[MD-AtLarge] September Message

[nfbmd]

September Minute Message
 
Fellow Federationists, 
 
BID FOR OPPORTUNITY
 
October is Meet the Blind Month and we are starting it off with a great
event. Please attend our Bid for Opportunity Dinner and Auction on Saturday,
October 1 at 6 pm.  The event takes place at the College Park Knights of
Columbus, 9450 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, MD 20740.  Tickets are $40.
For more information contact Debbie Brown deborahb14 at verizon.net
<mailto:deborahb14 at verizon.net>  or Michelle Clark mcikeyc at aol.com
<mailto:mcikeyc at aol.com> . Help us raise much needed funds to continue our
scholarship and youth stipend programs. 
Be sure to go to www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org>  to view local chapter
events for Meet the Blind Month.  They will be listed under "upcoming
events," then go to the "around the state" link.  
 
PRESIDENTAL ELECTION AND EARLY VOTING 
 
In October the local channel of NFB Newsline will have a section on the
ballot information for the upcoming presidential and state elections on
November 8.  This is a good way to prepare for voting before you get to the
polling place. There are frequently state and local questions and local
candidates, such as people running for the Board of Education that never
make radio or TV news.  This is the best way to keep track of everything
that will be on the ballot.  
 
Remember, each polling place will have an accessible voting machine. The
polling officials should inform you of this.  If they don't, ask for it
anyway because we have the right to vote independently and privately.
 
If you wish you may vote early.  Early voting takes place from Thursday,
October 27 through Thursday, November 3.  Early voting locations are open
from 8 am - 8 pm.   Contact your local board of elections to find out the
early voting location nearest to you. 
 
If you wish to vote by absentee ballot go to
https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/Instruc
tionsStep1 and request this ballot.  You may fill out the ballot on line but
you must print the form, sign it, and send it to the appropriate local board
of elections. Both the request form and the on line ballot are accessible.
Be sure to vote and make your voice heard.  
 
CONVENTION CHECKLIST
 
As you prepare to come to the Golden Anniversary Convention of the NFBMD,
here is a checklist of things that you should do.  
 
*      Make your hotel reservation by October 1. Call 1-800-228-9290.  You
must tell them you are registering for the NFBMD Convention.  Use the
initials, not the full name.  Staying at the hotel will make it easier to
participate in all of our nighttime activities.  On Friday evening we have
pizza and a play from 6-8 pm. After the play, dance with the stars at our
Jazz Party from 8:30-11:30 pm.  After the banquet on Saturday night we will
have the Gold Cup Crab race.  You will hear more about this at the
convention.  
There will be a special door prize drawing for 2 items - the only people
eligible for these prizes will be people who are staying at the hotel.  One
of the door prizes is a scrumptious free breakfast with our National
Representative Gary Wunder.  The other prize is a weekend getaway in
Baltimore.  The prize is valued at over $500.  It includes an overnight stay
and breakfast for 2 at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore hotel; 2 VIP
passes to more than 2 dozen of Baltimore's best-loved attractions, sites,
museums and tours; and a  $50 restaurant certificate to the Food Market on
the Avenue in Hampden.  
 
*      Preregister and buy your banquet and lunch tickets. Go to
www.nfbmd.org <http://www.nfbmd.org>  . As usual, there will be a lunch
sponsored by the Senior Issues Division and a lunch sponsored by the Parents
of Blind Children Division. Both lunches take place on Saturday October 29.
Pre-registration closes on October 8. 
 
*      BOOK YOUR CONVENTION TOURS by OCTOBER 15.
Tour 1 - Oriole Park
 
Come see Oriole Park at Camden Yards from a whole new perspective. Enjoy the
charm of the ballpark from club level suites, the press level, the
scoreboard/JumboTron control room, and even the Orioles dugout.  
 
Date: October 28. 
Time: 12:45 pm.
Place: Meet in Room A at the hotel.
 
We will form groups and walk to the ballpark together.  The estimated time
for returning to the hotel is 2:45 - 3:00 pm.
 
Tour 2 - Westminster Hall & Burying Ground
The Westminster Burying Ground is one of Baltimore's oldest cemeteries, an
amazing survivor of the old city in the midst of the new. Most famous as the
burial place of Edgar Allan Poe, the cemetery also contains the tombs of
many prominent political and military figures in Maryland's early history.
The extraordinary construction of the church on arches above the tombs,
creating the remarkable "catacombs" below the building, makes it a unique
architectural landmark as well. Find out more about the history and stories
connected with this notable Baltimore landmark.
 
Date: October 28.
Time:  3 pm.
Place:  Meet in Room A of the hotel.
 
We will walk the five blocks to Westminster Hall together.  The estimated
time for returning to the hotel is 4:45 - 5:00 pm.
Each tour costs $10.  You must register and pay by October 15.
 
GO TO WWW.NFBMD.ORG <http://WWW.NFBMD.ORG>  TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR TOURS.
You may also sign up at the chapter meetings, if they occur before October
15.
  
*   Gather your door prizes. 
 Darlene Barrett, the door prize diva, will collect your items at the
convention.  Remember bring something that you would like to win. Increase
your opportunities to win by bringing more door prizes. 
 
*   Funding the movement. 
Please bring items for our food auction that takes place throughout the
convention. Bring some money to bid, too. Be prepared to join or increase
your contribution to PAC (Preauthorized Contribution Plan). We have much
work to do and we appreciate your help. 
 
*   Award nominations needed. 
 
Please send recommendations for the Anna Cable Award to Debbie Brown at
deborahb14 at verizon.net <mailto:deborahb14 at verizon.net> .  This award is
presented to a person who lost their vision later in life and who
exemplifies Anna's zest for life.
 
Carlton Walker will be accepting nominations for the Distinguished Educator
of Blind Children Award.  This award is presented to a teacher of blind
students who has high expectations for students and goes the extra mile in
promoting the skills of blindness.  Send your letter of nomination to
cwalker at nfb.org <mailto:cwalker at nfb.org> . 
 
Many doctors and professionals did not expect Jennifer Baker to accomplish
much in life. However, Jennifer and her family had high expectations.
Despite her multiple disabilities, Jennifer learned to read and write
Braille, and books greatly enhanced the quality of her life. Although she
only lived until her early twenties, she made the most of each day she had.
Through the Jennifer Baker award we will recognize a young adult who
exemplifies Jennifer's spirit and her passion for learning.  If you wish to
nominate someone, contact Susan Baker at 301-946-7892 or
zeldanurse at verizon.net <mailto:zeldanurse at verizon.net> .
 
*         Think about Which Friday Activities You Wish to Attend
Don't miss the Exhibit Hall from 11 am to 5 pm.  Get a head start on your
wish-list for Christmas or purchase something for yourself. This is also a
great opportunity to look at helpful products for the blind.
 
The Friday workshops truly have something for everyone.  Brush up on your
dancing or learn some new steps at our Wallflower Destruction Workshop.
This workshop will be held at 1:00 pm and will be repeated at 5:00 pm.  
 
Learn about the One-Touch Self-Defense System.  This workshop will be from
2-3:00 pm.  It will be repeated at 3:30-4:30 pm.  
 
"An Introduction to New Technologies: the Orbit Reader, the KNFB Reader and
the Braille Note Touch." Don't miss this informative workshop.
 
The second technology workshop will be "Integrating New Technologies to Your
Existing Devices."  In this workshop you will discover how the Orbit Reader,
KNFB Reader and Braille Note Touch can enhance your use of I-devices and
more. 
   
*                  Special Interest Meetings
The Maryland Association of Blind Students, The Maryland Parents of Blind
Children Division and the Senior Issues Division will be holding special
seminars on Friday of the convention.  The Deaf Blind and Hearing Loss
Committee will also meet on Friday afternoon.  In the coming year we will
make a special effort to focus on protecting the rights of guide dog users.
Don't miss our Friday afternoon seminar that will begin this process.
 
See you at the Golden Anniversary Convention October 28-30.  Don't miss it!
 
 
Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596
 
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