Fellow Federationists:
We have certainly kicked off 2025 with a lot of energy and work in advancing the movement in the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Since January, we’ve held a wildly successful Day In Annapolis, conducted a very busy and successful 59th annual state convention, met with our Congressional representatives on the Hill, hosted a fun and exciting Basket and Bag Bingo, and testified at many state bill hearings and attended briefings. We are looking forward to our STEM2U and Parents Seminar, planning for our NFB BELL Academies, and working on planning for the 2025 National Convention, all while we continue to work hard in the waning days of the 2025 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
Read on for important news and information from the NFB of Maryland.
Thank You for Leading, Loving, Living!
Thank you to each of you who attended the 59th annual NFB of Maryland State Convention. Together, we were able to “Lead, Love, Live.” I am immensely grateful to each of you who played a role, from running a workshop or seminar, to coordinating the Exhibit Hall and soliciting sponsors, to providing door prizes and auction items, to running sound and streaming, to organizing seminars, to speaking to the convention, to working childcare, to engaging social media, to staffing the PAC and Registration Tables, to managing door prizes and the auctions, to baking for the Fire Sale, to selling, buying, and delivering Love Notes, to selling candy, nuts, cell phone carriers, and more, to participating in Dinner and a Play and Crab Idol, and on and on and on. you can see, it takes a myriad of people to put on a convention, especially one as big and energetic as ours. Please visit our website, https://nfbmd.org, in the coming weeks to find the 2025 resolutions and some key highlights such as many important moments you’ll want to revisit.
Success in Annapolis!
The 2025 session of the Maryland General Assembly began on January 8, and we brought the collective action as soon as the session began. Our Legislative Advocacy Team was on sight from nearly the first moment the gavel dropped on the new session. We held our NFB of Maryland in person Day in Annapolis on January 16, and we gathered to debrief at Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs once more. We engaged with all 188 Delegates and Senators early in the session in order to maximize the time we have to push our issues through both chambers. More than 70 Federationists participated in a tremendously successful Day in Annapolis.
Our legislative priorities this year are:
- Electronic Ballot Return for Voters with Disabilities
- Increasing the property Tax exemption for Blind Home Owners
- Improving Transportation: Use of Autonomous Vehicles for Persons with Disabilities
- Braille Flags in State-run Veteran Cemeteries Act
- Establishment of a Service Animal Training Grant Program
- Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access (funding)
Congratulations to everyone who has participated thus far. This is what collective action looks like.
Success at Washington Seminar!
On February 3 and 4, Maryland joined Federationists in person from throughout the country to let Congress know about our legislative priorities for blind Americans. You may read the Washington Seminar fact sheets by visiting https://nfb.org/washington-seminar or via Newsline.
We will continue to work to advocate for our Federal legislative priorities in our home districts. We ask our members to attend town halls and events held by your representatives and ask for support of our legislative priorities.
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.
do You Feel Lucky?
The NFBMD spring raffle is upon us. During the month of May, you have the opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday. Purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for $5. You will be the only one who has this number. Tickets are available from chapter presidents and affiliate Board Members. Help us sell all 1,000 tickets!
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 Spring Basket and Bag Bingo, hosted by the Central Maryland Chapter, on March 14, 2025 in Catonsville. Buy your tickets early.
Prizes will feature baskets and bags from designer brands. We need financial contributions to help with these purchases. Please let us know whether you would like to sponsor a basket or bag for $200. All contributions of any amount are welcome.
You may also purchase your ticket for $30 before March 14 and for $40 on March 14 if tickets are available. Please purchase your ticket via Zelle (President@nfbmd.org), by check (Make checks payable to “NFBMD” and mail to 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, MD 21230, or pay via credit card or PayPal online.
For questions or to reserve a Braille or large print Bingo card, call/text Matthew Yannuzzi at 410-851-1944 or email CMC.NFBMD.Bingo@gmail.com.
Pay Your 2025 Dues!
NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and division dues. We are asking members to pay their 2025 dues by January 15, 2025 so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate for State Convention voting.
Individuals may use NFBMD’s Dues Portal to pay their 2025 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.
NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs
The National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland each administer a separate scholarship program for post-secondary students. The deadline to apply for both scholarship programs is March 31, 2025.
National Scholarship Program:
Each year, the NFB awards 30 merit-based scholarships totaling $240,000.
- Each scholarship recipient will receive $8,000 and additional prizes.
- Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
- The 30 scholarship finalists are announced in the spring and attend the NFB National Convention, where they are mentored by blind role models.
- Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on March 31, 2025.
- To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be legally blind in both eyes;
- Reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico;
- Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the Fall of 2025 (one scholarship may be awarded to an individual who works full-time and attends school part-time);
- Be age 18 before July 7, 2025; and
- Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind (and all scholarship activities) in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 8 through 13, 2025 (scholarship finalists will receive convention grants).
- To apply, submit an application using the online application system at https://scholarships.nfb.org/.
State Scholarship Program:
The NFB of Maryland will award up to four scholarships of $4,000 each as part of the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program. NFBMD may award a scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient.
- Scholarships are merit-based and awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership.
- Application materials must be submitted (online only) by 11:59PM on March 31, 2025.
- To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be legally blind in both eyes;
- reside in Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at a school in Maryland;
- be age 18 prior to July 7, 2025;
- Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time or part-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program in the Fall of 2025 and Spring of 2026 (priority will be given to full-time students); and
- Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 8 through 13, 2025 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Maryland in February 2026 (scholarship finalists will receive convention grants).
- To apply submit an application using the online application system at http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply; or
NFBMD Committees: Are You Interested?
I am continuing to make 2025 committee appointments for the NFB of Maryland, and Groups are also continuing their work. If you are interested in being appointed to a particular committee, please send me an email with the name of the committee or committees for which you are interested. I can’t promise everyone will be appointed to the committees they request, but it is very helpful to know where people are interested in contributing most. Please send your interest email to me at President@nfbmd.org by January 15, 2025. In addition, if you are interested in joining a particular group, please reach out directly to the chair of that group.
If there are committees that you think should be added, please also let me know.
Below is a list of the 2025 committees and groups as they currently stand. The individuals listed below have been asked to chair these committees or groups, but this may change slightly when final appointments are sent out.
Advocacy Committee
Sharon Maneki and Melissa Riccobono, Co-chairpersons
Advocates with employers, schools, Vocational Rehabilitation entities, and other public or private agencies for blind residents of Maryland
Ambassadors Committee
Judy Rasmussen and Debbie Brown, co-chairpersons
responsible for orienting first-time attendees to state and national Convention and mentoring first-timers at those events
Audit Committee
Barry Hond and Justin Young, Co-chairpersons
responsible for auditing financial accounts and spending for the affiliate, local chapters, and divisions
BELL Committee
Brittany Bomboy, Amy Crouse, and Erin Zobell, co-chairpersons
plans and administers the Maryland Bell program and incorporating Bell into NFBMD conventions and seminars
Braille Spectator Committee
Ronza Othman and Sharon Maneki, editors
Responsible for sourcing and creating content, assembling, editing, formatting, and disseminating the semi-annual magazine of the NFB of Maryland
Deaf-Blind and Hearing Loss Issues Committee
Janice Toothman and Heather Guy, Co-chairpersons
works on issues of concern and interest to the deaf-blind of Maryland
Development and Fundraising Committee
Jenivieve White and TBD, Co-chairpersons
coordinates long-term and short-term fundraising initiatives including: preparing and submitting grant proposals; sending out annual appeal letters; working with estate attorneys; administering Spring and Fall raffles; marketing Amazon smile; planning Basket Bingo, Crab Feast, and other fundraisers
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Qualik Ford and Juhi Narula, co-chairpersons
Provides leadership and guidance to the affiliate and chapters and divisions on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Employment Committee
Pam Goodman and Jannis Forbes, co-chairpersons
Provides guidance and support related to strategies for increasing the employment of Maryland’s blind.
Guide Dog Issues Committee
Sherri Shirek, chairperson
works on issues of concern and interest to guide dog users in Maryland
Legislation Committee - Federal
Sharon Maneki and Joel Zimba, Co-chairpersons
responsible for Federal legislative action and educating elected officials on issues of importance to the blind of Maryland
Legislation Committee - State
Sharon Maneki and Ronza Othman, Co-chairpersons
responsible for state legislative action and educating elected officials on issues of importance to the blind of Maryland
Membership Committee
Dezman Jackson and Ellen Ringlein, co-chairpersons
responsible for helping chapters and divisions with recruitment, retention, and development of members
PAC Plan Committee
John Paré and Ann-Marie Laney, co-chairpersons
Coordinate the Maryland Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) efforts.
Public Relations Committee
Chris Danielsen, chairperson
responsible for marketing NFBMD programs and initiatives
Resolutions Committee
Chris Danielsen, chairperson
responsible for recommending (or not) that resolutions submitted by members be brought to the NFBMD Convention floor
Scholarship Committee
Juhi Narula, chairperson
responsible for administering the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program, including mentoring candidates at national and state conventions and beyond
Sharon Maneki Youth Empowerment Grant Committee
Sharon Maneki, chairperson
responsible for reviewing and approving (or not) grant applications for youth to attend blindness programs and training or to receive technology
Social Media Committee
Karen Anderson and Stephanie Cascone, Co-chairpersons
responsible for NFBMD’s social media presence, communication, and outreach using forums like mastodon and Facebook
Spanish Services Committee
Teresa Graham, chairperson
responsible for coordinating programming, outreach, and language interpretation for Spanish speakers
Sports and Recreation Committee
Qualik Ford and TBD, co-chairpersons
responsible for coordinating sports and rec activities for the affiliate.
Transportation Committee
Cheryl Fogle-Hatch and Aloma Bouma, co-chairpersons
responsible for coordinating transportation-related advocacy and working to improve the state of public transportation in Maryland
Website and Technology Committee
John Berggren, chairperson
responsible for NFBMD.org content and formatting, NFBMD databases, AV/IT at conventions, seminars, and other events, and other technology necessary for the operations of the NFB of Maryland
Youth Activity Committee
Erin Zobell, Chairperson
responsible for engaging youth and planning youth-focused programs
Convention-Related Committees
Anna Freysz Cable Award Committee
Debbie Brown, chairperson
administers award program for an adult who has demonstrated exceptional effort in learning blindness skills, which is given at the NFBMD Convention
Convention Child Care Committee
Brittany Bomboy, chairperson
coordinates childcare at the NFBMD Convention
Convention Organization and Activities
Justin Young, chairperson
coordinates the NFBMD Convention, including planning and logistics
Convention Registration Committee
Marie Marucci, chairperson
Coordinates and oversees convention registration.
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award Committee
Teresa Graham, chairperson
administers award to an exceptional teacher of the blind in Maryland; awarded at the NFBMD Convention
Door Prize Committee
Juhi Narula and Qualik Ford, co-chairpersons
coordinates and runs NFBMD Convention door prize activities
Gold Cup Crab Race Committee
Juhi Narula and Jen White, co-chairpersons
Administers Gold Crab Race Fundraiser at state convention
Jennifer Baker Award Committee
Melissa Riccobono, chairperson
administers award program for a child who has overcome significant challenges to learn blindness skills; administered at the NFBMD Convention
Kenneth Jernigan Award Committee
Mary Ellen Jernigan, chairperson
administers award program for a Federationist who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained service and commitment to the NFB of Maryland; awarded at the NFBMD Convention
National Funding Support Auction Committee
Joel Zimba and Erin Zobell, Co-chairpersons
Administers the NFB of Maryland Bake and Experience Auction at the state convention.
Nominating Committee
Debbie Brown, chairperson
responsible for recommending to the NFBMD Convention individuals for open Board seats
NFBMD Groups
Blind Parents Group
Denna Lambert, chairperson
Crafters Group
Danielle McCann and Karen Anderson, co-chairpersons
Diabetes Action Network Group
Eileen Ley, chairperson
Performing Arts Group
Chris Danielsen, chairperson
Sighted Significant Others and Loved Ones Group
Jen White and David Waybright, co-chairpersons
Veterans Group
Ed Jackson, chairperson
Important Upcoming Dates
- January 10, 2025 – Deadline to reserve Spring Raffle specific numbers
- April 15, 2025 – Deadline for Jernigan Fund applications for National Convention
- May 3, 2025 – NFBMD STEM2U, Baltimore, Maryland
- May 31, 2025 – Deadline to Preregister for NFB Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
- June 23 – 27, 2025 – Southern Maryland NFB BELL Academy, Southern Maryland, Maryland
- July 8 – 13, 2025 – NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
- August 4 – 8, 2025 – Salisbury NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, Maryland
- August 4 – 15, 2025 – Baltimore NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore, Maryland
- September 19, 2025 – NFBMD Crab Feast, Rosedale, Maryland
- October 1 – 31, 2025 – Blind Equality Achievement Month
- November 15, 2025 – NFBMD Scholarship Dinner and Auction, College Park, Maryland
- November 16, 2025 – NFBMD Winter Market, Baltimore, Maryland
- January 22, 2026 – NFBMD Day in Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland
- January 25, 2026 – Washington Seminar Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
- January 26, 2026 – NFB of Maryland Day on the Hill, Washington, DC
- February 12 – 15, 2026 – NFBMD 2026 Convention, Ocean City, Maryland
- March 1, 2026 – Preregistration opens for NFB National Convention
- March 13, 2026 – Basket and Bag Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
- March 31, 2026 – Deadline for National Scholarship Applications.
- March 31, 2026 – Deadline for NFBMD Scholarship Applications.