<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:UICTFontTextStyleBody;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal> Dear Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our national convention in Las Vegas begins in just 67 days. I’m thrilled to announce that California is sponsoring at least 20 Californians to their first national convention through our state grant program. Congratulations to the grantees. IN addition to our state grants, I enjoyed writing many letters of support on behalf of individuals applying for assistance through the Kenneth Jernigan Fund and the national scholarship program. Results for those applications will be announced this month. Attending your first national convention is often a life-changing experience. Connecting people with this opportunity is a high priority for the National Federation of the Blind of California and your board of directors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, then please do so soon. Consider attending with roommates. It is a great way to experience the national convention with a friend and stay on budget. Many local chapters can help pair roommates and offer travel and other financial resources to members .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep up the good work in Congress. Please take just five minutes to call 202-224-3121 and ask your representative and senators to co-sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act House - H.R. 873 - Sponsored by Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) Senate - S. 260 - Sponsored by Bob Casey (D-PA) These bills would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act over a six-year period, at which point the provision would officially be sunset. Would you want to be paid less than minimum wage to do the same work as your sighted colleague? Let’s eliminate this antiquated injustice with a call to our elected officials. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our local chapters have many activities scheduled over the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to visiting the Central Valley Chapter meeting on May 11 at 10:00 AM, 1409 H Street, Modesto. I hope I and our board members will see you at some of these chapter events very soon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The Inland Empire Chapter is having a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s, 9241 Monte Vista Ave., Montclair, 91763, cross street is Moreno. On May 4,Saturday , from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The cost is $10 per person, the deadline to turn in money or to make a reservation is May 1. The menu consist of pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage, coffee and juice. Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Trena Brown, 1st Vice-President, Inland Empire Chapter at 323.331.5277 or email at <a href="mailto:trebrown88@gmail.com">trebrown88@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Cheryl Thurston, President, Inland Empire Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>P: 909.829.1466<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Email: <a href="mailto:cthurston74@gmail.com">cthurston74@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:UICTFontTextStyleBody'>The Pathfinder Chapter would like you to join them for a fundraising event at the Shakey’s Pizza on Friday, May 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 935 W Arbor Vitae, Inglewood. </span>If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Carroll at 310.625.6558 <a href="mailto:charlottec916@gmail.com">charlottec916@gmail.com</a> or Jannette Stewart at 310.293.1053 <a href="mailto:Titostewart08@gmail.com">Titostewart08@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rochelle Houston, <span style='font-size:13.0pt'>First Vice-President,</span> National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, Pathfinder Chapter Los Angeles<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:rhouston58@gmail.com">rhouston58@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C: 323.807.0300<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Bakersfield Chapter is hosting a booth at Culture fest. There will be all types of organizations and food venders. They are making cards in Braille for everyone with their names on them, and handing out brochures from the National Federation of the Blind. It is happening this Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m. The location is Life house Church <a name=Start></a><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>3311 Manor Street, Bakersfield, 93308<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>Veronica Martinez, President, Bakersfield Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>Email: <a href="mailto:Veronica38martinez@gmail.com"><b>Veronica38martinez@gmail.com</b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>P: 661.368.2931 </span></strong><a name=Complete></a><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>The River City chapter has several fundraisers going on right now. They are selling Carl's Jr coupon books, World's Finest Candy Bars and for all you sports fans an outing to a San Francisco Giants game. The San Francisco Giants will be taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers and they would love to have you join them at Oracle Park! The money will be collected at the May 11, chapter meeting for the June 9th, 1:05 p.m. game. For more information about the game please contact Tiffany.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffany Manosh, President, River City Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:nfbcrivercity@gmail.com">nfbcrivercity@gmail.com</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C: 916.202.3486 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>Join the San Joaquin County Chapter on Saturday, May 18, for their 2</span><sup><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>nd</span></sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'> annual Spaghetti Dinner & Dance Fundraiser at Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1492 Bourbon St., Stockton, 95204. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., the event begins at 5:00 p.m., dinner served at 5:30-7:00 p.m. The DJ, live music and dancing will follow until 9:30 p.m. Door prizes, raffles and auction will add to the fun! Tickets are $15; kids 3 & Under are free. For tickets & info call Lisa Rodriguez 209.481.6454 or email <a href="mailto:nfb.ca.sj@gmail.com">nfb.ca.sj@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>Joga Singh, President, San Joaquin County Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>C: 209.203.2106<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>Email: <a href="mailto:nfb.ca.sj@gmail.com">nfb.ca.sj@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many thanks to Joy Stigile for compiling this list. Chapter presidents should send announcements to Joy Stigile <a href="mailto:joystigile@gmail.com">joystigile@gmail.com</a> for inclusion in future monthly updates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tim Elder<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:president@nfbcal.org">president@nfbcal.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(916) 382-0372<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>