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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>
Happy Halloween! This past weekend was the busiest for our fall
convention season. The eight conventions held this past weekend
demonstrate the growth and vitality of the Federation. In Maryland, a new
standard has been set for state convention attendance and participation
in our PAC Plan program. The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
registered 401 attendees at its fiftieth anniversary gathering, and we
have now surpassed $6,000 contributed each month to the PAC Plan by
members in Maryland. As I learn of other outstanding achievements in our
affiliates, I will be sure to share them. <br>
<br>
Last week, I sent a meeting request and email for a teleconference with
all affiliate presidents for November 16. I want to again call this to
your attention as only a small handful of presidents have accepted the
invitation to the call or replied to the email. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
NFB Scholarship Program:<br>
We are accepting scholarship applications from November 1, 2016, to March
31, 2017. This annual program offers thirty scholarships worth from
$3,000 to $12,000 to eligible students, from high school seniors
beginning their freshman year in the fall semester of 2017, up through
graduate students working on their PhD degrees. These merit scholarships
are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership. In
addition to the money, each winner will receive assistance to attend the
2017 NFB annual convention in Orlando, Florida, held during the second
week of July, providing an excellent opportunity for high-level
networking with active blind persons in many different professions and
occupations. Go to
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships">www.nfb.org/scholarships</a>
for complete rules and requirements.<br>
<br>
Parent Leadership Program (PLP):<br>
Our National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is seeking
recommendations for our next Parent Leadership Program (PLP) to be held
at the 2017 Washington Seminar. Please send recommendations to
<a href="mailto:carol_castellano@verizon.net">
carol_castellano@verizon.net</a> by November 18. Do you have a parent who
shows the commitment and leadership potential to found or strengthen a
parents division in your state? If so, please send us the name and
contact information, and we will send that parent an invitation to become
a part of the PLP. Parents from your state who are already in the program
will also be sent invitations. We hope that your affiliate POBC can
assist in getting the parent to DC. The NOPBC may be able to provide some
financial support. Please note: PLP workshops will begin the morning of
Sunday, January 29, so PLP participants need to arrive in DC on Saturday,
January 28, earlier than most seminar participants.<br><br>
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program:<br>
The award program will be accepting nominations online from November 15,
2016, to April 15, 2017. Applicants must have demonstrated exemplary
leadership and extraordinary accomplishments in improving the lives of
blind people in the United States. An application for an award may be
made either by the applicant directly or by third parties who nominate an
applicant. Additional information can be found at
<a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main">
https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main</a>.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
Early Voting:<br>
We invite blind people to report on their experience with early voting
across the country. To report on your experience with early voting,
please send an email to Lou Ann Blake at
<a href="mailto:lblake@nfb.org">lblake@nfb.org</a>. <br>
<br>
NFB Voting Hotline:<br>
We will be hosting an Election Day hotline for blind and visually
impaired voters, poll workers, and voting rights advocates to call when
problems with accessible voting technology or other barriers are
preventing a blind voter from casting a private and independent ballot.
The hotline will be available November 8, 2016, from 7:00 a.m. Eastern to
10:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Pacific). The number is (877) 632-1940.
<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>
* November 8: Election Day; NFB
voter hotline available at (877) 632-1940<br>
January 30, 2017: Great
Gathering-In <br>
* January 30-February 2, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">Washington Seminar</a><br>
* March 30-31, 2017: Jacobus
tenBroek Law Symposium<br>
* July 21-29, 2017: Youth Slam,
Towson University<br>
* September 12-17, 2017: BLAST,
Nashville, Tennessee<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>
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>
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