[CT-NFB] Agenda and Zoom information NFB of CT 50th Annual State Convention

[maryanne.melley at gmail.com]

We look forward to welcoming John Paré back to Connecticut as our national
representative and seeing some of you in person and any others that wish to
join our 50th celebration via zoom!



2021 50th Annual State Convention
October 29th, 30th and 31st, 2021


Sheraton Hartford South

100 Capital Boulevard

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary in a hybrid format so all
members can participate in a manner that feels comfortable to them.
Elections will be held by texting in your vote to 860-385-6788.


National Representative: John Paré, Executive Director, Advocacy and Policy,
National Federation of the Blind

President: Maryanne Melley
National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

 <http://www.nfbCT.org> www.nfbct.org

Facebook: National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

Door Prizes: Door prizes will be awarded throughout the convention. To be
eligible, you must be registered and be on Zoom or in the conference room
when your name is drawn. 

50/50 raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day and the winner will be
announced at the end of the Banquet.

Guide Dog relief area: As you leave the conference room turn right. At the
end of the hall take another right and then a quick left. Continue straight
to the exit doors. Walk down the sidewalk until you come to a set of three
stairs. At the bottom of the stairs there is grass on both sides for
relieving. PLEASE pick up after your dog and deposit the waste in the trash
receptacle back at the doors.

We would like to thank our generous sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor:


 <http://www.oakhillct.org> www.oakhillct.org

 

 <https://non-24.com/> 

 <http://www.vandapharma.com> www.vandapharma.com

 

 

 

Gold Sponsor:     Youthful Images 

 

Silver Sponsor:   Retina Consultants, PC

 

Friday, October 29th, 2021

5:30p.m.- 7:30p.m. Dinner, Salon 2

Slider Station and Mashed Potato Stand

6:30p.m.-10:00p.m. NFB of CT Variety Show!

Join the fun of music, joke telling, poetry reading, sing a long, and so
much more with your fellow federation family members! 

             

 

Saturday, October 30th, 2021 

7:00a.m.- 9:00a.m. Breakfast, Nutmeg Ballroom

9:00a.m. - Call to order

Invocation; Father Bob Kwiatkowski, Church of Saint Peter Claver

9:05a.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, NFB Pledge

 

9:10a.m. – Honoring our Veterans, Vernon F. Humphrey, Master Sergeant, US
Army, retired and Leonard Schlenk, Staff Sergeant E6, US Army.

 

9:15a.m. – Announcements: Principals of Engagement, change to our State
Constitution. Thank you to our donation mailers. Charlie Rival, Joe
Kolczynski, Mary Silverberg, Cheri Duquette, Maryanne Melley, Ebony Simmons,
Karine Pimental, Richard Ireland, George Reed, and Pam Taylor. Without all
of you we would not be in the strong financial situation we are. I would
also like to extend my sincere thanks to this years’ convention committee,
Beth Rival, Deb Reed, Jim Cronin, Brian Martin, Becky Ireland, and Kristen
Dockendorf. Through all their challenging work and planning we are
experiencing our first successful hybrid convention.

 

12:30p.m.-5:00p.m. Vendors, Salon1

 

2:00p.m.- 3:00p.m. Connecticut Association of Guide Dog Users, Rocky Hill
Room

 

3:00p.m.- 5:00p.m. Connecticut Association of Blind Students, Rocky Hill
Room

 

Recommended change to State Constitution 

Article IX: Affiliation

Remove this portion: (NOTE: An amendment to the Constitution of the National
Federation of the Blind was passed in July 1971, restricting the use of the
name only to organizations so affiliated. However, we did not pass this
amendment with the Constitution of the Connecticut Federation, and your
President feels it should not be part of this State Constitution. This note
is for reminder to us that such a restriction exists in the National
Constitution.)

Add this: The name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the
Blind, or any variant thereof is the property of the National Federation of
the Blind; and any affiliate, or local chapter or division of an affiliate,
if it ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind, (for
whatever reason) shall forthwith forfeit the right to use the name National
Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

Article XI: Dues

Remove this portion: A life-time membership may be secured for a fee of
$100.00. A person must be a paid member at least fifteen (15) days in
advance of a state convention to be able to vote at said convention.

 

 

 

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut Proposed 2021 State
Convention Principles of Engagement:

These principles of engagement were adopted by the National Federation of
the Blind of Connecticut Board of Directors on July 31st, 2021, for
recommendation to the State Convention. Nothing in these rules of engagement
is intended to change the Federation’s constitution. The Board of Directors
and members in good standing and in attendance may participate in all
convention discussions as a matter of right. Any member of the NFB of CT may
make or second motions [and] propose nominations.” These procedures simply
implement the method for following the constitution in a hybrid convention.

The principles and procedures below are intended to provide clarity and
advance notice on how the convention will be managed in 2021. They are
consistent with practices used in previous hybrid conventions. This document
will be read at the NFB of CT Opening Ceremonies on October 30th and then a
second time on October 31st at the Business Meeting. Those eligible to vote
on this proposal will be any enrolled voter present and voting at Business
Meeting on October 31st as described below.

“A subcommittee of the board of directors comprising those who are not
standing for election this year shall deal with questions and issues of
credentials for voting. The subcommittee will include Nathanael Wales, Mary
Silverberg, and Veronica Alston. Nathanael Wales shall chair the
subcommittee.”

Voting

1.	To be eligible to vote at the 2021 Convention, individuals must be
registered to vote no later than October 22, 2021.
2.	Be active members in good standing of the National Federation of the
Blind of Connecticut either through the affiliate, State division, State
Chapter or as a Member at-Large at the state level having paid dues for
2021.
3.	Provide a phone number to be used for voting purposes.
4.	The subcommittee or Lucia Lee will validate the list of eligible
voters based upon the above criteria by October 22, 2021. The vetting
process will include verification that the individual was a member in good
standing prior to October 22, 2021, according to the state membership
database. Any individuals who register to vote through the state convention
registration but are not listed as active members will be contacted via
email and offered an opportunity to provide proof of membership. If no email
is given at the time of registration, the phone number provided for voting
purposes will be used to communicate. The final list of eligible voters for
the 2021 convention will be considered final on October 22, 2021. No
exceptions will be made for members who fail to register to vote at the
convention by October 22, 2021.
5.	All individuals who are members in good standing in 2021, registered
for the convention, and provided a valid phone number for voting purposes
will constitute the pool of convention voters. “This includes members who
will be voting virtually and in person.” 
6.	All voting will be done via phone.
7.	Any matter must receive 51 percent support of the votes cast by the
convention voters present and voting in order to be affirmed.
8.	Present and voting will mean the subset of convention voters who
actually cast a vote on a given question. Thus, voters who are indifferent
to a matter cannot block its consideration by the convention by choosing not
to cast a vote.
9.	All votes will be allocated two minutes for vote time.

10.After two minutes, if the outcome to the question under consideration is
unclear, the chair will poll the Board of Directors not up for reelection by
voice vote for a definitive outcome.

11.If voting indicates 75 percent support for or against a question prior to
the two-minute period elapsing, the chair may elect to move to the next
order of business.

12.An opportunity to practice voting will be offered in the convention on a
question that has no impact on the policy of the organization

 

9:20a.m. - Jim Cronin, Nominating Committee Report

9:25a.m. – John Paré, Executive Director, Advocacy and Policy, National
Federation of the Blind

9:55a.m. – Justin Salisbury, National Association of Blind Students (NABS)
Representative-Update from the National Student Division

10:15a.m. - Hear from our Scholarship Finalists:

         Lizzy Capelli

Isabel Rosario

Yew Siang Cheong

Sasha Somuah

Jack Mc Donald

         

10:30a.m. - Maryanne Melley; Presidents Report

10:45a.m. - Dave Furland, Sighted Guide Techniques

10:55a.m. - Hans Jorgen, Be My Eyes

11:05a.m. - Nick Whitney, Fidelco guide dogs, a User, and a Spokesman. 

11:15a.m. – Erin Spaulding, Hope and Possibility with Achilles Connecticut

11:30a.m. – Vicki Preddy, Vanda Pharmaceuticals

11:45p.m.- Shon & Jennifer Spears, Colorado Center for the Blind

 

12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Break for lunch

 

1:00p.m.- Amy Porter, Department of Rehabilitation Services

1:15p.m. - Vernon Humphry, The Effect of Vision Loss and Partners

1:30p.m. - Dan Parker, My Experiences as a Blind Racecar Driver

1:45p.m. - Brian Martin and Lizzy Cappelli, Adventures with LEAP (Learn,
Earn and Prosper)

2:00p.m.- Lou Anne Blake and Jeff Kaloc, Our Right to an Independent Vote

2:15p.m.- Justin Salisbury, Welcoming Home Our Native Son

2:30p.m. - Patrick Olsen, Accessible Pharmacy Services

2:45p.m.- Rick Fox, Former Affiliate President, The History of the NFB of CT

3:00p.m. – Michael Ross, Dinosaur State park

 

3:15p.m. – Deborah Schander, State Librarian, Updates on the LBPH (Library
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped)

 

3:30p.m. – Marty Watts, Aira Presentation

 

3:45p.m. – Jon Sperling and AJ, A Puppy Raisers Job. Guide Dog Foundation

 

                                           One Minute Message

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

 

4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m. Break

 

6:00 p.m. Banquet Dinner, Nutmeg Ballroom

Invocation: Rabbi Michael Pincus, Congregation Beth Israel

Master of Ceremonies, Brian Martin 

Keynote Address: John Paré, Executive Director, Advocacy and Policy National
Federation of the Blind

 

Presentation of 2021 Scholarships:

Mary Silverberg and Deb Reed:

Scholarship Finalists:

Lizzy Capelli

Isabel Rosario

Yew Siang Cheong

Sasha Somuah

Jack Mc Donald

Scholarships:

Howard E. May Memorial Scholarship

Woodward Memorial Scholarship

C. Rodney Demarest Memorial Scholarship

Doris Higley Memorial Scholarship

Zukowski Family Foundation Scholarship

 

Conclusion of banquet. 

 

 

Sunday, October 31, 2021

 

7:00a.m.-9:00a.m. Breakfast, Nutmeg Ballroom

 

9:00a.m. Call to order; Business Meeting      

Roll Call

NFB Pledge

Reading of 2021 Principals of Engagement and Recommended changes to
Constitution 

Vote on said Principals and Constitution changes 

Reports:

Reading of 2020 Business Meeting Minutes, Vote on Acceptance: Charlie Rival

Treasurers Report: Nathanael Wales, vote on report.

ABPVI (Advisory Board Persons with Visual Impairments): Mary Silverberg

SRC (State Rehabilitation Council): Deb Reed

BCAC (Bureau Consumer Advocacy Committee): Barbara Blejewski

PAC (Pre Authorized Contribution) Plan: Len Schlenk

Vehicle Donation: Maryanne Melley

Federationist: Brianna Rigsbee

New Business:

BELL Academy; Thank you Kristen Dockendorf and mentor Beth Rival 

LBPH (Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) Answers to your
Questions; Deb Reed

Washington Seminar Appointments; Mary Silverberg and Joe Kolczynski 

Vote on Subsidy amount if we attend in person.

2022 Convention will be at this location

January Board Meeting January 15th Southern Connecticut Chapter, Milford,
Hosts

Chapter News

 

Elections, John Paré, Moderator

Any member nominated from the floor should have already agreed to serve
prior to this convention.

Nominees from the committee and from the floor will have one minute to state
why they feel the affiliate should vote for them. The one minute time will
be strictly enforced.

Elections: Results will be given to our national Representative John Paré at
860-385-6788.

Everyone will have 2 minutes to cast their vote.

Positions:  Board Member

                         Board Member

                        Secretary-One Year Term

 

Zoom Links for Saturday and Sunday. Please be polite and mute yourselves
when our guests are speaking.

 

NFB Connecticut is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: 50th State Convention General Session

Time: Oct 30, 2021, 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

 <https://zoom.us/j/95845616778?pwd=UXlob1ZOam5ZNUt5dUkvQmZPWmpxdz09>
https://zoom.us/j/95845616778?pwd=UXlob1ZOam5ZNUt5dUkvQmZPWmpxdz09

Meeting ID: 958 4561 6778

Passcode: 683516

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 958 4561 6778

Passcode: 683516

Find your local number:  <https://zoom.us/u/abi4fEIU3A>
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Join by Skype for Business

 <https://zoom.us/skype/95845616778> https://zoom.us/skype/95845616778

 

NFB Zoom host is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Connecticut Association of Guide Dog Users

Time: Oct 30, 2021, 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95452508460

Meeting ID: 954 5250 8460

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 954 5250 8460

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abDjj6QOQ

Join by Skype for Business

https://zoom.us/skype/95452508460

 

NFB Zoom host is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Connecticut Association of Blind Students

Time: Oct 30, 2021, 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 912 5513 9598

One tap mobile

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+13126266799,,91255139598# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 912 5513 9598

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adVdzlRXSW

Join by Skype for Business

https://zoom.us/skype/91255139598

 

NFB Connecticut is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: NFB of CT Business Meeting

Time: Oct 31, 2021, 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 980 0199 9387

Passcode: 201002

One tap mobile

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+13126266799,,98001999387#,,,,*201002# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 980 0199 9387

Passcode: 201002

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abKdsGnUCC

Join by Skype for Business

https://zoom.us/skype/98001999387

 

 

 

 

 

Best Regards,

 

Maryanne Melley

President

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

860-212-5549

maryanne.melley at gmail.com

 

“Live the Life You Want; Blindness is Not What Holds You Back”

 

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