[NFBp-Berks] Watch Federation Focus Now, Join the Diabetes Action Group Meeting at 6 PM

Mon Feb 16 20:42:06 UTC 2026

Hey there PA Federationist,

Federation Focus [1] is back for the week of February 16, 2026--and it's 
the busiest meeting week of the month. I break down six affiliate 
meetings, including Diabetes Action Network, Blind Merchants, Capital 
Chapter, Greater Berks, Erie County, and the Blind Parents Division, 
with key contacts and times so you don't miss a thing.

You'll also get the details on April's daily raffle fundraiser--how the 
$5 tickets work, prize amounts, and the critical April 1 deadline. Plus, 
everything you need to know about the Pennsylvania Association of Blind 
Merchants Spring Fling on April 11 in Philadelphia, including 
sponsorships and limited vendor tables.

I share a preview of the upcoming AbsentTea fundraiser and deliver a 
strong reminder: there are 30 reasons--$10,000 each--to complete your 
national scholarship application. Learn why attending National 
Convention in Austin could change your life.

Scroll down for all the links!

Apply for a $10,000 National Scholarship

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting applications for the 
2026 NFB Scholarship Program. We offer an array of scholarships to blind 
students to support their educational and professional goals. In 
addition to the $10,000 cash award, each recipient receives funding to 
attend our national convention, opportunities to network with other 
blind students, and avenues to connect with hundreds of blind 
professionals. Learn more and apply at 
https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program. 
Application deadline is March 31, 2026.

National Convention in Austin

This year's National Convention is in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8. 
Learn more about the 2026 NFB National Convention at 
https://nfb.org/convention. Call 800-627-7468 to book your room. The 
main hotel is the JW Marriott. The spillover hotel is the Austin 
Marriott Downtown. Use the room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive 
the convention room rate.

Jernigan Scholarships for National Convention

If you have never been to a National Convention, you can apply for a 
Jernigan Convention Scholarship by going to 
https://www.nfbofpa.org/jernigan. Good luck!

Meetings

Monday, February 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Diabetes Action Network Group
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91010106648?pwd=cTNTUlBZTSt6VGxIb0hyVUcxN3pLQT09
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91010106648#

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
PA Association of Blind Merchants
Via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4503152944
One Tap Mobile
+13092053325,,4503152944#

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 7:30 PM
Capital Area Chapter Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/92858011027?pwd=DjMpP2nTRjmjjA6FhEFKdFJiKVCkYt.1
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,92858011027#

Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Greater Berks Chapter Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/95253890689?pwd=RjVoSjZabnNaNXh5SlZoWUtVRnlOUT09
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,95253890689# US

Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Erie County Chapter Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91404388179?pwd=RUJHeDA1V0FQWVpqR1BRNnBleE9pQT09
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,91404388179#

Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM
PA Organization of Blind Parents
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/92797371396?pwd=QkJ6MVJ6WDVvMEhGdXpMQTlLM000QT09
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,92797371396#

Fundraisers

April Raffle Tickets on Sale Now

It's time for one of our most exciting fundraisers of the year--and it 
could put cash in your pocket all April long. Grab raffle tickets to 
sell, buy a few for yourself, or do both, and give yourself a chance to 
win every single night. Drawings happen nightly in April just before 
7:00 PM, with $50 winners Sunday through Friday and a $100 winner every 
Saturday. Even better, every ticket sold directly supports our general 
fund, helping members attend State and National Conventions, Washington 
Seminar, and other essential programs. It's simple, it's fun, and it's a 
win for you and for our Federation.

Spring Fling 2026

The Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) invites you to 
its highly anticipated Spring Fling Blind Vendors Showcase on April 11, 
2026, from 4:00-10:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia 
Airport. Part fundraiser, part vendor showcase, this signature event 
celebrates the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of blind 
business owners from across the Commonwealth. Tickets are $60 for adults 
and $30 for children 12 and under, and include a buffet meal, a two-hour 
open bar for adults, and two raffle tickets per attendee. For more 
information and to register, go to 
https://www.pablindmerchants.org/springfling2026. If you are a blind 
vendor, we want to showcase your business! Register for a table to meet 
with attendees at https://pablindmerchants.org/exhibitors. Sponsorship 
opportunities are available! Visit https://pablindmerchants.org/sponsors 
to see the sponsorship levels and register.

White Canes Connect

In this episode of White Canes Connect, David Goldstein sits down with 
Noor Krraisat, a national scholarship finalist and President of the 
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students. Noor shares her journey as a 
blind college student, future law school applicant, and emerging leader 
within the National Federation of the Blind.

Noor walks us through the entire National Federation of the Blind 
scholarship experience--from applying and getting the call, to traveling 
independently to National Convention and navigating a packed, 
high-stakes week as a finalist. With the scholarship now valued at 
$10,000, this conversation offers an inside look at what applicants can 
expect and why this opportunity is about far more than money.

Listen on your favorite podcast player or at:

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%2410-000-national-convention-and-a-path-to-leadership/id1592248709?i=1000748743483

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DQCH0AhQ2v17uuPBtyasm

YouTube
https://youtu.be/WoLZvZMp36s?si=QNkFfWsTXMf_NwSs

White Canes Connect Website
https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/149/

White Canes Connect is on Two Best Visually Impaired Podcast Lists

Our affiliate podcast is one of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcasts 
on FeedSpot! Check out the list at 
https://podcast.feedspot.com/visually_impaired_podcasts/.

White Canes Connect is also on the Best 100 on Million Podcasts! Have a 
look: 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b 
[2]

NFB-NEWSLINE(R)

Learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE(R) at https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline. 
Want to subscribe? Call (866)504-7300.

Braille Monitor

The Braille Monitor is the NFB's flagship publication. Learn more about 
it at https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor.

Independence Market Online

The Independence Market is available online! Explore their product 
offerings and make a purchase at https://catalog.nfb.org/.

Have a great week ahead!

Regards,

David

-- 
David B. Goldstein
david at iCantCU.com
   (610) 715-5020 mobile
www.iCantCU.com [3]
iCantCU Podcast
Apple Podcasts [4] | Spotify [5] | Watch on YouTube [6]
Support The Podcast When You Shop
Amazon [7]
Connect with me:
Twitter [8] | Instagram [9] | LinkedIn [10] | Facebook [11]
My Other Show: White Canes Connect
Apple Podcasts [12] | Spotify [13] | YouTube [14]

Links:
------
[1] https://youtu.be/H2bKzwMQMBU
[2] 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b
[3] http://www.iCantCU.com
[4] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370
[5] https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2
[6] https://www.youtube.com/@icantcu/
[7] https://www.icantcu.com/amazon
[8] https://twitter.com/davidbenj
[9] https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj/
[10] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj
[11] https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj
[12] 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709
[13] https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI
[14] https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast
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