[Md-sligo] August Minute Message

[nfbmd]

August Minute Message
 
Fellow Federationists,
The Convention Is Coming!
Planning for the Golden Anniversary Convention of the National Federation of
the Blind of Maryland is in full gear. Come help us celebrate 50 years of
progress.  
 
As you know, the convention will be held at the Baltimore Marriott Inner
Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 S. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Make your
hotel reservations by calling 1-800-228-9290. You must tell them you are
registering for the NFBMD convention. Use the initials, not the full name.
Deadline for room reservations is October 1, 2016. The room rate is $92 a
night; the tax is 15.5%. Please make your reservations quickly. 
 
Be looking in your mailbox for the pre-registration announcement and form.
If you cannot wait for the snail mail, you may register online by going to
www.nfbmd.org <http://www.nfbmd.org> . The registration form will be online
beginning on August 22nd. Pre-registration closes on October 8th. 
 
Can you read Braille? Do you like to act? If the answer is yes to both
questions, the Braille Is Beautiful Performers need you! On Friday evening
at the state convention, the Braille Is Beautiful Players will perform the
radio mystery drama, "Sorry, Wrong Number." If you want to audition for a
part, call Debbie Brown at 301-881-1892 by September 2nd. This is only one
example of what will be in store for you at this convention. Be looking at
www.nfbmd.org for further information.  
 
NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting
Get a sneak preview of our convention hotel by participating in the Board of
Directors Meeting on Saturday, August 27. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am.
We will be meeting in the Harbor room at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor
at Camden Yards. Please be prepared to purchase lunch at the meeting. Bring
cash, no credit cards please. Bring your ideas to help make our Golden
Anniversary Convention extra special!
 
Scholarships and Youth Stipends
This summer, we assisted four blind youth so that they could attend summer
training programs in the skills of independence. We will also be awarding
two scholarships to college students at our state convention. To pay all of
these bills, we had a very successful Crab Feast on August 5. Many thanks to
Steve Brand, Chairman, and his committee who worked to make this event fun
and prosperous. Many thanks to all who attended the Crab Feast. 
 
I am looking forward to the success of our Bid for Opportunity Dinner and
Auction. This event takes place on October 1 at the College Park Knights of
Columbus, 9450 Cherry Hill Road, College Park 20740. Tickets are $40. For
more information, contact Debbie Brown,  <mailto:deborahb14 at verizon.net>
deborahb14 at verizon.net, or Michelle Clark,  <mailto:mcikeyc at aol.com>
mcikeyc at aol.com.
 
Important Legislative Action
President Riccobono requests the following: We need to thank Representative
Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, for
assisting disabled veterans injured prior to September 23, 1996, to obtain
access to the Space Available program by including language to correct the
exclusion of these veterans from the program in the House version of the
National Defense Authorization Act. Your letter of thanks will give Chairman
Thornberry support when he seeks inclusion of his language in the final
joint House and Senate bill when the conference committee meets in
September. We have made it simple and convenient for you to write to
Chairman Thornberry; all you need do is fill out the very short web form
located at this link:  <https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry>
https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry.
 
The 2016 NFB BELL Academy
Many thanks to everyone who made the 2016 NFB BELL Academy in Maryland a
great success. We made a difference in the lives of 22 children by
increasing their skills so that they may live the lives they want. Be sure
to read the upcoming edition of the Braille Spectator for details. We could
not get the job done without the help of our BELL coordinator, Melissa
Riccobono, and our many volunteers in all three programs. 
 
The Federation Family is Growing
Welcome to two new Federationists.  On August 9, Mary Jo and Jesse Hartle
became the proud parents of Brayden Alexander.  His big brother and big
sister are enjoying taking care of this new arrival.  On August 11, Melissa
Sheeder and Aaron Carpenter became the proud parents of Ren Elizabeth
Carpenter.  Big brother Luke is enjoying having a baby sister.  We look
forward to meeting Brayden and Ren at future NFB events.  Congratulations to
all.
 
Back to School and Fall Shopping
Are you doing back to school shopping or just shopping for the fall season?
Remember to use Amazon Smile and help the National Federation of the Blind
of Maryland. Go to
<https://smile.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=3POFUA774BDCO&R=GWJ5YQKEU73G&T=C&U=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com%2Fch%2F52-1301033%3Fref_%3Dpe_732550_202916120&A=
N3FAWPZPRLXBKF55SAG6AABF4TGA&H=U6SDHWNAM7D6YNQFM3PRURXA7G4A&ref_=pe_732550_2
02916120> http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033.
 
 
Dates to Keep in Mind
August 27. NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting, time, 10 am; place, the
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.
September 1. Diabetes Conference Call, 7 pm. Call 641-715-3272. The access
code is 720125#.
October 1-31. Meet the Blind Month. 
October 1. Bid for opportunity dinner and auction to benefit John T. McCraw
scholarship fund. For more information, contact Debbie Brown at
deborahb14 at verizon.net or Michelle Clarke at mcikeyc at aol.com. 
October 15. National White Cane Safety Day.
October 28-30.  NFBMD 50th State Convention, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor
at Camden Yards Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland.     
 
 
Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596
 
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