by Susan Glass
If you look through the names of affiliates listed on CCB'S webpage, you'll notice that many carry the CCB initials as part of their designation. Not so
with the Sacramento affiliate; it's title is the ACB Capitol Chapter. The reason for this difference is historical: The founding of the Capitol Chapter
pre-dates CCB, and its name was meant to align it with the American Council of the Blind, and to differentiate it from the National Federation.
Being situated in California's capital city has given this particular affiliate a leg up where governmental affairs are concerned. Our annual Capitol Day
allows blind Californians to gather in Sacramento where they chat with and educate state legislators on issues crucial to our community. When an issue
needs immediate action, it's often the Capitol Chapter members who are uniquely positioned to advocate. Such was the case a few years back when our state
talking book library funding was in jeopardy. Capitol Chapter members were in immediate proximity to unfolding events and were thus able to testify. Of
course other blind Californians also helped with their phone calls, petitions, and letters.
Currently the Capitol Chapter has 31 members. Paul Patche JR., now in his third year serving as president, cites collaborative spirit as one of the chapter's
key strengths. Recently, the Chico chapter wanted to revise its bylaws and constitution, so at the request of the Chico chapter, the ACB Capitol Chapter
shared its constitution and bylaws as models. Collaborative spirit was also evident at the 2014 Mutt Strut, as members of other Northern California CCB
affiliates gathered in Sacramento to participate in its Mutt Strut event.
Probably every CCB chapter faces the challenge of balancing between meeting its members' social needs and advocating for issues affecting CCB, ACB, and
the blindness community at large. According to members Paul Patche, Margie Donovan and Jeff Thom, this is a truism for the Capitol Chapter. After a year
and a half of work, members successfully made voting materials and processes accessible to blind people in Sacramento and the surrounding county. Margie
Donovan, who is chapter Vice President and Advocacy Chair, tirelessly worked with her constituents to bring audio description to Broadway Sacramento, one
of the city's performing arts venues. Margie would like to see her chapter expand its advocacy role.
"People coming in to our chapter have often been members of the blindness community for a long time, but not necessarily members of the CCB community,"
she says. "understandably they are seeking social connections."
Jeff Thom concurs, adding that people seem either to be interested in social activities or in advocacy, but generally not both. He adds that this too is
understandable, since everyone in CCB volunteers his or her time, and each of us only has so much time to devote to the organization.
Another strength of the Capitol Chapter is its fund-raising. It sponsors Bingo games that are open to the surrounding community, and the bingo has proven
itself an exceptional revenue source, enabling outings to Apple Hill, Monterey, Reno, and an audio described version of South Pacific in Sacramento. The
Capitol Chapter has also hosted many Northern California state CCB conventions, and this too has brought in revenue.
Paul Patche, Margie Donovan and Jeff Thom all acknowledged CCB for crucial student scholarships given to them during their formative years, and all agreed
that recruiting student members and young people is a high CCB priority. They believe that students receiving CCB scholarships should be required to attend
the state convention, and that at least some convention seminars and activities should be designed exclusively for students. If it were financially possible,
Jeff would like to see a reception given in honor of students. Margie advocates student mentoring, and cautions that we need to nurture students' growth
within the organization before assigning them too many CCB leadership responsibilities that divert their attention from the needs of other students. CCB
has so many projects, and not enough people to complete them; so it tends to usurp the resources of any willing individual. This would seem to be true
of most organizations run by volunteers.
Growing CCB is on the minds of Paul, Margie and Jeff. As a member of the CCB Board, Paul would like to attend the membership meetings of nearby chapters
to foster connections between them and the board and to learn what they would like and need from CCB. Margie advocates that CCB members visit Camps Bloomfield
and Enchanted Hills when adult campers are present to tell them about CCB. She also suggests that prior to each state convention, CCB members in the hosting
city visit the disabled services programs at local community colleges and universities, to publicize the CCB convention there.
"We've also got to reach out to parents," says Margie. "Recruiting CCB members happens one child at a time, long before children are even old enough to
join the organizations.”
As you can see, the ACB Capitol Chapter has deep roots of wisdom and precedent, as well as a new and vigorous branching of ideas and strength. How fortunate
we in CCB are to know and work with our Capitol colleagues.
