First Timers Meeting 2020
by Maile George

The California Council of the Blind "First Timers Meeting" was held virtually via Zoom on the evening of Monday, June 1. After introductions, meeting host, Guillermo Robles warmly welcomed the attendees. Gabe Griffith, Christy Crespin, and Ardis Bazyn kicked off the call with an introduction to the "2020 Vision for the Future" convention program, outlined CCB chapters, special interest affiliates, CCB committees, the publications of CCB, and also explained just a few of the basic differences between the nation's two main blindness organizations: the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). As Ardis explained it, "One of the differences is NFB tends to litigate, and we tend to negotiate."

Guillermo continued by reading the CCB Mission statement. He then expanded on some of the Council's most noteworthy accomplishments including how we successfully advocated for and helped to implement the first accessible ATMs, voting accessibility, the white cane law, a guide dog attack laws and a special needs curriculum reform in schools. Attendees were then treated to a history lesson about CCB, ACB and NFB from Mitch Pomerantz. He encouraged those who were interested in learning more to read the book called, "People of Vision: A History of the American Council of the Blind," by James J. Megivern.

Vivian Younger enthusiastically covered the benefits of joining CCB, and Joe Smith answered the question, what's in it for me, as he spoke about the personal benefits he gets from being an "at large" member. Says Joe, "My membership keeps me in the loop with what's going on within the blindness arena". Larice Diamond then gave her own heartfelt reasons for choosing to become a member and covered some of the ways a person can join the organization. The panelists answered a few questions from the meeting attendees, and then Guillermo closed with a few final words of thanks to the panelists and to those who attended.

Note: I attended my first CCB convention nearly twenty years ago, and my second in 2018, but this was the first time I'd attended one of these meetings. I am glad I finally attended one -- it was definitely time well spent!