[NFBMI-Talk] The Informant 2024- 08

Thu Aug 15 08:30:26 UTC 2024

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI)

The Informant 2024

Vol. 8: Creating with the Federation.

August 15, 2024

Affiliate Zoom Link:
<https://zoom.us/j/9612695221?pwd=dHlxZDNwcVVZbUVTYUM5cEU4cDlndz09>
https://zoom.us/j/9612695221?pwd=dHlxZDNwcVVZbUVTYUM5cEU4cDlndz09 

>From the President: Welcome to August and another wonderful edition of "The
Informant." Federation family, friends, and visitors we are so excited to
continue to blaze the path of awareness and connectivity through our efforts
locally and statewide in the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan,
to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for Michigan's blind through
our programs and policies. The items and resources outlined in this month's
edition of our newsletter provide so many opportunities for our members to
get involved and make your voice heard as we set the course for our future
as a pivotal piece of the blind people's movement. I encourage you to use
this newsletter and the contacts within them to support our movement in
whichever way makes you comfortable. 

The month of August has a few reasons for blind people to get excited.
Outside of being the "Dog Days of Summer," commonly noted as the hottest or
most humid days of the year in our country, August also is observed as both
National Sandwich Month and   Harvest Month. With Michigan being a state
that is big on its produce, it's always a treat to go with other blind
people to farmer's markets in August. Whether you are selecting options for
your next sandwich or planning an event in your local city this month,
consider inviting your Federation family for the festivities. As a seasoned
member of the National Federation of the Blind, a fond memory I hold with
the Virginia affiliate is our annual Richmond chapter picnic held each
August in Three Lakes Park. This picnic, which included a variety of awesome
choices for food, conversation and entertainment; always signified that
state convention season was on the horizon for our affiliate. I look forward
to a great time with all as the summer months wrap up and hope to connect
with as many of you as possible, hopefully over a sandwich. 

Important National Updates

*	The 2025 NFB national convention will take place at the Marriott
Hotel from July 8-13 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Additional information about
convention registration and hotel reservations will come shortly. To learn
more about our national convention, please visit www.nfb.org/convention.

Important State Updates

*	Visitors and members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan can now view this issue and past issues of "The Informant" on the
NFBMI Webpage. You can access these issues by visiting
<http://www.nfbmi.org/informant> www.nfbmi.org/informant.
*	The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will hold its third
quarterly board meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The meeting will be
held at 12pm at the Radison Plaza at  Kalamazoo Center. The address is 100
W. Michigan Avenue., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. 
*	We encourage all chapters, divisions and members that are
considering ways they can support our organization more to join the
Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) plan for as little as $5 per month. To
learn more about the PAC plan and how it benefits members and programs of
the National Federation of the Blind, please visit  <http://www.nfb.org/pac>
www.nfb.org/pac.
*	The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan recognizes and
celebrates the nomination of its second vice president, Sabrina Rice, to the
board of the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders (NOBBL). If you
are interested in learning how to connect with and empower your life
alongside Blind, Black Federationists, please email
<mailto:Eyelearn16 at gmail.com> Eyelearn16 at gmail.com for more information
about ways to get involved.
*	The 2024 NFB of Michigan state scholarship program officially
launched on June 1, 2024. If you are a blind student in the state of
Michigan that is a high school senior or are attending a college/university,
please  email  <mailto:scholarships at nfbmi.org> scholarships at nfbmi.org  or
visit  <http://www.nfbmi.org/scholarship> www.nfbmi.org/scholarship24 for
more information. The state scholarship program is awarded at our state
convention each year and the application deadline are September 15, 2024.
*	The 2024 NFBMI Fantasy Football Experience (#FFE)is swiftly
approaching. If you are a football lover, are interested in supporting the
Federation in a great networking program and also love a bit of competition;
consider joining our standard league (Registration $50) or advanced league
(Registration $100). The final deadline for registration is Tuesday,
September 3, 2024. For more information about this program and how you can
get involved, please contact President at nfbmi.org.
*	The 2024 state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan will take place October 31- November 3, 2024. The convention will
take place at the Radison Plaza at Kalamazoo Center, located at 100 W.
Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Additional information regarding
registration will be available this weekend by visiting
<http://www.nfbmi.org/convention> www.nfbmi.org/convention.
*	The nightly room rate for the 2024 state convention is $129. To
reserve your room at the convention rate, please use the included link. <
<https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/KY78M6>
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/KY78M6>
*	The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan excitedly welcomes
NFB Second Vice President Everett Bacon as our 2024 national representative.
Everett serves as the president of the National Federation of the Blind of
Utah and as a resolute leader of the blind people's movement. I look forward
to all he will offer us during our convention experience this fall. 
*	The state fundraising committee of the National Federation of the
Blind of Michigan encourages at least one member from each active chapter
and division to join. Our upcoming state projects for late summer and fall
are approaching and we  need your help. Upcoming fundraising initiatives
include our 2024 Fantasy Football Experience (#FFE), the 2024 Dots with
Distance Challenge, our 2024 Kostume Karaoke event at convention and
additional projects on the horizon. For questions about getting involved
with the state fundraising committee, please email President at nfbmi.org.
*	The state convention planning committee of the National Federation
of the Blind of Michigan needs your help to make our 2024 state convention
in Kalamazoo even better than the last year. We are currently looking for
members that have an interest in volunteering time, ideas, or items for this
program. If you are interested in lending your voice or self to our 2024
convention as a part of our agenda, volunteer team (ambassador program),
donating a door prize/auction item or joining as an exhibitor/sponsor;
please email  <mailto:convention at nfbmi.org> convention at nfbmi.org with which
way you would like to get involved. 

Chapter/Division Updates

*	At Large Chapter: We are excited to cohost our state convention this
fall with the Michigan Seniors. We will hold our monthly philosophy
discussion on August 20 at 8pm on the meaning of dignity. We are also happy
to stream the Presidential Release via Zoom in September on a date to be
determined and announced.
*	Detroit Chapter:  The negotiations with the Detroit Water and sewage
Department are producing concrete concessions, including in-person access to
representatives working at the Randolph Office via appointments and
walk-ins. The option for blind customers to receive monthly bills in large
print is also available. The chapter is hosting Tandem Bike Riding for the
Blind Saturday August 24th from noon-3 PM at 1340 Atwater. The cost of
attendance is $15. Deadline for registration is  August 19th. To sign up for
this program, please contact Richard Clay, chapter President.
*	Flint-Genesee Chapter: A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped
make our annual NFB  Flint/Genesee Chapter picnic a success! From the
committees and members to the vendors, your contributions were invaluable.
Special kudos to Team Felicia for winning the tug-of-war this year.
Remember, in our eyes, everyone's a winner! Some upcoming Events we are
preparing for include the Bobby Crim Races on August 23, where 16 of our
members will be walking. We are also excited for the Michigan Mile on August
22, 2024, where several members are registering to walk as well.
*	Blind Michigan Seniors Advocating for Seniors (BMISAFS): Hello
Michigan Seniors! Don't forget our monthly meeting at 8:00 PM on Monday,
August 26th. We have been given an excellent opportunity to help make our
2024 State Convention a welcoming and relaxed experience for all our
Michigan members and guests. Our BMISAFS Division will be in charge of the
Hospitality Suite. This is going to be a huge undertaking that will involve
a lot of pre-planning and volunteer involvement. Please tune in to our next
meeting to help me plan and coordinate our Hospitality Suite in Kalamazoo on
November 1st and 2nd. The Convention dates are October 31- November 3. The
Hospitality Convention Suite will be open Friday 11:00 - 1:00 and Saturday
Morning (time is yet to be determined). Thank you in advance for your
support with this project!
*	New Wayne County Chapter: On August 12, members of our chapter
participated in a sense-national tactile tour at Greenfield Village. We
experience farm life, pottery making, weaving and visitation of Henry Ford's
birth home. We were 18 in total and had two new families with blind members.
It was a great outreach opportunity. Our new list serve name is
<mailto:NFBMI-Waynecounty at NFBnet.org> NFBMI-Waynecounty at NFBnet.org. Please
subscribe to keep up with our happenings. Our next meeting will occur on
September 28 at the Henry Ford Centennial library from 1-3p m. Our guest
presenter will be Renee Eckles from the Disability Network for Monroe,
Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. We are exploring volunteer opportunities
with the Detroit Marathon for Blind Equality Achievement Month.

Important State Affiliate Dates

*	08/15/24: NFBMI Flint-Genesee Chapter Meeting (5pm)
*	08/15/24: NFBMI Legislative Committee Meeting (7pm)
*	08/16/24: NFBMI Quarterly Fundraising Planning Meeting (6pm)
*	08/17/24: NFBMI Detroit Chapter Meeting (1pm)
*	08/19/24: NFBMI Capital Region Chapter Meeting (7pm)
*	08/20/24: NFBMI At Large Philosophy Discussion (8pm)
*	08/24/24: Michigan Association of Blind Students Meeting (6:30pm)
*	08/26/24: Blind Seniors Advocating for Seniors Meeting (8pm)
*	08/28/24: NFBMI Convention Committee Meeting (7pm)
*	08/30/24: NFBMI Soundboard (8pm)
*	09/03/24: Fantasy Football Experience Live Draft (5pm)
*	09/03/24: NFBMI At Large Chapter Meeting (8pm)
*	09/07/24: NFBMI Quarterly State Board Meeting (12pm) 

In Federation Spirit,

Robert Parsons, Jr., M. A., CRC, CVRT, LLPC

President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

(269) 216- 8640

www.nfbmi.org <http://www.nfbmi.org> 

"Without struggle, there is no progress." - Frederick Douglas