by Charles S. P. Hodge
As I sit here thinking about the fast-approaching ACB legislative seminar, I am truly amazed at the breadth and scope of the many public policy issues which ACB's advocacy efforts address each year. Every day of our lives as blind Americans, we encounter various challenges and frustrations, and ACB is attempting through our collective legislative advocacy efforts to address and resolve or ameliorate a number of those challenges and frustrations. While it is true that it often takes several years for ACB to achieve satisfactory results on many such issues, with perseverance and stick-to-itiveness, ACB's track record of ultimate achievement and success over the years is really quite impressive.
The point that I am trying to make is that ACB has been and continues to be a positive and constructive voice and influence in achieving measurable progress on many of the public policy issues which concern us as blind Americans, and ACB therefore deserves our special attention and support. One tangible way that we as blind Americans can support and further ACB's positive and constructive influence in the public policy arena is to step forward and make the individual financial commitments of becoming life members of ACB.
Now, as an ACB life member myself, I am very aware that the $1,000 life membership dues represents quite a substantial financial commitment. Yet, the burden of this considerable financial commitment can be cushioned by paying life membership dues in up to five annual installments of $200. At this level, one can become an ACB life member for a commitment of a mere 55 cents per day for the next five years. Yep, that's right. For the cost of a daily can of soda pop over the next five years, even you can become an ACB life member. Just think about it, isn't this the kind of commitment you ought to make?
ACB state and special-interest affiliates and local chapters may also honor a current member of their organization by purchasing an ACB life membership on behalf of a deserving individual member. I challenge all affiliates and chapters to look inward and think seriously about so honoring one of your own members with an ACB life membership.
Interested individuals, affiliates and/or chapters may contact ACB's Chief Financial Officer, Jim Olsen, at (800) 866-3242 during normal Central time zone business hours for further details about ACB's life membership program.
As a proud life member of ACB, I look forward each year to the presentation of life membership plaques to new life members at each national convention. I hope and trust that many individuals, affiliates and chapters will take me up on my challenge and that I will have the distinct pleasure of welcoming a bumper crop of new ACB life members in early July in Houston, Texas.