[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 07/22/2019

Tue Jul 23 19:32:56 UTC 2019

Greetings to all!
I am forwarding the Presidential Notebook from Mark Riccobono.
Great info.
Warmly,
Joe

**
From: President, National Federation of the Blind
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 10:55 AM
To: President, National Federation of the Blind
Subject: NFB President???s Notebook - week of 07/22/2019

President???s Notebook
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

What an incredible convention of the National Federation of the Blind: big, 
bold, beautiful, and boisterous. It was also warm, welcoming, and incredibly 
productive. Thank you to each of you for your role in making this a 
successful family reunion that almost set the record for biggest convention 
ever. We will see if Houston, which has not hosted us since 1971, can get it 
done in 2020.

I have been busy talking to many of you and collecting information since our 
convention ended. If you have ideas or feedback related to the convention, 
please share them with me. Furthermore, if there were things that I should 
know about related to the convention, I am prepared to receive that 
information. Some thought I was not in the office last week, but I was in 
fact here first thing on Monday morning.

There are several things to share this week. Here are a few bullet points:

  *   Convention content will be posted soon to the website. You can already 
find the presidential 
report<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/presidential-reports/presidential-report-2019> 
and banquet 
speech<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/choice-exploration-and-resistance-road-freedom> 
there???thanks to those who have already shared this content in social media. 
As you know, our 
resolutions<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2019-resolutions> 
are also posted.
  *   Read below for a new effort to help teach prospective members about 
the Federation.
  *   This week is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
It is a great time to remind Congress of our priorities.
  *   If your affiliate made pledges during the honor roll call at the 
convention, please fulfill those as soon as possible.

I hope everyone enjoys the balance of the summer.

News:
Open-House Gatherings:
Many people do not know the National Federation of the Blind, and they are 
reluctant to attend a local chapter meeting where they may have their 
questions answered. We will be hosting teleconferences for individuals that 
are curious about the National Federation of the Blind. The teleconference 
will present them with an opportunity to receive information from and ask 
questions of Federationists. We will be able to dispel the myths and 
misconceptions about the NFB and highlight the benefits of membership. These 
calls are specifically intended for individuals who are curious about our 
organization and would benefit from learning about us in an educational 
environment. Chapters and affiliates should share this invitation on their 
social media and disseminate it with anyone who may be interested in 
joining.

The calls will take place on the third Sunday of each even numbered month 
and the third Wednesday of each odd numbered month. Our first two calls will 
be Sunday, August 18, at 4:00 p.m. eastern and Wednesday, September 18, at 
8:00 p.m. eastern. We would like to keep the list of participants small 
enough so that it will be impactful. Therefore, in order to participate, 
individuals will need to RSVP by emailing 
membership at nfb.org<mailto:membership at nfb.org> or calling 410-659-9314, 
extension 2509, and let us know which call date works best for them. 
Individuals selected to participate will receive the call-in information.

Urgent Request for Support from the NFB of the UK:
Thank you to those of you who have reached out about the request for support 
from the NFB of the UK. We are dealing with this policy request at the 
national level. You can ignore the request or let them know to work with me 
at the national level.

ADA Anniversary this Friday:
This Friday, July 26, is the twenty-ninth anniversary of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. There are a number of ways to celebrate or educate your 
community on the ADA<https://www.adaanniversary.org/>. Along with 
celebration, we must also know there is still work to be done. We continue 
to repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and we continue to 
fight for equal access to the internet and to workplace technology. Share 
information about the National Federation of the Blind Legal 
Program<https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program> to new members or 
members who may not be aware. There is support and resources to prevent and 
report discrimination, connect with legal resources in your area, and 
advocate for your legal rights.

National Convention 2020:
It isn???t too early to start planning for next year. For those who missed the 
big announcement, share the 2020 
promo<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/2020-convention/2020-announcement.mp3> 
now! The 2020 National Convention will be held June 29-July 5 in Houston, 
Texas, at the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, located in the heart of 
downtown. Mark your calendars today.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

  *   February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
  *   March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
  *   June 29-July 5, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas

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.

Mark A. Riccobono, President
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 | 
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

[National Federation of the Blind]<https://nfb.org/>

                         [Facebook] 
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>     [Twitter] 
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>     [Youtube] 
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends 
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation???s blind. Every day we work 
together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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