[NFB-Maryland] June Minute Message from the Movement

Mon Jul 1 05:48:56 UTC 2019

happy Julieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Happy Juliey. Happy 4th in
advanceThursday! see youAll in vegas for NFB Convention

On 7/1/19, president--- via NFB-Maryland <nfb-maryland at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> June 2019 Minute Message
>
>
> Fellow Federationists:
>
>
>
> We are making final preparations to attend the 2019 National Federation of
> the Blind Convention in Las Vegas.  In the last month, we've done a great
> deal to get our more than 25 first-time conventioneers ready to attend
> National Convention.  Nonetheless, we've also worked hard on our grassroots
> initiatives to ensure that the blind of Maryland achieve equal access to
> information, obtain meaningful employment, receive high quality education
> services, and on and on.  In the last month alone, we advocated at several
> IEPs, worked on some employment litigation matters, met with several state
> officials about a myriad of issues of importance to the blind, and took a
> large contingent to the Board of Elections meeting to push for change in
> voting policies in order to eliminate voter segregation due to disability.
> We've also held several more membership ceremonies this month, having done
> so now for ten out of twelve brick and mortar chapters and groups.  Thank
> you for all you do - you are the heart of this organization!
>
>
>
>
> Are You Ready for Las Vegas?
>
>
> I hope everyone is getting ready for the National Convention, July 7-12, in
> Las Vegas. Here are some special notes concerning the participation of the
> Maryland affiliate. The Maryland caucus will be held on Monday, July 8th,
> at
> 9 pm in Room Tradewinds E. We need workers and buyers at the Maryland table
> in the Exhibit Hall. The table number is D7. As usual, the affiliate will
> sell instant lottery tickets, which gives you a chance to win from $2 to
> $20. Since you get your money immediately, you will be able to purchase
> other items at the table, such as snacks. The Maryland Association of Blind
> Students will be selling sticky wallets, which are little pockets that
> stick
> to phones and other things where credit cards, room key cards, and other
> items can be stored.  The Greater Baltimore Chapter will be selling water
> cozies and other items, and the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants
> will
> be selling some surprise items.
>
>
>
> Please take time to welcome and assist the many Maryland members who will
> be
> attending convention for the first time.  We want the convention experience
> to be a great one for all attendees.  Sometimes convention can become
>
> overwhelming or stressful.  If anyone becomes ill, feels anxious or
> frustrated, please call me at 708-829-0523.   The National Convention is
> part family reunion, part building relationships and networking and part
> re-energization.  Let's make the most of it!
>
>
>
>
> Sign Your Child Up for NFBBELL
>
>
> Maryland will once again host three Braille Enrichment in Literacy and
> Learning (BELL) Programs during the Summer of 2019.  The BELL summer
> program
> is a two-week day program (weekends not included) designed to offer
> pre-kindergarten and elementary age low vision beginning Braille readers an
> opportunity to be immersed in Braille and increase the use of tactile
> skills
> for reading Braille. Children will receive Braille instruction daily as
> well
> as learn alternative techniques through arts and crafts, games, field
> trips,
> and other fun activities.  Find out more about and register for the
> <http://nfb.org/bell> BELL program here.  Specific information about
> Maryland BELL can be found at
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy/maryland>
> https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy/maryland.  For
> questions,
> please contact Maryland BELL Coordinator Melissa Riccobono at
> <mailto:MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com> MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com.
>
>
>
> Maryland BELL Dates and Locations:
>
> -         Baltimore Bell (for students in Baltimore City, Baltimore County,
> and surrounding areas): July 29 - August 9, 2019
>
> -         Glendale BELL (for students in Montgomery County, PG County, and
> surrounding areas): July 29 - August 9, 2019
>
> -         Salisbury BELL (for students in Wicomico County, Worcester
> County,
> Dorchester County and surrounding areas): July 22 - August 2, 2019
>
>
>
>
> Help Needed: Voting Experiences
>
>
> We need to hear your story if you:
>
> -          Believe you were the only person or one of just a few people who
> voted using the electronic Ballot Marking Device (BMD), which is the
> accessible voting machine, in either of the 2018 elections (primary or
> general); or
>
> -          Experienced challenges using the BMD in either of the 2018
> elections; for example, if you arrived and found the machines not set up or
> unplugged, if the staff did not know how to operate the machines, if you
> were discouraged from using the machines, or if there were other challenges
> of this sort.
>
> Please contact Sharon Maneki at  <mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net>
> NFBMD at earthlink.net or at 410-715-9596 to share your experiences.
>
>
>
>
> Crabbing for Student Scholarships
>
>
> Please purchase your tickets today for the NFB of Maryland Annual Crab
> Feast.  This fundraiser supports the John T McCraw Scholarship Program,
> which provides scholarships to blind post-secondary education students.
>
> When: Saturday, August 17, 2019 - 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
>
> Where: Tall Cedars - 2501 Putty Hill Ave - Parkville, MD 21234
>
> Tickets are $60 each if purchased before August 2, or $65 afterword's.
> Children 6 and under are free.
>
> Special Promotion: Buy or Sell 25 or more tickets and get your ticket FREE!
>
> Dancing, 50 / 50 Raffle, Door Prizes, and more.
>
> Menu Includes:
> Steamed Crabs, Pit Beef, turkey breast, & Ham - All You Can Eat!
> Plus a Buffet of Entrees Including Old Bay wings and Sausage, Sides, Salad,
> Cake.
> Yuengling and Miller beer
> Carbonated Beverages, iced tea, and Coffee
>
> To purchase tickets, visit  <http://www.nfbmd.org/crabs>
> http://www.nfbmd.org/crabs.
>
> For additional information contact me at (443) 426-4110 or email
> <mailto:President at NFBMD.org> President at NFBMD.org
>
>
>
>
> NFB RideShare Testing Program
>
>
> We continue to need your help.  If you use a service animal or are
> accompanying someone who does, please fill out a short form about your
> experience each time you use Uber or Lyft. In Maryland, we have to complete
> a certain number of surveys each year.  You can submit a survey for every
> trip you took, so please look back at your ride history and do this if you
> haven't already done so.  Please go to  <https://nfb.org/rideshare-test>
> https://nfb.org/rideshare-test or use the NFB Connect app (instructions
> below) to complete the survey. Please give us information about both good
> and bad experiences. Spread the word, we need information from every blind
> person whether they are a member of NFB or not. Ashley Alvey is the
> Maryland
> coordinator for this program. If you have questions email her at
> ashleyalvey1994 at gmail.com.
>
>
>
> NFB Connect App instructions for Rideshare Survey
>
> 1.	On the top left corner of the screen, you will find a button that
> says, Menu button. Double tap Menu.
> 2.	After double tapping on menu, at the top left corner of the screen,
> you will see Home.
> 3.	Swipe to the right once and you will see Fast Facts. Double tap Fast
> Facts.
> 4.	You will swipe right until you see, Rideshare Survey. Double tap
> Rideshare Survey.
> 5.	Lastly, swipe to the right. When you see First Name, this is where
> the form begins and this is where you put in the information for the
> survey.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> use Amazon smile
>
>
> Since this is the season of anniversaries, weddings and graduations, be
> sure
>
> to use Amazon smile and choose NFBMD for your charity when you purchase
> that
>
> special gift.    Go to
>
>  <http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033>
> http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Important Dates for 2019
>
>
> *	June 1 - Board of Directors Meeting; Elkridge , Maryland
> *	June 16 - 22 - NFB EQ, Baltimore, MD
> *	July 7-12th - NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, NV.
> *	July 22 - August 2 - NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, MD
> *	July 29 - August 9 - NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore and Glendale, MD
> *	August 17th - Annual Crab Feast - Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill Ave.,
> Parkville, MD 21234
> *	August 24 - NFB of Maryland State Board Meeting, Crown Plaza Hotel,
> Baltimore
> *	October 15 - National White Cane Awareness Day.
> *	November 8-10 - Annual State Convention - Crown Plaza Baltimore
> Downtown
>
>
>
>
>
> Ronza Othman, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>
> 443-426-4110
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
for if you persaveer. you will konker never feer. try try try again