[MD-AtLarge] September 2021 Minute Message from the Movement

Sun Oct 3 00:26:50 UTC 2021

September 2021 Minute Message 

Fellow Federationists:

As summer comes to a close, we remain as busy as ever helping blind people
live the lives we want.  As the school year begins, we have been working
hard to ensure that students have access to information, materials, and the
curriculum.  We have fought for improved paratransit services in a time of
unprecedented disfunction.  We have begun resuming in person activities such
as picnics, fundraisers, and gatherings where we can ensure safety and
inclusion.  We just returned from the first ever NFB of Maryland Cruise
Fundraiser, where we had an amazing time.  We have begun Blind Equality
Achievement Month (rebranded from Meet the Blind Month) with a bang with our
annual Wizarding World on Main in Old Ellicott City, and we have other fun
and engaging activities planned throughout the state.  And of course, we are
preparing for our annual convention.  These are just a few of the things
we've been up to in the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  Read
on for important information and announcements.

Focus Forward: The State Convention is Almost Here - Deadline to Make Room
Reservations & Preregister is October 15, 2021!

You will not want to miss the in-person state convention at the Holiday Inn
Downtown Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore which takes place on November
12-14, 2021.  This year, our National Representative will be Julie Deden,
Executive Director of the Colorado Center for the Blind.  You may reserve
your room by calling the Holiday Inn at 410-347-5707.  Convention Room
Rates:  Standard Room - $94 per night. Tax on sleeping rooms is 17.5%.
These room rates start on Thursday, November 11, 2021.  The deadline for
making room reservations is October 15, 2021.  

You may preregister for the Convention by visiting
<https://nfbmd.org/convention/registrater>
https://nfbmd.org/convention/registrater or by contacting me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org to request a paper form.
Below are the prices for the various convention activities (prices are per
person unless otherwise stated):

*	Pre-registration = $20 until October 15, 2021; $25 on-site
*	Banquet ticket = $40 until October 15, 2021; $45 on-site
*	Parent or Senior Luncheon ticket = $22 until October 15, 2021; $25
on-site
*	Friday boxed lunch = $16 until October 15, 2021; $20 on-site
*	Picnic & a Play tickets = $18 until October 15, 2021; $20 on-site
*	Transportation from New Carrollton Train Station = $35 until October
15, 2021; this covers round-trip travel
*	Childcare = $30 per child and $50 per family for the entire weekend

Please plan to join us at the Holiday Inn for what promises to be our best
convention so far!

Financial Assistance Application for State Convention - Final Call!

Individuals who wish to request financial assistance to attend the 2021 NFB
of Maryland State Convention must complete and submit a Financial Assistance
Application Form no later than October 4, 2021.  Note, this deadline was
extended from September 30, 2021.  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, 2021.

Seeking Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors

We are seeking sponsors for our 2021 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 deadline is October 5, 2021.

Seeking Door Prize Donations

We are seeking donations of door prizes to give away at the NFB of Maryland
Annual Convention.  Door prizes should have a cash value of a minimum of $25
each.  For questions, please contact Door Prize Co-chairs Qualik Ford at
<mailto:QSFord at outlook.com> QSFord at outlook.com and Erin Daring at
<mailto:Erindaring at gmail.com> Erindaring at gmail.com.  Please bring door
prizes to the convention.

Seeking Donations for the NFBMD Bake and Experience Auction!

We are seeking donations of baked goods and experiences for the NFBMD
auction.  Some examples of experiences include taking the winner to dinner,
giving cooking lessons, etc.  We are asking for donation commitments prior
to October 31, 2021.  Please notify Convention Logistics Chairperson Meleah
Jensen of your donation via email at  <mailto:Meleahheather at gmail.com>
Meleahheather at gmail.com or by phone at 504-621-4162.

Seeking Nominations for the NFBMD Distinguished Educator of Blind Students
Award! 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is seeking nominations for
the 2021 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award. Please tell us how
your child's teacher, administrator, or school counselor works to help their
students live the life they want with high expectations and strong skill
development. Nominations should be sent to Committee Chairperson Teresa
Graham at   <mailto:teresagraham3 at gmail.com> teresagraham3 at gmail.com. To
download the nomination form and for more information, visit
<http://nfbmd.org/node/317> http://nfbmd.org/node/317.  For assistance
completing the form or for questions, please call Teresa Graham at
443-557-8696. The award will be presented at the NFB of Maryland state
convention Banquet on November 13, 2021.  Nominations are due by October 8,
2021.  

Seeking Nominations for the Bernard F. Turner Award! 

We are seeking nominations for the Bernard F. Turner Award.  This award will
be given at the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland.  The recipient will receive $200.  The deadline to apply is
October 11, 2021.  Individuals must submit their application to NFBMD
Advisor to the President Ellen Ringlein via email at
<mailto:Convention at nfbmd.org> Convention at nfbmd.org.  NFBMD is providing the
venue for this award but is not involved in selecting recipients.

To apply, download and fill out the nomination form located at
<https://www.nfbmd.org/node/381> https://www.nfbmd.org/node/381 and send it
to  <mailto:Convention at nfbmd.org> Convention at nfbmd.org. 

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

*	This award is open to blind people who lost their sight between the
ages of 18-60.
*	Applicants must demonstrate the need for the award through a brief
narrative and supporting documentation.
*	One application per person.
*	The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) will
advertise and encourage people to apply for this award.  The winner is
expected to attend the annual NFBMD convention, November 12-14. The final
decision on the winner will be made by the Turner family.
*	Applications will be accepted from September 1, 2021 through October
11, 2021.
*	The winner will be notified by October 31.  The $200 award will be
presented November 7 at the NFBMD convention banquet.
*	Please send your application to  <mailto:Convention at nfbmd.org>
Convention at nfbmd.org. 

Pay Your 2021 Dues to be Eligible to Vote at the NFBMD State Convention -
Deadline October 31, 2021 

Those wishing to vote at the NFB of Maryland State Convention must pay their
2021 chapter or division dues prior to October 31, 2021.  Individuals may
use NFBMD's Dues Portal to pay their 2021 annual dues, 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.

Update on Voting Lawsuit 

In August 2019, the National Federation of the Blind, the NFB of Maryland,
and three blind members, Joel Zimba, Marie Cobb, and Ruth Sager, filed suit
in Federal Court against the Maryland Board of Elections.  The suit asserts
that the Maryland Board of Elections maintains a segregated system of voting
that denies blind voters their right to a secret ballot and equal voting
experience as non-disabled voters.  The suit claimed this violates the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act and that the
Board of Elections' actions are discriminatory based on disability.  In
August, NFB, NFB of Maryland, and the individual plaintiffs reached a
settlement with the Maryland State Board of Elections.  The terms included
adding an additional Ballot Marking Device (BMD) in the polling places of
the individual plaintiffs, more robust training on the use of BMDs, training
poll workers on the requirement to have at least 10 individuals use the BMD
in each polling location, including criteria when the next BMDs are leased
or purchased that those devices produce a ballot that is substantially
similar in size, shape, and appearance to the hand-marked ballot, and
$230,000 in attorney's fees.  Though this is a step towards desegregating
voting in Maryland, we believe there is significant work to do to ensure
that blind Marylanders can vote privately, independently, and without
discrimination.  We will continue to advocate in this area in the coming
months and years.

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.  WE rolled out a training to all chapters in January
and February on topics related to consent, boundaries and power dynamics.
Our affiliate Board of Directors participated in the NFB-sponsored training
on sexual harassment and violence prevention, provided by the Rape, Abuse,
and Incest National Network (RAINN).  In June, we conducted Culture of
Consent in the Blind Community training for all affiliate, chapter, and
division board members as well as the Scholarship Committee, DEI Committee,
and those who work with minors and hold trusted leadership positions in the
affiliate.  This was approximately 110 people.  We also conducted some
specific training for parents and young people on consent, boundaries, and
power dynamics at the joint Parents and Students seminar in September.  Our
state and chapter leaders will attend workshops on DEI, unconscious bias,
and micro-aggressions in the Fall.  WE will engage in conversations on DEI
and related topics and hold trainings during our State convention in
November as well.  Our NFBMD DEI Committee, led by Anil Lewis, is engaged
and working to promote the incorporation of DEI throughout our affiliate.
The Committee has sent out informational communications on certain topics
and observances to promote DEI.  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 or
Chairperson Anil Lewis at  <mailto:GreaterBaltimore at nfbmd.org>
GreaterBaltimore at nfbmd.org. 

NFBMD COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

We continue to operate an affiliate COVID-19 fund to assist individuals and
families that are experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19
crisis.  This fund is available to blind individuals and families with a
blind household member living in Maryland.  The financial assistance must be
needed due to a change in circumstance, e.g. loss of employment income,
because of COVID-19 or associated government directives like the
Stay-at-Home order.  Assistance is limited to essentials such as groceries
and medication.  This Fund is being administered by the NFBMD Financial
Assistance Committee.  Anyone who is wishing to request assistance should
contact me at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or at
443-426-4110.

In addition, we are seeking contributions to augment the NFBMD COVID-19
Emergency Response Fund.  Those interested in making a monetary donation may
do so by sending a check to NFBMD, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230 or by using the PayPal donation link on our website located
at  <https://www.nfbmd.org/COVID-19Fund> https://www.nfbmd.org/COVID-19Fund.

Important Upcoming Dates 

*	October 1 - 31, 2021 - Blind Equality Achievement Month
*	October 15, 2021 - National White Cane Awareness Day.
*	November 12 - 14, 2021 - NFB of Maryland 55th Annual Convention,
Baltimore, Maryland
*	January 20, 2022 - NFBMD Day in Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland
*	February 7, 2022 - Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
*	February 8, 2022 - NFB of Maryland Day on the Hill, Washington, DC
*	March 11, 2022 - Basket and Bag Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
*	July 5 - 10, 2022 - NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
*	August 6, 2022 - NFBMD Crab Feast, Parkville, Maryland
*	 

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.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/md-atlarge_nfbnet.org/attachments/20211002/6c79d630/attachment.html>