[NFBMD] August 2022 Minute Message from the Movement

Sat Sep 10 00:55:28 UTC 2022

August 2022 Minute Message 

Fellow Federationists:

As we wind down the summer, we are as busy as ever in the Maryland
affiliate.  In the last month, we held our Maryland NFB BELL Academy, hosted
our annual Crab Feast, cohosted the NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar with
60 students from all over the country attending a weekend-long residential
seminar, hosted the third offering of our advocacy seminar, held programs
for our Sports and Rec Committee, Student Division, Merchants Division,
guide dog committee, and Seniors Division, and hosted a number of chapter
outings.  We also kicked off activities related to our Crafters Group and
began organizing our Maryland Performing Arts Group.  We held our day-long
affiliate Board Meeting and State Convention Planning Retreat.  We are also
continuing to eagerly prepare for our 56th annual state convention.  Please
read below for more information about our programs and activities.

Reconnect, Reimagine, Reignite: The State Convention is Coming!

You will not want to miss the state convention at the Sheraton Baltimore
North Hotel in Towson which takes place on November 11 - 13, 2022.  Come and
meet our National Representative, Donald Porterfield.  You may reserve your
room by calling the Sheraton Baltimore North at 410-321-7400.  Convention
Room Rates:  Standard Room - $95 per night. Tax on sleeping rooms is 17.5%.
These room rates start on Thursday, November 10, 2022.  The deadline for
making room reservations is October 15, 2022.  

Be looking in your mailbox and on  <https://nfbmd.org/convention>
https://nfbmd.org/convention for the preregistration forms.  Below are the
prices for the various convention activities (prices are per person unless
otherwise stated):

*	Pre-registration = $20 until October 15, 2022; $25 on-site
*	Banquet ticket = $50 until October 15, 2022; $55 on-site
*	Parent, Senior, or Student Luncheon ticket = $25 until October 15,
2022; $30 on-site
*	Friday boxed lunch = $18 until October 15, 2022; $20 on-site
*	Dinner & a Play ticket = $18 until October 15, 2022; $20 on-site
*	Transportation from New Carrollton Train Station = $35 until October
15, 2022; this covers round-trip travel
*	Childcare = TBD 

Financial Assistance Application for State Convention - Due September 15,
2022!

Individuals who wish to request financial assistance to attend the 2022 NFB
of Maryland State Convention must complete and submit a Financial Assistance
Application Form no later than September 15, 2022.  Individuals are
encouraged to first check with their local chapters and divisions to see
what financial assistance may be available.  If a member's chapter does not
have a financial assistance program, or if there is still unmet financial
need, members may complete and submit the form to the State affiliate.  More
information about the NFBMD Financial Assistance Application Form is
available at  <https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance>
https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance.  For questions, please contact me at
443-426-4110 or at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.

Seeking Resolutions for the State Convention 

The Convention is the supreme authority of the National Federation of the
Blind, and this too is true of the affiliates.  One of the most important
charges of the Convention is to consider and vote on resolutions that come
before it; those resolutions become the policy of the organization.  To that
end, individuals interested in submitting resolutions should send them to
NFBMD Resolutions Chairperson Chris Danielsen by email at
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org by October 15, 2022.

Seeking Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors

We are seeking sponsors for our 2022 NFB of Maryland State Convention.
There are various levels of sponsorship, and the various levels include
different benefits.  Entities and individuals interested in serving as an
NFBMD Convention sponsor should contact me at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org or Jen White at  <mailto:Jwhite at nfb.org> Jwhite at nfb.org
to request additional information.  Sponsorship forms and additional
information may also be found at  <https://nfbmd.org/convention>
https://nfbmd.org/convention. 

We are also seeking exhibitors for our Friday Exhibit Hall.  Individuals and
entities interested in exhibiting should also contact me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or Jen White at
<mailto:Jwhite at nfb.org> Jwhite at nfb.org to request additional information.
Exhibitor forms are available for download at
<https://nfbmd.org/convention> https://nfbmd.org/convention.  

The sponsorship and exhibitor deadlines are September 15, 2022.

Pay Your 2022 Dues As Soon As Possible!! 

In light of the pandemic and the reduction of in-person chapter meetings,
NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and
division dues.  We are asking members to pay their 2022 dues as soon as
possible so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate for the annual
national membership data call and so individuals can vote at our State
convention.  

Individuals may use NFBMD's Dues Portal to pay their 2022 annual dues,
and/or lifetime membership dues for those chapters that have lifetime
membership.  The portal lists all NFBMD chapters and divisions and their
dues amounts.  Individuals may pay for as many chapters and divisions as
they wish.  The portal is located at  <http://nfbmd.org/dues>
http://nfbmd.org/dues.  Alternatively, individuals may mail a check to their
chapter or division treasurer.

Update to NFBMD Policy on In-Person Gatherings 

As the affiliate, chapters, and divisions resume and/or increase in-person
activities such as fundraisers, chapter meetings, and seminars, please
remember that the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors adopted a Policy on
In-Person Gatherings, which is applicable to all events and activities.  The
Board last updated this policy on August 27, 2022.  You can review the
policy by visiting:  <https://nfbmd.org/eventpolicy>
https://nfbmd.org/eventpolicy.  

Seeking Members to Join the NFB of Maryland Performing Arts Group

The NFB of Maryland is forming a Performing Arts Group, where members
interested in various aspects of performing, music, dance, acting, and
related interests may come together to engage, explore, and share.  To join
this group, please contact Chris Danielsen at  <mailto:Cdanielsen at nfb.org>
Cdanielsen at nfb.org.  

Mark Your Calendar for a Strategic Survey

The National Federation of the Blind is working on our strategic planning
for the organization. An important survey to gather data will be launched
from September 19 through 25. This is a short window, but the data is
valuable to the process. We want to hear from you. Thank you for helping
with this process. Mark your calendar to be on the watch for the survey
during that time. 

Membership Efforts

One key priority in 2022 is for NFBMD to conduct a robust membership
building effort.  This is based on the needs and desires of several chapters
within Maryland.  The Board of Directors voted in January to reorganize the
Baltimore County Chapter; in addition, the Western Maryland Chapter
reorganized in mid-2021 and is working to expand its size and presence.  The
Eastern Shore Chapter has determined that it too needs to expand its
prominence, size, and presence.  The Greater Baltimore Chapter has
determined there are many blind and low vision people in the local area to
whom it wishes to reach out.  The TLC Chapter has decided it too is
committed to continuing to grow.  Every chapter and division in Maryland
expressed a desire and commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining
members.

As a result, our Membership Committee, led by Dezman Jackson, will be
working on various membership initiatives in 2022, including a membership
fair in the Baltimore area in October 2022.  We need your help!  If you know
of blind and low vision Marylanders who are not yet members of the
Federation, please introduce them to their local chapter.  Please share
ideas with Dezman and me as to how we can connect with people who are not
yet members or how to reconnect with those whose membership has lapsed.
Please invite those individuals to share with you, with Dezman, and with me,
what they would want to get from membership in the Federation and any
barriers to joining.  Please let Dezman and me know if you are interested in
supporting the Membership Committee with recruitment and retention
initiatives.  Membership building is truly the responsibility of each of us,
and we need your help!

NFB and NFBMD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

NFBMD is actively working to expand our knowledge of and emphasis on
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.  These initiatives also
include those related to sexual harassment and misconduct, consent,
boundaries, and power dynamics.  It is our intent that NFB of Maryland
activities, events, and programs be safe and welcoming to all, and to that
end we are devoting resources and time to increase our awareness and enhance
our strategies on DEI.  Qualik Ford and Juhi Narula co-chair this committee.
We encourage those interested in joining the committee to reach out to me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.

The Committee provides state-wide guidance and support to chapters and the
affiliate on DEI.  One goal for 2022 is to increase the presence of DEI in
our activities and to hold more DEI-focused activities.  The Committee has
and will continue to share informational communications on certain topics
and observances to promote DEI but needs assistance in this area from those
with lived experience and/or expertise.  One particular highlight was a
day-long training for all elected affiliate, chapter, and division board
members, the DEI committee, the scholarship committee, the membership
committee, and those working with children.  This training occurred on March
5, 2022 and featured an introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
recognizing and minimizing micro-aggressions; and understanding and
combatting implicit bias.  

If you have questions about these initiatives or have suggestions for how we
can best incorporate DEI into our programs, please don't hesitate to contact
me at  <mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org or at 443-426-4110. 

As President Riccobono announced during the September Presidential Release,
the National Federation of the Blind has launched our Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion webpage dedicated to sharing resources, presentations, and
publications, including our five-year diversity calendar that is meant to
create awareness for planning. Access this page at
<https://nfb.org/index.php/get-involved/diversity-equity-inclusion>
https://nfb.org/DEI. 

Free COVID-19 Tests Update

While the government program that has provided free standard COVID-19 tests
was suspended on September 2, USPS is still distributing the free, more
accessible COVID-19 at-home tests while supplies last.

You can place an order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Additional
information and updates are available at  <https://nfb.org/covidtests>
https://nfb.org/covidtests.

NFBMD Advocacy Skills Training Sessions

Would you like to brush up on  your advocacy skills for yourself and others?
Save the dates: September 17  and October 1.  We will explore a different
advocacy issue each of these days.  The trainings will take place on these
Saturday afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00, over zoom.  

September 17: Practicing IEP Skills

In this workshop, we will practice some of the skills that we learned at the
May 21 workshop. Through role playing, we will create opportunities to make
a better IEP.

October 1: The Top Social Security Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

In this workshop, we will talk about Social Security pitfalls and the
opportunities and benefits that Social Security provides.

All workshops are from 1:30 to 5 PM. Please register for the specific
sessions you plan to attend by sending an email to
<mailto:nfbmdsm at gmail.com> nfbmdsm at gmail.com.

Important Upcoming Dates 

*	September 15, 2022 - Deadline to Submit Financial Assistance
Application for NFBMD State Convention
*	September 15, 2022 - Deadline to reserve Exhibit Table for NFBMD
State Convention
*	September 17, 2022 - Advocacy Seminar Part 4, Virtual
*	October 1 - 31, 2022 - Blind Equality Achievement Month
*	October 1, 2022 - Advocacy Seminar Part 5, Virtual
*	October 15, 2022 - Deadline to make hotel reservations for the NFBMD
2022 State Convention
*	October 15, 2022 - Deadline to pre-register for the 2022 NFBMD State
Convention
*	October 15, 2022 - Deadline to submit resolutions for the 2022 NFBMD
State Convention
*	November 11 - 13, 2022 - NFBMD Annual Convention, Towson, Maryland

*	January 26, 2023 - NFBMD Day in Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland
*	January 30, 2023 - Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
*	July 1 - 6, 2023 - NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
*	December 3 - 10, 2023 - NFBMD Blind Cruising 2023, Bahamas

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.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbmd_nfbnet.org/attachments/20220909/82ecf80e/attachment.html>