[nFBMI-Talk] For New Or Potential Federation Members: Check Out A Phone Session This Coming Monday The 14th!

Sat May 12 13:58:37 UTC 2018

Please forward this message to whomever you think would benefit.

Are you somebody who has just been introduced to the National
Federation of the Blind?  Are you, as I used to be, someone who has
heard of the NFB but always felt reluctant to get involved?  Maybe
you've been part of another blindness organization where disparaging
things were said about the Federation, but you weren't sure what to
believe and you never actually sat down with a Federationist before.
Maybe you're a sighted professional who is trained to work with the
blind but who has never spent any time with the organized movement of
blind people empowering one another.  Or maybe you're the newest
member of your Federation chapter, but you're on the fence about
whether to make that initial commitment to attend our National
Convention.

How would you like a low-cost, no-obligation, detailed look at who the
National Federation of the Blind are, what we stand for, and how we
(and you) can make a difference in people's lives?

If you fit into any of those categories, I highly recommend you take
part in the phone conference occurring this coming Monday, May 14,
between 5:00 and 6:30 PM, Eastern Time.  You'll hear from the
long-time president of the Indiana affiliate of the Federation Ron
Brown, as well as the president of our Ohio affiliate Rich Payne.  You
will discover for yourself what we are doing to build a diverse and
inclusive community of empowered blind people who actively serve our
neighbors, to the benefit of more than just those who are blind.
You'll also find out about the hard-working folks like John Paré who
are lobbying hard in our state legislatures and in the U.S. House and
Senate to make sure we protect and enhance the right of blind men,
women, and children to lead dignified, respectful lives in the world,
marked by equality, opportunity, and security.

Simply put: If you want to get a great overview of the National
Federation of the Blind from leaders who are from our region of the
country and who have made sacrifices so we can live the lives we want,
then dial (712)775-7031.  Use pass code 240281423.  Do this shortly
before 5:00 PM this coming Monday and take part.  Questions are
welcome.

Keep reading if you wish for more details.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Kane Brolin

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Andrews, David B (DEED) via NFBNet-Members-List"
<nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2018 16:32:09 +0000
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] FW: New Member Orientation Agenda
To: "nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>

Good Afternoon,

Attached and copied below is the agenda for the Member Orientation
that will take place on May 14, 2018 at 5:00 eastern Daylight time.

I am looking forward to your participation.

Suzanne Hartfield-Turner, President
NFBOH-Cleveland
///////////
Suzanne Turner [mailto:smturner.234 at gmail.com]

NFB OF Ohio-Cleveland Chapter
Presents

New Member Orientation Teleconference Call

May 14, 2018
5:00 - 6:30 PM (EDT)

CALL: (712) 775-7031
Code: 240281423

Note! This call will be recorded for future listeners.

The Federation's positive belief system about Blindness.

Members of the Federation realized the simple truth, many years ago
that blind people are just people who cannot see-we are not broken
sighted people. Blind people are as different as sighted people are;
that is, we are a cross-section of the broader society and, therefore,
are not all alike as some assume. Blindness is a physical
characteristic, but it is not the characteristic that defines us or
our future. It is low expectations and misconceptions, not blindness
itself, that stand between blind people and our dreams.
Given proper training and opportunity, blind people can and do live
the lives we want. It is respectable to be blind, and, with the right
tools and techniques, blindness may be reduced to the level of a
nuisance or inconvenience. To combat the low expectations,
misconceptions, and stereotypes that are the true barriers to
achieving our dreams, the blind have organized for the same reasons
other minorities have-to make positive social change through
collective action. The Federation philosophy provides an overall
framework for thinking about blindness, what it means, and what it
doesn't mean. However, it is not intended to be rigid or dogmatic. As
we just said, blind people are individuals, and we may disagree on any
number of things, including how to handle a given situation as blind
people. What our philosophy does do is give us a positive way of
thinking about our blindness, rather than the negative ways in which
we have often been conditioned to think about it by society. Rather
than saying that we as blind people can't do something, we try to find
ways that we can, and to challenge each other, in a loving way, to
always push the envelope and expand the limits of our independence. As
you read further, you'll discover that, to the extent we need to
formulate specific positions about blindness and the policies related
to it, we use a democratic process to arrive at these positions.
The National Federation of the Blind also provides encouragement and
support to families with blind children and to people who are losing
vision or have become blind later in life, by bringing them into a
network of tens of thousands of blind people who are living full lives
and who can serve as mentors and role models. Together, with love,
hope, and determination, the members of the National Federation of the
Blind transform dreams into reality.

Agenda

5:00 PM: Welcome
Suzanne HartfieldTurner, President of NFBOH-Cleveland Chapter

5:05 PM: History of the National Federation of the Blind
Barbara Pierce, President Emerita of NFB Ohio

5:15 PM: Program and Services
Lou Ann Blake, Deputy Director of The NFB Jernigan Institute,

5:25 PM: Legislative Initiatives and Advocacy
John Pare, NFB Executive director for Advocacy and Policy,

5:35 PM: Diversity and Inclusion
Ron Brown, 2nd Vice President of the NFB National Board of Directors

5:45 PM: Q and A

6:00 PM: Membership and Service
Dr. Carolyn Peters, Chairperson of the NFB Ohio Membership Committee

6:10 PM: Experiential Reflections
Richard Payne, President of the NFB Ohio Affiliate

6:20 PM: Q&A

Comments and Remarks
Suzanne HartfieldTurner

To learn more about the NFB visit:
WWW.NFB.ORG<http://WWW.NFB.ORG>

The NFB Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National
Federation of the Blind,
to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide
by its constitution.

////////////
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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