[Mn-at-large] Fwd: NFB Presidents Notebook - week of 06/ 07/2018
David Andrews
dandrews at visi.com
Sat Jun 9 02:55:26 UTC 2018
>
>
>President's Notebook
>
>
>
>
>
>National Federation of the Blind
>
>
>
>
>
>Mark A. Riccobono
>
>
>
>
>
><mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>officeofthepresident at nfb.org
>
>
>
>
>
>410-659-9314
>
>
>
>
>Dear Fellow Federationists,
>
>Here we are, it is June, and the national
>convention is right in front of us. There has
>been quite a bit going on since the last
>notebook so I urge you to examine the items below closely.
>
>Here are a few things in no particular order:
> * The convention agenda will be out soon.
> There was a bit of last-minute shuffling as our
> agenda gets more complex every year. The agenda
> for this yearâs convention is top notch.
> * As you know, we have been attempting to
> talk with the Association for Education and
> Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually
> Impaired (AER) regarding their rebranding of
> the National Accreditation Council. In May, I
> finally heard from their executive
> directorlong past the promised January meeting
> time. We have now had a series of letters go
> back and forth. I regret to say that instead of
> a real in-person conversation, we were offered
> a token seat in the accreditation meetings,
> which have now been happening for a number of
> months. I invited AER to speak at our
> convention, but that offer was also turned
> down. This means that we will need to discuss
> this matter at our national convention and
> decide what direction we wish to take.
> * We had a great Dot Dash on June 3 (Dr.
> Maurerâs birthday, by the way). A big thanks
> to the support of our Maryland, Virginia, and
> New Jersey affiliates that turned out
> Federation teams for the race. New Jersey gets
> an extra high five for entering the biggest team overall.
> * We will be conducting some focus groups at
> the convention regarding strategic priorities
> for our organization. Please watch for
> information about those and be considering
> individuals you might recommend who could offer
> a variety of perspectives to those small-group,
> information-gathering sessions.
> * There is quite a bit of news below so read
> closely. I call your attention to the convention assistance piece.
>
>
>
>Critical Actions This Week:
>
>
>
>Assistance to Convention Attendees:
>As you know, convention is both an exciting and
>busy time for all of us. For some of our members
>and new attendees it can also be overwhelming
>and potentially, anxiety provoking. In order to
>assist convention attendees who may be
>experiencing feelings of anxiety or of being
>overwhelmed, several measures have been put in
>place for this yearâs convention. We need your
>help in making sure that convention attendees
>who are feeling this way do not fall through the
>cracks as this is a super busy time for
>everyone. To that end, please make sure to put
>the following into your affiliate action plan for convention:
>
>1. Please make sure that everyone you know
>of who is attending convention from your
>affiliate knows how to get in touch with you and
>with other leaders from your affiliate.
>
>2. If you are contacted by someone feeling
>anxious or obviously overwhelmed, try to help
>from your end first. Let them know that it is
>quite normal to feel this way and that they will
>be okay. Taking time to speak in person, in a
>quiet place usually helps. Please do so, if at all possible.
>
>3. The Hospitality Suite is a good place
>for someone to take a break and wind down a bit.
>There will be someone on hand to help those in
>mild distress or in need of a quiet place during
>the hours that the Hospitality Suite is open.
>Encourage attendees to contact you or another
>leader within your affiliate if they need your help.
>
>4. If you feel that you are not equipped
>to help, for those who are experiencing moderate
>to severe anxiety, please contact this number to
>seek assistance for the person experiencing
>distress: 443-457-3401. A mental health
>professional will answer the line and will help
>develop a plan of action with you.
>
>5. If there are reports of harassment of
>any kind or of events that need to be reported
>such as unwanted sexual advances or physical
>violence from anyone attending our convention,
>please stay with the person who has confided in
>you and immediately call 443-457-3401 for assistance.
>
>Your help in making certain that everyone
>attending our convention is safe and that any
>issues are handled appropriately is greatly
>appreciated. While we donât expect for issues
>to arise, we want to be prepared in case they do.
>
>
>
>News:
>
>
>
>National Scholarship Finalists:
>Below is the list of national scholarship
>finalists, listed with their state of residence
>and their career goals. The scholarship winners
>will be announced at the banquet on Sunday, July 8.
> * Naim Muawia Abu-El Hawa, VA: Diplomat
> * Alexandra Alfonso, DC: Music, Education, and Pre-law
> * Tasnim Alshuli, AZ: Professor
> * Millad Bokhouri, PA: Medical program designer
> * Tyron Bratcher, MD: Rehabilitation counselor
> * Chrys Buckley, OR: Physician
> * Ozgul Calicioglu, PA: Environmental sustainability specialist
> * Olivia Charland, MA: Conservation biologist
> * Purvi Contractor, TX: Aerospace
> * Kenia Flores, NC: Civil rights attorney
> * John Harrison, WI: Advocate
> * Eric Harvey, CA: Near East cultural specialist
> * Justin Heard, GA: Teacher
> * J.D. Humphrey, MI: Ethnomedicine
> * Trisha Kulkarni, OH: Software engineer
> * Amanda Lannan, FL: Teacher education
> * Shane Lowe, KY: Cyber security and business administration
> * Seth Lowman, ID: Sound design and music production
> * Sara Mornis, VT: Writing and psychology
> * Connor Mullin, NJ: Cane travel instructor
> * Sara Patnaude, VA: Victimâs advocate
> * Menuka Rai, ND: Physical therapist
> * Elizabeth Rouse, IA: Attorney
> * Yasmine Marie Sarraf, AZ: Forensic scientist
> * Caitlin Sarubbi, NY: Physician
> * Rilee Sloan, OK: Attorney
> * Harry Staley, Jr., TX: Autonomous vehicle development
> * Matt Turner, ID: Economics and technology
> * Cathy Tuton, OK: Dietician
> * Paige Young, ME: Business administration
>
>Marrakesh Treaty:
>The Foreign Relations Committee of the United
>States Senate voted unanimously late in May in
>favor of advancing the Marrakesh Treaty to the
>full Senate for its advice and consent.
>
>Space Available:
>The Senate Armed Services Committee released the
>National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for
>fiscal year 2019 on Wednesday, June 6, and our
>Space Available language was included. This
>means that language authorizing veterans with a
>service-connected permanent disability rated as
>total to participate in the Space Available
>program was in the House version of the bill
>that passed on May 24, 2018, and is in the
>proposed version of the Senate bill. The Senate
>is currently debating their version of the bill,
>and we expect that they will vote on it soon. We
>will continue to closely monitor any and all
>amendments to ensure that there are no changes to this provision.
>
>BECU Agreement:
>We have reached an agreement with the Boeing
>Employeesâ Credit Union (BECU). As a part of
>this agreement, BECU will work in collaboration
>with us to make its website and mobile banking
>app fully accessible to blind customers. The
>website accessibility is expected to be
>completed by March 31, 2019. Improvements to the
>mobile app will begin this summer and will be
>completed by May 31, 2019. More information is
>available in
><https://nfb.org/blind-will-soon-be-able-bank-becu-through-mobile-and-online-banking>the
>full NFB press release.
>
>Lawsuit against US Department of Education:
>We, along with the Council of Parent Attorneys
>and Advocates and the National Association for
>the Advancement of Colored People, have filed a
>lawsuit against the US Department of Education
>over new procedures that allow its Office for
>Civil Rights to dismiss complaints that it
>determines to be burdensome or a drain on the
>departmentâs resources. Earlier this year the
>department changed its case-handling manual to
>allow the department to dismiss complaints if
>they represent a pattern of complaints or if
>they are filed against multiple recipients. The
>lawsuit is addressed in a segment (starting at
>11:09) on the online news series,
><https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jIfYh4Q8dU>The News with Dan Rather.
>
>Convention Welcome Concert:
>Allan Pineda Lindo, best known as apl.de.ap from
>The Black Eyed Peas, will perform live at the
>welcome concert scheduled to take place July 6,
>at 7:00 p.m., at the Rosen Shingle Creek. More
>information will be listed in the convention agenda.
>
>
>
>Action Item:
>
>
>
>Feedback Needed:
>We would like your feedback. Our
><https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O41xcFDMCZk>supporter
>thank you video was designed so that our
>affiliates could use it to talk about our
>programs or to thank our supporters and
>volunteers. We are considering another video
>this year. Toward that end, we would like to
>know which affiliates have used the video and
>for what purposes. Are there things that you
>think could be improved or should be included?
>Are there affiliates who were not aware of this
>resource? Please email Patti Chang at
><mailto:pchang at nfb.org>pchang at nfb.org with your comments.
>
>
>
>Reminders:
>
>
>
>
>
>Convention Announcements:
>Once again this year, we will have a place to
>post exhibit hall/fundraising announcements so
>as not to overwhelm our members' inboxes.
>Affiliates, divisions, exhibitors, and sponsors
>can post their announcements via the submission
>form at
><https://nfb.org/convention/exhibitannouncements>https://nfb.org/convention/exhibitannouncements.
>All posted announcements will be displayed at
><https://nfb.org/convention/exhibits>https://nfb.org/convention/exhibits.
>This will allow for filtering based on the
>following categories: affiliate, division, exhibitor, or sponsor.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Dates to Keep in Mind:
>
>
>
> * July 3-8, 2018:
> <https://nfb.org/convention>National Federation
> of the Blind National Convention, Orlando, Florida
> * July 29-August 4, 2018: <http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq>NFB EQ
>
>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.
>
>
>Mark A. Riccobono
>President
>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
>(410) 659-9314 |
><mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>officeofthepresident at nfb.org
>
>
><https://nfb.org/>
>National Federation of the Blind
>
>
>
><http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
>Facebook
> <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>
>Twitter
> <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>
>Youtube
>
>
>The National Federation of the Blind is a
>community of members and friends who believe in
>the hopes and dreams of the nationâs blind.
>Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx
>Content-Type: image/png; name="image001.png"
>Content-Description: image001.png
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image001.png"; size=33789;
> creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";
> modification-date="Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:19:58 GMT"
>Content-ID: <image001.png at 01D23E84.379CBDF0>
>
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx
>Content-Type: image/png; name="image002.png"
>Content-Description: image002.png
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image002.png"; size=16173;
> creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";
> modification-date="Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:19:58 GMT"
>Content-ID: <image002.png at 01D23E84.379CBDF0>
>
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx
>Content-Type: image/png; name="image003.png"
>Content-Description: image003.png
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image003.png"; size=16307;
> creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";
> modification-date="Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:19:58 GMT"
>Content-ID: <image003.png at 01D23E84.379CBDF0>
>
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi
>X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
>1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx
>Content-Type: image/png; name="image004.png"
>Content-Description: image004.png
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image004.png"; size=16510;
> creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";
> modification-date="Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:19:58 GMT"
>Content-ID: <image004.png at 01D23E84.379CBDF0>
>
---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/mn-at-large_nfbnet.org/attachments/20180608/a07294d5/attachment.html>
More information about the MN-At-Large
mailing list