[NFBofSC] FW: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/20/2022

Tue Sep 20 22:34:59 UTC 2022

Good Evening All,

Please see the President’s Notebook from President Riccobono. Please take note of the strategic survey included. Everyone is requested to complete this. You can do so online or by calling the National office. All necessary information is included. There is other important information included as well.

My Best,

Marty

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 4:10 PM
To: State Presidents <StatePresidents at nfb.org>; NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org; NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/20/2022

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

Dear Federation Family,

As we welcome fall later this week, we have a ton of Federation activity happening. I continue to work to make sure our affiliate leaders are in the loop and feel supported. Having said that, if there are things you need, please remember that this organization operates from the bottom up. At the national level, we want to build strong and healthy affiliates in order to best advance our national agenda. Your feedback is critical.

Here are just a few notes:

  1.  Have you taken the strategic planning survey<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?&reset=1&id=538> yet? If not, can you take fifteen minutes after reading this notebook? If the answer is no, can you put that time on your calendar for later this week?
  2.  Note my announcement to the state affiliate leadership list about an informational call about the Rocky Bottom Camp in South Carolina. It is the only such facility owned and operated by the blind in the nation—we should utilize it to build affiliates.
  3.  Is your affiliate working on the MMm? If not, please consider how you can make it more of a priority. Now is the time for us to secure our membership lists and consider how to strengthen our outreach to prospective members.
  4.  Pro tip: Have you had trouble with completing a form—such as the new member form—at nfb.org? If you find there are issues with submitting any of our NFB forms online, please email the details of the problem, including what screen-access software and web browser you use, to web at nfb.org<mailto:web at nfb.org>. This data will help us track down the issue.

Enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures and the beauty that comes in the changing season.

Critical Actions:
Strategic Planning Survey Open this Week:
As mentioned in the September Presidential Release<nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>, the National Federation of the Blind is working on our strategic planning for the organization. An important survey to gather data was launched on September 19 and will be available through 25. This is a short window, but the data is valuable to the process. We want to hear from you. Thank you for helping with this process. Please complete the survey online or via phone now<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?&reset=1&id=538> and share with members. Please note: We are also interested in capturing feedback in this effort from members of the Federation community who primarily engage in Spanish. To effectively focus our outreach, we will be offering a Spanish version online and via phone the week of September 26-October 2.

News:
Today, September 20, Is National Voter Registration Day:
Voting in any election is important because it provides blind and low-vision citizens with the opportunity to voice their opinion about elected leaders and policies and to help shape the future by electing candidates who share their views. We encourage all blind people to participate in the American democracy<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/national-center-nonvisual-election-3>. To vote in elections, a blind or low-vision citizen must first register with their state or district board of elections. Get #VoteReady! Learn what is needed to register<https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state>. Blind Equality Achievement Month idea: Host a voter registration drive using the National Federation of the Blind Voter Registration Drive Guide (Word)<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/national-center-nonvisual-election-3#experience>.

October Presidential Release LIVE!:
Brought to you live from the home of the Jackson Chapter of the NFB of Mississippi, next month’s Presidential Release LIVE will be Saturday, October 1, 5:00 p.m., eastern. We will send out the Zoom link and information as it gets a little closer.

Blind Equality Achievement Month: Send in Your Events:
Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. Previously known as Meet the Blind Month, the National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October. Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events, activities, celebrations to web at nfb.org<mailto:web at nfb.org>, so they can be posted on nfb.org/blind-month. If you still need items or ideas, check out the free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1>.

Save the Date: Where the Blind Work Webinar:

Join the National Federation of the Blind as we celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision people with a panel of successfully employed professionals. Plan to attend the Where the Blind Work Webinar scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2022, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. More details coming soon on nfb.org/blind-month.

October Career Fair Registration Open!:

Attention job seekers and employers: Please register for the Blind Equality Achievement Month VIRTUAL Career Fair<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=522> that will be held October 26, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., eastern. When you register, you will also receive information that will help you to prepare, which includes the following:
·         Fearless Job Interview Part 1
o    October 6, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., eastern
o    Duration: 1.5 hours
·         Fearless Job Interview Part 2
o    October 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., eastern
o    Duration: 1.5 hours

Last Call to Express Interest in STEM2U:
For more than two decades the National Federation of the Blind has been committed to helping blind youth realize that they can succeed in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. We have held programs that have allowed us to develop techniques for teaching STEM concepts that make them accessible for everyone, and graduates of our programs are working in a variety of STEM-related careers.
Now we want to bring our STEM programs to you! We are looking for affiliates who are interested in hosting a STEM program for youth in the spring of 2023. Participating affiliates will be trained in a variety of STEM lessons at a seminar in Baltimore. This training will include how to set up materials, explain scientific concepts, and methods of instruction. Participating affiliates will also receive materials, accessible instructions, and financial support to put on a day-long STEM workshop for youth using a selection of these lessons.
If this is something you are interested in, please email Karen Anderson, education programs coordinator, no later than Friday, September 23, at kanderson at nfb.org<mailto:kanderson at nfb.org>, or call her at 410-659-9314, extension 2243.

Seeking 2022-2023 NFB BELL® Academy Coordinators:
The NFB BELL® Academy is designed to give children ages four through twelve hands-on experiences with Braille during the summer, as well as expose them to positive blind role models who can show them that blindness does not have to hold them back from achieving their dreams. We encourage affiliate presidents to appoint an NFB BELL Coordinator in your state who will receive specific news and information about the upcoming 2023 NFB BELL Academy season. Please email your NFB BELL Academy coordinator’s name to bell at nfb.org<mailto:bell at nfb.org>. If you have questions about the NFB BELL coordinator role, please reach out to Karen Anderson, education programs coordinator, at kanderson at nfb.org<mailto:kanderson at nfb.org> or by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2243.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)

  *   January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In
  *   March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
  *   July 1-6, 2023: 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>
Twitter: @Riccobono
Pronouns: he, him, his

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

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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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