[Nfbnet-members-list] Social Media and Streaming at NFBMD Convention
Chris Nusbaum
dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
Thu Nov 7 03:36:07 UTC 2013
Here is information on the NFB of Maryland
convention, coming up this weekend, including
streaming information and the agenda.
Dave
Dear Friends:
I have been asked by the President of the NFB of
Maryland to handle social media for the affiliate
during our upcoming state convention in Ocean
City. In this capacity I am writing to provide
all the pertinent information regarding our
online presence during the convention. If you
will not be able to join us in person, please
read the following carefully, as the information
in this email will give you access to the
excitement of the 2013 NFB of Maryland convention.
As we have done in the past, we will stream
portions of the convention on the affiliates Web
site. To access this stream, go to
<http://www.nfbmd.org>http://www.nfbmd.org.
During the convention, you will see links which
lead to the stream in a variety of formats. Click
on the link corresponding with your media player
of choice (Windows Media Player, WinAmp, iTunes,
etc,) and the stream will load. The schedule of
streamed events is as follows (all times are EasternJ
Friday, November 8
4:00-5:00 PM: NFBMD Board of Directors meeting
Saturday, November 9
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: General Session
2:00-5:00 PM: General Session
7:00-10:00 PM: 47th Annual Banquet
Sunday, November 10
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: General Session
In addition to our stream, we will interact with
our listeners through email and Twitter.
Throughout the convention sessions and the
banquet, our Twitter team will tweet live updates
from Ocean City so our members and friends who
cannot attend in person can stay apprised of all
the excitement. We would also love to hear from
you. If you have a question or comment for a
speaker, a problem with the stream, or if you
just want to let us know you are listening,
please mention @NFBMD in a tweet and we will
receive it. We will periodically check Twitter
throughout the general sessions and give
shout-outs to the listeners of the stream. So,
if you have Twitter, make sure to stay tuned to
@NFBMD for convention news as it happens.
Dont have Twitter? No problem. You can still
keep in touch with us and ask any questions you
might have. If you would like to get in contact
during one of the sessions, just email
<mailto:nfbmaryland at gmail.com>nfbmaryland at gmail.com.
We will read questions and give shout-outs from
the email as well. So, even if you will not be
able to join us in person, catch the excitement
on our Web site and via Twitter and email. If you
have any questions about social media during
convention, please write to me at
<mailto:dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
or call me at (443) 547-2409. To those of you who
are attending, see you in Ocean City! To those of
you who will not be joining us, see you on the Internet!
Sincerely yours,
Chris Nusbaum
CONVENTION AGENDA
Forty-Seventh Annual Convention of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Carousel Hotel and Resorts
Ocean City, Maryland
Friday, November 8Sunday, November 10, 2013
National representative: Scott LaBarre
[]
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND PLEDGE:
I pledge to participate actively
in the efforts of the
National Federation of the Blind
to achieve equality, opportunity,
and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation;
and to abide by its Constitution
[]
Melissa Riccobono, President
1026 East 36th Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
(410) 645-0632
<mailto:president at nfbmd.org>president at nfbmd.org
NFB of Maryland Web site: <http://www.nfbmd.org>www.nfbmd.org
Greetings
from the Officers and Board of Directors
Officers:
Melissa Riccobono, President, Baltimore
Debbie Brown, First Vice President, Rockville
Barry Hond, Second Vice President, Baltimore
Judy Rasmussen, Secretary, Kensington
Shawn Jacobson, Treasurer, Olney
Members of the Board of Directors:
Darlene Barrett, Columbia
Michelle Clark, Springdale
Shahinaz Gadalla, Rockville
Melissa Lomax, Gwyn Oak
Sharon Maneki, Columbia
Maurice Peret, Baltimore
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland,
an affiliate of the National Federation of the
Blind, is a nonprofit organization of blind
persons, their families, and their friends. We
promote equal opportunities for the blind. We
provide advocacy services for the blind, special
training programs for parents of blind children,
job referrals and placements for the blind,
public education programs, and scholarships to
blind students, and we help the newly blind to
acquire special techniques for maintaining productive lives.
Committees of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Anna Freysz Cable Award Committee
Debbie Brown, Chairman
Convention Child Care
Teresa Graham, Chairman
Convention Hospitality Committee
Wilma Smith, Chairman
Convention Registration Committee
Sonia Little, Chairman
Deaf-Blind Concerns Committee
Janice Toothman, Chairman
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award Committee
Sharon Maneki, Chairman
Door Prize Committee
Darlene Barrett, Chairman
Guide Dog Committee
Janice Toothman, Chairman
Jennifer Baker Award Committee
Susan Baker, Chairman
Kenneth Jernigan Award Committee
Dr. Marc Maurer, Chairman
Nominations Committee
Chris Danielsen, Chairman
PAC Plan Committee
Mark Riccobono, Chairman
Resolutions Committee
Anil Lewis, Chairman
Scholarship Committee
Judy Rasmussen, Chairman
SUN, Jernigan Fund, and tenBroek Memorial Fund Auction
Michael Gosse, Chairman
Youth Activity Committee
Melissa Lomax, Trudy Pickrel, and Dan Wenzel, Co-Chairmen
Chapters and Divisions of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
At Large Chapter
Mike Bullis, Coordinator ¨ (410) 645-0632
Monthly meetings second Thursday via conference call
Baltimore County Chapter
Ruth Sager, President ¨ (410) 602-9030
Monthly meetings fourth Thursday
Central Maryland Chapter
Darlene Barrett, President ¨ (410) 997-9664
Monthly meetings first Tuesday
Delmarva Chapter
Danielle Earl, President ¨ (443) 359-5882
Monthly meetings second Saturday
Greater Baltimore Chapter
Chris Danielsen, President ¨ (410) 659-9314, ext. 2330
Monthly meetings third Saturday
Greater Cumberland Chapter
Jason Adkins, President ¨ (301) 759-3232
Monthly meetings fourth Thursday
Maryland Association of Blind Students
Melissa Lomax, President ¨ (410) 608-6118
Maryland Parents of Blind Children
Trudy Pickrel, President ¨ (301) 387-4182
National Harbor Chapter
Michelle Clark, President ¨ (301) 583-8585
Monthly meetings fourth Saturday
Senior Issues Division
Ruth Sager, President ¨ (410) 602-9030
Sligo Creek Chapter
Debbie Brown, President ¨ (301) 881-1892
Monthly meetings second Saturday
TriCounty Chapter
Nikki Tippett, President ¨ (443) 262-5020
Monthly meetings third Saturday
JOHN T. McCRAW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The John T. McCraw Scholarship Program, named in
honor of the late long-time president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and
the undisputed leader of Marylands blind
community, has been established to promote
post-secondary educational opportunities and
superior rehabilitation training for Marylands blind students.
High School GraduatesThe recipients may use
these scholarships to defray the cost of
educational expenses incurred at any post-secondary institution.
Youth and SeniorsMiddle school and high school
students, as well as seniors experiencing vision
loss, may use these scholarships to defray the
cost of rehabilitation training provided by any
qualified rehabilitation agency for the blind.
BRAILLE SPECTATOR
The Braille Spectator is published for members of
the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
and others who share an interest in the work of
this organization. Free subscriptions (in print)
can be obtained upon request. The Braille
Spectator can also be read on the Web at
http://www.nfbmd.org or can be listened to on the
local channel of NFB-NEWSLINE®.
STAY CONNECTED AND INFORMED!
Please follow the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland on Twitter! Visit
<http://www.twitter.com/NFBMD>http://www.twitter.com/NFBMD
to receive affiliate news and updates.
Friend the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland on Facebook! Search for NFB Maryland.
Stay connected with your fellow Maryland
Federationists by joining our state e-mail
listserv. This list allows you to receive
affiliate and national announcements, and also to
start and participate in discussions regarding
blindness and blindness issues. To sign up, visit
<http://www.nfbnet.org>http://www.nfbnet.org,
click on Join or drop NFB mailing lists, then
on NFBMD, and follow the instructions.
Visit us online at http://www.nfbmd.org.
ABOUT THE CAROUSEL
[]
The Carousel Beachfront Hotel is located at 11700
Coastal Highway, Ocean City. Coastal Highway, the
main route through Ocean City, runs from north to
south. Cross streets are numbered; numbers increase as you travel north.
Entering the lobby of the Carousel from the main
entrance, Coastal Highway is behind you and the
famed Ocean City beach is directly ahead of you.
Off the lobby, the front desk is on your right and elevators are on your left.
Walking through the lobby towards the beach, you
will enter the Carousels Atrium after passing
through a set of double doors. Turning left, as
soon as you enter the Atrium, the Ice Rink is on
your right. The Delaware, Washington, Maryland,
and Virginia rooms (in that order) are on your
left, and the Game Room is straight ahead of you.
Turning right at the end of the Ice Rink, and
proceeding toward the beach, you will come to the
Seasons Oceanfront Restaurant and the Bamboo
Lounge located at the far left corner of the Atrium.
Again entering the Atrium, straight ahead of you
is the Brass Ring Bistro, featuring hand-dipped
as well as soft serve ice cream, ice cream bars,
popcorn, cotton candy, as well as a variety of
candy including Swedish Fish, Gummy Bears, Jelly
Bellies, and Trail Mix. This is also where you
can get a variety of breakfast options including
Seattles Best Coffee, Krispy Kremes, bagels,
cereal, etc. Walking to the back of the Brass
Ring Bistro, then turning left with the Ice Rink
on your left, is another way to get to the
Seasons Restaurant and the Bamboo Lounge.
Starting again at the main entrance to the
Atrium, and walking straight ahead, the Ice Rink
will be on your left and the Indoor Swimming
Pool, Whirlpool, Exercise Room and Sauna,
Restrooms, the Pennsylvania Room, and the Gift Shop will all be to your right.
Combine pleasure with business at the Carousel
Hotel and Resort. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or
dinner in the Seasons Restaurant, a casual
oceanfront dining room, open from 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Snacks and sandwiches are also available in the
lounge. To accommodate the convention, the lounge
will open at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday if you wish to
purchase a sandwich for the ride home. The buses
will leave shortly after adjournment, so dont delay.
The Carousels extensive recreational facilities
include an Indoor Swimming Pool, Exercise Room,
and Ice Rink. Sink into the Whirlpool and relax
in the Sauna after a workout or spend the afternoon strolling along the beach.
Additional Notes from the Carousel
Wi-Fi Password for Hotel Rooms: Carousel
Wi-Fi Password for Condominiums: Carouselcondo
No smoking in the rooms or on the balcony.
Designated smoking locations are in the front of
the hotel, or outside the Beach Access doors.
The Carousel Hotel asks any guide dog user to use
the dog relief area, located across 118th Street
near the hotels parking garage. To get to this
area, exit the hotel through the front door and
turn right. Go to the corner and cross 118th
Street. Approximately five feet from the corner
on the left side there are rocks and dirt for dog
relief, and also bags and a garbage can for
disposing of waste. If you need assistance
finding this area, please ask at the front desk,
and one of the hotel staff members will be happy to show you where to go.
If there is anything we can do to make your stay
more pleasurable, please feel free to reach out
to a member of our friendly staff by dialing 0
on your room phone. It is our pleasure to have
you as our guest. Enjoy your stay at the Carousel
Oceanfront Hotel and Condominiums.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Facing towards Coastal Highway outside the main
entrance, on the same side and to the right of
the hotel on Coastal Highway, is The Crabcake
Factory, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Facing towards Coastal Highway outside the main
entrance, across the street and to the right will
be Burger King, Food Lion, Dunkin Donuts/Baskin
Robbins, Rippons Seafood, CVS drug store, a
WaWas, Dolles fine candies, Julies Fine
Dining, Whiskers Pub, No. 1 Chinese Restaurant,
Hubbas Pit Beef Seafood, Billys Subs, and 7-11.
Across the street and to the left will be The
Greene Turtle, Superemo Cheesesteaks, and Pizza
Togos. Past the Green Turtle, to the left in the
Gold Coast Mall, are a Super Fresh, Rite Aid,
Candy Kitchen, Three Brothers, and a movie theatre.
All of these things are within two blocks from the right, and from the left.
Ocean City is loaded with many fine restaurants
and interesting attractions. You will be having
such a grand time at our convention, however,
that you will most likely not have time to enjoy
any of them. If you do wish to leave the hotel,
and use paratransit transportation, call (410) 723-1606 or (410) 723-1607.
REGISTRATION
Registration and packet pickup for the convention
will be held outside the Maryland, Virginia, and
Delaware Rooms in the Atrium on Friday from 1:00
to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.; on Saturday
from 8:00 to 8:40 a.m. and 12:00 noon to 12:15
p.m.; and on Sunday from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m.
Registration fee: $20.00
Banquet: $40.00
Senior Issues Division and Parents Division Luncheons: $18.00
Banquet Ticket Exchange will be held Saturday,
1:20 to 2:00 p.m., outside Maryland and Virginia
Rooms. Turn in banquet tickets to reserve
seating at a specific table. Banquet Ticket
Exchange is necessitated by the large number of persons attending the banquet.
All persons taking advantage of the reduced room
rates offered by the Carousel Hotel and Resort
for this convention are required to register with
the convention and to pay the registration fee of $20.00.
DOOR PRIZES
Darlene Barrett is the chairman of the Door Prize
Committee. Many of you have been hard at work
gathering fabulous door prizes for this
convention. Please turn in your door prizes to
Darlene as soon as possible. You must be
registered for the convention and present when
your name is called in order to win a door
prize. Door prizes will be awarded during the
general sessions on Saturday and Sunday and during the convention banquet.
CHILDRENS FUN FAIR (CONVENTION CHILD CARE)
All child care (for children ages 6 weeks to 9
years) will take place in the Washington Room.
Hours are: Friday, 9:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and
1:00-6:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-10:00
p.m. (lunch and dinner will be
provided). Parents should contact Trudy Pickrel for details.
[]
ROOM CHARGES
[]
You may charge meals, phone calls, and
incidentals to your room by presenting a credit
card to the front desk when checking in. The
hotel levies additional charges on all phone
calls made from your room. These charges are your
responsibility. Please take care of these charges
when you check out of your room on Sunday.
HOTEL CHECK OUT AND LUGGAGE HANDLING
On Sunday, you must check out of your room before 12:30 p.m.
If you are leaving the Carousel by NFB of
Maryland bus, please bring your luggage to the
Delaware Room between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. Sunday,
where it will be tagged and held for storage
until 12:00 noon, when buses will be
loaded. Since buses will be making more than one
stop, we need your luggage early so that it can
be identified for the correct drop-off
location. Please be sure that your luggage is
clearly labeled with your name, address, and telephone number.
TRANSPORTATION
If you came to the Carousel Hotel and Resort on
transportation provided by the NFB of Maryland,
you should expect to return on the same vehicle
that brought you here. However, some changes may
be necessary to accommodate one-way
passengers. Please pay careful attention to
transportation updates made during the Sunday morning general session.
HOSPITALITY
[]
Stop by the Hospitality Suite, Room 612, for
refreshments and fellowship Saturday morning from
7:00 to 8:35 a.m. and Sunday morning from 7:00 to 8:50 a.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT HOSPITALITY, GREAT GAMES,
AND BLOCKEY EXTRAVAGANZA!
[]
[]
Join us at 8:00 p.m. on the overlook above the
Ice Rink for hospitality, game play, and our
first ever Blockey Extravaganza! Bring your
favorite card or board game, and teach and
challenge others to play with you. (Some card and
board games will be provided for those who wish
to play but were unable to bring their own games.)
At 8:30 p.m., the Ice Rink will be completely
turned over to the NFB of Maryland for blind
hockey (blockey.) From 8:30-9:30 p.m., children
from 3 to 13 will hone their skills on ice skates
and try to score goals the blockey way. Then,
from 9:30-10:30 p.m., convention attendees ages
14 and up will have their turn on the ice. No
blockey or ice-skating experience is necessary!
There will be plenty of experienced skaters to
help you learn, and blockey experts will be on
hand to explain the rules of the game. Skate
rental is required, and costs $4 per person.
Not sure blockey is your speed? No problem! You
can play games with your friends all night long,
and there will be blockey commentary, including
color commentary provided by our National
Representative, Scott LaBarre, so you will not
miss any of the athletic, inspired, and possibly
hilarious action on the ice! Complimentary
snacks and beverages will be provided.
[]
FUNDING THE MOVEMENT
Donations and pledges to the NFB of Maryland will
be taken during the banquet. The affiliate is in
desperate need of funds at this time.
PAC Plan
A PAC Plan pledge form is included in this
booklet for your convenience. Please use it to
join the PAC Plan or increase your monthly PAC
pledge. Please see Mark Riccobono at the PAC
table during general sessions Saturday and Sunday
in order to join the PAC Plan or increase your pledge.
The Braille agenda includes a print copy of the PAC Plan pledge form.
SUN, Jernigan Fund, and
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund Auction
Our auction for SUN, the Jernigan Fund, and the
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund will take place
spontaneously throughout the convention. Bring
your auction items to Michael Gosse as soon as
possible. Be ready to bid at any time on that must-have item!
Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society
Help build a future full of opportunity for the
blind by becoming a member of the Jacobus
tenBroek Legacy Society. Your legacy gift to the
National Federation of the Blind can be made in
the form of a will or living trust, an
income-generating gift, or by naming the NFB as a
beneficiary of a retirement plan or life
insurance policy. You can also become a member of
the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society by making a
legacy gift to the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland (or other state affiliate). By
committing to support an NFB affiliate, your gift
will benefit both local and national programs, as
all bequests made to affiliates are split evenly
with the NFB national treasury. In addition to
having the satisfaction of contributing to the
future success of the NFBs mission, tenBroek
Legacy Society members will also receive a
specially-designed thank you gift and other
benefits. For additional information about the
Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society, please contact
Lou Ann Blake at the NFB Jernigan Institute by
e-mail at <mailto:lblake at nfb.org>lblake at nfb.org
or by telephone at (410) 659-9314, extension 2221.
Text2Give
The NFB Text2Give program is a fundraising effort
focused on improving education and technology for
blind Americans and supporting other NFB
initiatives. The Text2Give program enables
anyone with a cellular telephone to give a $10
contribution by text message, on the spot. The
contributions will go to the NFB Imagination
Fund, which supports the education, technology,
and research projects of the NFB Jernigan
Institute, as well as programs conducted by the
fifty-two affiliates and over seven hundred local
chapters of the Federation. The Imagination Fund
helps provide innovative programs that encourage
blind youth to participate in scientific careers
and help seniors to adjust to vision loss. By
encouraging friends, family, and others to text
the word BLIND to 85944, you can help raise
critical funds for NFB programs at the local, state, and national levels.
Text to Pledge
Want to give more or less than $10 to support the
National Federation of the Blind? Please text
your name and the amount you would like to pledge to 41444.
Help Drive Change!
The National Federation of the Blind is now
accepting vehicle donations! To donate a vehicle
of any kind, please call 1-855-659-9314, or visit
<http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org>http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org.
Arrangements will be made to tow your vehicle at
no cost to you. You will receive a receipt for
your tax-deductable donation. Each vehicle donated is worth approximately $500.
Dont have a vehicle to donate yourself? No
problem. Please pass the word to family and
friends about this new initiative and help drive
change with the National Federation of the Blind!
Convention Sponsor
Vanda Pharmaceuticals has been working on
education and awareness for Non-24-Hour Disorder,
a serious circadian rhythm disorder highly
prevalent in people who are totally blind. To
learn more and sign up for information you can
visit <http://www.Non-24.com>www.Non-24.com or
call toll-free 24/7 1-855-856-2424. Stay tuned
mid-November for the launch of the Non-24 Share
More Campaign in which we will donate $24 to the
NFB for each person that signs up via our toll
free number and mentions the NFB. Additionally,
this campaign will allow you to share with
friends and family to spread the word about Non-24.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND
Forty-Seventh Annual Convention
AGENDA
FRIDAY, November 8
9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Your Childs Road to
Independence Begins with You: A Conference for Parents and Teachers (Part 1)
9:30-10:00 a.m. Registration
10:00 a.m. Conference Begins
Sponsored by the Maryland Parents of Blind
Children (MDPOBC). Part one of this conference
addresses the role of the MDPOBC, opportunities
for summer learning and fun for blind youth,
advocating for your child when creating an IEP, and access technology.
Trudy Pickrel, President, Maryland Parents of Blind Children; McHenry, Maryland
Delaware Room
9:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Childrens Fun Fair (Convention Child Care)
Teresa Graham, Coordinator; Ellicott City, Maryland
Washington Room
1:00-6:00 p.m. Your Childs Road to Independence
Begins with You: A Conference for Parents and Teachers (Part 2)
Sponsored by the Maryland Parents of Blind
Children, part two of this conference will cover
promoting independence through age appropriate
expectations, a demonstration of new technology
to create tactile graphics, and more.
Trudy Pickrel, President, Maryland Parents of Blind Children; McHenry, Maryland
Delaware Room
1:00-6:00 p.m. Childrens Fun Fair (Convention Child Care)
Teresa Graham, Coordinator; Ellicott City, Maryland
Washington Room
1:00-6:00 p.m. NFB-NEWSLINE® Demonstration, Survey, and Contest
Find out whats new with NFB-NEWSLINE®! Its not
just for your telephone anymore! Peruse job
listings, store ads, and international publications!
Enroll in the drawing for $50 cash by
participating in the NFB-NEWSLINE®
survey. Contest ends before Saturday morning session.
Maryland Room
1:00-6:00 p.m. Technology Exhibits
Try your skill at identifying features of star
clusters; touch three-dimensional photographs;
give your feedback on an accessible voting
machine; check out the latest offerings from a
variety of companies and organizations who
provide technology and services for the blind.
Maryland Room
1:00-4:00 p.m. Convention Registration and Packet Pick-up
Outside Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware Rooms
1:00-3:30 p.m. Reading for Pleasure and
Education: Hands-on Demonstrations of BARD
Mobile, the NFB-NEWSLINE® App, Read2Go, iBooks, and more!
Bring your own iDevice, Android phone, Victor
Stream II, or other reading device for hands-on
practice with various apps used for reading
different types of materials. Or, come and learn
about what types of reading are possible on different devices.
Virginia Room
1:00-3:00 p.m. Student Pool Party!
Sponsored by the Maryland Association of Blind
Students, this party will give students ages 10
and up a chance to interact, network, and have tons of fun!
Melissa Lomax, President, Maryland Association of
Blind Students; Gwyn Oak, Maryland
Swimming Pool
1:00-2:15 p.m. Primerica 75 Minute Challenge: Financial Wellness Seminar
Learn useful and easy tips for saving money every
day. Dont bring your checkbook or credit card;
this seminar is absolutely free! Quizzes and door
prizes will be only part of the fun.
Tony and Marie Cobb; Catonsville, Maryland
Pennsylvania Room
1:30-3:30 p.m. iPhone Drop-In Session: A Seminar for Seniors
With the help of blind instructors, seniors will
explore the basics of the iPhone or other
iDevices. Hands-on help and demonstrations will
be available; seniors should bring their own iPhones or other iDevices.
Ruth Sager, President, Senior Issues Division,
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Pikesville, Maryland
Room 611
1:30-3:30 p.m. Journaling 101
Discuss journaling, nonfiction, and creative
writing with an enthusiastic journaler and writer.
Amy McGarrah; Baltimore, Maryland
Room 610
2:30-3:30 p.m. A New Day in Health Care: What Resources Do I Need?
Join presenters from the Maryland Healthcare
Exchange to learn what types of plans are now available to you.
Pennsylvania Room
2:30-3:30 p.m. Deaf-Blind Concerns
Join Janice Toothman to discuss concerns,
resources, and new opportunities for the deaf-blind of Maryland.
Janice Toothman, Chairman, Deaf-Blind Concerns
Committee, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland
Room 612
4:00-5:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
Everyone is encouraged to attend!
Pennsylvania Room
5:00-6:00 p.m. Convention Registration and Packet Pick-Up
Outside Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware Rooms
5:00-6:30 p.m. Maryland Association of Blind Students Business Meeting
Melissa Lomax, President, Maryland Association of
Blind Students; Gwyn Oak, Maryland
Pennsylvania Room
5:00-6:00 p.m. What Are the Federation and State Convention All About?
A gathering for first-time convention attendees.
Chris Danielsen, President, Greater Baltimore
Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland
Virginia Room
5:30-8:30 p.m. Ice Follies: Ice Skating for the Adventuresome
This is a great opportunity to practice for Blockey!
$4.00 per person, includes skate rental.
Ice Rink (Atrium)
7:00-8:30 p.m. Parents and Children Unite
Sponsored by the Maryland Parents of Blind
Children, this gathering is for families with
blind children, and also for blind parents and
their children. A great time for networking,
exchanging information, and general fellowship.
Trudy Pickrel, President, Maryland Parents of Blind Children; McHenry, Maryland
Delaware Room
7:30 p.m. National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland Resolutions Committee Meeting
Anil Lewis, Chairman; Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland Room
8:00 p.m.-Midnight Hospitality, Great Games, and Blockey
Play card and board games with your fellow
convention attendees. Join us on the ice and play
a game of blockey. Or, just listen to the
blockey commentary and cheer for your favorite athlete.
Master of Ceremonies: John Berggren; Baltimore, Maryland
Complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided.
Atrium Overlook
SATURDAY, November 9
7:00-8:35 a.m. Hospitality
Room 612
7:15-8:00 a.m. 2013 BELL Reunion for Students and Parents
Room 611
7:30-8:30 a.m. Lets Make Our Voices Heard: A
Meeting for Guide Dog Users and Those Interested in Guide Dogs
Join in valuable discussions about issues faced
by guide dog users in Maryland!
Janice Toothman, Chairman, Guide Dog Committee,
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland
Room 610
8:00-8:55 a.m. Convention Registration and Packet Pick-up
Outside Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware Rooms
8:00-8:45 a.m. Cane Walk for Parents and Children
Room 611
8:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Childrens Fun Fair (Convention Child Care)
Teresa Graham, Coordinator; Ellicott City, Maryland
Washington Room
General sessions will be held in the Maryland and Virginia Rooms.
MORNING SESSION
9:00 a.m. Call to Order, Invocation, and Convention Announcements
9:15 a.m. Report from the National Office
Scott LaBarre, President, National Federation of
the Blind of Colorado; Denver, Colorado
9:45 a.m. Lets Be Pack Rats: Get on the PAC Plan Today!
Mark Riccobono, Chairman, NFBMD PAC Plan Committee; Baltimore, Maryland
9:55 a.m. All of the News from DORS
Sue Schaffer, Director, Office of Blindness and
Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation
Services, Maryland State Department of Education; Columbia, Maryland
10:10 a.m. Questions and Discussion
10:15 a.m. A Long-Time Federationist Tells His Story
Tom Bickford; Silver Spring, Maryland
10:30 a.m. Wake Up and Pay Attention: An Update from Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Annie Gallagher, Advocacy and Outreach Associate
Manager, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Washington, D.C.
10:45 a.m. Questions and Discussion
10:50 a.m. Attention All Students!: A New College
Prep Program Has Come To Maryland!
Instructors and Students from the College Prep
Program offered by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
11:05 a.m. Simplify Your Life: How Getting Rid of Your Clutter Can Help the NFB
Joanne Wilson, Director of Affiliate Development,
Office of the President, National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
11:15 a.m. The Maryland State Library for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped: The View from a New Director
Nancy Pack, Director, Maryland State Library for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Baltimore, Maryland
11:30 a.m. Questions and Discussion
11:35 a.m. The Maryland Healthcare Exchange: All You Need to Know
Katherine C. Gunby, Program Coordinator, Lower
Shore Health Insurance Assistance Program,
Worcester County Health Department; Salisbury, Maryland
11:50 a.m. Questions and Discussion
11:55 a.m. Reports and Resolutions
12:00 p.m. Adjourn
12:00-12:15 p.m. Convention Registration and Packet Pick-up
Outside Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware Rooms
12:00-1:45 p.m. LuncheonThe Education of Blind or Visually Impaired Students
For parents, students, and teachers of blind students.
Trudy Pickrel, President, Maryland Parents of
Blind Children, National Federation of the Blind
of Maryland; McHenry, Maryland
Pennsylvania Room
12:00-1:45 p.m. LuncheonReclaiming Independence after Vision Loss
For seniors and others facing vision loss.
Ruth Sager, President, Senior Issues Division,
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Pikesville, Maryland
Delaware Room
12:00-1:45 p.m. Financial Literacy for Students
Presented by Anthony and Marie Cobb; Catonsville, Maryland
Room 612
1:20-2:00 p.m. Banquet Exchange
Outside Maryland and Virginia Rooms
AFTERNOON SESSION
2:00 p.m. Call to Order
2:05 p.m. Earning Our Keep: The Blind at Work
Conrad Austen, Former Government Affairs and
Insurance Intern, Financial Services Round Table; St. Marys City, Maryland
Mary Fernandez, Paralegal, Brown, Goldstein, and Levy; Baltimore, Maryland
Robyn Hughs, Docent, Jewish Museum of Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland
Tina Gross-Jones, Licensed Realtor, Celebrity
Associates Real Estate Services (CARES); Baltimore, Maryland
2:45 p.m. Questions and Discussion
2:50 p.m. Hello: Information on an Accessible
Phone, and Eligibility for a Free Cell Phone
Robert Felgar, General Manager, Odin Mobile; Rockville, Maryland
3:05 p.m. Questions and Discussion
3:10 p.m. What Does the PARCC Assessment Mean for Our Blind Children?
Lauren McLarney, Governmental Affairs Specialist,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Sharon Maneki, Advocacy Chair, National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Columbia, Maryland
3:30 p.m. Questions and Discussion
3:35 p.m. Building the Future for Blind Children
in a Variety of Ways: The Maryland School for the Blind
Karen Frank, Assistant Principal, Maryland School
for the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
3:50 p.m. Questions and Discussion
3:55 p.m. NFBMD Presidential Report: Reflections on the Past Year
Melissa Riccobono, President, National Federation
of the Blind of Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland
4:20 p.m. Changing Lives and Creating Smiles
Every Day: An Update from Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
Fred Puente, President, Blind Industries and
Services of Maryland; Salisbury, Maryland
4:35 p.m. Questions and Discussion
4:40 p.m. If Maryland is Truly to Be Excellent, the NFBMD Will Need to Help!
Mark Riccobono, Director, Jernigan Institute,
National Federation of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
4:50 p.m. Reports and Resolutions
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
6:00 p.m. Reception and Cash Bar
Atrium
7:00 p.m. Forty-Seventh Annual Convention Banquet
Master of Ceremonies: Mark Riccobono, Executive
Director, Jernigan Institute, National Federation
of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
Keynote Banquet Address: Scott LaBarre,
President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado; Denver, Colorado
Scholarships and Awards
Pennsylvania Room
After Banquet Student Division Games and Social
Everyone is a student!
Delaware Room
SUNDAY, November 10
7:00-8:50 a.m. Hospitality
Room 612
7:00-8:45 a.m. Board Meeting, Maryland Parents of Blind Children
Trudy Pickrel, President, Maryland Parents of Blind Children; McHenry, Maryland
Washington Room
7:30 a.m. Luggage Collection (for bus passengers only)
Delaware Room
8:00-8:30 a.m. Nonsectarian Devotions
Lloyd and Judy Rasmussen, Sligo Creek Chapter,
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Kensington, Maryland
Maryland and Virginia Rooms
8:30-8:50 a.m. Registration
Outside Maryland and Virginia Rooms
MORNING SESSION
9:00 a.m. Call to Order and Invocation
9:05 a.m. A Tribute to Veterans
9:15 a.m. I Hear Morning BELL Ringers: The 2013 BELL Programs
Carlton Walker, Lead Instructor, Baltimore BELL
Program, and President, National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children; Bowling Springs, Pennsylvania
2013 Baltimore and Glendale BELL Students
9:30 a.m. Affiliate Elections
9:45 a.m. The Future Is Bright: Youth Share
Their Experiences in Awesome Summer Programs
Steve Lin, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Independence 101
Chris Nusbaum, Louisiana Center for the Blind STEP Program
Nia Phipps, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Independence 101
10:15 a.m. Resolutions
10:45 a.m. NFB-NEWSLINE®: The Possibilities Are Endless!
Jason Polansky, Senior, Catoctin High School; Thurmont, Maryland
Jesse Hartle, Fantasy Sports Guru; Lutherville, Maryland
Nijat Worley, Manager of Marketing and Outreach
for Sponsored Technologies, National Federation
of the Blind; Baltimore, Maryland
11:15 a.m. Questions and Discussion
11:20 a.m. Nature and the Great Outdoors: Its Not Just for the Birds!
Donna Posont, Student Naturalist; Dearborn, Michigan
11:35 a.m. Questions and Discussion
11:40 a.m. Business Meeting
12:00 p.m. Adjourn
Message of Thanks
Thank you to all of those who answered
the call and made this convention such a big
success. This includes those who spoke on panels
and individually; worked in the child care room;
helped with the sound system, convention
recording, and convention streaming; planned and
ran Friday seminars; worked hospitality; helped
with the new member gathering; worked with blind
tweens and teens; and helped in any other ways I
am forgetting. This convention would not have
run so smoothly without all of your assistance.
I would very much like to thank our National
Representative, Scott LaBarre, for providing a
national perspective at this convention, and
sharing his wit, blockey color commentary, and other talents with us.
In addition, I would like to thank the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland Board of
Directors for all of their support, guidance, and
willingness to help over the past year. Our
affiliate is growing in so many ways, and without
our teamwork this growth would not be
possible. As always, a special thank you to
Sharon Maneki for all of her work, especially on
convention details. Sharon works tirelessly for
the NFB of Maryland every day, and I am truly
grateful for all of the wisdom, organization,
insight, experience, and humor she brings.
I would also like to thank all of the
members of the affiliate who volunteered for
projects, gave input and suggestions, and helped
in so many other ways, large and small, to make
our affiliate strong and vibrant. I look forward
to many opportunities to work with all of you in
new and exciting ways in the upcoming
years. Remember, there are always jobs to be
done; please do not hesitate to volunteer your time and talents!
The NFB of Maryland is truly blessed to
have Mary Ellen Thompson working with us. Thank
you, Mary Ellen, for all of the wonderful
services you have given so willingly over the
past year. You have done everything from driving
to destinations near and far, reading documents
simple and complex, changing diapers, game
playing, helping with BELL and toy inventory . .
. and the list goes on. You have even cut up
about a million peppers for snacks for Austin,
Oriana, and Elizabeth. Knowing how you feel about
peppers, this is truly a testament to how willing
you are to put personal feelings aside for the
good of the Federation. I could not do all that I
do without your expert help. My family and I
thank God for you every day, and we, and the NFB
of Maryland, are so blessed to have you working with and for us.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you
at least five hundred times (one hundred times
for each of my years as president) to my husband,
Mark, and our children, Austin, Oriana, and
Elizabeth. Mark, each year only gets busier!
Thank you for supporting my work in every way,
giving such sound advice, being so eager to help,
and making me always look beyond this moment to
the possibilities of the future. Austin, Oriana,
and Elizabeth, thank you for always being ready
to make me laugh and smile, and for being willing
to play games and give me hugs and cuddles when I need a break.
It is an honor to be the president of
the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland. I look forward to another year of service with excitement.
Melissa Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
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