Lesson Purpose: Discussion of NFB philosophy during a chapter meeting is one of the best ways to build a cohesive and informed chapter body. The topic of this lesson is one possibility from a nearly inexhaustible supply that can be drawn from NFB literature, sponsored programs, activities and/or initiatives. Presenting a philosophical-based discussion is important for both new and established members; it quickens the understanding and acceptance of our beliefs and promotes a genuine and lasting commitment to the Federation’s work.
[Instructions for the Discussion Leader: Helpful notes to aid the discussion leader will be enclosed in brackets [ ] and are not intended to be shared with the members.]
[The Structure of the Lesson- A. Start the discussion by presenting the topic argument statement found in Section 1. (If needed, use the discussion questions and answers provided in Section 1 to open and guide the discussion.) B. Present the solicitation scenarios found in section 2. These examples range from being clearly non-philosophically acceptable, to those which are questionable, to those which are most philosophically desirable. (A set of questions as a measurement tool for acceptability is provided and can be applied to all scenarios.]
[The “correctness” of the philosophical guidelines comes from a recent survey of NFB members and leaders that I conducted via email. A copy of all correspondence can be found on my personal Website http://www.thoughtprovoker.info]
--Section 1: The Philosophical Argument for this Topic
[Read the following statement to the members.]
--Philosophical Argument: What could there be in the makeup of an NFB fundraising event, that would make it non-philosophically acceptable to be engaged in and counterproductive to our goals? Verses, what should there be in the make-up of an NFB fundraising event, that would make it philosophically acceptable and an asset to the furthering of our goals?
[The following questions and answers can be used to guide the discussion down the intended path and to the outcome, an understanding of what is philosophically acceptable. It is not totally necessary during this initial phase to get your people all on the same page because more discussion, enlightenment and consensus will occur as the philosophical merits of the fundraising scenarios are examined in Section 2.]
--Discussion Questions (Q) and Answers (A):
-(Q)- What is the main goal, the purpose of the National Federation of the Blind? And what type of fundraising event might harm or help that goal?
-(A)- To help establish a sense of the main goal or purpose of the NFB, here is a very familiar statement that we in the Federation have heard many times.
As it is stated on the very top of the NFB’s Internet home-page for all the world to read, “The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of information that exists. If a blind person has proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a physical nuisance.”
It could be said that a main goal of the NFB is to change what it means to be blind by providing information and demonstration of the capabilities of the blind and to expand upon the opportunities the blind will have. How then might this goal be helped or hurt by the right or wrong actions used in seeking donations?
-(A)- A simple measure of acceptance could be- “After seeing our fundraising event, will people come away feeling better or worse about the capabilities of blind people?”
-(Q)- During a fundraising activity, what actions should the members be engaged in to promote the spread of positive information and/or belief in the capabilities of the blind?
{The survey revealed that there are three main criteria or activities that should be present in the average fun raising event to make it be the best it can be, including promotion of the NFB goals.}
-(A)- There has to be public education of a positive nature going on. There needs to be the dissemination of information in the form of the handing out of NFB literature and/or open discussion between the NFB members and the public.
-(A)- Also along the lines of public education, there needs to be the demonstration of blindness skills, to show that the blind are capable of performing those tasks that make up the average person’s life. Here are some examples: demonstrating independent travel, writing and reading Braille, using a computer running speech output and/or screen enlargement, using magnification devices, etc.
[This third criteria does not fit every type of event, though it was felt to be important.]
-(A)- There should be a low-cost item being offered for sale rather than a straight solicitation for a donation with no item for the donor to walk away with.
--Section 3- Fundraising Scenarios
[As you and your chapter work your way through the list of fundraising scenarios, each activity needs to be measured against the following philosophical examination tool. Read the measurement tool aloud to your group and refer back to it at the conclusion of each fundraising scenario.]
--Philosophical Measurement Tool
>-The main question is- Does this activity help to promote the goals of the NFB? If “yes,” explain. If “no,” explain.
-1. Does it educate the public about the NFB, our goals, programs and initiatives?
-2. Does it educate the public about the capabilities of the blind by a demonstration of blindness skills?
-3. Does it offer a desirable item for sale? (Does the sale of an item fit the physical circumstances of the activity?)
-Scenario 1: The Street Corner Encounter- You are walking along a busy city street; there are many other pedestrians traveling in both directions. At the corner of the block, a blind person attracts by-passers’ attention. He is wearing average-looking clothing, has a white cane. He is holding out a non-labeled donation jar, saying to the sound of any and all who approach, “A donation for the National Federation of the Blind?”
-Second Scenario: The Door-to-Door- A blind person (with cane or guide dog), dressed in clearly NFB-labeled clothing, holding a box of candy, rings the doorbell of a private home. When the homeowner opens the door, the blind person says, “I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind, and we are selling candy bars as a fundraiser. Would you like to buy one and help us do our work within the community?”
-Third Scenario: Telephone Soliciting- You get a call, “We are calling for the National Federation of the Blind. For the donation of $25, you will receive a pass for 2 to attend “The Browning Brothers Magic Show.” The NFB will receive 25% of your donation.”
-Fourth Scenario: Email- You get an email from a blind friend or family member. The subject line reads, “The NFB Race for Independence.” You open it up and the message body reads, “Dear Friend, I have entered the National Federation of the Blind’s “Race for Independence” and need your support. The monies we collect from this fundraiser will be used through the Jernigan Institute to cover the costs of programs for blind youth. Did you know there is a literacy crisis in this country? Only 10% of blind youth are taught Braille.”
--Fifth Scenario: A Staffed Display Table- "Would you like to purchase a Mother's Day flower and support the work of the National Federation of the Blind?" Calls out the woman, long white cane in hand, dressed in a polo shirt with “National Federation of the Blind, New Town Chapter” clearly stenciled across the front and back; she addresses the customers of a local store as they enter and exit. The woman and several other members of her chapter (all wearing NFB-labeled clothing) staff a six-foot table set up just outside the main entrance to the store. (On the tabletop there are stacks of a variety of NFB literature, Braille alphabet cards, a large donation jar, a slate and stylist for taking notes, someone's long white cane lying the full length of the table and a bill-identifier to demonstrate and even use to make change. The front of their table displays a large NFB banner.)
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