[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 06/17/2024

[Linda Melendez]

President’s NotebookNational Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314



Dear Federation Family,

 Let me be the first to send you the warmest summer greetings, especially
considering how hot it is already in many parts of the nation. Fortunately,
we are only two weeks away from the highly air-conditioned convention of
the National Federation of the Blind. I look forward to speaking with our
new delegates later this week and joining the rest of you in Orlando very
soon.

 In the midst of the convention prep, I am asking each of you to take
twenty-five minutes to share our Give $25 Drive as widely as possible. The
fact that donors can win a Monarch device—worth $20K—means we should be
able to get a whole new network of people to support our efforts. Remember
that you can get people to give and to honor you with their contribution,
which means you could win the device. Part of this encouragement should be
to get our members to promote the fundraising for the same reason. We all
win when we raise money for the efforts of the Federation to promote
equality, opportunity, and security for the blind!
*Convention Ally Network Session, June 20:*

The Convention Ally Network exists to help to facilitate participation in
the convention and to ensure support for someone who is fearful of
harassment or discrimination because of laws within the state of Florida.
If you are attending the convention and are interested in learning about
the Convention Ally Network, please join the training session on June 20,
at 3:00 p.m., eastern. This session is focused on current laws impacting
LGBTQ folks and how to be any ally. Zoom ID: 983 3532 4500 Passcode: 881656
<https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98335324500?pwd=sSPYoXKbF2SKKyjaPoWTQrN62NJm43.1>
.
News:*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, July 28.
*Catch Up on Content and Share on Social Media:*

Highlights, news, and stories are available in the most recent *Braille
Monitor*, *Future Reflections*, *Nation’s Blind Podcast*, and *Voice of the
Nation’s Blind Blog*. The following are National Federation of the Blind
publications for you to access and share with Federationists. These
articles and episodes are great to share on affiliate and division social
media to create discussions on various topics.

   - June *Braille Monitor*
   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2406/bm2406tc.htm>
   - *Future Reflections, Special Issue on Cooking*
   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr43/2/fr4302tc.htm>
   - *Nation’s Blind Podcast, “*Fighting for Our Rights in the Courts and
   Beyond
   <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
   *”*

 Reminders:
*Give $25:*

Remember, there are new elements to this year’s Give $25 fundraising. When
you give $25 or more before July 6, you're entered into the Dream Big: Give
$25 Drive Drawing. Each $25 increment is a chance to win! Why "Dream Big"?
Because blindness doesn't hold you back. You could win prizes like
roundtrip transportation for two to the 2025 NFB National Convention, hotel
accommodations, registration, banquet tickets, or $2,000 cash! Thanks to
our partners at APH and HumanWare, you could also win a Monarch—a dynamic
tactile device! New this year, friends and family can make donations in
your honor, and you'll get extra entries. The drive supports funds like the
Kenneth Jernigan Fund and the White Cane Fund, and you can choose one when
you donate. To enter, visit nfb.org/Give25Donate; call 410-659-9314,
extension 2430; or send a check to National Federation of the Blind and
mention #Give25 and the fund in the memo. The winner will be announced July
8, 2024.


Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

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