[nfb-talk] Youth Empowerment

[Joe Orozco]

Dear list:

    Earlier today I was talking to one of our TABS members about membership 
recruitment and youth involvement.  Like any other division of the greater 
movement we're always on a continuous quest to refresh our approach to 
delivering the philosophy, and one of the items mentioned in the 
conversation was the gap that exists between the founding generation and the 
generation on the rise.  It seems that even at the local chapter level, 
students are simply not finding their place in the infrastructure and end up 
doing something else other than joining and sticking around.  I know the 
concept is not unique.  People are aware of the problem, but I also know 
that the problem does not exist in every corner of the organization.  And so 
I'm curious to see what your thoughts are on the subject, what you think are 
some solutions and perhaps things you have tried in your chapters and 
divisions to capture and maintain the attention of the younger generation. 
As the chair of the NABS membership committee, I understand the need to 
strengthen the student arm of our movement, but I also understand that the 
arm is not independent and that we need to find ways to better incorporate 
ourselves into the strength of the local chapters and the spirit of the 
affiliates.  Your opinions, on or off list, would be much appreciated. 
Thanks in advance.

          Joe Orozco

"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like 
you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not 
forget you."--William Arthur Ward