[Nfbv-announce] Reminder, Richmond Seminar

[Joe Orozco]

For all my friends who forgot to read the newsletter, or who read but
still need a gentle nudge:

The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia is a powerful force
advocating for blind Virginians. Please join us for the Richmond
Seminar on January 15- 16, 2018 to ensure our voice is heard in the
offices of the General Assembly.

If you have never attended a Richmond Seminar, we strongly encourage
you to attend and participate in representative democracy in action.
Everyone is assigned to a team with an experienced leader. The General
Assembly members and their staff are very receptive and welcoming.
They know we are organized, articulate, and well versed in the subject
matter.

We will put everyone on the team to work, sharing our issues and
answering the questions of legislators and their staff.

The issues we will bring to Richmond are still under consideration but
will most likely include:

* Access to travel independently without a driver’s license in
autonomous vehicles being developed in Virginia;
* Blind Parents Bill of Rights;
* Defending Virginia’s Randolph Sheppard priority; and
* Support for Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired
(DVBI) as a separate agency.

The final list of issues will be presented at the board meeting on
Monday, January 15.
We have bills being drafted that will need co-sponsors. Chapter
Presidents should make contact with their General Assembly members in
their local offices before the end of the year. If you need assistance
in identifying them, contact our Richmond Seminar Legislative
committee Chair Derek Manners at: Derek.Manners at allenovery.com, or on
his cell at 903-271-6494.

A meeting with our elected legislators in their home districts will go
a long way in establishing the recognition that is needed for our
visit to Richmond. All Chapter members are encouraged to participate.
If you intend on doing a meeting or need help setting one up, please
contact Derek Manners.

Our board meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon, January 15, which
is Martin Luther King Day. The Board Meeting will likely be held on
the DBVI campus on Azalea Avenue in Richmond, but details will be
worked out shortly.

Our General Assembly visits will be Tuesday, January 16.
The affiliate will reimburse transportation expenses and hotel expenses.

Chapter presidents should arrange cost effective transportation for
their chapter members. Individuals are expected to share hotel rooms
and must obtain hotel reservations themselves at the NFB of Virginia
rate. If you need assistance identifying a room share, please contact
Derek Manners.

Hotel rooms are available at the Delta Hotel (formerly the Crowned
Plaza.) The complete contact information is:

Delta Hotels by Marriott Richmond Downtown
555 East Canal Street
Richmond, VA 23219

The group rate is $129 plus applicable taxes. You may begin making
reservations at any time by calling the reservations line at
844-781-7397 and referencing NFBVA. Please note reservations must be
made no later than Thursday, January 4, 2018. Note guests will receive
a $10 discount toward parking.

If you run into any problems with making reservations or need
assistance at the hotel, please call our Operations Coordinator, Joe
Orozco, at: 202-810-4023, or reach him via email at:
jsorozco at gmail.com.

Do not delay, book your room today.

Chapter presidents must provide an initial list of the names of the
individuals planning to attend from their chapter to Derek by Friday,
January 5, 2018 and additional names as they are known so we can
establish and update teams in advance.

Finally, if anyone in your chapter is interested in being a team
leader, have them reach out to Derek Manners directly.  If you have
any questions, please contact Derek Manners at
Derek.Manners at allenovery.com or on his cell at 903-271-6494.