From: 
Subject: Re:  Why The NFB
Denise,
I personally enjoyed your note on this list very much.  I think
that people miss the point of the NFB and its national leadership. 
The fact that the leadership doesn't always take one person's
opinion as gospel doesn't diminish that person's importance.  But
our leadership has learned a valuable lesson.  There is a time for
studying, learning, seeking input, analyzing, questioning, etc, and
a time for action.  Marc Maurer and Mr. Jernigan did not rise to
the top of the NFB by just one day forming an opinion, then
shooting their mouths off.  They didn't get to where they are by
being belligerent, and badgering as some on this list would have us
believe.  Their experiences come from constantly synthesizing
opinions from the thousands, (and I mean thousands) of letters,
telephone calls, meetings, seminars, books, magazines, etc, that
are written about all sorts of subjects dealing with the blind. 
They are constantly taking the expertise of thousands of blind
persons throughout the country into account.  Each of us who
volunteers in the organization has formed an opinion from our
limited perspective.  We are coming from a standpoint of our own
experiences, as are our leaders.  The fact that Mr. Maurer and Mr.
Jernigan have access to and are provided with information from
throughout the country 24 hours a day, seven days per week should
mean something.  The fact that we elect these leaders must mean
something too.  If those who differ in opinion don't have the time,
or the inclination to get perspective of our leadership on their
subject area, or if they don't try to communicate with the leaders,
then I don't understand why they continue to shoot from the hip
about the NFB.  Unless, of course, they don't really care about the
NFB except to attack it and our leadership.
The most important thing to me is not that our leaders may make
mistakes.  the most important thing to me is that with the
philosophy we have as an organization, these people have kept us
together and on target.  If people really want to make a
difference, they will come and help us do that.  If they really are
interested in what the membership feels and interested in helping
shape the collective opinion, they will work with the leadership
and the membership--not just attack and  hope we will somehow
listen.  
The other thing that really bothers me is that people often think
that the NFB is somehow "them", not us.  In other words, when
someone asks, "where was the NFB when", or what has the NFB done
about... they don't take into account that our organization doesn't
just consist of the national staff, or our elected national
leadership.  We have chapters in the States and local areas too. 
The local organizations are meetings of the national organization
when they happen.  Thus, given our philosophy, which we are always
studying as members of this organization, the local organizations
need the resources of individuals (people willing to work), to
accomplish many of the things we do.  When I took my time to fight
for the right of a blind woman to work as a staff member in a day
care center, I did it because there was a need.  When Mike Freeman
takes the time to go to the State legislature, (taking his annual
leave time to do it) its because there is a need.  When Gary
Wunder, Brian Borrough, and Mike Freeman, join Curtis Chong to
develop and host technology seminars for software manufacturers at
the national center, they are performing a valuable service to all
blind persons.  They have seen a need and filled it.  not many of
these people are paid for their work.  They believe in the NFB and
its philosophy, and are trying to help blind people get the best
tools for employment and all aspects of life.  
The most important thing to me is that the NFB keep moving ahead,
unwavering in its commitment to the blind of the country.  Any one
individual can go away, die, or just plain drop out.  But the NFB
must continue on its path toward independence and confidence for
the blind. The NFB is more than the sum of its parts. It is truly
the vehicle--our vehicle for change for the better.
Bennett Prows
P. S.  I am going back to Dallas because I love our conventions and
what we do.  But I also am fond of the Hyatt DFW complex.)  
B. P.
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