[il-talk] FW: [Nfb-newsline-sponsors] May 2009 NFB-NEWSLINE Happenings - TheNewsletter for Sponsors

Fri May 29 17:30:52 UTC 2009

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-newsline-sponsors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-newsline-sponsors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of West, Renee
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 10:52 AM
To: nfb-newsline-sponsors at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfb-newsline-sponsors] May 2009 NFB-NEWSLINE Happenings -
TheNewsletter for Sponsors

NFB-Newsline(r) Sponsors:

Please find attached and below (in plain-text format) the May 2009 issue of
NFB-NEWSLINE(r) Happenings. Please accept my apologies for the lateness of
this issue; it's been amazingly busy here lately! Should you have any
questions or comments regarding the newsletter or contents therein, please
don't hesitate to call or e-mail me; my contact details are available in my
signature block. 

Thank you!

Renee West
Manager, Marketing and Outreach
Sponsored Technology Programs
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore MD 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2411
Fax: (410) 659-5129
Websites: www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/> ; www.nfbnewsline.org
<http://www.nfbnewsline.org/> ; www.nfbnewslineonline.org

Text of the May NFB-NEWSLINE Happenings follows:

NFB-NEWSLINE(r) HAPPENINGS-MAY 2009

Main Menu

Hello Sponsors!  Things have certainly been busy with the
NFB-NEWSLINE(r) team since we last wrote.  We have been promoting our new
initiatives, pursuing the addition of new publications, and working to make
the service better for our subscribers.  In the promotion of our new
initiatives we may have even met you at a recent event!  Scott White has
attended a couple of conventions recently; including the National Council of
State Agencies for the Blind and the NLS Northern/Southern Joint Regional
conferences, and both Scott and Renee West will be busy attending
conferences in early June.  Also in the works are plans to promote
NFB-NEWSLINE(r) to a wide array of audiences via various podcasts, Internet
radio shows, and Webinars.  If you would like to "tune in," here are some
definite show dates:

The Guerra Show (www.theguerra.com), May 31st at 8, p.m. Eastern

Thru Our Eyes (www.thruoureyes.org), June 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern

Serotek, June 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern, you can hear the podcast of our
discussion by visiting http://serotalk.com. 

EASI Webinar (www.easi.cc). June 16 at 2 p.m. Eastern

As noted, we are approaching a variety of publications with a view to adding
them to our roster; one magazine we're exploring for this purpose is NARFE
Magazine.  NARFE, the acronym for the National Active and Retired Federal
Employees Association, has an award-winning monthly magazine that will be of
special interest to current and former public employees.  We'll be sure to
let you know if and when this publication or any other is made available on
our service.

The National Federation of the Blind's national convention is rapidly
approaching.  We have a total of 51 hours of exhibiting time, both in the
exhibit hall and in our own private suite.  Fifty-one hours means a lot of
time offered to convention attendees so that they can learn about
NFB-NEWSLINE(r) and the new initiatives, but it also means a great deal of
assistance will be required.  If you will be attending national convention
and have some time to spare, please contact Renee West at rwest at nfb.org to
volunteer.  Further, please e-mail Renee if you would like to arrange for
some time to speak with her or Scott White personally.

And, lastly, a request of those who administer subscriber data.  When
entering new subscriber phone numbers, or when changing the number of an
existing subscriber, please make sure that the format you use in the phone
number field is as so: 555-555-5555.  Including parentheses in this field
will cause an automatic rejection of that data. We sincerely appreciate your
help in this regard.

Channel Chat

I've mentioned a few times how we've worked to make it easier for our
sponsors to enlist a volunteer to help you to make full and innovative use
of your local information channel.  Some of you may have questions about
finding someone to assist you in this way; if this is indeed so, please
contact Renee West at rwest at nfb.org to find someone for this role.  She'll
happily work with you to locate a willing and capable individual to serve in
this capacity. 

            Remember...this is YOUR space, so get out YOUR message!

JUST THE STATS, MA'AM

Along with the April showers we received a total of 764 new subscribers,
that's up by nearly 5 percent over the number for March, with no small
thanks to Florida once again in the lead!  We received a total of
142,799 calls last month, which shows that this year is off to a running
start where usage is concerned.  In April, our four champions-- Connecticut,
Delaware, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C.--all saw local call rates
exceeding 90 percent, which is just super(fecta)!

Top Ten Minutes Used:

            A total of 2,732,003 minutes of service were enjoyed in April.
Contestants with a stake in the race are below.  All of our contenders have
got a good track record for excellent usage, and this month's medallist is
Massachusetts, who has an increase of 2,530 minutes more than were reported
for March! 

1.            California                   285,703

2.         New York                    180,480

3.         Massachusetts              173,249

4.         Florida                         159,201

5.         Illinois                           144,711

6.         Ohio                             134,973

7.         Maryland                      124,676

8.         Texas                           104,388

9.         Pennsylvania                  94,314

10.       Virginia                           86,068

Top Ten New Subscribers:

Our trophy-winning top ten showcases impressive gains in new members.
Massachusetts and California are both trotting along nicely with each adding
11 more than were added in March, and Pennsylvania, who we haven't seen in
this roster since December's numbers, certainly can do, can do!  Kentucky,
who knows how to place 'em, comes in the running with an addition of 24
members more than were added in March, a 150% increase!  And finally,
welcome to the starting gate, Maryland, my home state!

1.         Florida, with 208

2.         Texas, with 57

3.         California, with 46

4.         Kentucky, with 40

5.         Illinois, with 30

6.         Massachusetts, with 28

7.         New Mexico, with 28

8.         Pennsylvania, with 26

9.         Virginia, with 26

10.       Maryland, with 25

E-mail Superstars:

We are still working to resolve the issue that prevents us from properly
displaying statistical data about the delivery of e-mails.  We hope to have
the situation fixed soon so that we can post the finalists!
Although we don't have state-by-state statistics for e-mails sent, we do
know that a total of 158,848 e-mails were delivered, which is a crowning
achievement for this statistic!

Top Ten Registered Subscribers:

The contenders for our top ten registered have been around the track before;
this month Florida breaks the 10,000 mark, and New York and Ohio are
jockeying for position.  Huzzah for our champions!

1.         Florida, with 10,124

2.         California, with 6,519

3.         Maryland, with 2,969

4.         Texas, with 2,704

5.         Michigan, with 2,594

6.         North Carolina, with 2,544

7.         Wisconsin, with 2,314

8.         New York, with 2,300

9.         Ohio, with 2,232

10.       Massachusetts, with 2,019

Congratulations, Everyone! 

Six Super Sponsors!!!

Occasionally, I want to spotlight some of our sponsors who are doing a
superb job of managing the NFB-NEWSLINE(r) service in their states.
Whether providing valuable content via their Local Information Channel,
actively promoting NFB-NEWSLINE(r) to varying audiences, or connecting with
subscribers to ensure they reap the benefits of the service, the sponsors
below deserve recognition of, and appreciation for, their efforts on behalf
of their subscribers.

Firstly, applause goes to Massachusetts, who is using their Local
Information Channel to provide space for updates from their state's
Commission for the Blind.  It would be of value to approach your state's
agency for the blind to enquire as to how they might benefit from the use of
this resource.

Kudos to Idaho, who made bus schedule information available on their
channel!  This information, which can be difficult to acquire for
print-disabled individuals, is now readily accessible wherever and whenever
it is needed.  We'd be happy to explore providing this valuable information
to your state's subscribers, you need only call!

Sponsors in both Iowa and New Jersey feature ads from local grocery stores
on their channels.  Many subscribers have told us that they wish that the
circulars from supermarkets that are included with print newspapers could be
made available to them over NFB-NEWSLINE(r).  You as a sponsor could play a
key role in helping your subscribers by identifying a grocery store chain
serving your state and working with us to place their circulars content on
our service. Excellent work, New Jersey and Iowa!

Texas and Florida have been going gangbusters with their marketing efforts
these past months!  Steve Tompkins from Texas has been promoting the service
at various fairs and meetings throughout the state, and Florida has been
calling all NFB-NEWSLINE(r) subscribers in their state to try and build a
relationship to their subscriber base.  Both Florida and Texas have been
building stronger relationships with subscribers; one way you can create
this connection is by making follow-up calls to your subscribers a week or
so after sending out the welcome letter.
Many subscribers will need some assistance in becoming familiar with the
service, and may need to have additional materials (like a Users' Guide)
sent to them. Even simply providing your subscribers (both new and
inactive) with their personal codes can make a big difference in their
usage.

NFB-NEWSLINE(r) is the door that provides access to the world for members of
the print-disabled community; you as the sponsor are the key to that door.
Please contact Renee West if you need a new set of keys.

Your Monthly Helpful Hint

Please make sure to note in your next newsletter that subscribers can choose
how they receive their NFB-NEWSLINE(r) emails (either with or without
updates).  Many subscribers who might enjoy receiving their publications in
this way have turned off their e-mail delivery as they were unhappy
receiving updates throughout the day, advising these individuals of the new
options regarding e-mail delivery might rekindle their interest. Please note
in your newsletter that by selecting the first-issue only option,
NFB-NEWSLINE(r) subscribers will only receive the first issue of their
favorite publications, instead of the first issue with all updates that are
created. To turn the updates option on or off, you as the state sponsor will
need to contact us at the National Office at this time. 

We Need Your Help!

Support Braille Literacy and help provide blind children and adults with the
tools they need to succeed by purchasing the Louis Braille Coin.
Created in honor of the 200th birthday of Louis Braille, this beautiful coin
is made of 90% silver and is the first US coin ever to feature readable
Braille. Visit www.braille.org or call the National Federation of the Blind
at (410) 659-9314, extension 2216 to learn how you can make change with a
dollar!

Talk with you next month!

The NFB-NEWSLINE(r) Team

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