently have a name that has been long used and that has a proud tradition.  Why should we give it up?
Our membership is low.  Is that because past leadership has not done all that it can to promote the MAB in our local communities?   Or is it that Montana is so large in area and so small in population that it is hard to get persons with a common cause together in one place.  Look at the attendance at our state conventions.  Look at our chapter meetings.  If transportation is not available, members will not attend.  This is an issue that we need to address, not should we change our name.  What about pedestrian safety, for everyone not just the blind and visually impaired?   What about access to the internet for the blind and visually impaired?   What about…..(fill in the blank)?  Do you support the MAB?  Do you or your chapter get out and sell MAB calendars?  If not, why?
I was one of the attendees at the last convention who stood and identified myself during the vote to oppose the change of the by-laws to allow a division (that is a very good word) of parents of blind or visually impaired children to become a separate but equal entity in our organization.  Why do we need a separate entity or division in the Association. The NFB has many divisions already, one of them being for the parents of blind children.  Is not support for those parents available from the NFB?  Is this not what the NFB states that it will do?  It has been suggested that the Association starts a students division?  Why?  The NFB already has a students division.  My fear then and now, is that these sighted parents will change the voting makeup of the Association and by shear number change what and who the Montana Association for the Blind is.  Our by-laws state that the majority of voting members shall be blind or visually impaired.  Do we need to change the by-laws?  How will we continue to be the association for the blind?
On Sunday morning, September 16th, I stood before the assembled members of the Association who had met in convention, and took an oath “to uphold the Constitution and By-laws of the Montana Association for the Blind” as an officer elected by the membership of the MAB.  I do not recall that oath saying anything about the NFB of Montana or the National Federation of the Blind. 
I will, with Bernice and Myrle and many others around the state, continue to support the Montana Association for the Blind by sitting on the board of directors and promoting to the best of my ability the Montana Association for the Blind in any way that I can.
Jerry Hutch
Capital City Chapter
Helena
As a post script: just before sending this message I was fortunate enough to read Jim Marks latest posting about the SOP being in conflict with the NFB national Convention.  In my humble opinion, the date for the SOP will not change! This was discussed at the October Board of Directors meeting in Butte.
Please read the minutes of the meeting!  Both Carroll College and MSU before would not host the SOP other than during the summer break at each of the schools as it currently is done.  By not supporting the MAB and its programs, you are missing an important part of the MAB experience.  It sounds as if the NFB is more important to you than the MAB.