[NFBofSC] FW: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 11/20/2023

[Marty McKenzie]

FYI

My Best,

Marty

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 10:37 AM
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 11/20/2023

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,

Happy Thanksgiving week. As we approach this holiday, I am keenly aware of all the work that we have yet to accomplish in our movement. I am, however, also keenly aware of what we find deep in the Federation that is often lacking in other spaces. The Federation provides us with a unique space to come together around a common cause, a space to share our diverse perspectives, and a space to support each other in good times and bad. In a country that seems so divided and a world that feels overwhelmingly complicated with conflict, I am grateful for the unified purpose and shared future we work on together.

That is not to say that our work is easy or free from conflict. When you go to a chapter meeting where members are planning to take on some new outreach program or when you attend a state affiliate convention where substantive plans for raising expectations are conceived, you can feel the power of our work together. I had the opportunity to spend this weekend with blind leaders who have given thousands of hours of their life to the movement. We spent time dreaming about what could be and planning for how to make an even bigger impact together. We also got to know each other better and took the time to share what is happening in our personal lives. I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful community of people who lead with their heart, understand that good things happen when goodness is put into the world, and who are not afraid to have honest conversations about their differing perspectives.

I know that many are planning to gather with their biological families this weekend. For many blind people, family is the hardest group to deal with because we expect them to understand our capacity best, but often they fall short of our expectations. If that is you, remember that your Federation family will always be here to help you recharge from that experience. To those fortunate enough to have families who have come to know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you, be thankful that you have that experience and find ways to encourage your family to share it with others.
Most importantly, I hope everyone has a safe, delicious, and personally meaningful Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for all you do.


Critical Actions:
December Presidential Release Next Week:
The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #533<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is scheduled for November 30, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom ID 91543076239. Each presidential release live includes a question and answer session. Please submit questions early to cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>.

2024 Washington Seminar Kickoff: Save the Date!
Affiliate presidents and legislative directors be sure to mark Thursday, December 14, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, in your calendars! That is when we will be hosting our 2024 Washington Seminar Kickoff meeting via Zoom. Important topics about the 2024 Washington Seminar will be discussed such as our legislative priorities, logistics of Capitol Hill, and hotel information. You don’t want to miss this. Zoom information will be distributed in the near future.

News:
Double Your Impact with a Matching Gift Opportunity:
During our October Presidential Release<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>, President Riccobono announced that HumanWare has generously offered a matching grant. HumanWare will match gifts to the National Federation of the Blind up to $50,000 during the months of October, November, and December. Participate by visiting our donate page<https://nfb.org/donate> and share with your friends and family. Learn more about the HumanWare challenge grant and watch our launch video<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/matching-gift-opportunity>.



Application Open 2024 Bolotin Awards:
The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2024 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>.

NFB BELL® Academy Teacher and Coordinator Seminar:
Our NFB BELL Academy Teacher and Coordinator Seminar will take place February 8-11, 2024, at the national center in Baltimore, Maryland. The travel for one coordinator and one teacher to participate in the seminar will be covered. Participants will arrive Thursday evening and depart Sunday morning. Please email BELL at nfb.org<mailto:BELL at nfb.org> with the name and email of the individual(s) who will attend from your affiliate by December 15, 2023. The NFB BELL Academy Teacher and Coordinator Seminar will provide new and veteran teachers/coordinators an opportunity to discuss and learn more about our philosophy, the curriculum, and the ins and outs of running an NFB BELL Academy.

Braille Readers Are Leaders:

The Braille Readers Are Leaders contest opened for registration in October. You still have time to register<https://actionfund.beanstack.org/reader365>, as the contest doesn’t officially start until December 4. This year we have not only the youth and adult contests but we have a challenge for teachers of blind students as well.



Use the Beanstack website<https://actionfund.beanstack.org/reader365> or the Beanstack app to log your many minutes of reading. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you.

2024 Washington Seminar:
We are a little more than two months away from the 2024 Washington Seminar! As a reminder, the 2024 Washington Seminar officially begins on Monday, January 29, 2024, with our annual Great Gathering-In, followed by three days of Federation members meeting with their elected representatives in the US Congress. Hotel reservation information can be found on our Washington Seminar page<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>. Be sure to reserve your rooms as soon as possible, and don’t forget to keep checking nfb.org/Washington-seminar<https://nfb.org/Washington-seminar> for updates.

Latest Podcast Episode: “Celebrating and Supporting Blind Veterans”:
Melissa Riccobono and Chris Danielsen discuss Veterans Day and the role of veterans in the National Federation of the Blind. They are joined by Dr. Vernon Humphrey, the president of the National Association of Blind Veterans (NABV), a division of the National Federation of the Blind; and José Centeno, a blind veteran, marathon runner, and member of the NABV. Listen to the episode, “Celebrating and Supporting Blind Veterans.”<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>

Donated Services Reminder:
Please be sure to complete your 2023 donated services forms to report your volunteer hours worked on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind by January 8, if you have been appointed by President Riccobono to do so. It is vital that we collect the number of hours you all volunteer as it keeps our charity ratings and program service percentages up, which is crucial for our fundraising initiatives.
Please also send any new suggestions for appointees to outreach at nfb.org<mailto:outreach at nfb.org>. You can report hours at the following link: https://nfb.org/get-involved/donated-services-form. Thanks to all of you for making our donated services program work.

Are You Ready for Some Football?:
Want to read more about your favorite NFL team in preparation for this upcoming holiday weekend? Or are MLB, NHL, or NBA more to your liking? NFB-NEWSLINE has you covered with a new publication for sports lovers everywhere. You can now find tons of sports coverage in The Athletic, located in the Breaking News Online section of NFB-NEWSLINE. For more information, contact Scott White at extension 2231 or by sending an email to swhite at nfb.org<mailto:swhite at nfb.org>.

Independence Market Holiday Orders:
If you plan to place an order with the Independence Market and want to have it delivered in time for the holidays, orders should be placed by Wednesday, December 13, 2023. This will increase your chances for Free Matter delivery before Christmas. Thank you and happy holidays.

Reminders:
Lift Up with Lyft Round Up:
The National Federation of the Blind is still part of Lyft’s Round Up program. Please go to the menu in your Lyft app, choose Donate, and select the National Federation of the Blind to have each fare rounded up to the nearest dollar with 100 percent of your contribution going to raise expectations and make dreams come true.





Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)

  *   December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the Year Ahead)
  *   Monday, January 29, 2024: Great Gathering-In
  *   January 29 -February 1, 2024: Washington Seminar<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>
  *   April 15, 2024: Deadline for Bolotin Award<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information> nominations
  *   July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

2024 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.

2024 Chapter Presidents Calls:

  *   Thursday, March 14, and Sunday, March 17, at 8:00 p.m.
  *   Thursday, June 13, and Sunday, June 16, at 8:00 p.m.
  *   Thursday, September 12, and Sunday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m.
  *   Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m.

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>
Mastodon: @President at nfb.social
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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