July 2024 Minute Message

Fellow Federationists:

We recently returned from a spectacular national convention in Orlando, where we heard thousands of canes tapping, hundreds of talking signs, and the thunderous roar of our Federation cheer.  It was wonderful spending a week with so many of you, and I hope the convention was as energizing and restorative for you as it was for me.

In Maryland, we never take a break from the work of the organized blind people’s movement.  We are about to begin two NFB of Maryland BELL Academies, our Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar is just a few weeks away, and we’re working hard on plans for the Crab Feast and Fall Basket and Bag Bingo.  We’re also laying the foundation for our 2025 legislative session in Annapolis and finalizing some of the logistics for our State convention in February.  And of course, we continue to work on case advocacy in education, in employment, and in government spaces. 

Read on for more information!

Last Call: 2024 Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar

Register for the National Federation of the Blind National Association of Blind Students Mid-Atlantic Regional Seminar, to be held August 16-18. Hosted by the Maryland Association of Blind Students (MDABS), and held at the Jernigan Institute, it will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in a transformative experience with engaging workshops, skill-building activities, and networking opportunities. Please direct questions to MDABS President Qualik Ford at qford@bism.org. Registration, ending on August 7, is required at Mid-Atlantic Registration Form.  Scholarships may be available from the NFB of Maryland for Maryland students for whom DORS funding is not available.  Contact Ronza Othman at President@nfbmd.org to inquire about scholarships.

We Need Your Experiences!

We are seeking your experiences concerning the following areas if any of the below occurred in Maryland:

• If you have experienced accessibility barriers – physical and digital – in housing, including rental applications, leases, mortgage applications, underwriting information, search websites and databases, communications, accessible signage and elevators in larger buildings, resident directories, rental or purchase denials due to blindness, or other discriminatory experiences;
• If you have encountered discrimination in the employment arena (other than in the Federal government), including inaccessible job applications or recruitment websites, drivers license requirements where driving is not an essential part of the job, automated and AI screening that shuts out applicants who are blind, or other employment discrimination;

We need your stories.  Please reach out to me at President@nfbmd.org or at 443-426-4110.  If possible, please connect with me by August 31, 2024.

Get ready for New Orleans in 2025!

The NFB 2025 National Convention will take place from July 8 – 13, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The New Orleans Marriott Hotel will be the primary location.  The NFB Board of Directors also announced that the 2026 and 2027 national conventions will take place in Austin, Texas, and the 2028 and 2029 national conventions will take place in Chicago, Illinois.  It’s never too early to start preparing for the largest and most powerful gathering of blind people in America.

Crabbing for Student Scholarships

Please purchase your tickets today for the NFB of Maryland Annual Crab Feast.  This fundraiser supports the John T McCraw Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to blind post-secondary education students.

When: Friday, September 20, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Where: Rosedale Gardens – 8037Philadelphia Road - Baltimore, MD 21237

Tickets are $75 each if purchased before August 31, or $85 afterword’s. Children 6 and under are free. 

Special Promotion: Buy or Sell 25 or more tickets and get your ticket FREE!

Dancing, 50 / 50 Raffle, Door Prizes, and more.

Menu Includes:
Steamed Crabs, fried chicken, beef Bar B Que – All You Can Eat!
Plus a Buffet of Entrees Including Maryland-style crab soup, corn-on-the-cob, other sides, salad, fruit, cake…
Yuengling and Miller beer
Carbonated Beverages, iced tea, and Coffee

To purchase tickets, visit http://www.nfbmd.org/crabs. 

For additional information contact Ronza Othman at (443) 426-4110 or email President@NFBMD.org

Attend the NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting and Convention Planning Retreat

Everyone is invited to attend the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2024 to help us plan the state convention.  We plan to meet in person and don’t know if we’ll be able to offer a hybrid option, so participants should plan to attend in person to the extent possible.  We will be meeting at the NFB National Center, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting will begin at 9:00 and end at 3:00.  Lunch will be available for purchase for $20.  To RSVP, please contact Ronza Othman at (443) 426-4110 or President@nfbmd.org.  Individuals who plan to attend should RSVP by August 24, 2024; they should advise whether they intend to purchase lunch, whether they have any dietary restrictions, and whether they need any reasonable accommodations to participate.

Join the Greater Baltimore Chapter at the Orioles Game

The Greater Baltimore Chapter is planning a fun day at the ballpark on September 7, 2024 (just after the affiliate Board Meeting).  The game will feature the American League East champion Baltimore Orioles and the rival Tampa Bay Rays.  Those who arrive early will receive a 2024 Orioles football jersey.  This is also a chapter fundraiser in that $5 from each ticket sold will go to the Greater Baltimore Chapter. 

Purchase your tickets by clicking this link.

Fall Basket and Bag Bingo is Coming!

Would you like to win over $4,000 in prizes? Would you like to play 23 games of BINGO? Snacks and raffles will also be available. Join us at NFBMD Fall Basket and Bag Bingo on October 18, 2024 in Catonsville.  Buy your tickets early because we always sell out.

We are busy arranging and filling baskets and procuring bags (purses). We need financial contributions to help with these purchases. Please let us know whether you would like to sponsor a basket or bag for $150. All contributions of any amount are welcome.  You may also purchase your ticket for $25.  Please find more information or purchase your ticket online using this link. You may purchase your tickets via Zelle (President@nfbmd.org), check (Payable to: NFB of Maryland, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, MD 21230), or PayPal using the web link above.  For questions ,contact Latonya Phipps at 443-465-8761 or email Phippslatonya@gmail.com. 

Remember to Pay Your 2024 Dues!

NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and division dues.  We are asking members to pay their 2024 dues as soon as possible so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate.

Individuals may use NFBMD’s Dues Portal to pay their 2024 annual dues and/or lifetime membership dues for those chapters that have lifetime membership.  The portal lists all NFBMD chapters and divisions and their dues amounts.  Individuals may pay for as many chapters and divisions as they wish.  The portal is located at http://nfbmd.org/dues.  Alternatively, individuals may mail a check to their chapter or division treasurer.

Individuals may also pay their chapter dues at the Registration Table at the State Convention.

Please note that those paying via the online portal will incur a small processing fee.

Important Upcoming Dates

• August 5 – 16, 2024 – In Person NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore, Maryland
• July 5 – 9, 2024 – In Person NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, Maryland
• September 20, 2024 – NFBMD Crab Feast, Rosedale, Maryland
• October 1 – 31, 2024 – Blind Equality Achievement Month
• October 2, 2024 – Give a Hoot Comedy Fundraiser, Gaithersburg, Maryland
• October 18, 2024 – Basket Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
• January 16, 2025 – NFBMD Day in Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland
• February 3, 2025 – Washington Seminar Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
• February 4, 2025 – NFB of Maryland Day on the Hill, Washington, DC
• February 14 – 16, 2025 – NFBMD 2025 Convention, Ocean City, Maryland
• July 8 – 13, 2025 – NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana