[NationalHarbor] Reminders National Harbor Chapter January 25, 2025/February 22, 2025

Fri Jan 24 11:19:29 UTC 2025

Dear National Harbor  Chapter Members And Friends ,

First,

My heartfelt Condolences   goes out to  National  Harbor Board  and
Chapter member   Gregory  (Greg) Martin  family and  for all who knew  Mr.
Greg

>From his daughter Rei' Martin they ask  to support  them by the following
ways :

Cashapp: $Reimarin

 Go fund me:

https://gofund.me/20f9fe2e

Chapter Meetings  January  25, 2025  and February  22, 2025  From 1-3pm

How To Access The Meeting :

Dial -In Number :

805-706-5069

No Access Code

*How To Listen To Past Meetings *

*playback number: 267) 807-9608*

*Access Code: 106363*

NFB Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution

First-Timers Orientation from 8 to 9:30 p.m., on Monday, February 10.  The
Ambassadors Committee will walk you through the events that will take place
throughout the weekend, explain processes such as door prizes and voting,
as well as make sure every first-time convention attendee is matched with a
mentor.

Connection information is as follows:

Zoom Meeting ID:  <
https://zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=eTZlYUgwR3ZQVVl1dXBLSHcrbml1QT09> 624 813
8327

One-Number Conference Call: 339-209-4083

NFBMD Convention Donation Drive and Drawing!!

Want to win either $500 or have your 2026 State Convention hotel and meals
covered? Here's your chance!

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is hosting the 2025 NFBMD
Convention donation drive. For each $20 donation, you will get one chance
in the Convention drawing. For example, if you donate $100, you will get
five chances.

The winner will have their choice of either $500 or their 2026 state
convention hotel (two nights) and meals covered by the affiliate. The
drawing will take place at the NFBMD banquet on Saturday, February 15,
2025.   The winner does not need to be present.

The fundraiser is open through 3PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

The rules for the drawing are as follows:

1. For each $20 donated, the donor will receive one chance. For example, if
the donor contributes $100, that equates to 5 chances.

2. The donor must expressly state that they wish to have their name placed
in the convention drawing.

3. Donations must be made separately from any door prize contributions,
convention registration donations, theater

Getting Ready for 2025 Day in Annapolis!

The 2025 session of the Maryland General Assembly will begin on January 8,
and we are working hard to prepare for our NFBMD Day in Annapolis, which
will take place on January 16, 2025 in person.  We meet with all 188
Delegates and Senators early in the session in order to maximize the time
we have to push our issues through both chambers.

We are finalizing plans and have a few slots for volunteers who haven?t yet
committed to educate our legislators on our legislative priorities.  We
will provide transportation from the National Center in Baltimore and the
New Carrollton Metro Station for those interested in attending.  We will
conduct our usual debriefing over dinner, and participants are asked to
plan to bring $30 with them for dinner.

The State Capital and surrounding buildings are in the final stages of
major renovations, resulting in the tunnel system?s potentially being
closed in whole or in part.  As a result, individuals should be prepared to
walk outside and occasionally cross streets to get to meetings and group
gathering locations (like the cafeteria).  Those who attend should plan
accordingly.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to  <mailto:Annapolis at nfbmd.org>
Annapolis at nfbmd.org by January 6, 2025. If you are seeking to go on
affiliate transportation, please contact Ellen Ringlein ( <mailto:
germlish77 at gmail.com> germlish77 at gmail.com) for Baltimore and Debbie Brown
( <mailto:deborahb14 at verizon.net> deborahb14 at verizon.net) for New
Carrollton.

We will post the legislative priorities soon.  The fact sheets will be
available at  <https://nfbmd.org> https://nfbmd.org in early January.

Our primary legislative priorities are:

*       Increasing the property Tax exemption for Blind Home Owners

*       Improving Transportation: Use of Autonomous Vehicles for Persons
with Disabilities

*       Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access (funding)

Additional priorities we will work on this year include accessible
paperless ballot return for vote by mail, tactile and Braille flags in
veteran cemeteries, and establishment of a service animal training grant
program.

Washington Seminar Is Coming!

On February 3 and 4, Maryland will join Federationists in person from
throughout the country to let Congress know about our legislative
priorities for blind Americans. You can find information about our
legislative priorities and other Washington Seminar information on the  <
https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> NFB
Washington Seminar Information Page.  The Great Gathering In will take
place at 5:00PM on Monday, February 3, 2025 at the Holiday Inn Capitol
Hotel.  Maryland will be visiting our Congressional Delegation on Tuesday,
February 4, 2025 in person on the Hill.  If you would like to attend
Congressional appointments, please let Joel Zimba and me know by January
20, 2025 by emailing  <mailto:joelszimba at gmail.com> joelszimba at gmail.com and

 <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.

Get ready for New Orleans in 2025!

The NFB 2025 National Convention will take place from July 8 ? 13, 2025 in
New Orleans, Louisiana.  The New Orleans Marriott Hotel will be the primary
location.  The NFB Board of Directors also announced that the 2026 and 2027
national conventions will take place in Austin, Texas, and the 2028 and
2029 national conventions will take place in Chicago, Illinois.  It?s never
too early to start preparing for the largest and most powerful gathering of
blind people in America.

do You Feel Lucky?

The NFBMD spring raffle is beginning. During the month of May, you have the
opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday.  To
reserve a specific number, contact Melissa Riccobono at  <mailto:
MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com> MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com on or before
January 10, 2025.  After that, purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for
$5. You will be the only one who has this number. Tickets are available
from chapter presidents and affiliate Board Members.  Help us sell all
1,000 tickets!

Basket and Bag Bingo is Coming!

Would you like to win over $4,000 in prizes? Would you like to play 23
games of BINGO? Snacks and raffles will also be available. Join us at NFBMD
Spring Basket and Bag Bingo, hosted by the Central Maryland Chapter, on
March 14, 2025 in Catonsville.  Buy your tickets early.

Prizes will feature baskets and bags from designer brands.  We need
financial contributions to help with these purchases. Please let us know
whether you would like to sponsor a basket or bag for $200. All
contributions of any amount are welcome.

You may also purchase your ticket for $30 before March 14 and for $40 on
March 14 if tickets are available.  Please purchase your ticket via Zelle (
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org), by check (Make checks
payable to ?NFBMD? and mail to 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, MD
21230, or pay via credit card or PayPal  <https://nfbmd.org/bingo> online.

For questions or to reserve a Braille or large print Bingo card, call/text
Matthew Yannuzzi at 410-851-1944 or email  <mailto:CMC.NFBMD.Bingo at gmail.com>
CMC.NFBMD.Bingo at gmail.com.

Pay Your 2025 Dues!

NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and
division dues.  We are asking members to pay their 2025 dues by January 15,
2025 so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate for State Convention
voting.

Individuals may use NFBMD?s Dues Portal to pay their 2025 annual dues
and/or lifetime membership dues for those chapters that have lifetime
membership.  The portal lists all NFBMD chapters and divisions and their
dues amounts.  Individuals may pay for as many chapters and divisions as
they wish.  The portal is located at http://nfbmd.org/dues.  Alternatively,
individuals may mail a check to their chapter or division treasurer.

Individuals may also pay their chapter dues at the Registration Table at
the State Convention.

Please note that those paying via the online portal will incur a small
processing fee.

NFBMD Committees: Are You Interested?

I am beginning to make 2025 committee appointments for the NFB of Maryland,
and Groups are also continuing their work.  If you are interested in being
appointed to a particular committee, please send me an email with the name
of the committee or committees for which you are interested.  I can?t
promise everyone will be appointed to the committees they request, but it
is very helpful to know where people are interested in contributing most.
Please send your interest email to me at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org by January 15, 2025.  In addition, if you are
interested in joining a particular group, please reach out directly to the
chair of that group.

If there are committees that you think should be added, please also let me
know.

Below is a list of the 2025 committees and groups as they currently stand.
The individuals listed below have been asked to chair these committees or
groups, but this may change slightly when final appointments are sent out.

Advocacy Committee

Sharon Maneki and Melissa Riccobono, Co-chairpersons

Advocates with employers, schools, Vocational Rehabilitation entities, and
other public or private agencies for blind residents of Maryland

Ambassadors Committee

Judy Rasmussen and Debbie Brown, co-chairpersons

responsible for orienting first-time attendees to state and national
Convention and mentoring first-timers at those events

Audit Committee

Barry Hond and Justin Young, Co-chairpersons

responsible for auditing financial accounts and spending for the affiliate,
local chapters, and divisions

BELL Committee

Brittany Bomboy, Amy Crouse, and Erin Zobell, co-chairpersons

plans and administers the Maryland Bell program and incorporating Bell into
NFBMD conventions and seminars

Braille Spectator Committee

Ronza Othman and Sharon Maneki, editors

Responsible for sourcing and creating content, assembling, editing,
formatting, and disseminating the semi-annual magazine of the NFB of
Maryland

Deaf-Blind and Hearing Loss Issues Committee

Janice Toothman and Heather Guy, Co-chairpersons

works on issues of concern and interest to the deaf-blind of Maryland

Development and Fundraising Committee

Jenivieve White and TBD, Co-chairpersons

coordinates long-term and short-term fundraising initiatives including:
preparing and submitting grant proposals; sending out annual appeal
letters;  working with estate attorneys; administering Spring and Fall
raffles; marketing Amazon smile; planning Basket Bingo, Crab Feast, and
other fundraisers

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Qualik Ford and Juhi Narula, co-chairpersons

Provides leadership and guidance to the affiliate and chapters and
divisions on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Employment Committee

Pam Goodman and Jannis Forbes, co-chairpersons

Provides guidance and support related to strategies for increasing the
employment of Maryland?s blind.

Guide Dog Issues Committee

Sherri Shirek, chairperson

works on issues of concern and interest to guide dog users in Maryland

Legislation Committee - Federal

Sharon Maneki and Joel Zimba, Co-chairpersons

responsible for Federal legislative action and educating elected officials
on issues of importance to the blind of Maryland

Legislation Committee - State

Sharon Maneki and Ronza Othman, Co-chairpersons

responsible for state legislative action and educating elected officials on
issues of importance to the blind of Maryland

Membership Committee

Dezman Jackson and Ellen Ringlein, co-chairpersons

responsible for helping chapters and divisions with recruitment, retention,
and development of members

PAC Plan Committee

John Par? and Ann-Marie Laney, co-chairpersons

Coordinate the Maryland Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) efforts.

Public Relations Committee

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

responsible for marketing NFBMD programs and initiatives

Resolutions Committee

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

responsible for recommending (or not) that resolutions submitted by members
be brought to the NFBMD Convention floor

Scholarship Committee

Juhi Narula, chairperson

responsible for administering the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program,
including mentoring candidates at national and state conventions and beyond

Sharon Maneki Youth Empowerment Grant Committee

Sharon Maneki, chairperson

responsible for reviewing and approving (or not) grant applications for
youth to attend blindness programs and training or to receive technology

Social Media Committee

Karen Anderson and Stephanie Cascone, Co-chairpersons

responsible for NFBMD?s social media presence, communication, and outreach
using forums like mastodon and Facebook

Spanish Services Committee

Teresa Graham, chairperson

responsible for coordinating programming, outreach, and language
interpretation for Spanish speakers

Sports and Recreation Committee

Qualik Ford and TBD, co-chairpersons

responsible for coordinating sports and rec activities for the affiliate.

Transportation  Committee

Cheryl Fogle-Hatch and Aloma Bouma, co-chairpersons

responsible for coordinating transportation-related advocacy and working to
improve the state of public transportation in Maryland

Website and Technology Committee

John Berggren, chairperson

responsible for NFBMD.org content and formatting, NFBMD databases, AV/IT at
conventions, seminars, and other events, and other technology necessary for
the operations of the NFB of Maryland

Youth Activity Committee

Erin Zobell, Chairperson

responsible for engaging youth and planning youth-focused programs

Convention-Related Committees

Anna Freysz Cable Award Committee

Debbie Brown, chairperson

administers award program for an adult who has demonstrated exceptional
effort in learning blindness skills, which is given at the NFBMD Convention

Convention Child Care Committee

Brittany Bomboy, chairperson

coordinates childcare at the NFBMD Convention

Convention Organization and Activities

Justin Young, chairperson

coordinates the NFBMD Convention, including planning and logistics

Convention Registration Committee

Marie Marucci, chairperson

Coordinates and oversees convention registration.

Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award Committee

Teresa Graham, chairperson

administers award to an exceptional teacher of the blind in Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention

Door Prize Committee

Juhi Narula and Qualik Ford, co-chairpersons

coordinates and runs NFBMD Convention door prize activities

Gold Cup Crab Race Committee

Juhi Narula and Jen White, co-chairpersons

Administers Gold Crab Race Fundraiser at state convention

Jennifer Baker Award Committee

Melissa Riccobono, chairperson

administers award program for a child who has overcome significant
challenges to learn blindness skills; administered at the NFBMD Convention

Kenneth Jernigan Award Committee

Mary Ellen Jernigan, chairperson

administers award program for a Federationist who has demonstrated
exceptional and sustained service and commitment to the NFB of Maryland;
awarded at the NFBMD Convention

National Funding Support Auction Committee

Joel Zimba and Erin Zobell, Co-chairpersons

Administers the NFB of Maryland Bake and Experience Auction at the state
convention.

Nominating Committee

Debbie Brown, chairperson

responsible for recommending to the NFBMD Convention individuals for open
Board seats

NFBMD Groups

Blind Parents Group

Denna Lambert, chairperson

Crafters Group

Danielle McCann and Karen Anderson, co-chairpersons

Diabetes Action Network Group

Eileen Ley, chairperson

Performing Arts Group

Chris Danielsen, chairperson

Sighted Significant Others and Loved Ones Group

Jen White and David Waybright, co-chairpersons

Veterans Group

Ed Jackson, chairperson

Important Upcoming Dates

NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs

Thank you,

Amber Woods

President

National Harbor Chapter

National Federation Of The Blind Of Maryland

301-978-6686
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nationalharbor_nfbnet.org/attachments/20250124/5b9d27d0/attachment.htm>