[NFBOK-Talk] Message from the Presidents

[Jeannie Massay]

Federation family, 

 

I am hopeful that this message finds you and yours happy, healthy and warm!
The temperature has significantly cooled down over the last few days and it
is certainly beginning to feel like Winter will soon be upon us. However,
the work of the National Federation of the Blind never ceases. Dates for the
2017 Oklahoma National Federation of the Blind Affiliate Convention have
been set for April 7-9 in Oklahoma City. Details regarding convention
registration and hotel reservation are coming shortly!

 

Have a wonderful remainder of 2016!

 

Please read on for information from President Riccobono.

 

Warm wishes and regards, 

 

Jeannie 

 

Dear Fellow Federationists,

 

There is a lot of speculation about what is going to happen with the
incoming administration in Washington, DC. It is worth noting that the
Federation continues to seek proactive policy changes in Washington rather
than simply react to the political winds of the moment. Of course, changes
in government always cause us to take a step back and retool our strategy to
make sure we can get the maximum advantage for blind people. Furthermore, we
are lining up some potential priorities that will take advantage of where we
anticipate Congress and our new president focusing their energy. As we plan
for our 2017 Washington Seminar, I encourage each of us to stay focused on
building relationships with our elected leaders. Remember that no member of
Congress knows more about blindness and the true barriers that stand in our
way than the members of the National Federation of the Blind. This is our
time to move our


 


News:


 

Welcome New Members into the Family: 
This week we are rolling out a new program to welcome new members into the
Federation, as well as to collect their contact information. Starting with
those members that have joined since July, and then continuing monthly
moving forward, affiliate and chapter presidents (or their designees) should
enter new members' contact information into the form located at
https://nfb.org/new-member-form. In addition to contact information, we will
need to know if the new member has a cane or would like one, what his or her
preferred method of receiving materials is, and what chapter the new member
is joining. Once the form has been submitted, the new member will begin
receiving a series of welcome letters from leaders across the Federation,
including two letters from me. Affiliate presidents will receive a new
member list monthly to facilitate follow up with new members. Your help is
very much appreciated as we endeavor to collect information and assist you
in engaging the new members' involvement in our family.

 

Ready to Slam That!?:
The 2017 NFB Youth Slam, a weeklong program for blind students interested in
science, technology, engineering, and math, will be held July 23-29, 2017,
at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Applications for the program
are now available online for students
<https://nfb.org/youth-slam-student-application>  and adult volunteers
<https://nfb.org/youth-slam-volunteer-application> . For more details, visit
http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam.

 

Holiday Schedule:

The national office will be closed Monday, December 26, and Friday, December
30, for Christmas and New Year's respectively. The Independence Market will
be closed the entire week of December 26-30, and will reopen on Monday,
January 2.

 

Washington Seminar:


The Holiday Inn Capitol is accepting reservations for the 2017 Washington
Seminar, which will occur from January 30-February 2. Please call (877)
572-6951 or go to https://nfb.org/washington-seminar to make your
reservations using booking code F7B.

 

 

The rates are $188 a night for a room accommodating up to four persons, and
the applicable tax is 14.5 percent. These rates are good for check in as
early as January 29 and check out by February 3. While the reservation
deadline is December 28, I urge you to take care of this now before the
holidays get too busy.

 

*(*If you are planning on attending the upcoming Washington Seminar at the
end of January and plan on doing so as a member of the Oklahoma
delegation,please let your affiliate President know! We want to make sure
that everyone has the schedule for our meetings with our members on the
Hill.  Send me an e-mail or give me a call at the information below!

 

 

 

Jeannie M. Massay, President

National Federation of theBlind 

Of Oklahoma

505 Baker Street

Norman, OK 73072

Phone: 405-600-0695

Jeannie.massay at nfbok.org <mailto:Jeannie.massay at nfbok.org>  

 

Live the life you want!

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise
expectations of the blind because low expectations create obstacles between
blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds you back. You can
live the life you want.!. 

 

 

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