[WesternWayneMI] FW: message to all state leaders

Fri May 29 18:06:56 UTC 2020

From: Michael Powell <mpowell7583 at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 1:10 PM
To: ceo at simmonsbosscreations.com; 'Katie Hurst' <hookedonfaith05 at gmail.com>;
'Posont, Donna' <donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com>; 'Derek Moore'
<moorederek at yahoo.com>; 'David Robinson' <drob1946 at gmail.com>; 'B Merk-Adam'
<bmerkadam at gmail.com>; 'M' <mforest at comcast.net>; 'Martha Moore'
<marthaamoore at yahoo.com>; 'Mary Ann Robinson' <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>;
'Stephen Handschu' <stephenhandschu at gmail.com>; 'Haley Dare'
<haley.dare at yahoo.com>; 'Lydia Schuck' <lschuck51 at gmail.com>; 'Love, Pat
(MDE-Contractor)' <lovep at michigan.gov>; 'Rachel Pavone'
<rachelpavone at yahoo.com>; balfourr at michigan.gov; 'Robinson, William (LEO)'
<RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov>
Subject: message to all state leaders

Hello to all.

Below is a message I sent to our state board and am sending to all state
leaders.  If you have received this it is because I consider you a good
ambassador who can promote either the mission, projects, and the activities
of the federation.  Through your work or involvement you have access to many
contacts and, with your help, we can get word of our national convention to
all we know who could benefit from it or would want to participate.

Greetings to board members and chapter and division leaders of the NFB of
Michigan.

As many of you know the recent measures around Covid-19 will call upon us to
make adjustments to events we are having throughout the summer as we start
getting back to functioning in public again with guidelines in place for
social distancing and living with the "new normal."  Many of you have seen a
number of virtual events over the past few months and we of the NFB of
Michigan need to continue to do our part.  First, our June state board
meeting, originally scheduled to be the first weekend of June in Kalamazoo,
will be a Zoom meeting held Saturday, June 13, 2020, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
or later if we need.  Details will be coming soon.

You may also know that our national presidential releases have been live and
virtual the past two months and will be the same in June.

The annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind has always
been the largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world.  The fact
that this year's national convention will be a virtual event, that can be
heard and seen through on line and computer access, will allow all of us to
participate free of charge, without  having to make travel and hotel
arrangements.  As we always actively promote the annual convention, when
those of us who are planning to go prepare to attend in person,  I am asking
that all chapter and division leaders let every member of your chapter and
division know about this virtual event so they can plan to attend this
convention with their families and friends.  We also need to get the word
out since this kind of event gives us the opportunity to reach out to blind
people and families who may not yet know the federation.   Seeing and
hearing the federation in action can help them come to know what we believe
and promote about the blind and our ability to live the lives we want.  This
will also be an excellent opportunity for parents of blind children and
members of other divisions to take part in our national seminars and
meetings, perhaps for the first time.  This will all be taking place the
week of Tuesday, July 14 through Saturday, July 18.

I am attaching the convention tool kit that was sent to me and I ask that
our communications people along with our state, division and local leaders,
get this information out on Facebook and all social media networks and
outlets.    At our state convention last year in Grand Rapids we pledged to
get around sixty people to come to Houston,Texas that was to be the site of
our national convention this year.  Getting there definitely would have
involved some cost.  As this is now an event that all can attend free of
charge, and since we have over 200 members there is no reason why we can't
have most or all of us there in attendance to participate in a national
event of this size that will have the capacity to reach the widest possible
audience and truly make a difference in the lives of the blind throughout
the nation and the world.  

As of May 22 we show 33 registered.  This indicates we still have a way to
go.  Registration is open to all and provisions are planned for those of us
who do not have access to computer technology or on line access.  Any one of
us who have access to a computer can help to register those who fit into
this group.  When you provide their contact information indicate they have
no email.  This will give convention planners an idea of how many will need
alternative arrangements so we all can be accommodated.    

To register for the convention go to nfb.org/convention.  Once you are
registered you will begin receiving updates on the arrangements ,  be
eligible for door prizes and notification of any other announcements and
attractions.  All who plan to participate in this year's convention must be
registered by June 15, 2020.  In the days ahead I will be contacting you to
see how you are doing and offer any help I can give you.  So let's begin the
push for the NFB of Michigan and get ourselves and others registered for
this celebration of our 80th year as a national organization which continues
to be the largest organization of blind people anywhere in the world.
Please make sure to remember that we are invited and encouraged to make
donations to help with the costs associated with hosting an event of this
kind.  This also includes door prizes.

Keep a lookout for details and call in instructions concerning our state
board meeting,  Saturday,  June 13, 2020.  

Remember that I am here for you as we are all here for each other.  That is
what makes the NFB what it is.

Michael Powell, President

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

(586)754-1325

Mpowell7583 at yahoo.com <mailto:Mpowell7583 at yahoo.com> 

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