Welcome to the California connection for January 12.

From Governmental Affairs Chair, Jeff Thom

CCB capitol day:
Thursday March 22 2017:
Participants will either meet at the Capitol or leave the hotel and take light rail directly to the Capitol. We will be there from 9 AM to 1 PM and with appointments that we will make ahead of time, we will demonstrate what amazing advocates CCB members can be. We will return by light rail so that we can get back to the hotel by 2 or 2:30. I would like as many of you as possible to participate. We will have conference calls ahead of time to teach you about the topics selected for Capitol Day and the logistics. I would like to have our first call in late January, so I am asking those of you who think you will be able to participate in our Capitol Day effort to let me know by phone at (916)995-3967 or e-mail jsthom@comcast.net The more participants we have, the more legislators we can cover. Remember, advocacy is the prime mission of CCB and your efforts will make us successful in improving the lives of persons with vision loss.

Constitution And Bylaws Update

The bylaws committee plans on starting to disseminate our first draft of the new CCB bylaws in the next few days. Please look for it to be sent to the main CCB email lists so please help make sure it gets forwarded to your chapter members. We will have a very limited number of Braille and large print copies available so please request yours as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday January 16 by calling the CCB office at 800-221-6359.

Once it starts going out you can submit feedback directly to committee chair Gabe Griffith either by phone at (925) 768-8195 or by email at gabrielgriffith@gmail.com

Also, we will be having a meeting for anyone who is interested to come and discuss this draft but feel free to submit feedback ahead of time.

Date: January 25
Time: 7:00 PM
Dial-in Number: (515)603-4905
Access Code: 680168

Every Voice Is Important

It is a new year and we need to hear your thoughts on the CCB Member Survey. If you have not responded yet, there is still time. The survey contains about 30 questions and may take up to a half hour to complete.

The survey can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRD7YDX

Thank you to those who have already responded to the survey!

Southern California Regional Meeting

CCB will be holding a Southern California Regional meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9:30 AM to 3 PM. Location is the Dayle McIntosh Center, 501 North Brookhurst Street, Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 621-3300. Both Los Angeles and Orange County Access Para transit companies serve this location, and it is approximately three miles from either the Anaheim or the Fullerton Amtrak/Metro Link train Stations.

Our own CCB President, Judy Wilkinson will be on hand to lead this meeting which will include an adequate amount of time for Q&A as well as discussing some proposed changes to our State Constitution and other important matters. Judy will also give a brief overview of the 2018 CCB Conference and Convention being held in Rancho Cordova mid-March. An agenda will be forthcoming.

Morning coffee and snacks will be provided along with a box lunch at a cost of $10 per person.

We are hoping for a great turnout of Southern California CCB members to welcome Judy and to realize this type of meeting which many of us have requested for a long time.

It is imperative that you notify me with reservations so that we can order a proper amount of food and seating set-up in the auditorium. If you sign up to come, you will be responsible for the payment for the cost of food. Please RSVP with your choice of either a roast beef, turkey or tuna sandwich by emailing me at kenmetz1946@gmail.com, or by calling me at (818) 882-3610-HOME or (323) 793-1805-CELL no later than Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

CCB 2018 Convention Room Information

2018 CCB Convention Hotel Information:
Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
11211 Point East Way, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Phone: (916) 638-1100

Group Rates 3/21/18-3/26/2018:
Classic King - $89.00 per night
Classic Two Queens - $99.00 per night

** Hotel rooms are subject to state and local taxes which can change on an annual basis. Currently the tax rate is 12%. There is also a $1.50 assessment and a $.40 California tax which will be assessed at check out.

Reservations: (1) Can be made by calling 1-800-228-9290, or 916-631-1100 (2) Can be made through the following custom URL
https://aws.passkey.com/event/49383087/owner/9323/home

** Group Reservation Rate cut off date is March 1, 2018.

Thank you for reading and Have a nice day