Happy New Year! This year has already been quite busy for the affiliate. We have just successfully completed another Virtual Week in Annapolis, where more than 70 members attended 188 appointments with our elected state representatives to advance our legislative priorities. We have tremendous momentum on our initiatives and will use that momentum to get our priorities to the finish line this session. We also successfully held a COVID-19 Booster Clinic in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind and Maryland Department of Health. As we wind down the winter months, we have a great deal of exciting activities and programs ahead. Please read on for information.
Enhancements to NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs
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 National Convention, where they are mentored by blind role models.
- Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on March 31, 2022.
- 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 2022 (one scholarship may be awarded to an individual who works full-time and attends school part-time);
- Be age 18 before July 5, 2022; and
- Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind (and all scholarship activities) in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 5 through 10, 2022 (scholarship finalists will receive convention financial assistance).
- To apply:
- Submit an application using the online application system at https://nfb.org/civicrm/scholarships/login; or
- Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: https://nfb.org/scholarships.
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 or postmarked) by 11:59PM on April 15, 2022.
- 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 5, 2022;
- 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 2022 and Spring of 2023 (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 5 through 10, 2022 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Towson, Maryland from November 11 – 13, 2022 (scholarship finalists will receive convention financial assistance).
- To apply:
- Submit an application using the online application system at http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply; or
- Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: http://nfbmd.org/scholarship.
Washington Seminar Is Coming!
On February 7, Maryland will virtually join Federationists from throughout the country to let Congress know about the priorities for blind Americans. The four issues that we will discuss are:
- Access Technology Affordability Act – HR 431 / S 212
- Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act – HR 4853
- 21st Century Mobile Apps and Website Accessibility Act
- Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act – HR 2373 / S 3238
You may read the Washington Seminar fact sheets by visiting
https://nfb.org/washington-seminar or via Newsline. The Great Gathering In will take place at 5:00PM on Monday, February 7, 2022 via Zoom. Maryland will be visiting our Congressional Delegation on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 via Zoom. If you would like to attend Congressional appointments, please let me know by February 5, 2022 by emailing President@nfbmd.org or by calling 443-426-4110.
Pay Your 2022 Dues As Soon As Possible!!
In light of the pandemic and the suspension of in-person chapter meetings, NFBMD maintains an online portal for individuals to pay their chapter and division dues. We are asking members to pay their 2022 dues as soon as possible so we can ensure that our rolls are accurate for the annual national membership data call.
Individuals may use NFBMD’s Dues Portal to pay their 2022 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.
Get ready for New Orleans in 2022!
The NFB 2022 National Convention will take place from July 5 – 10, 2022 in New Orleans Louisiana. We are very excited to pass the convention hosting torch to the Louisiana affiliate. The convention will take place at the New Orleans Marriott, and you may make your reservation by calling 800-654-3990. The overflow hotel is the Sheraton New Orleans, and the Exhibit Hall will be located here. To reserve a room at the overflow hotel, call 855-516-1090. The rooming rate is $109 per night plus tax at both hotels. Preregistration for the convention will open on March 1 and will close May 31, 2022.
First time national convention attendees may apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship, which is a grant the NFB provides to people who have not attended a national convention in person previously. The deadline is April 15, 2022. Visit this link for more information on how to apply. https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship
Those from Maryland who are seeking financial assistance should speak with their chapter president to find out what assistance their local chapter may have available. The affiliate’s Financial Assistance Application Form is now live and must be submitted by March 31, 2022. It can be found at http://www.nfbmd.org/financialassistance. Please note that though the Financial Assistance Committee will give due consideration to every application, the affiliate has limited resources and is unable to grant every request. For questions about the Financial Assistance Application Program, please reach out to your chapter president or me at President@nfbmd.org.
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 Basket and Bag Bingo on March 11, 2022 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 $100. All contributions of any amount are welcome. You may also purchase your ticket for $25. Please purchase your ticket online at https://nfbmd.org/bingo. For questions or to purchase your ticket via check, contact Sharon Maneki at nfbmdsm@gmail.com.
do You Feel Lucky?
The NFBMD spring raffle is underway. 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!
NFBMD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
NFBMD is actively working to expand our knowledge of and emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These initiatives also include those related to sexual harassment and misconduct, consent, boundaries, and power dynamics. It is our intent that NFB of Maryland activities, events, and programs be safe and welcoming to all, and to that end we are devoting resources and time to increase our awareness and enhance our strategies on DEI. Qualik Ford and Bill Borner co-chair this committee. We encourage those interested in joining the committee to reach out to me at President@nfbmd.org.
The Committee provides state-wide guidance and support to chapters and the affiliate on DEI. One goal for 2022 is to increase the presence of DEI in our activities and to hold more DEI-focused activities. The Committee plans to send out informational communications on certain topics and observances to promote DEI but needs assistance in this area from those with lived experience and/or expertise. One particular highlight will be a day-long training for all elected affiliate, chapter, and division board members, the DEI committee, the scholarship committee, the membership committee, and those working with children. This training will take place on March 5, 2022 and will feature an introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion; recognizing and minimizing micro-aggressions; and understanding and combatting implicit bias.
If you have questions about these initiatives or have suggestions for how we can best incorporate DEI into our programs, please don’t hesitate to contact me at President@nfbmd.org or at 443-426-4110.
NFBMD COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
We continue to operate an affiliate COVID-19 fund to assist individuals and families that are experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. This fund is available to blind individuals and families with a blind household member living in Maryland. The financial assistance must be needed due to a change in circumstance, e.g. loss of employment income, because of COVID-19 or associated government directives like Stay-at-Home orders. Assistance is limited to essentials such as groceries and medication. This Fund is being administered by the NFBMD Financial Assistance Committee. Anyone who is wishing to request assistance should contact me at President@nfbmd.org or at 443-426-4110.
In addition, we are seeking contributions to augment the NFBMD COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Those interested in making a monetary donation may do so by sending a check to NFBMD, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 or by using the PayPal donation link on our website located at https://www.nfbmd.org/COVID-19Fund.
Important Upcoming Dates
- February 7, 2022 – Great Gathering In, Washington, DC
- February 9, 2022 – NFB of Maryland Virtual Day on the Hill
- March 5, 2022 – DEI Training for Affiliate Leaders (chapter and division boards; affiliate board; scholarship, DEI, Youth Activities, BELL, Resolutions, and Membership committees; those working with youth), virtual
- March 11, 2022 – Basket and Bag Bingo, Catonsville, Maryland
- July 5 – 10, 2022 – NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana
- July 25 – August 5, 2022 – NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore, Maryland*
- July 25 – August 12, 2022 – NFB BELL Academy in Home Edition, Virtual
- August 6, 2022 – NFBMD Crab Feast, Parkville, Maryland
- October 1 – 31, 2022 – Blind Equality Achievement Month
- November 11 – 13, 2022 – NFBMD Annual Convention, Towson, Maryland
*We are still determining dates and locations of other Maryland NFB BELL Academies.