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

Fri Feb 16 23:03:08 UTC 2024

hello robert,

thank you for posting this to the list.

i love that the nfb of michigan is now bringing back a state
newsletter. it was well overdue imo!

when i joined the nfb in 1995 when i was still in michigan we did have
a quartly newsletter called the michigan voice and, i loved reading
it!

well, it went to the sidelines and, i'am glad that you as president
decided to bring something like this back for the affiliate and, for
others who are still on this list to keep up with what's going on with
the state affiliate.

thanks again for the good work on this publication and, i will talk to you soon.

sincerely,
amy sabo

On 2/15/24, Robert Parsons via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
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