[Nfbc-info] August 2015 Bulletin

[Mary Willows]

2014 NFB Logo CMYK Rect

                                                            

 

Mary Willows, President 

National Federation of the Blind of California

3934 Kern Court

Pleasanton, CA 94588

(925) 895-2778

 <mailto:mwillows at sbcglobal.net> mwillows at sbcglobal.net

 

 

August 2015 Bulletin

 

Dear Fellow Federationists,

 

"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."

 

75th ANNUAL CONVENTION:

     After 75 years of love, hope, and determination, the National
federation of the Blind continues to break records. On July 8, 2015, two
thousand four hundred and eighty enthusiastic supporters filled the parking
lot behind the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando, Florida to create the world's
largest umbrella mosaic. You can watch the Youtube video of this landmark
event documented by the Guinness World Record by going to

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeMp9TjbHXY>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeMp9TjbHXY

 

This year, President Mark Ricobonno delivered his first Banquet speech and
Presidential Report. Californians cheered when he mentioned three of our
members who are involved in disputes which have required legal assistance.
Nearly three thousand Federationists' roared and cheered when President
Ricobonno sang with the band on stage Friday morning as the General Session
opened. 

 

    The 75th Anniversary Ball was a smashing success. President Ricobonno
and his wife Melissa dressed up for the occasion in 1940's attire. The
Resolutions Committee brought twenty nine resolutions to the floor for
adoption. You can read all of them at the nfb.org website. Again, the bulk
of the resolutions concerned information, accessibility, and technology.

 

    California will continue the celebration at our 2015 State Convention,
which will be held on October 30, 31, and November1 at the Doubletree By
Hilton Hotel located at 39900  Balantine Drive in Newark, CA 94560. Room
Rates are as follows: Singles-$119.00 per night, plus taxes, include 1
breakfast. Doubles-$129.00 per night, plus taxes, includes 2 breakfast.
Please spread the word that we are celebrating 75 for $75. Registration,
Diabetes Action NETWORK Luncheon and Banquet, will cost $75. The
pre-registration forms will be available on our website at
<http://www.sixdots.org> www.sixdots.org.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS:

 

The 2015 NFB of California Scholarship Committee is accepting applications.
This year, we will award $5,000 to three outstanding college students (two
at $1,500 and one at $2,000).  The applications and guidelines are available
at  <http://www.sixdots.org/scholarships> www.sixdots.org/scholarships. The
deadline for submissions is midnight, September 25, 2015.

 

CONGRESS AT HOME:

 

During the month of August, Congressional representatives will be in their
home districts meeting with constitutes. Please gather two or three chapter
members together and make an appointment to meet with your representative to
educate them about the need for "Integrated Competitive Employment". This
will phase out 14c of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It is time for blind and
disabled Americans to earn a fair wage. Also, remind them that we are
actively seeking to pass legislation that will address the accessibility of
instructional materials in post-secondary education institutions. 

 

The Life Story of Ever Lee Hairston:

 

NFB OF California, First Vice-President, Ever Lee Hairston has opened her
life and shred her story in a book entitled "Blind Ambition". Adventures and
disappointments as she grew up and made her way across the country. We are
lucky to have her as one of our leaders and a member of the National Board
of  Directors. Order your copy by going to Amazon.com and search for "Blind
Ambitions" or download it on ibooks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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