[NFBC-Info] March Presidents Notebook

Wed Mar 4 23:03:11 UTC 2020

Dear Family,

I reflect on how far we have come in our struggle for equal rights.  This past election Tuesday, I independently marked and mailed my accessible remote absentee online ballot.  While we still hear alarming struggles with equal access to voting in our local polling places, we should be encouraged about how far we have come on the whole.  I hope you voted and made your voice count.  

I need your help to get the word out.  We have national scholarships for motivated blind students.  Be sure to apply or forward this to other students.  Encourage them to apply by March 31.  

https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program

Have you ever wondered why we talk so much about our national conventions?  If lack of funds is the only barrier keeping you from your first national convention, then consider applying for a Jernigan Fund Scholarship.  Countless people can attest to the often life changing experience of their first national convention.

 <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship> https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship

Recently, I was pleased to work with our San Joaquin County Chapter during a bicycle ride for the local blindness agency.  We are working on our recent 2019 resolution to ensure blind representation on the board of directors for the local agency for the blind.  We received some nice press coverage on the event.  We should all be considering how to engage our local agencies “for” the blind if we want to expect greater representation and influence over programming purporting to be for our benefit.  

https://www.escalontimes.com/news/bicyclists-benefit-pedaling-paths-independence/

Whether on a bike or at the ballot, get out there and live the life you want.  Blindness is not what holds you back.  Do you have a cool story to share that reflects our philosophy?  Like us on Facebook and share how you are living the life you want.  

www.facebook.com › ... › National Federation of the Blind of California <http://%0dwww.facebook.com%20›%20...%20›%20National%20Federation%20of%20the%20Blind%20of%20California%0d> 

Tim Elder, President, National Federation of the Blind of California

president at nfbcal.org

916.382.0372

Just a quick update from the California Association of Blind Students division, they are having a conference call about the National Scholarship Program on Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m.  The applications are due at the end of this month, and we would like to offer students an opportunity to have their questions addressed.  California has had many students as scholarship finalists, the most recent of whom include Gene Kim, Trisha Kulkarni, and Carla Scroggins.  Cricket is honored to know all of them personally, and she strongly believe that California has many students to be proud of now and in the future.  Thanks so much in advance!  Date:  Sunday, March 08, 2020

Time: 7:00 PM PDT

Call-in number: 712.770.4130

Access code: 868746

https://m.facebook.com/evets/1087884474894315?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2298%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D <https://m.facebook.com/evets/1087884474894315?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2298%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&aref=98&__tn__=H> &aref=98&__tn__=H

Cricket X. Bidleman, President, California Association of Blind Students (CABS) 

cricketbidleman at gmail.com

Stanford University  Class of 2021

Hello All, 

The Pathfinder Chapter of Los Angeles will hold their first fundraiser at the sizzler restaurant On Friday, March 6, 2020, .

It is located at 5801 S Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, and the cross street is Slauson.

The fund raiser will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The Pathfinder Chapter will meet there at 11 AM.

Please invite family and friends,  Just be sure to tell them to say that you are participating with the National Federation of the Blind of California Pathfinder Chapter Fundraiser.

See all of you there.

Rochelle Houston, First-Vice President National Federation of the Blind of California 

President, Pathfinder Chapter Los Angeles 

rhouston58 at gmail.com <mailto:rhouston58 at gmail.com> 

323.807.0300

The Riverside - San Bernardino Chapter Would like to invite you to their Membership Recruitment event on March 14, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  At the Janet Goeske Senior center, 5257 Sierra St., Riverside.  Speakers, food & fun, auction, games, questions and answers For those who would like to know more about the NFBC.  for more information call  Barbara 323.691.6941 or Carmen 909.486.2004.  Let’s make this event successful!  Bring a friend!  Let’s build the federation!

Carmen M. Weatherly, president, Riverside-San Bernardino Chapter

C: 909.486.2004 

E: cweatherly101 at gmail.com <mailto:cweatherly101 at gmail.com> 

You can live the life you want!

The Central Valley Chapter will be hosting a Chipotle fundraiser on the 25th of March from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chipotle Restaurant located at the Vintage Faire Mall, 3401 Dale Rd., in Modesto.  Please come and help the members raise money for their local Chapter to help send members to National Convention.  They will be eating burritos until their belts are busting as well as socializing and having a fabulous time!

Rachel Grider, Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of California

President, Central Valley Chapter

 rachel.grider at gmail.com <mailto:rachel.grider at gmail.com> 

209.602.1258

Hello All,

It is with a heavy heart that the River City members share with their fellow Federationists the tragic news about the passing of Paul McIntyre, 57, who was killed during an assault at a Carmichael community center.  The suspect is in custody and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office is investigating.  Paul was a long time Federationist who lived the life he wanted!  He shared with many the knowledge of the Federation Philosophy and helped anyone out who needed it.  Paul served as a board member, and most recently as Treasurer of the River City Chapter.  If you would like to contact Barbara McIntyre please email her at barbaramcintyre at ymail.com <mailto:barbaramcintyre at ymail.com>  or call her cell at 916.607.7285.  There will be a service in late March.  There is a Go Fund Me page for the Paul McIntyre family.  If you can help the family out please contribute.  The page can be found at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/paul-mcintyre-memorial-fund?utm_source=whatsapp-visit <https://www.gofundme.com/f/paul-mcintyre-memorial-fund?utm_source=whatsapp-visit&utm_medium=chat&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet> &utm_medium=chat&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Hope that all of you will join the River City Chapter on April 11th to honor those who have recently passed.  They would like to hold a Celebration of Life of both Dennis Russak & Paul McIntyre.  There will be music, lite refreshments and great fellowship.

Tiffany Manosh, President, River City Chapter

916.202.3486

Attention California voters:

If you were unable to vote independently in this past election, please send an email to President Tim Elder at:

president at nfbcal.org <mailto:president at nfbcal.org> 

Include the site name and address, date and time, how far you were able to use the audio system, and the end result.

Thank you!

Joy Stigile, Editor

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