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<h1><b><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a>President's Notebook<br><br>
<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br><br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org<br><br>
<br>
</a>410-659-9314</b></h1> <br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
Thank you all for helping to make the 2018 Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind our best yet. Many of you have written with
ideas, feedback, and suggestions for the future, and I deeply appreciate
your engagement.<br>
<br>
As each of you knows, the fall is one of the busiest times in our
organization as two-thirds of our affiliates have conventions, we all
have Meet the Blind Month in October, and there are many other great
things happening throughout the season. We have discussed some training
for affiliate treasurers and presidents. I am beginning to examine what
opportunities there might be in the fall. Please let me know if this is
of interest or if we should stick with the meeting around Washington
Seminar. Our potential meeting this January may be complicated by
remodeling in our building. This is why it is still up in the air. Your
feedback is appreciated.<br>
<br>
Finally, during the convention we announced an agreement with Greyhound
Bus Lines, which operates in forty-four of our affiliates. In the coming
weeks, each of you will be receiving information about the opportunity to
participate in our monitoring and to receive a small grant to the
affiliate. Please be prepared to act quickly if your affiliate shows up
in the first round of testing scheduled for August through October.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2>Presidential Release:<br>
The July Presidential Release is available at
<a href="https://nfb.org/presidential-releases">
https://nfb.org/presidential-releases</a>.<br>
<br>
Dream Makers Circle:<br>
We added to our Dream Makers Circle at our national convention. Thanks to
those who joined. It bodes well for our long-term financial health. It is
crucial that NFB leadership leads the way. We can convince others to join
if we have leadership participation in our planned giving. We will reach
out to those who expressed interest during convention. Thanks to all of
you who have joined or who have sought additional information. If you did
not get a chance to visit our Dream Makers Circle table at convention and
want information, you can reach out to Patti Chang at extension 2422 or
at <a href="mailto:pchang@nfb.org">pchang@nfb.org</a>.<br>
<br>
Strategic Planning Focus Groups:<br>
Thanks to all who participated in or helped in identifying participants
for our focus groups on strategic planning. All five groups met at
convention and the grassroots feedback will help with our development of
our future plans. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2>
<ul>
<li>July 29-August 4, 2018:
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">NFB EQ</a>
<li>October 11-12, 2018: Tactile Graphics Symposium
<li>March 28-29, 2019: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium
<li>July 7-12, 2019: NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada
</ul> <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<br>
President<br>
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
(410) 659-9314 |
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180722103633.01f75c00@visi.com.4" width=210 height=76 alt="National Federation of the Blind">
</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180722103633.01f75c00@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
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</a><br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
<br>
<br><br>
<br>
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