Translation: This is Part 2 of “Free NAD Memberships!”. What happens after NAD opens up their membership? Here are a few ideas. One, the NADmag can rise in importance as an organ for our community. We’d be able to bring in big-ticket sponsors — we’d be able to ask Toyota, Revlon, or other companies to put advertisements in the magazine. The proceeds from this could support advocacy services.
Also NAD could consider microfinancing their projects. Visitors can go in to the website and see a list of projects that need donations. Low amounts such as five dollars, or even one dollar can grab visitors’ willingness. With sheer numbers the amounts earned would be higher. Projects can be simple, like a billboard, or hiring an assistant to call and lobby legislators regarding internet captioning. People would be able to review each project and decide which one they felt they could relate to the best and support.
NAD doesn’t have to be the only one controlling each project. In fact it could be an incubator for those projects. Having a high number of people means access to a larger pool of talent. NAD would be able to spin off each project as needed.
The important idea to retain here is critical mass. Being able to reach a higher number of people to bring attention to important issues gives NAD more power.
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See Part 1 here.
Would be nice if your vlog include with some power point…
Good vlog anyway…
That sounds like a worthwhile idea, and it could spin off some related ideas that sparks further development.
One could be offering memberships automatically to members of the state associations of the deaf, local clubs for the deaf, and other Deaf organizations. It helps both ways: both profit from increased numbers and incentives to join.
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing obtains its membership numbers mainly from professionals and parents. NAD could take a hint and offer membership benefits (paid, of course) to these groups with limited voting privileges.
Corporate sponsorship comes from a two way relationship such as AGB has with hearing aid and CI manufacturers. If NAD were to explore such relationships with videophone manufacturers and relay providers, that would be another way.
DeafRead and other Deaf organizations could offer free advertising in exchange for sponsorship privileges.
And finally, to attract more Deaf membership, the benefits package should be expanded further. Take a look at the AARP and its benefits which are regularly touted and just as regularly varied.
Brilliant idea, Adrean! Also, brlliant tips from Dianrez.
I would like to add my two cents. AARP is oene of the most politically infuential organisations trough its members, so many politicans need AARP’s endorsements. members’ votes. NAD must make itsself “needed” by politicans. So the NAD must listen to the VOX POPULI of the deaf community.
I’d be concerned about the amount of money that NAD would lose. NAD relies partly on membership dues to pay for the services that they provide. With many more members and nobody paying, how would they be able to distribute NADmag?
If you feel strongly about this, you should go to the NAD meetings and make a motion to change the bylaws.
Brian: Thanks for the suggestion :)
Dianrez: Great ideas! Hope they happen! :D
Jean: You’re right about vox populi — we need the numbers so they can’t ignore us.
Rox: That’s why I mentioned the microfinancing. Instead of vague overall advocacy, we’d see the direct impact of our donations. More members = more revenue, hence more funding.
I’d love to go to the NAD meetings but in order for that to happen, I’d either have to have thousands of dollars to travel or work my way up politically through a local NAD affilate to become a representative. Hence my bringing this to a public forum — perhaps someone with more clout finds these ideas useful and can bring them to the table in a more accessible way.