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Hi Everyone,<br><br>
<br><br>
It seems impossible that it could already be August 1. July was certainly
a busy month, especially because of our national convention. Over 100 of
us attended in person or virtually. An event like a national convention
can't happen without help from a lot of different people. Thank you to
those of you who helped in many different ways. More about this will be
in the next issue of our Minnesota Bulletin, so please look for that when
it is published. For now, thanks to many of you who went well beyond the
call of duty to make the national convention a success. Your
efforts are truly appreciated.<br><br>
<br><br>
So, with the convention behind us, what's next? Please read on.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Minnesota Bulletin</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
Please note that the deadline to submit articles for the next Minnesota
Bulletin is today. Get that article you are working on finished up and
send it to Jennifer Dunnam
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">
jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com</a> who is one of our hard working
Minnesota Bulletin editorial team. If you have not had a chance to
read the most recent issue, be sure to check it out. There are some
very interesting articles about blind parents as told both by parents and
their kids. You can also read the winning entry in the Metro Chapter
Essay Contest by Matt Langland which is both enlightening and moving. If
you have not received your copy yet, you can read it at
<a href="https://nfbmn.org/minnesota-bulletin/spring-2022">Minnesota
Bulletin Spring 2022</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Important Changes of Dates</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
Please note that a couple of activities have been moved on our calendar.
First, the Chapter Leadership Check-in meeting has been moved from
tonight, August 1, to next Monday, August 8. In addition, this month's
meeting of the State Rehabilitation Council Blind meeting that was
scheduled for this Thursday, August 4 has been moved to August
11.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Next State Board Meeting</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
The next state meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for August
10. Those who can come together in person will meet at our building, but
there will be a virtual component as well. There will be more details to
follow.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Walk for Opportunity</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
Please save the date, Saturday, September 10, for our annual Walk for
Opportunity. This is our largest state fundraiser thanks to your efforts.
More details will follow, but it is not too early to start collecting
pledges and mentioning this event on social media.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>What's Happening with Legislation</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
We are continuing to prepare for our legislative efforts next year. There
are a number of Child Protection Legislative Task Force meetings that are
open to the public. Some of our Legislative and Policy Committee will be
attending some of these meetings to learn how some proposed changes might
aid our efforts to add more protection for blind parents. <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Remember to Vote</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
The primary election is coming on August 9. As you may have read from my
earlier message on this topic, you might still be able to request an
accessible absentee ballot but you need to do that right away. In
addition, you can go to certain locations and use an accessible voting
machines during certain hours between now and the primary. A number of
counties, including Hennepin County, are now using a new accessible
voting machine called the Democracy Live OmniBallot Tablet. Some of us
used this machine last fall. If you used the AutoMark before, you will
probably have no problems using this new machine, but it does work a
little differently. For one thing, an election judge has to initiate the
process for each voter. Please watch for continuing updates on accessible
election voting procedures, and report to us any problems you
encounter.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>National Convention Highlights Available</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
Highlights of our national convention are already available on our
convention page at
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/convention">http://www.nfb.org/convention</a>
. If you move down the page past the convention date and location
announcement, you will find the Presidential Report, the banquet address,
resolutions, and a Youtube play list of general sessions.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Hosting a live Presidential Release</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
At the Open Board Meeting at our national convention, it was announced
that affiliates or chapters can host the October Presidential Release.
Here is the announcement from President Riccobono.<br><br>
<br><br>
By chapter, affiliate, or even region, we are asking you to submit a
brief proposal to have the October Presidential Release LIVE in your
area. We will come to you! Please email
<a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org">membership@nfb.org</a> your pitch on
what the release setup would be and any details that would help us
determine that your chapter is the right host for this opportunity. Why
should we come to you? Be creative and share stories on how it will help
your chapter build the Federation. Ideally the release would take place
on September 30, October 1, or October 2, 2022. Deadline to submit your
proposal is Sunday, August 28, and we will announce the accepted proposal
on the September release.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>July Braille Monitor</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
The July Braille Monitor is available now. Read about the coverage on the
Were With U! concert, discussion on chapter chatter, stories from
members, and more. You can find it at
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2207/bm2207tc.htm">
Access the</a><i> Braille
Monitor</i>
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2207/bm2207tc.htm">
now.</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Thank you for Donating</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
With the help of Netflix, we succeeded in reaching our national goal of
$50,000 in donations which were then matched by HumanWare. Part of that
accomplishment was due to our efforts here in Minnesota where your
donation was actually tripled because our state affiliate also matched
your donation. Our treasurer, Jennifer Dunnam, posted our state matching
results here some time ago. Thank you for your efforts.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
<ul>
<li>August 2, 7:00 PM Next Presidential Release (Not August 1)
<li>August 6 Metro Chapter Picnic
<li>August 8 7:00 PM Chapter Leadership Check-in Meeting
<li>August 9 Minnesota Primary Elections
<li>August 10 6:00 PM State Board of Directors Meeting
<li>August 11 5:30 PM State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Meeting, with those who can attend in person meeting at 2200 University
West
<li>August 11 7:00 PM RiverBend Chapter Meeting
<li>August 20 10:00 AM Virtual Metro Chapter Meeting
<li>August 21 At Large Chapter Meeting
<li>September 10 Walk for Opportunity
<li>September 23 begin voting early or by mail for general election
<li>November 4-6 NFB of Minnesota State Convention<br><br>
</ul>· November 8
General Election<br><br>
<br><br>
Best regards,<br><br>
<br><br>
Steve Jacobson, President<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a><br><br>
(612) 872-9363<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
Live the life you Want.</blockquote></body>
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