[Nfbv-historic-fredericksburg] FW: NFB Chapter minutes July 22

[Holly Frisch]

Please update your records with my new email:
holly at volunteersfortheblind.org<mailto:holly at volunteersfortheblind.org>

From: Jody Silverberg [mailto:Mozbud at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2017 12:41 PM
To: Holly Frisch
Subject: NFB Chapter minutes July 22


NFB minutes

July 22, 2017



Present: Holly Frisch, Mark Ross, Michael Kasey, Bernie Werwie, Jody Silverberg, Hank Silverberg (guest), Kaitlynn, Roy, Traci, Chris, Ramie Rabby (guest speaker)



Business report: treasurer’s report given. by Holly. The chapter paid expenses for our guest speaker. The raffle for an evening at the Fairview Marriott brought in $245.



Highlights from the NFB National Convention were shared by the members who attended. Michael Kasey said his most memorable moment was the speech given by Mark Riccobono.



Bernie Werwie spoke about the innovations in artificial intelligence and the opportunity available to join Ski for Light, an organization that offers cross-country skiing for the blind and disabled.



Mark Ross’ most memorable moments from the convention came from his willingness and ability to help others and log extra miles walking in the process. He was also impressed with the technology seminars.



Rami Rabby shared his impressions of the powerful banquet speech, his 50th convention, and that he was pleased to see so many young people in attendance. He was also impressed with the balanced view of technology and how far it has progressed.



Bernie Werwie will be coordinating next month’s guest speakers, the people who host Ski for Light. He also brought to our attention a number of companies that develop technology for the blind, such as AIRA (partnered with the NFB) Cyber Eyes, and Orcam, which is located in Israel. Everyone agreed that this topic would be a great subject for a future chapter meeting.



Highlights from our guest speaker, Ramie Rabby: Mr. Rabby retired from the government 10 years ago, but comes to the United States each year to attend the NFB National Convention. He was the first disabled person to be hired into foreign service. He credits his father for encouraging his interest in foreign affairs and global awareness.



Mr. Rabby studied French and Spanish in high school and Oxford University. After graduating, he worked for Ford Motors in their Human Resources department. After coming to the US, he attended the University of Chicago and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. While in Chicago, he got in touch with Kenneth Jernigan and worked with him to set up the first NFB affiliate in Illinois. It was at this time that he also got involved with the State Department.



At that time, the State Department did not hire any civil or foreign servants with disabilities.



In 1980, Mr. Rabby became a US citizen and moved into international relations.  In an effort to work in government, a person had to pass oral, written and physical exams. However, anyone with a vision impairment was automatically disqualified. He hired a civili rights lawyer and came to DC to present at a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Edward Perkins, the first black man hired by the State Department as a diplomat and ambassador, became the director of Human Resources at the State Department, and was responsible for changing the policy.



Mr. Rabbi has served in London, South Africa, Peru, New York City, India, Trinidad and Tobago, to name a few.



He has contacted the blind community in most countries in which he lived, but The United States is the only one that has a national organization with its own voice.



The most interesting person that Mr. Rabby has ever met was Nelson Mandela. He spent a few minutes speaking with him shortly before Mr. Mandela became President.



The raffle prize was drawn; a non-member was the winner.



Our next meeting is scheduled for August 19.



The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.



Respectfully submitted by Jody Silverberg






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