[MDABS] Reminder: NFB National Convention - Orientation, Caucus, and More!

Thu Jun 30 01:52:49 UTC 2022

Hi Everyone,

I'm so excited to be able to be with you in less than a week at our national
convention.  I am writing to share information about the NFB National
Convention as pertains to Marylanders.  Please read to the end of this
message.

First, we will be holding a convention orientation for those who have not
attended a NFB national convention in person in the last few years, for
those attending the convention virtually, and for anyone who wants to come.
This orientation will take place via Zoom on Thursday, June 30 from 8 -
10PM.  Information to access the meeting is below.

Click this link to join: 

https://zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=eTZlYUgwR3ZQVVl1dXBLSHcrbml1QT09  

Meeting ID: 624 813 8327

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,6248138327#

Second, we will hold our Maryland Caucus from 8 - 10PM on Wednesday, July 6,
2022 in Studio 7.  We are planning to hold the caucus in person only at this
time due to logistical and technology challenges.  We will talk about our
policy issues such as the constitutional amendment and resolutions, meet the
2022 academic scholarship finalists - national and state - meet our Maryland
Narrowing the Gap Program participants, and much more.  Those who want to
sit with Maryland at the banquet will also turn in their banquet tickets for
Banquet Ticket Exchange.  Hope to see you there.

Regarding Banquet Ticket Exchange, I'll accept tickets any time on July 5
and 6.  I plan to try to exchange on July 7, so please find me during the
Board Meeting, at the Lawyers Meeting, and of course at the Caucus.
Remember, having a banquet ticket means you get a seat, but it you have to
exchange your banquet ticket to get to sit with people you want or know.  We
don't have open seating at our banquets.  Those who don't exchange their
tickets will be seated wherever space is available and after those who have
exchanged are seated.

I am your point of contact if you have challenges or emergencies during the
convention.  Please call or text me at 708-829-0523.  The number in my
signature block is the affiliate phone number and is not a fast way to get
in touch with me.  Please put my number - 708-829-0523 - into your phone.  

Please remember that you will need to take a COVID-19 test and have a
negative test result within 72 hours of when you arrive to the hotel.  You
can take a test on your own and capture the results, or you can take a test
at the convention beginning July 5.  If you take a test in advance, you may
email it to testresults at nfb.org <mailto:testresults at nfb.org> .  Please be
sure to include your name, city, and state when you submit your results.
You may also present your negative COVID-19 test results in person.  No
individual will be able to pick up their registration materials without
first providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test.  For those individuals
for whom the NFB of Maryland acquired a banquet ticket, you must show proof
of a negative COVID-19 test - to receive that banquet ticket from me. 

Information about the NFB COVID-19 testing protocols is available at: 

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2022-national-convention-sa
fety-protocols/covid-testing-protocols

I want to remind folks about our NFB Code of Conduct, which is also in
affect during the Convention and all Federation activities.  Please read the
Code of Conduct before arriving at or participating in the Convention.  The
Code of Conduct is located at:

https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct

The NFB of Maryland will be accepting donations during the NFB Convention.
We very much appreciate the support.  We will have an Exhibit Table in the
Exhibit Hall.  Individuals may receive tokens of appreciation for their
donations.  Such tokens of appreciation include:

*	Snack foods
*	Fidget spinners
*	Pop-its

We will also be holding a raffle in Maryland, but we will have tickets
available in Louisiana as well.  This Sorry, Try Again raffle allows an
individual who donates $1 to pick a card.  The card will reveal whether the
individual earned $1, $5, $10, $20, or a piece of candy.

Please visit the Maryland Table at Convention.  

Those of you participating in our virtual experience will also have plenty
of opportunities for door prizes and other exciting aspects of the
convention.  I urge you to register for the convention virtual experience by
visiting https://nfb.org/convention.  That web page will also have
information on how to access the convention.  I am listing some of those
ways below.

Accessing the Convention virtually:

*	Zoom: The agenda lists the Zoom links for the General Sessions,
Board Meeting, Resolutions, and Banquet.
*	Smart Speaker: Ask your Amazon device to launch Nation's Blind to
stream the resolutions meeting, general sessions, board meeting, and
banquet.
*	Web link: Visit https://nfb.org/convention for the link to the
shoutcast player web stream.
*	One Call Number: Maryland will once again provide a single-number
conference line for the same sessions that are listed above for streaming.
Call 339-209-4083. 

I'm looking forward to spending quality convention time with you all in the
coming weeks.  Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions,
suggestions, or ideas.

Thanks,

Ronza

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

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

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