From: vdodd@Actrix.gen.nz (Vaughan Dodd)
Subject: Re: Conflict of Interest
Organization: 16 Parkside Lane
Hello to all of you from New Zealand.
I guess that (perhaps with some mis-placed arrogance) I would like to
jump in here.
It seems to me that this whole debate  is one about the power of
democracy and the rights and responsibilities of all who have ambition
to work within the democratic system.  I find this discussion you are
having very interesting, because the NFB has done much which is
respected internationally and is likely to show the way in the years
ahead.  So: it seems to me that anyone who wishes the organisation
(any organisation) - not just the Federation, who wishes to change
election processes or attempt tomake for greater democracy must
network, contribute, take the positives with the negatives and work at
it.
I belong to a similar organisation here in New Zealand.  I am critical
of the organisation's leadership, but events have occurred which keep
me involved.  Essentiaily - I am involved because I support the
movement, and will sink or swim on the performances that I give in my
own aspirations for leadership.  So: for me at least - leadership does
not come through negative criticism at the grasroots level.  It comes
from taking the initiative to work to evolve change by steering a path
of participation, outspokenness, analytical  judgment and self
criticism and respect from peers.
I know very little of the day-to-day workingws of the Federation.  I
read the Monitirs every month, (thanks to technology) and have enjoyed
all of the books published over the years, including the great epic.
The organisation appears to have a robust constitution and a decisive
leadership.  Finding favour with that leadership seems to be critical
(I concede) but presumably - that is how the leadership seminars work
- local democratic structures within chapters and states presumably
put people forward for these seminars and (again I am guessing)
conventions allow for those with aspirations to perform and become
known.
Well: I've had my say.  I'm enjoying the debate and I  hope to be at a
convention sometime soon.
Vaughan.
t On Wed, 20 Aug 1997 20:09:16 +0000, you wrote:
>
>
>I agree with you that Mrs. Wilson can't stop our Social Security
>checks or get us fired from our jobs or anything like that, but
>they can and do stop us from getting anywhere in the organization
>if we make our dissenting views known.  This is one thing that
>has always bothered me.  Sure our leadership claims to allow
>dissension and criticism, but just see how far you get if you
>make those views too widely known within the organization.  the
>federation does a lot of good and I support that, but the
>internal politics of the N.F.B. is turning people off and I
>think our national leadership is going to have to learn to
>gracefully accept criticism in the spirit it is intended.
>
>On the other hand, it seems that as long as someone warbles the
>national song loud enough they can otherwise get by with any kind
>of behavior they choose.
>
>I think for example that May Nelson is the worst excuse for a
>director of rehab that I know of.  But she keeps the La. Center
>happy and that keeps the leaders in La. happy.  The center has
>become a political thing as much as it is a program for blind
>people, but in a negative sense; not in the positive sense that
>Dr. Jernigan and the Iowa Commission for the Blind was in the
>60's and 70's.
>
>Harvey
>
>Net-Tamer V 1.10 Beta  - Registered
>
---
---------------