Welcome to the California connection for February 3.
Conference Announcement
Join us at the 2017 CCB Conference and Convention as we begin a new era for the California Council of the Blind. Our 2017 conference and convention theme, "New Challenges, New Opportunities" says it all and we hope to see you there on April 6-9 2017.
Hotel registration is now open for the 2017 Conference and Convention at the Hilton Woodland Hills/Los Angeles Hotel, located at: 6360 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
The hotel is accepting reservations at this time by phone (866-288-3310) or via the hotel website.
When calling, please mention the California Council of the Blind (CCB) SRP CODE: "CBL" in order to get the $105 all-inclusive room rate of guest room tax.
The room rate of $105 all-inclusive of guest room tax will be honored starting Wednesday April 5th and concluding on Monday April 10th, 2017 for a total of 5 nights.
For those considering coming to the convention on Wednesday, CCB will be holding a fundraiser at a nearby BJ's Restaurant and Brew house from 4 to 10 PM.
In order to assign specific room types to attendees, the hotel has requested that all room requests be received no later than March 22nd, 2017. After that date, We cannot guarantee that rooms will remain available.
Please share this information with chapters, statewide affiliates, and other interested parties.
We look forward to seeing you and making the 2017 CCB Conference and Convention the best ever!
Awards Awards
The deadline of February 15 is fast approaching.
Submit your letters about projects for Chapter of the Year to the CCB office.
Awards for Individuals can be submitted to Awards Committee Chair Joe Smith by phone at (916) 429-8002 or by email at joesmith55@att.net.
Even if you're not sure just which award the person you're nominating might qualify for, submit a letter to Joe describing what you think qualifies that person for CCB recognition.
From CEO Paul Shane
I am excited to announce the first monthly "Brown Bagging For Knowledge" conference call on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 11 AM-1 PM.
The call in number is (712) 432-3066 and the access code is 497700.
Please mark your calendars.
The purpose of the "Brown Bagging For Knowledge" monthly call is to provide a two way open communication loop between the CEO and the membership directly.
The topic of our first call will be "what's on your mind". I want to know what is important to you and to be able to respond to your questions and concerns. Future meetings will include a one hour educational session followed by a one hour question and answer period.
Meetings will occur on a monthly basis and will rotate to different days and times in order to allow everyone a chance to attend.
If you have a complex question that requires research, please submit it in writing to me at least one week in advance of the meeting.
I am looking forward to hearing from you on Saturday, February 18th.
CCB Conference Call Meeting Recordings
To listen to the recording of either the January 26 2017 CCB board meeting or the January 31 2017 Presidents call by telephone please dial 1-302-202-1115 and enter Recording ID: 23150908 for the board meeting or Recording ID: 97457814 for the presidents call when prompted for it.
Some recording features are available to you once you're listening.
1 will pause
2 will rewind 1 minute
3 will forward 1 minute
Airbnb Outreach Announcement
Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP has been retained to investigate complaints from blind individuals, individuals who use service animals, including guide dogs, and individuals with mobility disabilities who have recently attempted to rent lodging through Airbnb. Airbnb operates a website and mobile application where people can browse for and book lodging throughout the United States and around the world.
We would greatly appreciate speaking with you about your experiences using Airbnb if you have a disability, including if you are blind or low vision, you use a service animal, and/or you use an assistive device such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair.
To share your experiences, please contact paralegal Sara Long by phone at 415-433-6830 or at slong@rbgg.com.
Affiliate Call
Due to the Super Bowl the California Council of Blind Students monthly call has been moved to Monday February 6 at 7:00 PM.
The call in number will be (302) 202-1114 and the access code is 694810.
San Gabriel Valley Chapter Fund Raiser
The San Gabriel Valley Chapter invites you to come join us for our 32nd annual Pizza and Spaghetti Fundraiser: Saturday, February 18, 3:00 p.m, to 7:00 p.m,
only $10.00 per ticket, from SGV Chapter members or at the door.
Menu includes: pizza, spaghetti, salad, garlic-bread, regular and diet soda, iced tea, coffee, bottled water and dessert. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased at the Bar.
Address: VFW Hall, 825 South Magnolia Avenue, Monrovia (Northwest corner of Magnolia and Chestnut).
Two Grand Prizes: an Amazon Echo Dot and a first generation Chromebook; winner need not be present. There will be door prizes; winners must be present, along with a 50/50 raffle.
Everyone is welcome!
If you need more information: please contact President Pam Polagi at (626) 445-7297.
Thank you very much.
Student Education Access Grant
Applications are now available for THE 2017 STUDENT EDUCATION ACCESS GRANT, which is awarded annually to A legally blind student ages 8-18 who lives in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma.
The San Francisco Chapter of CCB will give a grant in the form of technology products worth up to $2,500 to an applicant who meets the criteria listed above and can best demonstrate the need for accessible equipment to enhance their educational opportunities.
A Completed application and essay must be submitted to Charlie Dorris tyreedorris@comcast.net by March 31, 2017.
To request an application and instruction form or for further details contact:
Charlie Dorris: 415-775-0487 tyreedorris@comcast.net (or)
Linda Porelle: 415-586-2622, lmporelle@gmail.com
CCLVI Scholarship Announcement
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) will award three scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to one full-time entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate college students who are low vision, maintain a strong GPA and are involved in their school/local community.
Application materials must be received by March 1. Scholarship monies will be awarded for the 2017 - 2018 academic year.
To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an online application, please visit http://www.cclvi.org and click on the ‘CCLVI Scholarship Programs' link.
Applications will be available to submit online from January 1 until March 1 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Questions may be directed to CCLVI at (800) 733-2258 or scholarship@cclvi.org.
We look forward to receiving your application materials!
Thank you for reading, have a nice day
