[Greater-Baltimore] July 2022 Minute Message from the Movement
Carolyn Brown
carolynbrown983 at gmail.com
Tue Aug 2 10:29:12 UTC 2022
WOW 😲 Loads of activities for 2022 & 2023. I plan to attend some & share
with others. Thanks for the info. 🤗
On Mon, Aug 1, 2022, 10:33 PM Maryland President via Greater-Baltimore <
greater-baltimore at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> July 2022 Minute Message
>
>
>
>
> Fellow Federationists:
>
>
>
> We've just returned from our first in person national convention since the
> pandemic began, and New Orleans didn't disappoint. We had over 60
> first-time convention attendees. We are also two-thirds of the way through
> our NFB BELL In Home Academy and halfway through our Maryland NFB BELL
> Academy, taking place in Baltimore. The other volunteers and I have
> thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our kiddos as they explore Braille,
> cane travel, independent living skills, and other blindness techniques; we
> all agree though that the most important benefit of the NFB BELL Academy is
> the positive role models with which our students interact and form
> life-long
> relationships.
>
>
>
> We also just wound down our second week-long orientation and mobility
> intensive training for our Narrowing the Gap participants. These teachers
> are working towards receiving certification as Teachers of Blind Students.
> Through a partnership between NFB, NFBMD, the Maryland State Department of
> Education, and Louisiana Tech University, the Narrowing the Gap program
> participants will receive tuition forgiveness in exchange for a multi-year
> commitment to teach blind students in Maryland. Through this program, we
> are narrowing the gap between the number and quality of teachers of blind
> students we need in Maryland and the critical shortage we find we are
> experiencing.
>
>
>
> As we wind down the summer, we are as busy as ever in the Maryland
> affiliate. In the coming weeks, we will host our annual Crab Feast, cohost
> the NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar, host the third offering of our
> advocacy seminar, hold programs for our Sports and Rec Committee, Parents
> Division, Student Division, Merchants Division, and Seniors Division, and
> host a number of chapter outings. We are also eagerly preparing for our
> 56th annual state convention. Please read below for more information about
> our programs and activities.
>
>
>
>
> Get ready for Houston in 2023!
>
>
> At the national board of directors meeting at the 2022 NFB National
> Convention, it was confirmed that the 2023 National Convention will take
> place from July 1 - 6, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Start planning so that you
> can attend the 2023 convention.
>
>
>
>
> Crabbing for Student Scholarships
>
>
> You may still purchase your tickets online for the NFB of Maryland Annual
> Crab Feast. This fundraiser supports the John T McCraw Scholarship
> Program,
> which provides scholarships to blind post-secondary education students.
>
> When: Friday, August 5, 2022 - 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
>
> Where: Tall Cedars - 2501 Putty Hill Ave - Parkville, MD 21234
>
> Tickets are $70. Children 6 and under are free.
>
> Special Promotion: Buy or Sell 25 or more tickets and get your ticket FREE!
>
> Dancing, 50 / 50 Raffle, Door Prizes, and more.
>
> Menu Includes:
> Steamed Crabs, Pit Beef, turkey breast, & Ham - All You Can Eat!
> Plus a Buffet of Entrees Including Old Bay wings and Sausage, Sides, Salad,
> Cake.
> Yuengling and Miller beer
> Carbonated Beverages, iced tea, and Coffee
>
> To purchase tickets, visit <https://www.nfbmd.org/crabs>
> https://www.nfbmd.org/crabs.
>
> For additional information contact me at (443) 426-4110 or email
> <mailto:President at NFBMD.org> President at NFBMD.org
>
>
>
>
> Attend the NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting and Convention Planning Retreat
>
>
> Everyone is invited to attend the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors
> meeting
> on Saturday, August 27, 2022 to help us plan the state convention. At this
> time, we plan to meet in person and are not able to offer a hybrid option.
> We will be meeting at the Convention Hotel, the Sheraton Baltimore North
> Hotel, located at 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. The meeting will begin
> at 9:00 and end at 4:00. Lunch will be available for purchase. To RSVP,
> please contact me at (443) 426-4110 or <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
> President at nfbmd.org. Individuals who plan to attend should let me know by
> August 14, 2022; they should advise whether they intend to purchase lunch,
> whether they have any dietary restrictions, and whether they need any
> reasonable accommodations to participate.
>
>
>
>
> Reconnect, Reimagine, Reignite: The State Convention is Coming!
>
>
> You will not want to miss the state convention at the Sheraton Baltimore
> North Hotel in Towson which takes place on November 11 - 13, 2022. You may
> reserve your room by calling the Sheraton Baltimore North at 410-321-7400.
> Convention Room Rates: Standard Room - $95 per night. Tax on sleeping
> rooms
> is 17.5%. These room rates start on Thursday, November 10, 2022. The
> deadline for making room reservations is October 15, 2022.
>
>
>
> Be looking in your mailbox and on the website <http://www.nfbmd.org>
> www.nfbmd.org for the preregistration forms. They will be available soon.
> Below are the prices for the various convention activities (prices are per
> person unless otherwise stated):
>
> * Pre-registration = $20 until October 15, 2022; $25 on-site
> * Banquet ticket = $50 until October 15, 2022; $55 on-site
> * Parent, Senior, or Student Luncheon ticket = $25 until October 15,
> 2022; $30 on-site
> * Friday boxed lunch = $18 until October 15, 2022; $20 on-site
> * Dinner & a Play tickets = $18 until October 15, 2022; $20 on-site
> * Transportation from New Carrollton Train Station = $35 until
> October
> 15, 2022; this covers round-trip travel
> * Childcare = TBD
>
>
> Financial Assistance Application for State Convention - Due September 15,
> 2022!
>
>
> Individuals who wish to request financial assistance to attend the 2022 NFB
> of Maryland State Convention must complete and submit a Financial
> Assistance
> Application Form no later than September 15, 2022. Individuals are
> encouraged to first check with their local chapters and divisions to see
> what financial assistance may be available. If a member's chapter does not
> have a financial assistance program, or if there is still unmet financial
> need, members may complete and submit the form to the State affiliate.
> More
> information about the NFBMD Financial Assistance Application Form is
> available at <https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance>
> https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance. For questions, please contact me
> at
> 443-426-4110 or at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.
>
>
>
>
> Seeking Resolutions for the State Convention
>
>
> The Convention is the supreme authority of the National Federation of the
> Blind, and this too is true of the affiliates. One of the most important
> charges of the Convention is to consider and vote on resolutions that come
> before it; those resolutions become the policy of the organization. To
> that
> end, individuals interested in submitting resolutions should send them to
> NFBMD Resolutions Chairperson Chris Danielsen by email at
> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org by October 15, 2022.
>
>
>
>
> Seeking Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors
>
>
> We are seeking sponsors for our 2022 NFB of Maryland State Convention.
> There are various levels of sponsorship, and the various levels include
> different benefits. Entities and individuals interested in serving as an
> NFBMD Convention sponsor should contact me at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org
> >
> President at nfbmd.org or Jen White at <mailto:Jwhite at nfb.org>
> Jwhite at nfb.org
> to request additional information. Sponsorship forms and additional
> information may also be found at <https://nfbmd.org/convention>
> https://nfbmd.org/convention.
>
>
>
> We are also seeking exhibitors for our Friday Exhibit Hall. Individuals
> and
> entities interested in exhibiting should also contact me at
> <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or Jen White at
> <mailto:Jwhite at nfb.org> Jwhite at nfb.org to request additional information.
> Exhibitor forms are available for download at
> <https://nfbmd.org/convention> https://nfbmd.org/convention.
>
>
>
> The sponsorship and exhibitor deadlines are September 15, 2022.
>
>
>
>
> Pay Your 2022 Dues As Soon As Possible!!
>
>
> In light of the pandemic and the suspension of in-person chapter meetings,
> NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and
> division dues. We are asking members to pay their 2022 dues as soon as
> possible so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate for the annual
> national membership data call.
>
>
>
> Individuals may use NFBMD's Dues Portal to pay their 2022 annual dues,
> and/or lifetime membership dues for those chapters that have lifetime
> membership. The portal lists all NFBMD chapters and divisions and their
> dues amounts. Individuals may pay for as many chapters and divisions as
> they wish. The portal is located at <http://nfbmd.org/dues>
> http://nfbmd.org/dues. Alternatively, individuals may mail a check to
> their
> chapter or division treasurer.
>
>
>
>
> Reminder of NFBMD Policy on In-Person Gatherings
>
>
> As the affiliate, chapters, and divisions resume and/or increase in-person
> activities such as fundraisers, chapter meetings, and seminars, please
> remember that the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors adopted a Policy on
> In-Person Gatherings, which is applicable to all events and activities.
> The
> Board last updated this policy on May 27, 2022. You can review the policy
> by visiting: <https://nfbmd.org/eventpolicy>
> https://nfbmd.org/eventpolicy.
>
>
>
>
>
> Membership Efforts
>
>
> One key priority in 2022 is for NFBMD to conduct a robust membership
> building effort. This is based on the needs and desires of several
> chapters
> within Maryland. The Board of Directors voted in January to reorganize the
> Baltimore County Chapter; in addition, the Western Maryland Chapter
> reorganized in mid-2021 and is working to expand its size and presence.
> The
> Eastern Shore Chapter has determined that it too needs to expand its
> prominence, size, and presence. The Greater Baltimore Chapter has
> determined there are many blind and low vision people in the local area to
> whom it wishes to reach out. The TLC Chapter has decided it too is
> committed to continuing to grow. Every chapter and division in Maryland
> expressed a desire and commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining
> members.
>
>
>
> As a result, our Membership Committee, led by Dezman Jackson, will be
> working on various membership initiatives in 2022, including a membership
> fair in the Baltimore area on September 9, 2022. We need your help! If
> you
> know of blind and low vision Marylanders who are not yet members of the
> Federation, please introduce them to their local chapter. Please share
> ideas with Dezman and me as to how we can connect with people who are not
> yet members or how to reconnect with those whose membership has lapsed.
> Please invite those individuals to share with you, with Dezman, and with
> me,
> what they would want to get from membership in the Federation and any
> barriers to joining. Please let Dezman and me know if you are interested
> in
> supporting the Membership Committee with recruitment and retention
> initiatives. Membership building is truly the responsibility of each of
> us,
> and we need your help!
>
>
>
>
> NFBMD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
>
>
> NFBMD is actively working to expand our knowledge of and emphasis on
> diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These initiatives also
> include those related to sexual harassment and misconduct, consent,
> boundaries, and power dynamics. It is our intent that NFB of Maryland
> activities, events, and programs be safe and welcoming to all, and to that
> end we are devoting resources and time to increase our awareness and
> enhance
> our strategies on DEI. Qualik Ford and Juhi Narula co-chair this
> committee.
> We encourage those interested in joining the committee to reach out to me
> at
> <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.
>
>
>
> The Committee provides state-wide guidance and support to chapters and the
> affiliate on DEI. One goal for 2022 is to increase the presence of DEI in
> our activities and to hold more DEI-focused activities. The Committee has
> and will continue to share informational communications on certain topics
> and observances to promote DEI but needs assistance in this area from those
> with lived experience and/or expertise. One particular highlight was a
> day-long training for all elected affiliate, chapter, and division board
> members, the DEI committee, the scholarship committee, the membership
> committee, and those working with children. This training occurred on
> March
> 5, 2022 and featured an introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
> recognizing and minimizing micro-aggressions; and understanding and
> combatting implicit bias.
>
>
>
> If you have questions about these initiatives or have suggestions for how
> we
> can best incorporate DEI into our programs, please don't hesitate to
> contact
> me at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or at
> 443-426-4110.
>
>
>
>
> NFBMD Advocacy Skills Training Sessions
>
>
> Would you like to brush up on your advocacy skills for yourself and
> others?
> Save the dates: August 20, September 17, and October 1. We will explore a
> different advocacy issue each of these days. The trainings will take place
> on these Saturday afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00, over zoom.
>
>
>
> August 20: How to Get Your Dream Job and Keep It
>
> This advocacy workshop will review how to work with DORS to get what you
> need for successful employment. We will also talk about how to get
> reasonable accommodations, keep your job if you feel you are being
> discriminated against, and more.
>
>
>
> September 17: Practicing IEP Skills
>
> In this workshop, we will practice some of the skills that we learned at
> the
> May 21 workshop. Through role playing, we will create opportunities to make
> a better IEP.
>
>
>
> October 1: The Top Social Security Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
>
> In this workshop, we will talk about Social Security pitfalls and the
> opportunities and benefits that Social Security provides.
>
>
>
> All workshops are from 1:30 to 5 PM. Please register for the specific
> sessions you plan to attend by sending an email to
> <mailto:nfbmdsm at gmail.com> nfbmdsm at gmail.com.
>
>
>
>
> Important Upcoming Dates
>
>
> * August 5, 2022 - NFBMD Crab Feast, Parkville, Maryland
> * August 12 - 14, 2022 - NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar, Hunt
> Valley, Maryland
> * August 20, 2022 - Advocacy Seminar Part 3, Virtual
> * August 27, 2022 - Board Meeting and State Convention Planning
> Retreat, Towson, Maryland
> * September 9, 2022 - NFBMD Membership Fair, Baltimore, Maryland
> * September 15, 2022 - Deadline to Submit Financial Assistance
> Application for NFBMD State Convention
> * September 15, 2022 - Deadline to reserve Exhibit Table for NFBMD
> State Convention
> * September 17, 2022 - Advocacy Seminar Part 4, Virtual
> * October 1 - 31, 2022 - Blind Equality Achievement Month
> * October 1, 2022 - Advocacy Seminar Part 5, Virtual
> * October 15, 2022 - Deadline to make hotel reservations for the
> NFBMD
> 2022 State Convention
> * October 15, 2022 - Deadline to pre-register for the 2022 NFBMD
> State
> Convention
> * October 15, 2022 - Deadline to submit resolutions for the 2022
> NFBMD
> State Convention
> * November 11 - 13, 2022 - NFBMD Annual Convention, Towson, Maryland
>
> * January 26, 2023 - NFBMD Day in Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland
> * January 30, 2023 - Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
> * July 1 - 6, 2023 - NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
> * December 3 - 10, 2023 - NFBMD Blind Cruising 2023, Bahamas
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ronza Othman, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>
> 443-426-4110
>
> Pronouns: she, her, hers
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
> not
> the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
> _______________________________________________
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