[MN-at-Large] Happenings in Minnesota

[David Andrews]

>
>This is my first attempt at continuing the long 
>tradition of messages providing a general update 
>on our many activities.  I would be interested 
>to know what additional things you would like to 
>see in messages like this.  Of course, there 
>will continue to be messages about topics that 
>are time-sensitive or require immediate 
>action.  If you have suggestions, you can still 
>use our 
><mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org 
>address.  Now let's get to what's happening.
>
>
>
>
>What's Happening in the State Legislature
>
>
>
>Our bill to protect blind parents from unfair 
>treatment, HF2458, was heard in committee in the 
>house and laid over to be considered to be added 
>in an omnibus bill.  The companion bill in the 
>Senate, SF1370, was not heard in the Senate 
>committee, but there is still a chance it could 
>be included in an Omnibus bill since we have 
>good support from both parties in the Senate and 
>the House.  Although we did not get a hearing in 
>the Senate, I want to thank each of you who 
>called Senator Mathews, the committee chair, 
>urging that the bill be heard.  Our response was 
>very good and helps to show the legislature that 
>this is an issue needing their attention.  We 
>will be watching developments and we may need to 
>call upon each of you again, as the legislative 
>session moves toward its conclusion.
>
>
>
>
>Building Leadership
>
>
>
>We are continuing to work hard to strengthen our 
>chapters around the state.  There has been some 
>specific training during the past month for 
>chapter and state leaders, and there will be 
>follow-up activities as well.  Ryan has also 
>been actively involved in this effort as have a 
>number of others on our state membership 
>committee.  This is an important effort that must be sustained.
>
>
>
>
>Next State Board Meeting
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>
>Our next board meeting will be on may 11, please watch for details.
>
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>New Approach to Matching tenBroek Pledges
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>
>
>Remember, this is our first year without a 
>spring convention.  We will continue our 
>tradition of matching pledges to our national 
>organization between May 1 and June 30.  Please 
>watch for specific instructions during the next 
>few weeks, and consider making a donation.
>
>
>
>
>National Annual Convention Registration
>
>
>
>Registration for our national convention has 
>been open for some time now and closes by May 
>31.  Remember that there are two types of 
>registration, one for those attending in person 
>and another for those attending 
>virtually.  Registration to attend virtually is 
>free.  You can get information about the annual 
>convention, which is in New Orleans from July 5-10, by visiting
><https://d.docs.live.net/7e0b496d33987766/nfbmn%20President/www.nfb.org/convention>National 
>Annual Convention Information.
>
>
>
>
>Convention Financial Assistance
>
>
>
>As you may have seen recently, we are again 
>making limited funds available to help people 
>who want to attend our national convention.  We 
>am asking for those interested in receiving 
>financial aid to fill out an application form 
>again this year. Our selection committee will 
>assist by looking over all requests, and we will 
>offer convention assistance to members who 
>demonstrate financial need and an interest in 
>attending the convention. Please read carefully 
>the introductory material before filling out the 
>form. The application deadline is May 1.  Please 
>complete the 
><https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2Fforms%2FUNabGNCkNJ8ZsD3P2&data=04%7C01%7C%7C8de21ae5091448c27bd908da19c9fb22%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637850652533602617%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=pK3GHsarjLnPRhi290ko05XPcAW8vapfdn1PD7yOTPY%3D&reserved=0>application 
>for convention assistance here.
>
>
>
>
>Minnesota Bulletin
>
>
>
>Thank you for our team that worked to create the 
>Minnesota Bulletin issue that came out 
>recently.  If you have not done so, please take 
>a little time to read it.  This publication is 
>another place to keep up on what is happening, 
>but it also provides a platform for more in 
>depth education on issues and expression of 
>ideas.  Please consider writing an article.  It 
>could be an experience you would like to share 
>from which you learned something, or maybe you 
>have given a lot of thought to a particular 
>issue.  The deadline for the next issue is May 6.
>
>
>
>
>New Speed Record for Driver Wearing a Blindfold
>
>
>
>On the presidential release earlier this month, 
>we heard about a new Guinness world record that 
>was established for driving while wearing a 
>blindfold.  Although Dan Parker wore a blindfold 
>for the purposes of the record, it was really 
>just a technicality in his case because he is 
>blind.  Dan attended our Louisiana Center after 
>loosing his vision.  The record was well over 
>200 miles per hour.  You can watch a video of 
>the broadcast that recently aired on the CBS 
>evening news at 
><https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fsteve-hartman-blind-drag-racer-guinness-world-records%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb0fbad99a0b748e6589b08da1fd5e324%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637857300735230284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t%2FWZrtxr7x0VGDU2zC13R4%2F5Edxa6Jxr1sItobQzPfI%3D&reserved=0>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-hartman-blind-drag-racer-guinness-world-records/. 
>
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>
>Other Information
>
>
>
>Last Thursday evening, Jennifer Dunnam and I 
>attended the River Bend chapter meeting.  That 
>chapter covers the south-central part of 
>Minnesota centered by Mankato.  They have 
>members from a number of surrounding towns, 
>though.  I can say that they are definitely on the move.
>
>
>
>There is also going to be a Senior Division 
>meeting this Tuesday, April 19, at 3:00 PM.  An 
>announcement with Zoom information was posted 
>last week.  If you need more information, call 
>the NFB of Minnesota Office phone at 612-872-9363.
>
>
>
>   Remember that information about all of our 
> chapters and when they meet can be found on our website.
>
>
>
>
>Dates to Keep in Mind
>
>
>
>    * April 19, 3:00 PM, Seniors' Division Meeting
>    * May 1 – June 30: Make a donation to 
> National funds and it will be matched.
>    * May 6:  Deadline for next issue of the Minnesota Bulletin
>
>    * May 11: Next NFB of Minnesota Board Meeting
>    * May 31:  Deadline for National Convention registration
>    * June 2, at  5:00 PM: State Rehabilitation 
> Council – Blind meeting with specific 
> information 
> at  <https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/about/srcb/>State 
> Rehabilitation Council for the Blind / State Services for the Blind
>    * July 5-10: National Convention in New Orleans
>
>
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>
>Best regards,
>
>
>
>Steve Jacobson, President
>
>Pronouns: he, him, his
>
><http://www.nfb.org>www.nfb.org
>
>www.nfbmn.org
>
>(612) 872-9363
>
>Live the life you Want.
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