[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 06/03/2024

[Linda Melendez]

*President’s Notebook*

*National Federation of the Blind*

*Mark A. Riccobono*

*officeofthepresident at nfb.org* <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

*410-659-9314*



Dear Federation Family,

We are exactly thirty days from the start of our 2024 National Convention.
As you all know well, the convention works because of the leaders that help
to run aspects of the convention and the hundreds of members who help with
the effort. This is my thank you in advance for encouraging people to
volunteer to be part of the convention operations. I am excited to return
to the Rosen Centre where we set the Guinness World Record
<https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/7/nfb-members-refuse-to-let-blindness-define-them-by-seizing-their-umbrellas-and-a-387529>
in
2015 for the largest umbrella mosaic. The other day I was on a virtual
meeting, and I had the image from that event as my background, which always
gets a good conversation going.

This past weekend we hosted our first IEP Advocacy Academy, which was a
great success. Teaching self-advocacy and then bringing together a corps of
advocates to help raise expectations for others is central to our work in
the organized blind movement. I hope that you will continue to seek
potential advocates from among our affiliate members. There will be future
seminars as we never have enough Federation advocates to cover all of the
concerns we have throughout society. Let’s keep building.

Finally, a special note regarding our Immediate Past President, Marc
Maurer, whose birthday was yesterday.  Not to mention, yesterday also
happened to be Elizabeth Riccobono’s twelfth birthday. If you missed the
opportunity to have ice cream for breakfast, like Elizabeth, find another
fun way to celebrate.



*Critical Actions:*

June Presidential Release:

The June Presidential Release #539 chapter version
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
available for chapter meetings. There will not be a presidential release in
July. The next live presidential release is scheduled for Thursday, August
1, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom TBD.



*Convention*

NFB24 Registration and Virtual Experience:

The early registration for the National Federation of the Blind National
Convention is now closed. Onsite registration in Orlando will be available.
The NFB24 Virtual Experience registration
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2024-national-convention-virtual-experience>
remains
open now through convention. Learn more about convention at
nfb.org/convention.



Volunteers Needed:

Are you interested in helping to make the 2024 National Convention a huge
success? You can help by volunteering in the Independence Market at the
National Convention! We are currently looking for volunteers to serve as
demonstrators, storekeepers, and marshals. The Independence Market will be
open Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7. The hours for Thursday and
Friday are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We split this day into two shifts.
Saturday and Sunday, we are open from 12:00 to 1:45 p.m. only. We usually
ask folks to volunteer one long shift and one short shift if they are able.
We certainly understand if you can only volunteer for a certain day or days.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up thus far!

The Independence Market at national convention would not be possible
without the support, dedication, and hard work of our numerous volunteers.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jen White at
410-659-9314, extension 2236, or email her at jwhite at nfb.org today.



Independence Market Hours:

The Independence Market will be closed starting Monday, July 1, through
Friday, July 12. The last day to order items before the convention will be
Friday, June 28.



Honor Roll Call:

Convention time is here, which means it’s Honor Roll Call time of year! The
Honor Roll Call is an opportunity for affiliates and national divisions to
support our sustaining funds: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, SUN shares, White Cane
Fund, and Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund.

*News:*

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Joint Letter:

On May 20, we sent a joint letter to the chairs and ranking members of the
House and Senate Labor Committees, from me and Richard Belden, the
president of SourceAmerica. The letter was to express our support for the
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 1263/S. 533).
The full letter can be read on our Policy Statements
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> page.

Comments on the Department of Transportation Air Travel Service Animal
Attestation Form Renewal:

On May 23, we submitted comments to the Department of Transportation
regarding the department’s renewal of the air travel service animal
attestation forms
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-regarding-department-transportations-renewal>.
Our comments made it clear that we oppose these forms. Our full comments
can be read on our Policy Statements
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> page.



*Dates to Keep in Mind: *(all times eastern)

   - June 4: Deadline to submit proposed resolutions
   - July 3-8: National Convention; Orlando, Florida
   - February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In
   - February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar



Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

   - Wednesday, February 7,8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.



Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
908-590-1747
president at nfbnj.org
*www.nfbnj.org* <http://www.nfbnj.org/>
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