[MD-AtLarge] February President's message

[nfbmd]

February Minute Message
 
Fellow Federationists:
 
Congratulations and Thank You:
Many thanks to the 55 Federationists who attended our day in Annapolis on
January 19. We had a great start in educating the Maryland General Assembly
about our three priorities for the 2017 session. Special thanks to Karen
Anderson, who coordinated our Facebook presence for this event. We also had
a very successful visit to Washington. Congressmen and Senators certainly
knew that the National Federation of the Blind was on Capitol Hill on
February 1. To get further information on the Washington issues, go to
https://nfb.org/washington-seminar#Legislative%20Agenda%20and%20Fact%20Sheet
s. 
Congratulations to the National Harbor Chapter on its  seventh anniversary.
The February 4th celebration demonstrated that the Federation is definitely
raising expectations in PG County. 
 
Action Needed:
Happy Valentine's Day and happy President's Day to all. Even though we
should enjoy and celebrate these nice holidays, we also must take immediate
action. 
(1) If you did not sign the petition asking Congress and President Trump to
support the Accessibility Instructional Material Higher Education Act,
please do so right away. Go to:
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-remove-barriers-to-classroom
-equality-ensure-accessibility-of-instructional-materials. 
(2) Attend our hearings in Annapolis. The hearing for the Procurement Bill
SB439 is February 16, and the hearing for the Library Reorganization Bill
SB587 is March 1. Contact your local chapter President for transportation
notifications. 
(3) Write letters to Senators asking for their support for both of these
bills. Consult the listservs for specific Senators that you need to contact
on each bill. 
 
Basket Bingo Is Coming:
You will not want to miss the over $3,500 in prizes that you may win at
basket bingo. Sandwiches, pizza  and snacks are also available. Call me at
my number 410-715-9596 if you would like a large print or Braille bingo
card. Date: March 10. Time: Doors open at 6, games begin at 7. Place: The
Lodge, 2832 Nine Mile Circle, Catonsville. Buy your ticket quickly, we often
sell out. You may purchase a ticket by using PayPal and going to:
www.nfbmd.org <http://www.nfbmd.org>  or by sending a check to 9013 Nelson
Way, Columbia, MD 21045.   
 
How to Access the NFB Presidential Release:
There is an important change in accessing the NFB Presidential release. To
those that have been using the dedicated call-in number, it will only be
available through the end of March. Please plan to use NFB-NEWSLINER to
listen to or play the release, starting with the April release. 
 
There are several ways to access the Presidential Release each month:
Website (in English and Spanish): https://nfb.org/presidential-releases  
NFB-NEWSLINER: 
Select 1 for National Channel and NFB-NEWSLINER information
Select 1 for NFB National Channel
Select 4 for NFB Presidential Release
NFB-NEWSLINER App: 
Select Publications
Select Publication Options
Select All Publications
Select NFB Presidential Release
NFB Mobile App: 
Select Media
Select Presidential Releases
Podcast: 
Subscribe to National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release podcast:
English: https://nfb.org/podcast/presidential-releases-en/rss.xml
Spanish: https://nfb.org/podcast/presidential-releases-es/rss.xml
Or from iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/national-federation-blind/id797758840?mt
=2
 
Save These Important Dates.
March 2, 2017. Diabetes Conference Call, 7 pm. Call 641-715-3272. The access
code is 720125#.
March 10, 2017.  Basket Bingo, The Lodge, Catonsville, MD.
 
March 31, 2017. Deadline for submitting National Scholarship Application.
 
April 1, 2017.  Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Seminar.
 
April 15, 2017. Deadline for submitting State Scholarship Applications.
 
April 30, 2017. Gospel Concert, 4 pm. Pikesville International SDA Church,
4619 Old Court Rd., Pikesville, MD 21208. 
 
May 7, 2017. Deadline for Youth SLAM student applications. 
 
July 10-15, 2017. National Convention, Orlando, FL.
 
July 17-28, 2017. NFB BELL Academy in Salisbury, MD.
 
July 23-29, 2017. NFB Youth SLAM Towson University, MD.
 
July 31-August 11, 2017. NFB BELL Academies in Baltimore and Glendale, MD.
 
August 19, 2017.  Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.
 
October 19-20, 2017. Braille Literacy in the 21st Century Conference,
jointly sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind and the Maryland
School for the Blind.  200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland. 
 
November 10-12, 2017.  Annual State Convention, Sheraton Baltimore North
Hotel in Towson, Maryland.
 
 
Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596
The National Federation of the Blind 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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