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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
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a>
address. Now let's get to what's happening.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>What's Happening in the State Legislature</b></h2><br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Building Leadership</b></h2><br><br>
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. <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Next State Board Meeting</b></h2><br><br>
Our next board meeting will be on may 11, please watch for
details.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>New Approach to Matching tenBroek Pledges</b></h2><br><br>
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.
<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>National Annual Convention Registration</b></h2><br>
<br>
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 <br>
<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/7e0b496d33987766/nfbmn%20President/www.nfb.org/convention">
National Annual Convention Information</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Convention Financial Assistance</b></h2><br><br>
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
<a href="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</a> here.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Minnesota Bulletin</b></h2><br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>New Speed Record for Driver Wearing a Blindfold</b></h2><br><br>
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
<a href="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/</a>
. <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Other Information</b></h2><br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br><br>
Remember that information about all of our chapters and when they
meet can be found on our website. <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>April 19, 3:00 PM, Seniors' Division Meeting<br>
<li>May 1 – June 30: Make a donation to National funds and it will be
matched.<br>
<li>May 6: Deadline for next issue of the Minnesota
Bulletin<br><br>
<li>May 11: Next NFB of Minnesota Board Meeting<br>
<li>May 31: Deadline for National Convention registration<br>
<li>June 2, at 5:00 PM: State Rehabilitation Council – Blind
meeting with specific information at
<a href="https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/about/srcb/">State Rehabilitation
Council for the Blind / State Services for the Blind</a><br>
<li>July 5-10: National Convention in New Orleans<br><br>
</ul> <br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Best regards,<br><br>
<br><br>
Steve Jacobson, President<br><br>
Pronouns: he, him, his<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfbmn.org</a><br><br>
(612) 872-9363<br><br>
Live the life you Want.<br>
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