Jim
Sanders
The Braille Monitor March, 2004
Monitor Miniatures
News from the Federation Family
Win a Dell Computer:
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia-South Fulton Chapter is starting the new year off with a blast! Get your Tech Tickets for only $1 each, five tickets for $4, or ten tickets for $7. Your Tech Ticket entitles you to a chance to win a Dell Pentium 4 Computer, fully loaded with your choice of JAWS or ZoomText, twenty-one-inch monitor or flat screen (your choice) and free installation at your home. Deadline for entry is April 15, 2004.
The drawing will take place Saturday, April 17, 2004, at the monthly meeting of the National Federation of the Blind-South Fulton Chapter in the Fulton County Library at 3034 Lakewood Avenue, Atlanta, 12:00 noon. You do not have to be present to win. Proceeds will help students attend the 2004 NFB national convention.
For more information or to purchase tickets, email <[email protected]>, call Debbie Hill at (404) 241-0526, or 1-800-449-6324. Mail your check or money order to National Federation of the Blind-South Fulton Chapter, P.O. Box 16634, Atlanta, Georgia 30321.
Elected:
The St. Louis Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri held a recent election to select new officers. They are Bryan Schultz, president; Mary Towers, vice president; Rhonda Howard, recording secretary; Robin House, treasurer; Kerry Smith, corresponding secretary; and Brent Ford, member at large.
New Chapter:
The National Federation of the Blind of Buncombe County, North Carolina, was organized in Asheville on August 2, 2003. The chapter officers are Barbara Wienke, president; Rita Weyler, vice president; Greg Wienke, secretary; Lillian Tempsey, treasurer; and Pamela Yanney, board member.
Elected:
The National Federation of the Blind of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, held its annual election in November with the following results: Muriel Brown, president; Mabel Condor, vice president; Hazel Staley, secretary; Janis Lynn Stallings, treasurer; and Shirley McDuffie, Pat Robbins, and Sharon Newton, board members.
Attention Jerky Seminarians:
The 2004 convention of the National Federation of the Blind is quickly approaching. The Jerky Seminarians will hold a reunion breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the American Grill restaurant in the Marriott Marquis Hotel Thursday, July 1. RSVP by April 15 to ensure that you receive your commemorative Jerky Seminarian/Whozit mug. Send your RSVP by email to <[email protected]>.
Election Results from Washington State:
Mike Freeman, president of the NFB of Washington, reports the following chapter election results:
The Clark County Chapter of the NFB of Washington elected officers on Saturday, December 20, 2003. Elected were Bob Sellers, president; Kaye Kipp, vice president; Mike Freeman, secretary; and Don Mitchell, treasurer.
The Greater Seattle Chapter conducted elections on January 17, 2004. Elected were Kris Lawrence, president; Jacob Struiksma, first vice president; Rita Szantay, second vice president; Kay Burrows, secretary; Doug Johnson, treasurer; and Jessiaca Evans, and Bob Guyette, board members.
The election of officers of the Sno-King Chapter was also held on January 17, 2004. The officers are Gary Mackenstadt, president; Duane Smith, vice president; Denise Mackenstadt, secretary; Bennett Prows, treasurer; and Chris Miscelli, board member.
Elected:
The Austin Chapter of the NFB of Texas elected officers at its January meeting. Elected were Margaret Craig, president; Jim Shaffer, first vice president; Angela Wolf, second vice president; Norma Gonzales Baker, secretary; Mike Marshall, treasurer; and George Gordon and Brandy Wojcik, board members.
In Brief
Notices and information in this section may be of interest to Monitor readers. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the information; we have edited only for space and clarity.
Braille Teaching Tools Available:
Are you looking for innovative new ways to introduce your students or kids to the basics of Braille? If so, get your hands on BrailleBooks.com's newest product, the BrailleBox. This all-wood board comes with twelve wooden pegs to insert in the holes, making two complete Braille cells. Since the board tucks neatly into a storage drawer (also made of smooth, intricately carved teak) you can take this portable set with you and practice your Braille anywhere you go. It's truly an invaluable learning tool. And at the price ($9.95) it's more than five times cheaper than similar tools. Braillebooks.com also has a host of other nifty Braille learning materials available, such as decks of print/Braille flash cards and a handy booklet called "The Grade II Braille Quick-Reference Dictionary." To learn more, visit <www.braillebooks.com> or call (800) 987-1231.
Paid Counselors Needed:
The Sacramento Society for the Blind is seeking several energetic, highly motivated counselors age nineteen and over for its summer youth retreat. Applicants must be skilled in areas of blindness as well as physically able to hike, swim, and direct youth of various ages.
Counselors must be punctual, self-directed, and independent workers. The time commitment will be approximately two weeks at the end of July. Staff training will take place prior to the camp. This ten-day youth retreat will include traditional camp activities as well as teach skills of blindness. In addition we work to build a positive attitude about coping with vision loss. Stipends will be paid, and transportation costs incurred will be reimbursed. For more information about applying, email Michelle Bruns at <[email protected]>, or contact her at (916) 452-8271, extension 328.
Cook Needed:
The Sacramento Society for the Blind is seeking a full-time cook/instructor for its annual youth retreat. This person must be highly organized and proficient in time-management skills. In addition he or she must be qualified to cook for large groups. The cook will be responsible for cooking some meals independently as well as supervising instruction in alternative techniques of cooking and daily living to youth of varying ages. Experience in cooking and planning extensive menus is a must. A stipend will be paid as well as transportation costs incurred. This position is a two-week commitment at the end of July. For more information contact Michelle Bruns at <[email protected]> or at (916) 452-8271, extension 328.
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Jim
Sanders
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Honored:
We received the following good news in January from Penny Hartin, Canadian National Institute for the Blind executive director for international programs. Jim Sanders, CNIB president and CEO and president of the North America/Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union, has been named a member of the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors that can be awarded to Canadian citizens. Jim was nominated for his contributions and leadership in the development of social services in Canada. His award will be presented by the Governor General, the Queen's representative in Canada, at a ceremony later this year. Congratulations to Jim Sanders.
Summer Conference:
The National Church Conference of the Blind (NCCB) will hold its annual conference July 25 to 29, 2004, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Ramada Inn Airport, 7301 N.W. Tiffany Springs Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64153. Please make your own reservations with the hotel, specifying that you are with the NCCB. Call (816) 741-9500. Room rate for the conference is $59 a night, one to four occupancy.
Come join us for inspirational Bible teaching, seminars, tours, and talent time. We conclude with a wonderful banquet held on Thursday evening. For more information please contact Rheba Dunn, membership secretary, P.O. Box 196, Grover, Colorado 80729; (970) 895-2352; email <[email protected]>; or visit our Web site at <www.thenccb.org>.
Religion Series Now Available in Braille:
If you have blind children attending either Catholic elementary or parish schools of religion, you will be interested to learn that portions of the Faith First series are now available in Braille. Contact the Midwestern Braille Volunteers, 325 North Kirkwood Road, Suite G5, St. Louis, Missouri 63122; phone (314) 966-5828.
Monitor Mart
The notices in this section have been edited for clarity, but we can pass along only the information we were given. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the statements made or the quality of the products for sale.
For Sale:
NoteTeller Bank Note Reader for Blind and Visually Impaired by Brytech. Works excellently, except that it does not read the new U.S. twenty-dollar bills and cannot be updated to do so. Includes battery, carrying case, Canadian import documents, shipping invoice, and original box. Asking $75. Contact Larry at (281) 444-0907 or <[email protected]>.
For Sale:
My name is Danielle Jones. I have a Braille Blazer, carrier case included, in excellent condition. I'm asking $1,400 or best offer. Contact me at (480) 545-1616, write me at 2551 East Emelita Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85204, or email me at <[email protected]>.
For Sale:
ALVA 380, 80-character Braille display. Can be used with either serial or parallel connections; can hook up three computers at once; has cursor-routing buttons. In excellent working condition; asking $3,500, negotiable, shipping not included.
Juliet Braille embosser, classic, 56-character line. Can write single sided or interpoint; uses parallel connections. In excellent working condition; asking $2,100, including shipping.
Will accept bank money order or postal money order; no personal checks, please. Email <[email protected]>, (617) 247-0026, 755 Tremont Street, Apt. 205, Boston, Massachusetts 02118.
For Sale:
�Freedom Scientific PowerBraille 40 Braille display with forty cells and cursor-routing buttons, etc. It is almost new and comes with a guarantee. It has never had a problem. You can plug it into your USB or serial port with its included adapter. This is the most popular Braille display and works with any screen reader and computer. It also has batteries, so I am sure it will be very helpful to someone. A business that just purchased it folded and has to sell. They will sell for $950. Contact CJ Sampson at <[email protected]>.
For Sale:
I have a ten-year-old DECtalk Express external speech synthesizer. It includes carrying case and software. Asking $300 or best offer. Call (541) 752-3800 before 8:00 p.m., Pacific Time. You can also write to 2901 N.W. Satinwood Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.
NFB 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.
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INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
TO: Bank named on the reverse side
In consideration of your compliance with the request and authorization of the depositor named on the reverse side.
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1. It will refund to you any amount erroneously paid by you to the National Federation of the Blind on any such check if claim for the amount of such erroneous payment is made by you within twelve months from the date of the check on which such erroneous payment was made.
Authorized in a resolution adopted by the Board Members of the National Federation of the Blind on 11-28-74.
THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
BY:
_____________________________________________________
Treasurer