[NFBMI-Talk] The Informant 2024: Vol. 2

Fri Feb 16 03:56:56 UTC 2024

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI)

The Informant 2024

Vol. 2: Elevating Federation Voices, Together 

February 15, 2024

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

>From the President: Happy Thursday and greetings to my Federation family,
friends, and guests. This edition of "The Informant" is exciting for a few
reasons. As we are on the heels of the world celebrating love, I want to
wish an incredibly Happy Valentine's Day to all. It is important to also
recognize the exciting NFL Super Bowl game that took place last weekend,
which connected so many Federationists across the nation. Our bond through
shared interests is another great reason that blindness is never a
characteristic that stops you from our dreams or goals. 

The month of February is observed as Black history month in the United
States. Originally conceived as a week of observation by Carter G. Woodson
in 1926, the intention was to highlight the contributions of Black Americans
to the American experience. During this time, Black history was not
considered American history; a reality that Woodson called a "foundational
flaw" in our national identity. The concept was ferociously opposed during
Woodson's original introduction, with it not being nationally recognized
until February 1976, almost 50 years later. President Gerald Ford
articulated that the observation would be extended to Black history month to
"provide homage to Woodson, the father of Black history." The dedication of
civil rights activists, legislative support, and public enthusiasm to
enshrine the efforts of Black Americans throughout time allows for the
efforts of Black culture to be recognized in context and continues to
promote a rich educational perspective about our nation and its evolution. 

Like Carter Woodson, often advocacy comes from  individuals that have an
idea of what a fulfilled life is. This idea, when married with shared values
and coordinated activity, can result in monumental change for groups. The
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan recognizes this inherent
potential in blind people. Each day, our membership actively works to
advocate and educate as effective blind children, parents, professionals,
seniors, and students as effectively as possible, actively raising
expectations of what it means to be blind. This parallel has much to do with
the values the organized blind share with civil rights initiatives and
leadership. As we continue to define what it means to be blind by living the
life we want, I challenge all of you to continue elevating the voices of
Michigan's blind, for our advocacy is our calling card. Whether it is
attending our annual Washington Seminar, advocating at the state capital
during our Lansing Gathering or making your needs heard to local businesses
or agencies; your advocacy and voice is the most powerful tool to progress
in the organized blind movement. As you advocate, know that the Federation
supports you and that we are truly all a family here.

Important National Updates

*	Hotel reservations for the 2024 NFB National Convention are
available. The convention will take place July 3-8 at the Rosen Center Hotel
in Orlando, FL. Updates on registration and related items will be available
in coming weeks. For information about convention and to register online,
visit  <http://www.nfb.org/convention> www.nfb.org/convention.
*	The application period is still open for the 2024 Kenneth Jernigan
Scholarship program. The award is designed for first-time attendees of the
NFB national convention and provides financial assistance to those who
request. Applicants must be a member of a local chapter or state division in
Michigan. The application for the Kenneth Jernigan Award can be found at
<https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho>
https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho.
*	The 2024 NFB National Scholarship program is live. Every year, the
National Federation of the Blind offers thirty scholarships to students
enrolled in a college, university, or other post-secondary educational
program. Graduating high school seniors are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants are required to meet the legal definition of blindness and
prepare to attend the entire national convention in Orlando. The deadline
for the scholarship program is March 31, 2024. To apply for the national
scholarship program, please visit  <https://scholarships.nfb.org/>
https://scholarships.nfb.org/.

Important State Updates

*	During the past month our affiliate secretary, Rachel Newland,
informed us of her decision to step back from her duties for personal
reasons. The NFB of Michigan appreciates the ingenuity and enthusiasm that
Rachel brought to our board since her election and wishes her the best
during this transition. The NFB of Michigan also recognizes and thanks
Maryann Murad of the Detroit chapter, who has agreed to serve as our interim
state secretary, for her dedication to our efforts.
*	The NFBMI legislative and advocacy committee thanks all of its
members and attendees for their efforts at our 2024 Washington Seminar. 11
Michigan Federationists gathered on capital hill and advocated for support
of our national issues. Our committee is excited to thank both
Representatives Rashida Tlaib (Michigan 12th District) and Shrai Thanedar
(Michigan 13th district) for their cosponsoring of HR 5813| The Website and
Software Applications Accessibility Act. 
*	The NFBMI fundraising committee thanks all of its participants and
supporters in the 2024 NFBMI Super Bowl Pool. We had an amazing initiative,
with massive national support from members and affiliate presidents alike.
The next fundraising meeting will be on Sunday, February 18 at 7pm and will
cover planning for both our statewide popcorn fundraiser in a few weeks and
grant writing. We invite all interested members to join us via Zoom using
the above link. For questions about fundraising, please email
<mailto:President at nfbmi.org> President at nfbmi.org.
*	The NFBMI Membership committee thanks all active chapters and
divisions for their work to update and maintain records using our online
portal. If you are a dues-paid member of a chapter or division and have
questions about your activity status, please consult your chapter or
division membership coordinator. Every active chapter and division have a
membership coordinator.
*	The NFBMI Communications committee is still seeking members to help
spread the word of the Federation. If you are a person that is organized,
proficient in social media or drafting emails, your skills can be the work
that moves the affiliate and the Federation forward. Please contact Ather
Jammoa, chair, at  <mailto:Atherjammoa at yahoo.com> Atherjammoa at yahoo.com for
more information on how to join and play your part in working towards our
goals.
*	The NFBMI Youth and Family program  planning committee is hard at
work in providing the best opportunities for blind children and families.
The committee is excited to begin actively promoting the 2024 Raising
Expectations Accessing Life (REAL) program, which takes place June 21-23 in
the city of Flint. If you are interested in attending as a participant for
either our STEM2U or NFBMI Scholars track, please read more about it on our
official registration page. Visit  <https://forms.gle/kzir71iPbZuGPGsQ6>
here to learn more and please join us for our next committee meeting, where
we will be agenda crafting and working on program coordination. For more
information, please contact Tara Morgan at
<mailto:tara.morgan180 at gmail.com> tara.morgan180 at gmail.com. 
*	The National Federation of the Blind's Braille Enrichment, Literacy
and Learning (BELL) Academy training took place in Baltimore, Maryland, at
the Jernigan Institute over the past weekend. BELL  is an opportunity to
instill the importance and usefulness of braille in the lives of blind
children around the nation. We want to thank both Linda Bell and Tara Morgan
for their leadership and participation in the training. We are excited to
learn how BELL can be incorporated in our affiliate in the near future. 
*	The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan held its first
NFBMI Soundboard on January 26. Our soundboard is a monthly opportunity for
members who are customers of BSBP to discuss questions they may have or
challenges they may be facing while working with our state agency. We had a
strong turnout for our first meeting and look forward to meeting with anyone
who needs this service on the fourth Friday of each month at 8pm via Zoom. 
*	The first quarterly board of directors meeting of the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan will take place on Saturday, March 2,
2024, at 12pm. The meeting will take place via Zoom. This is an open
meeting, which means that members are free to listen in for important state
updates or business. As per our constitution, presidents of active chapters
and divisions are required to attend the board meeting to provide updates.
To verify your chapter or division's active status and charter, please
contact me via email or phone. Voting during this meeting is limited to
state board members and chapter/division delegates.

Chapter/Division Announcements

*	Capital Region Chapter: The next chapter meeting will be February 19
at 7 pm. Attendees can use the NFBMI Zoom room or attend in person at the
office of the Michigan Flyer, 333 Albert Street, East Lansing, MI. At our
next chapter meeting, we will be discussing leadership potential and ways we
can increase our advocacy presence in the Lansing/East Lansing area. For
more information, please contact Fred Wurtzel at  <mailto:f.wurtzel at att.net>
f.wurtzel at att.net. 

*	Detroit Chapter: The Detroit Chapter held elections at our January
meeting and elected the following officers to serve throughout 2024:
President Richard Clay, Vice President Sabrina Rice, Treasurer Daryl Rice,
Secretary Pauline Smith, Board Member Tara Morgan, and Board Member
Christina Clarke. The chapter's elected officers and members recently met
with DDOT Director Michael Staley and received progress updates on the
city's paratransit system. The Chapter will hold its February business
meeting in-person Saturday, February 17th from 1:00-3:30 PM, pre-ceded by a
Technology hour session from 12-1 PM at the Eye Learn Office, address 1100

*	Flint-Genessee Chapter: For additional information about the
chapter, including meeting information, please contact President Sheila
Fulmore at 810-241-6124 or  <mailto:spfulmore0402 at gmail.com> m. The
Flint/Genesee Chapter congratulates Felecia Bradford, Nancy Jago, Damontae
Scott, And Sheila Fulmore in a Job well done in joining the Michigan
Affiliate in Washington DC for the 2024 Washington Seminar, they
participated in some "GREAT" Advocacy work. The Flint/Genesee Chapter meets
monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Flint Public Library from
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM and Hybrid VIA Zoom in the MI Zoom Room.
*	New Wayne County Chapter: Our February 10 meeting was well attended
and was loaded with laughter. Members reported on Washington Seminar and
thanked the chapter for support. Several members wish to attend National
Convention, so we have launched a specific Avon fundraiser for that purpose.
To make purchases or inquiries you may call Deborah Wellington at
248-354-2668. This is the last week to sign up for the Henry Ford
Sense-sational Tactile Tour on March 16, 2024. Contact Donna Posont at
<mailto:donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com> donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com to join the
tour.
*	Blind Michigan Seniors Advocating for Seniors (BMSAS): Hello
Michigan Seniors! I want to welcome all seniors to our monthly meeting that
will take place via the Michigan ZOOM room on the 4th Monday of each month
at 8:00 PM. We began 2024 by electing our officers and discussing our goals.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. My
email address is  <mailto:patriciajpyle11 at gmail.com>
patriciajpyle11 at gmail.com.
*	Michigan Association of Blind Students (MIABS): The student division
is excited to have had a presence at the 2024 Washington Seminar. President
Jerusalem Crawley, Yazmine Couthen and Brandon Blessett advocated alongside
affiliate members effectively. Members of MIABS also had networking
opportunities with student divisions from across the nation at the annual
NABS Winter Seminar in the Holiday Inn Capital during the week-long event.
Our members are currently looking forward to attending the NABS Midwest
Regional Student Seminar, which takes place in Chicago, IL March 22-24. For
more information, please email  <mailto:crawleyjerusalem at gmail.com>
crawleyjerusalem at gmail.com.

Important State Affiliate Dates

*	02/18/24 NFBMI Fundraising Committee Meeting
*	02/19/24 NFBMI Capital Region Chapter Meeting
*	02/23/24: NFBMI February Soundboard
*	03/02/24: NFBMI State Board Meeting
*	03/08/24 BSBP Consumer Involvement Committee Meeting

With Love, Hope and Determination,

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

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