[NFB-Maryland] Thank You!

[president at nfbmd.org]

All.

It has now been a week since our 2020 Annual Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland adjourned.  This was our first virtual
convention, and it was incredible.  We lived our theme to "Rise up" in
numerous ways and highlighted that to "rise up" is in our blood as
Federationists.  WE will post highlights from the Convention on our website
in the coming weeks, so I urge you to visit http://nfbmd.org to relive the
most memorable activities from our convention.

 

Though it was our first virtual convention, it was our largest.  We had
participants access our vents using the main Zoom platform, Newsline, the
One Call conference line, smart speaker, and web streaming, with over 750
participants.  

 

Our National Representative, Pam Allen, did a tremendous job and engaged
with many of you.  Our virtual Picnic and a Play was outstanding, and I for
one haven't been able to sleep comfortably since.  Our parents, students,
seniors, and merchants seminars were fantastic, and our banquet was
unparalleled.  

 

This convention was only possible because of the hard work and dedication of
54 individuals (that number is appropriate since this is our 54th
convention) who handled technology, door prizes, auction, virtual exhibit
hall, virtual information table, PAC table, streaming, social media, and all
of the thousands of aspects of a convention.  We all owe them a debt of
gratitude.

 

WE held an election, and the following individuals were elected:

-          President: Ronza Othman

-          First Vice President: Debbie Brown

-          Second Vice President: Dezman Jackson

-          Secretary: Judy Rasmussen

-          Treasurer: Jen White

-          Board Members:

o   Anil Lewis

o   Sharon Maneki

o   Melissa Riccobono

o   Millie Rivera

o   Melba Taylor

o   Marguerite Woods

Sharon, Melissa, and Millie were elected for two year terms, and Anil was
elected for a one-year term which became vacant when Dezman Jackson was
elected to an officer position.  Congratulations to the NFB of Maryland
Board.

 

We are incredibly grateful to Shawn Jacobson, who after many years as our
affiliate treasurer, is retiring from this role.  Shawn has very big shoes
to fill, and I am confident that Jen White will do an outstanding job as
Shawn's successor.

 

The message we learned from our 54th Annual Convention is that not even a
global crisis will stop the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland,
that we will protect the rights of Maryland's blind on routine matters and
on those that are unique to a pandemic, and that we will do so with the same
tenacity and energy that defines the National Federation of the Blind.

 

Here's to another 54 years!

 

Yours in service,

Ronza

 

 

 

 

 

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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