[NFB-Maryland] October Minute Message from the Movement
president at nfbmd.org
president at nfbmd.org
Mon Nov 2 02:44:20 UTC 2020
October 2020 Minute Message
Fellow Federationists:
As the leaves change color, Halloween decorations adorn front yards, and the
weather begins to cool, we in the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland remain active as ever. Our 54th Annual State Convention is just
around the corner, and the Board and Host Committee are making final
preparations. Our chapters are out in the community holding Meet the Blind
Month activities, and we have received numerous White Cane Awareness Month
proclamations in Maryland. We continue working hard on our advocacy efforts
and initiatives to make sure that blind Marylanders have equal access to
education, employment, information, transportation, and the community.
Please read below for information about important happenings around the
affiliate.
Rise Up: The State Convention is Coming!
You will not want to miss the state convention which takes place on November
6-8, 2020. This year's virtual convention will take place anywhere and
everywhere.
This year, our National Representative will be Pam Allen, President of the
National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana, Chairman and First Vice
President of the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors, and
Executive Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind.
Convention Late registration is open now. Visit
<http://nfbmd.org/convention> http://nfbmd.org/convention to register and
for the most up-to-date information about the convention. Late registration
after October 16, 2020 is $25 per adult and free for kids. Those who
register after October 16, 2020 will not be eligible for door prizes,
voting, and other convention aspects requiring access to systems and
platforms other than Zoom.
Please plan to join us anywhere and everywhere for our annual convention.
Seeking Auction Donations
We are seeking donations for the NFBMD auction. Given the virtual nature of
the convention, we are only accepting donations of experiences and
commitments to provide baked goods. Some examples of experiences include
taking the winner to dinner, giving cooking lessons, etc. We are asking for
donation commitments prior to November 3, 2020. Please notify Convention
Host Committee Chairman Scott White of your donation via email at
<mailto:Swhite at nfb.org> Swhite at nfb.org or by phone at 410-868-9519.
Listen Live to the NFB of Maryland 2019 State Convention Stream
We will be streaming the 53rd Annual Convention of the NFB of Maryland. To
listen live, visit <http://www.nfbmd.org/node/320>
http://www.nfbmd.org/node/320.
Social Media Information for the NFB of Maryland 2019 State Convention
We will be using the hashtag #NFBMD. Please use this hashtag when posting
about the NFB of Maryland 2020 Convention on Twitter or Facebook. Please
send any pictures you take of Convention activities to Social Media
Chairperson Karen Anderson at <mailto:Kanderson at nfb.org> Kanderson at nfb.org
or via text to 402-319-7645. Please be sure to describe any pictures you
post and send to Karen.
Thank You to Our Convention Sponsors
We would like to express our gratitude to the following NFB of Maryland
Convention Sponsors.
- Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Title Sponsor
- AdNet/AccountNet, Inc., Independence Sponsor
- Maryland Relay, Independence Sponsor
- Blind Savvy, USA, Equality Sponsor
- Brown, Goldstein & Levy, Equality Sponsor
- Sipbound Corporation, Equality Sponsor
- Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, Opportunity Sponsor
- Maryland Technology Assistance Program, Opportunity Sponsor
- The Flower Barn and The Clayground Studio and Gallery, Opportunity
Sponsor
- The Low Vision Shop of Maryland and Virginia, Opportunity Sponsor
- 3D PhotoWorks, Freedom Sponsor
- Custom Canes / You Cane Give, Freedom Sponsor
NFBMD State Convention Orientation - November 4, 2020
All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a
First-Timers Orientation from 8 to 9:30 p.m., on Wednesday, November 4. 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. Participants can access this orientation via Zoom using Meeting ID:
<https://zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=eTZlYUgwR3ZQVVl1dXBLSHcrbml1QT09> 624 813
8327.
Accessing the 54th Annual NFBMD Convention
The 54th Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland will be accessible via Zoom, web streaming, Smart Speaker,
Newsline, and Direct Dial Conference Line.
- Zoom: Click on the imbedded links in the agenda to launch the Zoom
desktop client or mobile application. Alternatively, dial 301-715-8592 and
enter the ten- or eleven-digit Conference ID listed in the agenda followed
by the pound key.
- Web Streaming: Visit <http://nfbmd.org/convention/stream>
http://nfbmd.org/convention/stream.
- Smart Speaker: Ask your Amazon device to launch Federation of
Maryland.
- Newsline: Find the stream on the Maryland information channel.
- Direct Dial Conference Line: Call 339-209-4083.
*Please note, the web stream, Smart Speaker, Newsline, and Direct Dial
methods of access are enabled for listening only and do not permit
interactive engagement. Consequently, those wishing to engage with the
convention, including for the auction, door prizes, and other activities
will need to do so using either the Convention Virtual Information Table or
via email.
NFBMD Convention Tours
The Convention Host Committee is finalizing plans for virtual tours. Visit
<http://nfbmd.org/convention> NFBMD.org/Convention for the most up-to-date
information about this year's tours. This year, you will have two options -
one will begin at 3pm and the other at 4pm Friday, November 6, 2020. Tours
are free.
NFBMD COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
We continue to operate an affiliate COVID-19 fund to assist individuals and
families that are experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19
crisis. This fund is available to blind individuals and families with a
blind household member living in Maryland. The financial assistance must be
needed due to a change in circumstance, e.g. loss of employment income,
because of COVID-19 or associated government directives like the
Stay-at-Home order. Assistance is limited to essentials such as groceries
and medication. This Fund is being administered by the NFBMD Financial
Assistance Committee. Anyone who is wishing to request assistance should
contact me at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or at
443-426-4110.
In addition, we are seeking contributions to augment the NFBMD COVID-19
Emergency Response Fund. Those interested in making a monetary donation may
do so by sending a check to NFBMD, 15 Charles Plaza, #3002, Baltimore,
Maryland 21201 or by using the PayPal donation link on our website located
at <http://www.nfbmd.org/COVID-19Fund> http://www.nfbmd.org/COVID-19Fund.
Reminder to Vote
The National Presidential election will take place on November 3, 2020, and
NFBMD urges everyone to vote. NFBMD encourages those who are able and who
are not in high-risk categories to vote in person if possible. To find a
list of voting locations, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections
website at: <https://elections.maryland.gov/>
https://elections.maryland.gov/
As of May 8, 2020, Maryland no longer uses the term Absentee Voting and
instead uses the phrases "Mail-in Voting" and "Mail-in Ballots."
As a result of previous litigation that NFBMD undertook, Maryland is
required to offer an accessible absentee voting system. This enables the
blind to gain access to an accessible computer-based ballot using their
assistive technology. The voter marks the ballot using the voter's computer
and then prints, signs, and mails in the ballot. Mail in ballots must have
been requested in advance. They must be postmarked by November 3, 2020 or
placed in an official drop off location/box on or before November 3, 2020.
Seeking Voting Experiences
We are seeking information about your experience voting in the National
Election on November 3, 2020 and in early voting. We are particularly
interested in in-person voting. Please answer the following questions and
send an email to Ronza Othman at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org. Alternatively, call 443-426-4110 to share your in
person voting experience.
* what polling place did you use to vote?
* What time of day did you vote?
* Were you neutrally presented with the option to vote by ballot
marking device (BMD) or paper ballot?
* If you requested to use the BMD, was it set up and working?
* If not, what was the problem?
* How long did it take to resolve?
* If you requested to use the BMD, was the poll worker able to explain
to you how to use the BMD?
* How many BMDs were there at your polling location?
* Was there a line to use the BMD(s)?
* If so, was it longer than any line for the hand marked paper
ballots?
* How long did the entire voting process take you?
* Is there anything else we should know about your voting experience?
Notice of Official Business Meeting: Constitutional Review and Convention
Rules of Engagement - November 6, 2020 at 9:00AM
We will be holding an Official Business Meeting of the National Federation
of the Blind of Maryland during the Board of Directors Meeting at the
<http://nfbmd.org/convention/2020> NFB of Maryland state convention at
9:00AM Friday, November 6, 2020. At that time, we will hold official
readings of two documents.
Proposed rules of engagement: The first document is the
<http://nfbmd.org/convention/2020/Principles-of-Engagement> Proposed Rules
of Engagement for the NFBMD State Convention, which the NFBMD Board of
Directors voted to use when we met in August 2020. The Convention will vote
on adoption of these proposed Rules of Engagement on Saturday, November 7,
2020 in our morning Convention General Session. These proposed rules were
sent via an email on Thursday, October 15, 2020.
Proposed language to revise our NFBMD State Affiliate Constitution: The
second document includes proposed language to revise our
<http://nfbmd.org/node/173> NFBMD State Affiliate Constitution. Our
Constitutional Amendment Committee, which includes Chairperson Debbie Brown,
Sharon Maneki, Marguerite Woods, and Dr. Marc Maurer, worked hard to
modernize our Constitution and incorporate needed changes now that we have
an <http://nfbmd.org/at-large-chapter> At Large chapter in Maryland. We
most recently updated this Constitution in 1982. The Convention will vote
on adoption of the proposed amended constitution on Saturday, November 7,
2020 in our morning Convention General Session. The proposed amended
constitution and explanations of changes were sent via an email on Monday,
October 12, 2020.
All documents referenced here may be viewed at <http://nfbmd.org/node/401>
http://nfbmd.org/node/401.
NFBMD Secures White Cane Awareness Month Proclamations Statewide
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has secured a proclamation
commemorating White Cane Awareness Month from each of the 24 Maryland
jurisdictions as well as from Governor Hogan for the entire state. This
effort was only successful due to the hard work of every single chapter and
division, as they contacted their local and nearby counties to procure the
proclamations. Congratulations, NFBMD. Through these proclamations, we are
ensuring that every Maryland jurisdiction understands and appreciates the
critical role that long white canes and guide dogs play in maintaining our
independence.
Blind Cruising 2021
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will be hosting a cruise
fundraiser from September 19, 2021 to September 26, 2021. The affiliate
will receive a portion of the cost of each cabin that is booked. All are
welcome, including members of the NFBMD, other affiliates, families,
colleagues, and friends. For additional information or to reserve your
cabin, please contact our travel agent, Cindy Kiper at kkiper at cruisesinc.com
or 813-418-0647 or visit <http://nfbmd.org/blindcruising>
http://nfbmd.org/blindcruising. .
Details are as follows:
Ship: Carnival Pride
Date: September 19 - September 26, 2021
Port of Departure: Baltimore, Maryland
Number of nights: 7
Ports visited: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; and
Freeport, Bahamas
Key Dates:
- First deposit due: Until All Cabins Booked or December 31,
2020 (whichever is earlier) = $25 per person
- Second deposit due: April 15, 2021 - $250 per person plus
full names of sailors
- Final payment due: June 1, 2021
Types and prices of cabins (this is a per person price based on double
occupancy and includes cabin fee, port charges, and taxes); we have a
limited number of cabins, so prices may change once our block is filled.
- Balcony cabin (extended balcony) = $958.64 per person
- Balcony cabin (standard balcony) = from $935.64 to $946.64
per person
- interior cabin = From $727.64 to $737.64 per person
- if anyone needs an Ocean View or triple or quad cabin, they
should let us know.
Note: Cabin types are going first come first serve, so please email to
inquire about availability.
We hope you will join us in 2021 on this incredible trip.
Washington Seminar and NFBMD Day in Annapolis Go Virtual
As a result of the restrictions imposed by the Federal and State
legislatures in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington Seminar and
NFBMD Day in Annapolis will be held virtually. We are beginning to prepare
for both legislative advocacy efforts, and we believe that virtual
legislative advocacy creates unique and new opportunities to educate our
state and Federal representatives.
Washington Seminar: The Great Gathering In will take place virtually on
February 8, 2021. Rather than having a single Day on the Hill for Maryland,
we will have a Week on the Hill from February 9 through 11. We hope to have
constituent participation from each Congressional district as we meet with
the respective representatives.
Week In Annapolis: Rather than having a single day where we meet with all 47
state senators and 141 delegates, we will hold the NFBMD Week in Annapolis
from January 19 - 22, 2021. We hope to have constituents present from each
district when we meet with the respective delegates and senators.
We will share more information in the coming weeks.
Important Upcoming Dates
* November 6-8, 2020 - Annual State Convention, Everywhere
* January 19 - 22, 2021 - NFBMD Week in Annapolis
* February 6, 2021 - Regional Braille Challenge, Maryland School for
the Blind
* February 8, 2021 - Washington Seminar Great Gathering In
* February 9 - 11, 2021 - Maryland Week on the Hill
* March 12, 2021 - Basket and Bag Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
* July 6 - 11, 2021 - NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
* August 7, 2021 - NFBMD Crab Feast, Parkville, Maryland
Ronza Othman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
443-426-4110
Pronouns: she, her, hers
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.
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