[MDPOBC] NFBMD Committees: Are You Interested?

Mon Dec 15 00:03:57 UTC 2025

I am continuing to make 2026 committee appointments for the NFB of Maryland,
and Groups are also continuing their work.  If you are interested in being
appointed to a particular committee, please send me an email with the name
of the committee or committees for which you are interested.  I cant
promise everyone will be appointed to the committees they request, but it is
very helpful to know where people are interested in contributing most.
Please send your interest email to me at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org. In addition, if you are interested in joining a
particular group, please reach out directly to the chair of that group.  

If there are committees that you think should be added, please also let me
know.

Below is a list of the 2026 committees and groups as they currently stand.
The individuals listed below have been asked to chair these committees or
groups, but this may change slightly when final appointments are sent out.

Advocacy Committee

Sharon Maneki and Melissa Riccobono, Co-chairpersons 

Advocates with employers, schools, Vocational Rehabilitation entities, and
other public or private agencies for blind residents of Maryland

Ambassadors Committee

Judy Rasmussen and Debbie Brown, co-chairpersons

responsible for orienting first-time attendees to state and national
Convention and mentoring first-timers at those events

Audit Committee

Justin Young, Chairperson

responsible for auditing financial accounts and spending for the affiliate,
local chapters, and divisions

BELL Committee

Erin Zobell, Chairperson

plans and administers the Maryland Bell program and incorporating Bell into
NFBMD conventions and seminars

Braille Spectator Committee

Ronza Othman, Editor

Responsible for sourcing and creating content, assembling, editing,
formatting, and disseminating the semi-annual magazine of the NFB of
Maryland

Crab Feast Committee

Millie Rivera, Chairperson 

Plans and implements the Crab Feast and associated auction.

Deaf-Blind and Hearing Loss Issues Committee

Janice Toothman and Heather Guy, Co-chairpersons 

works on issues of concern and interest to the deaf-blind of Maryland

Development and Fundraising Committee

Jenivieve White and Qualik Ford, Co-chairpersons 

coordinates long-term and short-term fundraising initiatives including:
preparing and submitting grant proposals; sending out annual appeal letters;
working with estate attorneys; administering Spring and Fall drawings. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Qualik Ford and Juhi Narula, co-chairpersons

Provides leadership and guidance to the affiliate and chapters and divisions
on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Employment Committee

Pam Goodman and Judy Rasmussen, co-chairpersons

Provides guidance and support related to strategies for increasing the
employment of Marylands blind.

Guide Dog Issues Committee

Sherri Shirek, chairperson

works on issues of concern and interest to guide dog users in Maryland

Legislation Committee - Federal

Sharon Maneki and Debbie Brown, Co-chairpersons

responsible for Federal legislative action and educating elected officials
on issues of importance to the blind of Maryland

Legislation Committee - State

Ronza Othman, chairperson

responsible for state legislative action and educating elected officials on
issues of importance to the blind of Maryland

Makers Market 

Danielle McCann, chairperson

responsible for organizing the spring and winter makers markets.

Membership Committee

Dezman Jackson and Ellen Ringlein, co-chairpersons

responsible for helping chapters and divisions with recruitment, retention,
and development of members

PAC Plan Committee

John Paré and Ann-Marie Laney, co-chairpersons

Coordinate the Maryland Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) efforts.

Public Relations Committee

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

responsible for marketing NFBMD programs and initiatives

Resolutions Committee

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

responsible for recommending (or not) that resolutions submitted by members
be brought to the NFBMD Convention floor

Scholarship Committee

Juhi Narula, chairperson

responsible for administering the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program,
including mentoring candidates at national and state conventions and beyond

Sharon Maneki Youth Empowerment Grant Committee

Sharon Maneki, chairperson

responsible for reviewing and approving (or not) grant applications for
youth to attend blindness programs and training or to receive technology

Social Media Committee

Karen Anderson and Stephanie Cascone, Co-chairpersons

responsible for NFBMDs social media presence, communication, and outreach
using forums like mastodon and Facebook

Spanish Services Committee

Teresa Graham, chairperson 

responsible for coordinating programming, outreach, and language
interpretation for Spanish speakers

Sports and Recreation Committee

Qualik Ford and Derique Simon, co-chairpersons 

responsible for coordinating sports and rec activities for the affiliate.

Transportation  Committee

Cheryl Fogle-Hatch and Aloma Bouma, co-chairpersons 

responsible for coordinating transportation-related advocacy and working to
improve the state of public transportation in Maryland

Website and Technology Committee

John Berggren and Graham Mehl, Co-chairpersons

responsible for NFBMD.org content and formatting, NFBMD databases, AV/IT at
conventions, seminars, and other events, and other technology necessary for
the operations of the NFB of Maryland

Youth Activity Committee

Erin Zobell, Chairperson

responsible for engaging youth and planning youth-focused programs

Convention-Related Committees

Anna Freysz Cable Award Committee

Debbie Brown, chairperson

administers award program for an adult who has demonstrated exceptional
effort in learning blindness skills, which is given at the NFBMD Convention

Convention Child Care Committee

Brittany Bomboy, chairperson

coordinates childcare at the NFBMD Convention

Convention Organization and Activities

Justin Young, chairperson 

coordinates the NFBMD Convention, including planning and logistics

Convention Registration Committee

Marie Marucci and Bre Brown, Co-chairpersons

Coordinates and oversees convention registration.

Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award Committee

Teresa Graham, chairperson

administers award to an exceptional teacher of the blind in Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention

Door Prize Committee

Juhi Narula and Qualik Ford, co-chairpersons

coordinates and runs NFBMD Convention door prize activities

Gold Cup Crab Race Committee

Juhi Narula and Jen White, co-chairpersons

Administers Gold Crab Race Fundraiser at state convention

Jennifer Baker Award Committee

Melissa Riccobono, chairperson

administers award program for a child who has overcome significant
challenges to learn blindness skills; administered at the NFBMD Convention

Kenneth Jernigan Award Committee

Mary Ellen Jernigan, chairperson

administers award program for a Federationist who has demonstrated
exceptional and sustained service and commitment to the NFB of Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention

National Funding Support Auction Committee

Joel Zimba and Erin Zobell, Co-chairpersons

Administers the NFB of Maryland Bake and Experience Auction at the state
convention.

Nominating Committee

Marguerite Woods, chairperson

responsible for recommending to the NFBMD Convention individuals for open
Board seats

NFBMD Groups

Blind Parents Group

Melissa Riccobono, chairperson

Crafters Group

Danielle McCann and Karen Anderson, co-chairpersons

Diabetes Action Network Group

Eileen Ley, chairperson

Performing Arts Group

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

Sighted Significant Others and Loved Ones Group

Jen White and David Waybright, co-chairpersons

Veterans Group

Ed Jackson, chairperson

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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