From: MACK73DEN@aol.com
Subject: Re: Conflict of Interest
As a political insider I have found the discussion interesting.  To begin
with we live in a REPRESENTATIVE Democracy not a pure democracy.  I have been
involved in everything from PTA to Statewide Political Conventions.  If you
think that the NFB is rigid you have had very little experience with
representative organizations.  It is of interest that there is a clause in
the model state affiliate constitution that says that Robert's Rules of Order
will not be used to subvert the will of the membership.  I have seen that
take place in political conventions.  It has always been refreshing to see
how open and fair our National Conventions have been over the past 20 odd
years.  The rank and file members of our organization know more about orderly
and respectful meeting etiquette than most of the elected officials that I
know.  I also know that chaos does not allow for any kind of voice in an
organization.  
The National Federation of the Blind in my long experience of 27 years of
participation is an open, disciplined and orderly organization.  This results
in the effectiveness and influence which we are experiencing at this time.  I
can remember many instances of nominations being taken from the floor.  I can
also recall, including this past year in New Orleans, resolutions resulting
in lively and thought provoking discussion.  I especially recall the
resolution concerning the setting up of a center in Baltimore that eventually
was defeated.  I remember this discussion very clearly because Gary and I
were on opposite ends of view.  I must say that I have no patience for
criticism for citicisms sake.  Constructive criticism proposes a problem and
then proposes possible solutions.  Our world is no longer very simple and
issues have many sides.  Until all sides can be observed and dealt with
solutions are difficult to reach.
I apologize for the length of this post. Thank you for your time.
Denise Mackenstadt
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