[MN-at-Large] Opportunities to work in our movement (even if you're not in DC next week!)

[David Andrews]

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>Greetings from the annual state presidents retreat in Baltimore!
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>As state presidents and the first cohort of 
>Kenneth Jernigan fellows get together in just 
>about an hour, I am thinking about the exciting 
>ideas everyone shared during our strategic 
>planning session last week. Thank you to more 
>than 40 of you who made the trip; I’m grateful 
>for the immeasurable ways that each of you 
>contributed to a joyous, productive gathering. 
>Over the next few weeks, a small group of us 
>will combine those ideas – along with ones thhat 
>I learn about this week from others across the 
>country – into thhemes that shape our work 
>together this year. We’ll be discussing those 
>at our February board meeting, which will be 
>held by Zoom and is open to all members. The 
>first of those priorities, of course, is our 
>Washington Seminar advocacy next week, and I’m 
>thrilled to be joined by more than a dozen of you in that work!
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>Even if you’re not going to Washington Seminar 
>next week, there are still ways for you to 
>participate and contribute to our movement, which I’ll outline here!
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>Access the Great Gathering-in by Zoom or Live Stream
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>Monday, January 29 at 4:00 PM Central Time
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>    * Join via Zoom:
>        * Web: 
> <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98156556455>https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98156556455
>        * Or one tap mobile 
> :+13017158592,,98156556455# or +13052241968,,98156556455#
>        * Webinar ID: 981 5655 6455
>    * Ask your Amazon device to play "Nation's Blind."
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>Note: the February Presidential Release will not 
>be live. Instead, please join us by streaming 
>the Great Gathering-in! (The February 
>Presidential Release recording will be made available by Friday, February 2.)
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>Promote both our state and national scholarship programs.
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>National Scholarships:
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>The National Federation of the Blind scholarship 
>program helps blind college students reach their 
>educational and employment goals and so much 
>more. Building on its strong foundation, we have 
>enhanced the awards granted—making the 
>experience even more inclusive, engaging, and 
>meaningful for the thirty finalists. Each 
>scholarship winner will receive $8,000. Please 
>share the 
><https://scholarships.nfb.org/>scholarship 
>program website to affiliate and chapter 
>listservs, rehab counsellors, parent groups, 
>schools for the blind, other financial aid 
>connections in your state, local blind groups on 
>social media, and any other contacts that connect with blind students.
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>Minnesota Scholarships
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>The National Federation of the Blind of 
>Minnesota is proud to announce that the 
>application period for our 2024 Joyce and Tom 
>Scanlan scholarships is now open. Applications 
>are being accepted until April 15. This year, 
>the Minnesota affiliate will be awarding two 
>$2,000 scholarships to qualified applicants. In 
>addition to the monetary award, winners will 
>have the opportunity to attend the Annual 
>Convention of the National Federation of the 
>Blind during July 3-8 at our expense in Orlando, 
>Florida, this year. At the convention, 
>scholarship winners will have the chance to meet 
>other blind students from throughout the country 
>and gain valuable insights into succeeding as 
>blind people. Additionally, both winners are 
>required, at our expense, to attend the National 
>Federation of the Blind of Minnesota convention 
>in the fall, dates and location still to be 
>determined. The scholarships will be presented 
>at the banquet of our state convention.
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>Please spread the word to graduating high school 
>and current college/graduate students to 
><https://nfbmn.org/scholarship-program>complete 
>the application on our website. Be sure to 
>include the additional required documents and 
>send them to 
><mailto:scholarships at nfbmn.org>scholarships at nfbmn.org. 
>A Microsoft Word version of this information and 
>application can also be requested through the same email address.
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>Share the exciting update on Resolution 2023-05 
>Regarding Audio Delays During Live Radio Play-by-Play Broadcasts.
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>The National Federation of the Blind is 
>submitting a request for a universal solution 
>for live audio without broadcast delays to all 
>major sports league commissioners. Please share 
><https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/request-universal-solution-live-audio>the 
>letter on social media and to your major league 
>sports contacts. Here is a sample social media 
>post that you can use to tag your state teams or favorite leagues.
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>Many blind people enjoy the shared experience of 
>live sports and cheering on our team from the 
>stands. The radio play-by-play typically 
>provides the descriptive information that we 
>need, but this experience often falls short of 
>allowing our equal participation due to the 
>broadcast delay applied to the radio commentary. 
>We request a universal solution for live audio 
>without broadcast delays from all major sports 
>leagues. Read President Riccobono’s letter to 
>the commissioners: 
><https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/request-universal-solution-live-audio>https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/request-universal-solution-live-audio
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>Spread the word about the National Association 
>of Blind Students Midwest Regional Seminar:Â
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>Save the date! Join us March 22-24 at the 
>Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare for the NABS 
>Midwest Regional Seminar—an exciting weekend of 
>proffessional growth, confidence-building, and 
>mentorship for blind students. Engage in 
>interactive activities, thought-provoking 
>discussions, and riveting presentations on 
>topics like advocating for accommodations and 
>stepping into your identity. Registration opens 
>soon! For inquiries, contact NABS board member 
>Hunter Kuester at <mailto:Hunterkuester2 at gmail.com>Hunterkuester2 at gmail.com.
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>Along with more than a dozen other Minnesotans, 
>I look forward to updating you about our 
>meetings when we get back from Washington!
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>Corbb
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>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President
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>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
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><http://www.nfbmn.org>www.nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9363
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