[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/09/2024

Tue Sep 10 03:01:18 UTC 2024

Dear Federation Family,

I do not know about you, but the ease of summer has quickly turned into a
frenzy of engagement and excitement as we move into fall. There was a lot
of news on the Presidential Release Live, so I call your attention to that
recording and transcript. I want to focus your energy on our Rideshare
Rally. We need every affiliate represented at this big event in San
Francisco. It Is critical that we demonstrate that this is a nationwide
problem. In fact, it is an international problem. It is time for us to hold
the companies accountable for solving this rather than telling us there is
nothing they can do.

Best wishes to all the affiliates with conventions coming up later this
month.

*Critical Actions:*

*Upcoming Presidential Release:*

The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #541
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
chapter
version is available. Mark your calendar for the next presidential release
scheduled for October 15 at 8:30 p.m. Please submit questions to
cdanielsen at nfb.org with #PR542 in the subject line.

*News:*

*Rideshare Rally in San Francisco:*

The National Federation of the Blind announced an upcoming Rideshare Rally
at the Lyft and Uber headquarters on October 15 in San Francisco,
California. Join our demonstration to protest rideshare discrimination
against blind people using guide dogs and white canes. Please let us know
if you are interested in attending this demonstration by submitting
the Rideshare
Rally Interest Form
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/rideshare-rally-interest>. We
have secured a hotel block at the Crowne Plaza near the San Francisco
airport, and you can book a room at $139, plus taxes and fees, per night. You
can make your reservation on the Crowne Plaza website
<https://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=URLCA&checkInDate=14&checkInMonthYear=092024&checkOutDate=16&checkOutMonthYear=092024&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=BLD&cn=no&viewfullsite=true>.
You can also call the hotel at 650-342-9200 and ask to reserve a room in
the “National Federation” block. The exact location and rally route will be
shared in the coming weeks.

*Accessible In-Person Voting Webinar:*

One of our government affairs specialists, Jeff Kaloc, will be hosting a
Zoom webinar regarding accessible in-person voting on Thursday, September
12, at 12:00 p.m., eastern. The Zoom information for the webinar is below:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/97049830716

Meeting ID: 970 4983 0716

*Dare to Be Remarkable Conference: *

We are calling all rehabilitation professionals to submit your presentation
proposals by September 20 for the 2024 National Federation of the Blind
Dare to Be Remarkable conference
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>. The
conference will be held from November 11 – November 13 at the National
Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.

Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500 after October 6. Register for
the event on our website, Dare to Be Remarkable conference
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>.

Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers, Edward Bell (
ebell at latech.edu or 318-257-4554) or Anil Lewis (alewis at nfb.org or
410-659-9314, extension 2374).

*Virtual Career Fair:*

Register for the National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair being
held October 22, 1:00–4:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Jobseekers, this is an
opportunity to find your occupational passion. Employers, this is a chance
to connect with great talent.

Career Fair – Jobseeker Registration
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>

Career Fair – Employer Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=606>

Jobseekers, please direct all questions to our jobseeker liaison, Lia
Stone, at evangeliastone at gmail.com.

Employers, please direct all questions to our employer liaison, Charles
Bennett, at cbennett at cocenter.org.

*Preauthorized Contributions (PAC):*

Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis?
Please consider joining our preauthorized contribution plan. Starting at $5
monthly, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise expectations.
Visit: https://nfb.org/pac to fill out the online form or email pac at nfb.org for
additional information.

*Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:*

The National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind
movement during October each year across the country. Please submit your
events, activities, and celebrations to web at nfb.org so they can be posted on
 https://nfb.org/blind-month. If you need items or ideas, check out the
free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1>. Reminder: please
only use Blind Equality Achievement Month, Blind Month, or #BlindMonth when
referring to and promoting activities.

*NFB-NEWSLINE® Now Available on the SensePlayer:*

Subscribers can now download the content of their favorite publications to
the SensePlayer from Selvas BLV. In order to get this new capability, you
will need to update the software on your player and then identify a set of
favorite publications that you want to read. If you need assistance with
the software upgrade, please contact Selvas BLV at 512-837-2000 or email
them at support at selvasblv.com. If you would like to apply for the
NFB-NEWSLINE service or if you need your subscriber codes, please call us
at 866-504-7300.

*Dream Makers Circle:*

You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a
member of our Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can
visit your bank and convert an account to a POD (payable on death) bank
account, which is payable after your passing to the National Federation of
the Blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National
Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of {insert
state} can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an
income-generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement
plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a
specific amount, a percentage, or list the NFB as one of several
beneficiaries. For additional information, please contact Patti Chang at
410-659-9314, extension 2422 or at pchang at nfb.org.

*Reminders:*

*Vehicle Donations:*

The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the
education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans,
and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process
donated vehicles. Please call toll-free 855-659-9314, and a representative
can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting
www.nfb.org/vehicledonations.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

(all times eastern)

   - February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In
   - February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar
   - July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

   - Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.

Chapter Presidents Calls

   - Thursday, September 12, and Sunday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m.
   - Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m.

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
410-659-9314 | Officeofthepresident at nfb.org

Please engage with me through Riccobono Personal AI
<https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile>
Mastodon: @President at nfb.social
Pronouns: he, him, his

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

                         [image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we
work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

-- 
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

The National Federation of the Blind 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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