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<h1><b>President's Notebook</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>National Federation of the Blind</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>Mark A. Riccobono</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a></b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>(410) 659-9314</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
The time after Labor Day always seems to move faster than other parts of
the year. Many things are starting up again, our affiliates are busy with
convention activities and Meet the Blind Month, and lots of new plans are
undertaken. In the midst of all of the activity, I urge every leader of
the Federation to be sure to find balance in his or her life. I was
thinking about this as I logged 17,000 steps on my Fitbit yesterday doing
activities with the family. My work for the Federation is always sharper
when I am striking a balance and being sure to take care of myself. I
urge you to do the same. I encourage leaders in the Federation to share
with each other the techniques they use to maintain balance in their
lives. And if anyone wants to friend me on Fitbit, I am ready for the
extra motivation.<br>
<br>
I want to extend congratulations to Bob Kresmer of Arizona who completed
a long run as president of our Arizona affiliate. Bob has built a strong
affiliate in Arizona and he is now working on the transition to the new
president, Donald Porterfield. Thank you, Bob, for your service to the
organization. We look forward to continuing to work with you on building
the Federation, and we welcome our new Arizona president.<br>
<br>
Let's go build the Federation!<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Letter to Congress re: H.R. 3765:<br>
Attached is a letter we sent to all of the chiefs of staff of the members
of the House of Representatives last week. The letter addresses our
opposition to H.R. 3765 which states that a person with a disability
confronting an access barrier would be required to give written notice to
the business owner, who then has 60 days to even acknowledge the problem,
followed by an additional 120 days to take corrective action. No other
group is required to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights.<br>
<br>
Video:<br>
This week's video, featuring David Stayer and his life in the Federation,
is now live at
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=744dSXz-W5M">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=744dSXz-W5M</a>.<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
Logo Request:<br>
Just a reminder, affiliates should be using the new NFB logo in
publications, on their websites, and in social media. There is a logo
customized for every affiliate. Affiliate presidents who need the updated
files should contact Suzanne Shaffer. She can be reached at
<a href="mailto:sshaffer@nfb.org">sshaffer@nfb.org</a> or at (410)
659-9314, extension 2264. <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
*
<a href="https://nfb.org/state-conventions">Fall Conventions</a><br>
* September 15: Deadline for
representatives from accepted prospective NFB BELL Academy affiliates to
register for the NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar, October 20-23, 2016.
Please choose: Novice/Intermediate,
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-seminar-registration-form">registration
form</a><br>
* September 30-October 2: NFB BELL Academy
Training Seminar (Advanced) in Baltimore, Maryland<br>
* October 20-24: NFB BELL
Academy Training Seminar (Novice/Intermediate) in Baltimore,
Maryland<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place<br>
Baltimore, Maryland 21230<br>
Phone: (410) 659-9314<br>
Fax: (410) 659-5129<br>
Email:
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><br>
Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice<br>
Web: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a><br>
<br>
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.<br>
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