Fellow Federationists:
We’ve been so busy working on our Federation activities that I haven’t had the chance to send out this newsletter in a while. I urge you to visit our website regularly for the latest updates and information about our programs.
Since the last Minute Message from the Movement, we’ve concluded the last two NFB BELL Academies in Maryland for the year, hosted, along with NFB and our student division, the 2024 NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar, held a wildly successful NFBMD Crab Feast to support our scholarship programs, held our first fundraiser with the Give A Hoot Comedy Club, held our fifth annual Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main festival, attended and received several White Cane Awareness Day Proclamations from Maryland counties, and so much more.
In the coming weeks, we will hold our Fall Basket and Bag Bingo event, our Scholarship Dinner and Auction event, our NFBMD Merchants Mixer, our NFBMD Parents Division Ice Skating event, our NFB Greater Baltimore Chapter Running Festival Water Stop event, and so many more at the state and local level. Our members will march along with members and allies from throughout the country in San Francisco to protest Uber and Lyft’s discriminatory rideshare practices against those who use guide dogs and are blind. We’re also working hard on planning for the 2025 legislative session and planning for our 2025 State Convention. And of course, we continue to work on case advocacy in education, in employment, and in government spaces.
Read on for more information!
Fall Basket and Bag Bingo!
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 before they sell out.
You may purchase your ticket for $25 before October 18 and $30 on October 18 if tickets are available. Please find more information or purchase your ticket online using this link. You may purchase your tickets via Zelle (President@nfbmd.org), cash or 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.
NFBMD Bid for Opportunity Dinner and Auction!
Get ready for a nice evening out. Join us on November 16 for our Bid-for-Opportunity dinner and auction to benefit the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program and NFBMD youth activities. The dinner will be held from 5PM – 9PM at the College Park Knights of Columbus, 9450 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, MD 20740. Tickets cost $60. Dinner includes fried or baked chicken, grilled salmon, sweet potatoes, mac & cheese, green beans, salad, rolls, beverage, and dessert.
There will be an auction for all tastes, including a $10 table. Those wishing to donate items to the auction should contact Debbie Brown at 301-881-1892 or deborahb14@verizon.net.
Those wanting transportation to reserve a seat on the van from the NFB (Baltimore) should contact Ellen Ringlein at Germlish77@gmail.com by November 8, 2024.
To purchase tickets, send a check to NFB of Maryland, Debbie Brown’s attention, at 11923 Parklawn Drive, #104, Rockville, MD 20852, via Zelle (President@nfbmd.org), or pay online using the PayPal button at https://nfbmd.org/bidforopportunity.
NFBMD Fall Theater Donation Drive
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is conducting a Theater Donation Drive, with the support of Access Maryland. In appreciation for your financial support, we will enter contributors in this program into a monthly drawing for a pair of tickets to a hit musical. The shows and associated dates are listed below.
MJ, the Musical - November 17, 2024 at 2:00PM
Life of Pi - December 14, 2024 at 2:00PM
Annie - January 11, 2025 at 2:00PM
The show will be audio described.
For every $10, the contributor will get one chance to win. For example, if an individual donates $20, they will be entered into the drawing two times.
The drawing will take place on a monthly basis one week before each show date.
Here are the rules:
- Contributions will be taken on a rolling basis one week before the final show as part of this initiative.
- For each $10 donated, the individual's name will be entered into the drawing. That means the more the individual donates, the greater their chance of winning.
- We will draw on a monthly basis, one week before the scheduled show date, one name from those who have contributed at least $10 during the campaign. That individual will receive 2 tickets to the next show.
- Tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.
To make a donation as part of this drive, please use Zell (President@nfbmd.org), use the PayPal button at: Https://nfbmd.org/theaterdonation, or mail a check to NFBMD Fall Theater Donation Drive, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, MD 21230.
2025 State Convention Theme
Each year, we choose a State Convention theme that is representative of our hope, priorities, or expectations for the convention and what comes after. Recent themes have included: “Expect Much, Give Much, Get Much,” “Celebrating our Stories, Defining our Future,” “Rise Up,” “Focus Forward,” and “Reconnect, Reimagine, Reignite.”
We use the theme to inform the opening ceremonies, tie together the presidential report, and hold seminars and other activities.
The 2025 Convention theme is: Lead, Love, Live! The winner of the theme submission contest is Linda Furiate! Congratulations, Linda!
Lead, Love, Live: The State Convention is Coming!
You will not want to miss the state convention at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City which takes place on February 13 - 16, 2025. Come and meet our National Representative. You may reserve your room by calling the Ashore at 410-524-3535. Convention Room Rates: Standard Room - $99 per night plus tax; cabana and other types of sleeping rooms range in cost from $129 - $149 per night plus tax. The deadline for making room reservations is December 31, 2024.
Pre-registration is open through December 31, 2024. Visit https://nfbmd.org/convention to register online. We will not be mailing hard copy registration forms this year, so those needing to register via hard copy will need to download, print, and mail the hard copy form or request assistance from their chapter president.
Below are the prices for the various convention activities (prices are per person unless otherwise stated):
- Registration: $25 on or before December 31, 2024; $35 after - Kids age 12 and under are free
- Transportation from Baltimore and New Carrollton: $65 on or before December 31, 2024; $75 after
- Banquet: $60 on or before December 31, 2024; $70 after
- Friday Boxed Lunch: $25 on or before December 31, 2024
- Friday Dinner & a Play Pizza Buffet: $25 on or before December 31, 2024; $35 after
- Saturday Luncheons (Seniors, Parents, and Students): $30 on or before December 31, 2024; $40 after
- Sunday Training Center Alumni and Networking Breakfast: $25 on or before December 31, 2024; $35 after
Financial Assistance Application for State Convention – Due November 15, 2024!
Individuals who wish to request financial assistance to attend the 2024 NFB of Maryland State Convention must complete and submit a Financial Assistance Application Form no later than November 15, 2024. Individuals are encouraged to first check with their local chapters and divisions to see what financial assistance may be available. If a member’s chapter does not have a financial assistance program, or if there is still unmet financial need, members may complete and submit the form to the State affiliate. In order to be eligible for financial assistance, applicants must provide:
1) proof of preregistration including payment for preregistration, and
2) a letter of support from the individual’s local chapter.
More information about the NFBMD Financial Assistance Application Form is available at https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance. For questions, please contact me at 443-426-4110 or at President@nfbmd.org.
Seeking Resolutions for the State Convention
The Convention is the supreme authority of the National Federation of the Blind, and this too is true of the affiliates. One of the most important charges of the Convention is to consider and vote on resolutions that come before it; those resolutions become the policy of the organization. To that end, individuals interested in submitting resolutions should send them to NFBMD Resolutions Chairperson Chris Danielsen by email at cdanielsen@nfb.org by January 31, 2025.
Seeking Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors
We are seeking sponsors for our 2025 NFB of Maryland State Convention. There are various levels of sponsorship, and the various levels include different benefits. Entities and individuals interested in serving as an NFBMD Convention sponsor should contact Jen White at Jwhite@nfb.org or Justin Young at JYoung@nfb.org to request additional information. Sponsorship forms and additional information may also be found at https://nfbmd.org/convention.
We are also seeking exhibitors for our Friday Exhibit Hall. Individuals and entities interested in exhibiting should also contact Jen White at Jwhite@nfb.org or Justin Young at Jyoung@nfb.org to request additional information. Exhibitor forms are available for download at https://nfbmd.org/convention.
The sponsorship and exhibitor deadlines are November 15, 2024.
Seeking Door Prize Donations
We are seeking donations of door prizes to give away at the NFB of Maryland Annual Convention. Door prizes should have a cash value of a minimum of $25 each. For questions, please contact Door Prize Co-chairs Qualik Ford at Qford@bism.org and Juhi Narula at Jnarula@bism.org. Please bring door prizes to the convention.
Seeking Donations for the NFBMD Bake and Experience Auction!
We are seeking donations of baked goods and experiences for the NFBMD auction. Some examples of experiences include taking the winner to dinner, giving cooking lessons, musical or show tickets, etc. We are asking for donation commitments prior to January 31, 2025. Please notify Convention Logistics chairperson Justin Young of your donation via email at Jyoung@nfb.org.
Seeking Baked Deliciousness for NFBMD Fire Sale!
Attention all!
This message is going out to all you bakers, non-bakers, and anyone else with baked goods. As state convention rolls around again, so does our annual fire sale. If you want to help feed our movement and fund the important work we do, please take the time to donate your freshly baked goods, whatever they may be. Cookies, cakes, candies and croissants, we'll take them all. Please contact Justin Young with your donation commitment via email at Jyoung@nfb.org.
State Convention Orientation: February 10, 2025
All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a First-Timers Orientation from 8 to 9:30 p.m., on Monday, February 10. The Ambassadors Committee will walk you through the events that will take place throughout the weekend, explain processes such as door prizes and voting, as well as make sure every first-time convention attendee is matched with a mentor.
Connection information is as follows:
Zoom Meeting ID: 624 813 8327
One-Number Conference Call: 339-209-4083
Seeking Nominations for the NFBMD Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award!
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is seeking nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award. Please tell us how your child’s teacher, administrator, or school counselor works to help their students live the life they want with high expectations and strong skill development. Nominations should be sent to Committee Chairperson Teresa Graham at teresagraham3@gmail.com. To download the nomination form and for more information, visit http://nfbmd.org/node/317. For assistance completing the form or for questions, please call Teresa Graham at 443-557-8696. The award will be presented at the NFB of Maryland state convention Banquet on February 15, 2025. Nominations are due by November 15, 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.
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
- October 1 – 31, 2024 – Blind Equality Achievement Month
- October 15, 2024 – NFBMD Participates in NFB Rideshare Rally, San Francisco, California
- October 18, 2024 – Basket Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
- November 16, 2024 – NFBMD Scholarship Dinner and Auction, College Park, 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 13 – 16, 2025 – NFBMD 2025 Convention, Ocean City, Maryland
- July 8 – 13, 2025 – NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
- September 19, 2025 – NFBMD Crab Feast, Rosedale, Maryland