[nfb-talk] do we focus too much on national conventions?

[Ray Foret Jr]

Joe, in your message, you say, in part,
"As for communication outside of convention, I think the blame is mutual.
Until older members learn to embrace the full benefits of technology, and
until younger members learn not to depend on technology so much, we will not
fill the middle-age gap that exists at all levels of the movement.  Sound
contradictory?  Think on it."
No, it does not sound contradictory at all; rather, it's perfectly true. 
But, why is it true.  It's true partly because the younger generation has 
grown up spoiled and knowing nothing but the technology; meanwhile, the 
older generation had to learn to do things the manual or harder way.  What 
ever will the younger generation do when their batteries die out and there 
aint no chargers?  fair question don't y'all think?

    As to attending the conventions, While I feel that Ken's answer was very 
condescending and not helpful at all, let me see what I can do to help 
answer the question.

    As others have said before me, we attend the convention for many 
reasons; but, if you want the real bottom line, the convention is the 
national policy determiner for the federation.  I do not feel left out just 
because I never have enough money to attend one; though.  I, for one, 
believe members do in fact have a voice even if they can't attend 
convention.  It's called letter writing, phone calling or e-mailing. 
Sometimes, we are asked to use that voice; witness our rescue of the talking 
book program earlier this year (which I believe we are still not quite 
through rescuing just yet and may be called upon yet again to help). 
Indeed, It is precisely because the NFB knows and believes in the voices of 
its blind members, (even the ones who cannot attend convention) that it is 
so strong.  From time to time, it asks us to use that voice loud and clear; 
as it may well do regarding the quiet car topic.  How, therefore, can anyone 
assert that we ordinary financially poor blind have no voice because we 
cannot physically attend the convention?  I ask, not to be sarcastic; but 
rather, to try to stimulate your thinking.  As for help for the deaf, the 
NFB does indeed provide hearing aid and now even Spanish translation for 
those who need it.  Another individual complained he cannot cross streets 
because of his inability to determine perpendicular traffic from parallel 
traffic.  Let him get help if he needs it.  Perhaps it's a good time to say 
this.  The NFB IS, NOT, opposed to blind people getting help if it is 
needed.  Many in the ACB believe and say that the NFB is opposed to blind 
people getting any kind of help at all.  They refer to us as "super blinks" 
and so forth.  Well, for that matter, they refer to any truly independent 
blind person as a "super blink" what a slap in the face that is; both to 
then and to us.
As for shortening the national convention, I fail to see how this can ever 
be done.  Sooner or later, we'll just have to face the reality that 
convention lasts for two weeks now and officially make it so.  Then, we 
might be able to offer special discounts to those able to attend both weeks 
of the convention.  Slightly lesser discounts to those attending only the 
first week, (the board meetings and such) or the second week, (the policy 
and decisions week).  Thoughts?

Sincerely yours,
The Constantly Barefooted,
Ray
Home phone and fax:
(985)853-0139
E-mail:
rforetjratbellsouthdotnet
Skype Name:
barefootedray
Blog:
www.raysworld.blogs.com
Podcast .rss Feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/worldofray

God bless President George W. Bush!
God bless our troops!
and God bless America

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:25 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] do we focus too much on national conventions?


Chris,

Normally I hate the parallel people draw between blindness consumer groups
and political parties.  Yet when it comes to conventions I believe the
comparison is a valid one.  On a business level the NFB can use the
opportunity to sell its products and services while advancing its
philosophical and legislative agenda, all of this while simultaneously
generating the most fundraising than at any other point in the year.  On a
recruitment level the organization can reach out through its divisions,
committees and social gatherings to lock in and hold on to newcomers in
hopes that they might return home and encourage others to jump in.  Where
the parallel falls short is when you consider the personal level.  Some
people really are turned around by a national convention.  Some people
really do use convention as their personal vacation.  Still others may only
truly venture out of their comfort zone by attending a convention, and for
that reason alone national conventions can be our single most important
feature.  At times I think the best service we can do for a person who has
never really known independence is to put them in an environment of swinging
canes, passing dogs and total chaos at the elevators to really let them see
how independent they could be.

As for communication outside of convention, I think the blame is mutual.
Until older members learn to embrace the full benefits of technology, and
until younger members learn not to depend on technology so much, we will not
fill the middle-age gap that exists at all levels of the movement.  Sound
contradictory?  Think on it.

Joe Orozco

"I came, I saw, I conquered."--Julius Caesar
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Westbrook" <westbc at clw19.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:09 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] do we focus too much on national conventions?


I read a lot of literature in the NFB about how conventions change people's
lives, and I'm sure to some extent that is true, but I wonder if we focus
too much on the convention as a policy setter for the organization?  I'm
sure there are lots of people who cannot for whatever reason make the
national convention who would like to contribute their opinions on current
and/or future policy, practices, etc.  I was not able to attend this year
because I only got one week of vacation for my job, and I don't see myself
attending anytime soon since the summer is a busy time for our company.  I
worry that the NFB is ruling out contributions from highly intelligent blind
people who simply have other commitments during that time period.  I think
we also must remember that convention isn't a fun experience for everyone.
I went with my mother a few years ago, and if I had gone alone I honestly
think convention would have been hell for me.  The huge dinner crowds meant
I couldn't eat in the hotel because with my hearing loss the noise was just
too overwhelming.  If I had to worry about finding a restaurant outside the
hotel (I can't cross streets independently due to my inability to
distinguish parallel from perpendicular traffic) and worry about the cost of
eating out every night that would have definitely put a damper on my
convention experience.  One thing I like that ACB does is provide support
personnel for people who have hearing impairments in addition to blindness
to help with situations like that, but that's a topic for a whole other
message.  The exhibit hall was also overwhelming.  The various speeches were
nice, but were they worth traveling all across the country for?  I suppose
it depends on your perspective.  I'm not advocating for the elimination of a
national convention, though I think this will become a greater issue as
prices for hotels and other things keep going up, but I'm just curious how a
person who can't or won't go to convention gets involved?  There is no
chapter in my area, so perhaps my view of NFB is a bit warped by this fact.
and yes I realize that a large part of being a federationist is just getting
out into the community, etc., which I'm doing, but that still doesn't really
change what I said above.  I'm interested in your thoughts.


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