[Cabs] Fw: message from Scott LaBarre regarding 55th Annual NFB of Colorado State Convention

[Melissa Green]

Melissa Green
Without Christ I am nothing,  Without me Christ is still God.  It's because of Christ I am able to stand!!!  

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lisa Bonderson 
To: Colorado-talk NFBC 
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 1:04 PM
Subject: message from Scott LaBarre regarding 55th Annual NFB of Colorado State Convention


Greetings Friends!

 

By my math, there are 35 days left before our 55th Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado.  There are several details you need.  First, you should know that we have received an extension from our hotel, the DoubleTree, on the deadline for reserving your room.  You will now be able to reserve your room through Wednesday, October 7th, and receive our convention rate, $84.00 a night plus tax.  To reserve your room online go to: http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/RLDV-DT-NFB-20091101/index.jhtml

or call 303 321-333 and be sure to mention that you are part of the National Federation of the Blind Convention.  

 

Second, I am pleased, after a long battle with computer glitches, to announce that online preregistration is now available.  Please go to www.nfbco.org and click on the link that says register now for the NFBCO 2009 convention or words to that affect.  Remember you can save up to $25.00 by registering in advance.  If you cannot manage the online registration, please call Lisa Bonderson at 303 504-5979 and she can assist you.  Also remember that you do not have to register for every meal, but you do have to pay the convention registration fee.  The online form allows you to select the meals you want.  Here are the the various fees:

Convention preregistration fee, $15.00 on or before October 25th and $20.00 after

Thursday November 5th's Possibility Fair for All, $10.00

Friday November 6th's luncheon, $15.00 on or before October 25th and $20.00 after

Saturday November 7th's luncheon, $15.00 on or before October 25th and $20.00 after

Saturday November 7th's Banquet, $30.00 on or before October 25th and $40.00 after

Total Registration and meals with everything, $85.00 on or before October 25th and $110.00 after

 

I am also pleased to announce that Amy Buresh will be serving as our National Representative from our National Office.  Ms. Buresh is a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind and President of the NFB of Nebraska.  By day, she works for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind as a transition specialist.  She and her whole family will be joining us; husband Shane and three year old son, Noah.  By the way, Amy and Shane are big Nebraska Huskers fans, but let's not hold that against them, at least for the weekend of convention.  

 

Below is an outline of convention events.  The times are accurate but the exact program items that fall into the general sessions are still being finalized and are subject to change.

 

Thursday, November 5th

This year we are conducting the 5th annual Seniors Possibility Fair but we are adding a youth component as well.  Thus, we are calling it a Possibilities Fair for All.  Over twenty vendors and demonstration booths will be available throughout the Fair and we will have a keynote luncheon.  Also new this year are breakout sessions throughout the day for seniors and youth.  Topics include, but are not limited to, how family members and friends can help a senior adjust to blindness and vision loss, how teens can start career planning, how best to access all resources, technological and otherwise, for your blind child, and more.

 

Friday November 6th

The morning will begin at 8:00 a.m. with registration and an open market place for our exhibitors.  Our first general session will get under way at 10:00 a.m.  We will hear from service professionals, welcome political leaders, introduce our NFBCO scholarship winners, take up our Presidential Report, and more.  Our first luncheon will start a little after noon and continue the morning's agenda.

 

Friday afternoon will feature a number of breakout sessions.  We will hold a technology seminar where you can explore the latest and greatest in technology for the blind.  Our Colorado Center staff will bring us an employment seminar with a new spin.  Our parents will continue breakout sessions with many informative topics and a scavenger hunt for blind children.

 

Friday evening will kick off with a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception followed by our Resolutions Committee at 7:00 p.m.  At about 8:00, the NFB Denver will host its first social event which will be a birthday party for Louis Braille, not any birthday party but his 200th.  I am also told that the Colorado Association of Blind Students will hold its second annual CABS Idol contest.  

 

Saturday November 7th

Registration and exhibitors will open at 8:00 a.m.  The second general session will start at 9:00 a.m.  We will entertain our National Report, receive an update from our Colorado Center for the Blind, review youth programs, take up a play performed by blind children on the importance of Braille, conduct a panel on the importance of Braille, and much, much more.  The second luncheon will continue the morning's agenda.  

 

In the afternoon, we will again take up breakout sessions.  The students, parents, seniors, and merchants will all hold their annual meetings.  We will conduct a judo workshop for blind teens.  

 

At 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, we will hold a social hour prior to the Annual Banquet.  At 7:00 p.m., the gavel will fall and our Annual Banquet will begin.  Featured will be a keynote address from our National Representative, Amy Buresh; scholarship presentations, awards such as the Federation Hero Award; and more.  Stick around after the Banquet for another social event featuring our NFB Colorado House Band, Stray Dog.  We will also conduct a fundraising auction.  

 

Sunday November 8th

We will conduct a panel we're calling Federation 101 where we take up some of the history and traditions of the Federation.  We will debate and adopt our annual resolutions.  Various reports, like our financial report, will be given, and we will conduct our elections for officers and board members.  The convention will adjourn by 11:45 a.m.  

 

Jon Deden will be serving as our door prize chairman.  Door prizes will be given out at all general sessions but you must be registered and present in the room.  We also need folks to go out and secure door prizes and coordinate with Mr. Deden who can be contacted at 303 722-2529 or jon.deden at state.co.us.  Door prizes should have a value of at least $15.00 and be something you would like to take home.  Cash from chapters is always appreciated.  

 

We will also offer child care at this year's conventions.  The parents are meeting this coming weekend and we will have more exact details on how you can register for child care after that point.

 

If you have any questions about Convention, please contact me at slabarre at nfbco.org or call 303 504-5979.  Please stay tuned for more convention updates.  



Scott C. LaBarre

 
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