[Centralok] Fwd: NFBOK 2016 State Convention!!!!
Audrey T. Farnum
atfarnum at icloud.com
Wed Feb 3 01:52:56 UTC 2016
See below for the full agenda for the 2016 NFBOK State Convention. You
can also visit http://www.nfbok.org/state-convention
Audrey T. Farnum
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: NFBOK 2016 State Convention!!!!
Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2016 19:39:16 -0600
From: Jeannie Massay <jmassay1 at cox.net>
To: Jeannie Massay <jmassay1 at cox.net>
NFBOK Logo RGB Rect
2016 National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma Convention
March 31^–April 3, 2016
**
*The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.*
*The Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of
Oklahoma welcome you to join in our 42^nd Annual convention!*
**
*Jeannie Massay, President*
*Audrey T. Farnum, 1^st Vice President *
*Rex Schuttler, 2^nd Vice President *
*Glenda Farnum, Treasurer*
*Jedi Moerke, Secretary *
*Cammie Loehr, Board Member*
*Mike Harvey, Board Member*
*Mike Floyd, Board Member ***
**
*The mission of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma is to
seek equality, education and employment for all blind people in
Oklahoma. We offer public education about blindness, serve as a source
of information and referral, provide literature and publications about
blindness, share information about and demonstrate assistive technology
and other adaptive equipment for the blind, participate in advocacy
efforts in the protection of civil rights, and offer support for blind
persons and their families. Our members are blind children and their
parents, blind students from high school to college, adults and seniors. *
**
*We wholeheartedly believe that blindness is not the characteristic that
defines anyone or their future. Every day we raise expectations of the
blind because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and
our dreams. Blindness is not what holds us back. We are living the
lives that we want! *
**
*This year we are thrilled to have Ever Lee Hairston serve as our
national representative and keynote speaker. Ms. Hairston is a dynamic
and charismatic woman, a published author and a person whose story you
will want to hear. A bit about Ever Lee:*
**
*Mentor, Advocate, Motivational Speaker*
*Born to Arizona and Clarence Hairston on the Coolemee plantation in
Mocksville, North Carolina, Ever Lee is the third of seven children. She
grew up and attended schools in the segregated South. **“**I felt like a
second-class citizen, using hand-me-down books in school; and, due to
unexplained vision problems, I had to struggle to read from the bulletin
board,**”**Ever Lee noted. In spite of the challenges of growing up in
the segregated South and continuing visual problems, Ever Lee had a
strong desire to become a nurse. Ever Lee**’**s parents simply could not
afford to send her to college; so after high school, Ever Lee went to
New York City to earn money for college by working as a live-in maid.
She returned to North Carolina at the end of the summer anxious to
pursue a nursing career. However, she failed the required eye
examination and was told that she would not be suitable for admission to
Duke University Nursing School. **“**I was heartbroken but refused to be
defeated,**”**she said. She was accepted at North Carolina Central
University, where she earned a teaching degree.*
*After graduating from North Carolina Central, Ever Lee taught high
school business courses in New Jersey. While working as a high school
teacher in New Jersey, Ever Lee**’**s eyesight continued to deteriorate.
She finally sought answers and medical care. Ever Lee, along with three
siblings, were diagnosed with a genetic eye disease, retinitis
pigmentosa (RP). And, four years after starting a challenging teaching
career, Ever Lee was forced to resign from her position because of her
impending blindness.*
*At the age of twenty-nine, facing total blindness, with a failed
marriage, a child to raise alone, and uncertainty about future
employment, Ever Lee admitted to being devastated and feeling sorry for
herself. However, she held on to the hope that a better way of life was
in store for her. Ever Lee admits to believing in the old adage that
**“**When God closes a door, He opens a window.**”**She began looking
for the window.*
*After inventorying her strengths, she stepped through a window of
opportunity at New Jersey**’**s Rutgers University, where she took
graduate courses in counseling. In 1983 she landed a Counselor Trainee
position with the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services.
But, as Ever Lee explains it, **“**With no blindness skills, I was
faking my way through.**”**She notes that she relied heavily on sighted
people to read to her and to act as guides.*
*In 1987 Ever Lee was invited to a NFB convention in Phoenix, Arizona.
At first she made excuses because she was afraid of requesting the time
off from her job. The most profound experience, as Ever Lee explains it,
came when she started through the registration line. She remembers being
asked, "Would you like a Braille or print agenda?" She could no longer
read print and did not know Braille. It was then, according to Ever Lee,
that a light bulb went off. She talked to as many people as she could at
that convention in Phoenix, Arizona, and learned about the NFB centers.
From then until 1990 she continued to function without blindness skills
but worked on a plan to get to Louisiana where she could be trained.*
*Ever Lee attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind from October 1990
until April 1991. She learned to read Braille, mastered cane travel and
independent living skills, and learned to utilize adaptive technology.
She returned to New Jersey, after the Freedom Bell rang for her at the
Louisiana Center, with a confidence she never had before, integrating
blindness skills into her everyday life.*
*Ever Lee credits her training at the Louisiana Center for the Blind
with enabling her to succeed at her chosen career. After twenty-six
years holding many successive positions with the Department of Health
and Human Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program in
New Jersey, Ever Lee retired from the position of program director in 2006.*
*In July of 2006 she moved to California. She continues to devote
tireless hours mentoring and advocating for the blind, as well as
delivering inspiring speeches to blind and visually impaired audiences
and educating the sighted public about blindness. Ever Lee is blessed
with one son, Victor; a wonderful daughter-in-law, Brenda; and three
energetic grandchildren: Briana, Kendall, and Jasmine. She enjoys
traveling, reading a good novel, and spending time with family*****
*Most recently, Ever Lee has authored and published a book titled
/_Blind Ambition: One Woman_/**/_’_/**/_s Journey to greatness despite
her blindness_/*
**
*Holiday Inn - City Centre *
*17 West 7^th *
*Tulsa, Ok 74119*
*918-585-5898*
*www.holidayinn.com/tulsda-cc* <http://www.holidayinn.com/tulsda-cc>**
**
*The rate for the hotel this year is a fantastic $89.00 for singles or
doubles. All applicable taxes apply. Each attendee must make their own
hotel reservations.*
*__*
*__*
*_Convention Rates and Packages: _*
*__*
*_Convention Package $95.00 _*
*Includes Registration, Boxed lunch for Friday and 1 Banquet meal for
Saturday evening. *
*__*
*_Ala Carte Pricing_*
*Registration - $25.00 *
*Boxed Lunch (Available Friday and Saturday) - $20 each *
*Banquet Meal - $40.00 *
**If you require specialized meal ACCOMODATIONS, please indicate so on
your registration. *
**
*You may register and pay online using a Credit card or Pay Pal
account. If you prefer to register online and mail a check or pay at
the door with a check or cash, you may do so at the same link. Our
awesome Webmaster (1^st Vice President, Audrey Farnum) has completely
redesigned our website and has worked very hard to make this happen for
us! Go to this link to register online:
**http://nfbok.org/state-convention/***
*If preferred, you may register by filling out the form at the end of
this e-mail and sending it along with a check to Glenda Farnum,
Treasurer of the NFB of Oklahoma at the following address: *
*Glenda Farnum *
*6116 Gunhill Way*
*Warr Acres, Ok 73132*
**
*Any questions about registration should be directed to Glenda Farnum,
Treasurer, at 405-255-6482 or by e-mail at **treasurer at nfbok.org*
<mailto:treasurer at nfbok.org>**
*If you are a student and plan on attending the Student Seminar
Sessions, please contact Cammie Loehr , President of the Oklahoma
Association of Blind Students at **cammieloehr767 at gmail.com*
<mailto:cammieloehr767 at gmail.com>* or by phone at 580-678-8222. *
**
*Convention Activities *
**
*_Thursday, March 31, 2016 _*
**
*7:00-8:30 Registration *
**
*6:00 -10:00 Federation Family Gatherings *
*Informal gatherings and fellowship for students, and anyone else
wanting to have a good time together before we get down to business.
More information will be forthcoming regarding specific times and
locations. *
**
*_Friday, April 1, 2016 _*
*__*
*8:00-9:00 Registration *
**
*9:00 **–**10:00 NFB of Ok Board meeting *
**
*Open to all convention attendees. *
**
*10:00- 11:00 Resolutions Committee Meeting, Mike Harvey,
Chair *
**
*Any member may submit, at least 2 weeks in advance of the convention, a
resolution which may be considered by the Committee. All members are
encouraged to attend as this is where you will learn about the
resolutions for this year. Resolutions which pass the committee will
then be voted on by the membership at the annual business meeting on
Sunday, April 3^rd . Resolutions are considered to be the policy of our
organization. *
*Resolutions for consideration may be sent to Mike Harvey at
**mike.harvey149 at gmail.com* <mailto:mike.harvey149 at gmail.com>**
**
*The Exhibit Hall will be open from 10:00 to 8:00. (Friday ONLY)*
*__*
*_Raising Expectations _*
*A day of seminars for all blind Oklahomans, their friends and family
members relating to the development of blindness skills and the
achievement of independence. How to live the life you want!*
**
*11:15-12:30 Session 1 rotation *
*1. _Student Seminar_: Self-Advocacy *
*2. **_Cane Travel_**- Professional Orientation & Mobility Instructors
will be on hand to dynamically teach participants the basics of using a
long white cane to navigate the world as a blind person. Led by Jedi
Moerke, Mike Harvey, and others.*
*3.**_Tech Talk & Demonstrations: _**Do you have a Love/ Hate
relationship with your technology? This seminar is for beginners to
those who are tech savvy. Bring questions about the technology that you
depend on. Hopefully, we can provide the answers. Led by Audrey Farnum.*
*12:30 **–**1:30 Lunch *
**
*1:30- 2:45 Session 2 rotation *
*1. _Student Seminar_ **–**Technology Matters*
*2. _Why I am a Federationist!_ Discussion of what the National
Federation of the Blind is and why members on this panel got involved
and remain so. *
*3. _When blindness comes: Seniors successfully living with blindness_ *
**
*3:00-4:15 Session 3 rotation *
*1. _Student Seminar_ - *
*2. _Health & well-being: Incorporating Stress management into our lives
– _Led by Jeannie Massay__*
*3. **_Cane Travel_**- Professional Orientation & Mobility Instructors
will be on hand to dynamically teach participants the basics of using a
long white cane to navigate the world as a blind person. Led by Jedi
Moerke, Mike Harvey, and others.*
*4:15 -6:30 Dinner Break **–**Dinner on your own. Restaurant
menus are available in Braille and Large-print. Local restaurants are
happy to serve you as well! Enjoy! Fuel up and get ready to finish out
the day!*
**
*6:30-8:00 Session 4 rotation *
*1. _Student Seminar_ *
*2. **_Tech Talk & Demonstrations: _**Do you have a Love/ Hate
relationship with your technology? This seminar is for beginners to
those who are tech savvy. Bring questions about the technology that you
depend on. Hopefully, we can provide the answers. Led by Audrey Farnum.*
**
*3.**_The Working Blind_**-__A panel discussion with employed
individuals who happen to be blind. Panelists from a variety of
interests and jobs will speak about their jobs and the skills that they
use daily to bring home their pay!*
**
*8:30-10:00 Activities *
*1. Student Division Meeting and Elections *
*2. Meet & mingle/ Game night *
*3. Described movie *
*__*
*_Saturday, April 2, 2016 _*
**
*9:00 Call to order*
*9:00-12:00 General Session *
*12:00 **–**2:00 Lunch *
*2:00 **–**5L00 General Session *
**
*Speakers include Jeannie Massay, President, National Federation of the
Blind of Oklahoma, Joe Cordova, Director, Oklahoma Department of
Rehabilitation, Ever Lee Hairston, National Representative and many
others helping blind Oklahomans live the lives that they want!*
**
*7:00 Banquet and keynote address featuring Ever Lee Hairston*
**
*_Sunday, April 2, 2016_*
*__*
*9:30-12:00 Annual Business Meeting *
**
*12:00 Adjourn *
*__*
*An updated agenda will be forthcoming with additional information on
the specifics of General Session speakers and a separate agenda for the
Student Seminar sessions. Stay tuned! Make sure to register and reserve
your room today!We hope you can join us!*
Jeannie M. Massay, President
National Federation of theBlind
Of Oklahoma
505 Baker Street
Norman, OK 73072
Phone: 405-600-0695
Jeannie.massay at nfbok.org <mailto:Jeannie.massay at nfbok.org>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise
expectations of the blind because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds you
back. You can live the life youw ant.!.
“Whatever you dare to dream, begin.” – Goethe
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