[Home-on-the-Range] 2025 state convention notes

[Rob Tabor]

Greetings, Kansas Federation colleagues and cohorts,

Convention time is now only four weeks away, so here is an attempt to bring all the needs-to-know info all together. We will convene from October 1 to November 2, at Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, 400 W Douglas in beautiful downtown Wichita. The deadline for making hotel reservations has passed, but there may be a room or two still available. If you wish to lodge at the hotel and have mimissed the reservation deadline, we advise you to contact Donna Wood by email at donnajwood at cox.net, or by phone at (316) 640-0650. Room rates are $137 per night and includes a full breakfast buffet, daily hospitality lounge, and a free daily drink.

To register for the convention, you may do so in advance for $10 or $15 at the convention. Thanks to the highly appreciated sponsorship of Nanopac, Inc., there is no charge for the Saturday luncheon, which will feature a salad and lasagna. The banquet fee is $ca35, and will feature basil cream chicken with beef tips, a vegetable medley, creamy mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, and creme Brûlée for dessert. If you have special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc., you have until October 21 to register for the convention. Special dietary needs are listed on the online registration form on our state affiliate website at www.nfbks.org. Payment for convention registration and banquet meal can be made via Paypal through treasurer at nfbks.org or by check or money order c/o Robert Fuller, 1120 Randall Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049. If you use Paypal, be sure to select the "friends and family" button, so we won't be charged any transactional fees.

If you come on Friday, you are invited to visit the exhibit area and meet the representatives of several vendors and service providers. Since the first day of convention comes on halloween, feel free to appear in costume. If you do, the south-central chapter is paplanning a fun fundraiser you can participate in. Addicadditionally, the Kansas blind senior division will conduct a raffle which will buy you a chance for several nice prizes including a pair of Meta glasses.

Last not least, there will be a change in the convention schedule. The resolution nd nominat-ing committee meetings will be moved to Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. So be on the lookout for a Zoom meeting invitation in your inbox. This change will enable other activities or meetings to be moved to Friday evening from there customary day and time slots.a

We look forward to meeting this year's national representative, Ben Dallin, president of the Wisconsin affiliate and a national board member. There is more info about Mr. Dallin in the Fall 2025 issue of our TapTracks newsletter. He will preisent a national report on Saturday morning and will deliver the keynote address at the banquet.

Another exciting program feature involves two breakout sessions on Saturday afdn. One will feature mobility and technology, while the other session covers communications and technology.

Finally, the convention wraps up on Sunday morning with usual reports, election of three board positions, and discussion and voting on proposed resolutions.

Special note: We need to be completely out of our hotel rooms by no later than 11 a.m. This is nonnegotiable. The desk attendant can store your luggage for you if need be.

I hope this missive will help you to know what to expect for the 2025 convention, and will give you some activities to look forward to.

Best regards,
Rob Tabor | first vice president National Federation of the Blind of Kansas
Ph: (785) 865-9959
rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net