[Ohio-Talk] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 06/08/2020

Tue Jun 9 20:55:34 UTC 2020

President’s Notebook

National Federation of the Blind

Mark A. Riccobono

officeofthepresident at nfb.org <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> 

410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

It is hard to believe how fast the first week of June passed. As you know, this is the final week for registering members for the National Federation of the Blind Convention. Please give attention to assisting members who are not able to fill out the online registration. As you know from the Presidential Release, our registration numbers are looking great, but we do not want anyone to be left out.

A quick reminder that your delegate information is due today. We will be setting up a time to follow up with delegates very soon.

A reminder that this Sunday we will have another national leadership call. Please know that information will be coming in your email this week.

We are anticipating opening our Independence Market on June 22 for phone orders. Please take note and expect information soon. I know from the Presidential Release that members are eager to start placing orders.

Critical Actions:

NFB-NEWSLINE® Survey:

As discussed on the Presidential Release, the National Federation of the Blind has contracted with Deloitte to analyze NFB-NEWSLINE and make recommendations for possible improvement. As part of their analysis, they are conducting a survey of blind people who use NFB-NEWSLINE and blind people who do not. It would be very helpful if you could encourage as many blind people as possible (both members and non-members) to take this survey by Wednesday, June 10. The survey can be found at http://sgiz.mobi/s3/nfbnewsline.

News:

June Presidential Release is available:

The June Presidential Release is available at https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb4gTeNg2PQ.

National Convention—One Week Left to Register:

Don’t delay; register today at no cost! National Federation of the Blind members are requested and non-members are invited to register for the national convention, taking place July 14 through July 18. Registration gives access to exclusive offers, convention announcements, door prizes, and other exciting content. The deadline to register is June 15. Learn more and register for the national convention today <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> . 

Lyft Offering Free Rides to Federation Members:

Our rideshare partners at Lyft are continuing to provide us with a general coupon worth $25 per user. The code is being made available for use through July 1. It should be used to assist any blind person in your affiliate that you feel would benefit from this assistance. Members will need to contact affiliate presidents to receive a code and must submit the name of the individual requesting the code, their city and state, and a description of how the code will be used. 

Register for the NFB BELL® In-Home Edition:

Enhance Braille literacy for blind and low-vision children, ages four through twelve, with NFB BELL! Registration is open for two more opportunities of the in-home, two-week-long sessions of NFB BELL Academy. Each registered student will receive the materials to complete all lessons alongside their parent/guardian via mail. Register for one of the upcoming sessions:

*         June 22, 2020 through July 3, 2020

*         July 27, 2020 through August 7, 2020

Space is limited, so register today for NFB BELL <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy> .

New Blog Post:

“Health in a Time of Pandemic and Protest <https://www.nfb.org/blog/health-time-pandemic-and-protest> ”

June Issue of the Braille Monitor:

Check out the latest issue of the Braille Monitor, the National Federation of the Blind’s flagship publication. There are articles that discuss navigating uncharted territory, learning in the time of COVID-19, audible traffic signals, and more. Read the  <https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm20/bm2006/bm2006tc.htm> June 2020 Braille Monitor. 

Free Online Auction Tool:

Some affiliates have been asking about virtual fundraising tools for our chapters and affiliates. We have discovered an accessible and free online auction tool. The free version is a little limited as you can put up only one picture and you cannot collect payment on the web page, but our chapters, divisions, and affiliates might find https://www.32auctions.com helpful. 

Rideshare Testing:

We understand that members may need to travel for groceries, doctor’s appointments, and other essential reasons. If you use rideshare with a service animal this month, please complete NFB’s rideshare survey and help the NFB monitor whether Uber and Lyft drivers continue to discriminate against travelers with service animals: www.nfb.org/rideshare-test <http://www.nfb.org/rideshare-test> . 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	June 1-12: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition 
*	June 4: Presidential Release Live
*	June 10: Membership Open House
*	June 14: National Leadership Call during #COVID19
*	June 22-July 3: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition
*	July 27-August 7: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition
*	July 14-18: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/convention> , Everywhere
*	February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In

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 |  <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org 

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 

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. 