[il-talk] agenda draft

[Gregory Chang Patti]

Many of you have asked for our agenda draft.  This may still have a few typos but the content is final.  



       

Determine Your Future Yourself
NFBI State Co	nvention 2013


     




AGENDA
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 
OF ILLINOIS 
Annual Convention 
October 25 – 27,  2013

Park Inn Hotel and Conference Center
1413 Leslie Drive
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 662-4300

Members of NFBI wish to thank the following donors for their generous gifts: 

The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area from the Arthur O. and Lela B. Lindsay Fund

Mr. Harold W. Knapheide III, in honor of his mother, the late Mary McDill Knapheide

Richard Lansden, trustee, The Leona Stanford Vollintine Charitable Trust

J. Milton Harris/Alice Chenault Foundation

The Aileen S. Andrew Foundation

Walter M. Florie Jr., Board Member, Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation

Elick and Charlotte Lindon Foundation

Ms. Abby Castle
Announcements that you wish to be made from the convention floor during sessions MUST be submitted to the information desk in the convention hall.  Roberta Reif is coordinating our information desk this year.   Patricia Olson is handling registration table at convention.  Denise Avant is running our door prize table.

If you wish to reach President Patti Gregory-Chang during sessions, please convey your requests to the information desk.

Braille, print, and recorded literature is available at tables in the convention hall.  Please take all you can carry and distribute our positive message of blindness far and wide!

Smoking is not permitted in convention sessions.

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Patti S. Gregory-Chang, President
6919 W. Berwyn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60656		(773) 307-6440
NFB of Illinois web site:  www.nfbofillinois.org

Have a great convention, everyone!

IABS, INFORMATION, AND SALES TABLES
The information desk will be in the hotel Main Lobby on Friday Oct. 5 from 2:00 to 4:30, and in the Hawthorn Room during general sessions.  Registration will be in the hallway outside of the Hawthorn Room on Friday from 2:00 through 7:30 as well as on Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.   Sales tables for NFBI and IABS will be in the back during general sessions.  

Announcement:
You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society.  Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois can be made in the form of a will, or living trust, an income generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.  For additional information, please contact LuAnne Blake at our national office.  Please consider helping us to continue to change what it means to be blind. 


Welcome to our 2013 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois!!!

IABS – Working for Tips

The Illinois Association of Blind Students will be providing assistance throughout this year’s convention..  Volunteers can be found at our Information and Registration tables and will be available to help serve food, provide drinks, carry luggage, and perform various other tasks.  All donations to these students will go to IABS. Please be generous and know that IABS is here to help with whatever you need. 

 Friday, October 25th, Afternoon 

12:00 – 6:00		Teacher of the Visually Impaired STEM Seminars 
			Cary Supalo, President Independent Science
			Hawthorn Room 

	12:00 – 1:00		Openhouse
	1:00 – 2:00		Mathspeak
	2:00 – 3:30		WindowEyes Logger Pro Interface
	3:30 – 5:00		Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest
	5:00 – 6:00		Exhibits and Questions 	

2:00 – 4:30		Information Table 
			Roberta Reif, coordinator
			Hotel Lobby

2:00 – 7:30 		Registration 
 			Pat Olson, Registration Coordinator
			Hallway outside of Hawthorn

4:00 – 5:00		Resolutions 
			Chris Jeckel, Chair  NFBI Resolutions Committee
			Sierra Room
Friday, October 25th, Evening 

2:00 – 7:30 		Registration 
 			Pat Olson, Registration Coordinator
			Hallway outside of Hawthorn

5:00 – 6:00		Join Our At-Large Chapter for A Get-To-Know You Dinner
			Room TBA 

5:00 – 7:00	 	Scholarship Dinner (Winners and Committee)
			Yellowstone Room 
		 										
7:00 - 9:00		Exhibits
			Sierra Room 

			Em Vitu Inc., Ed Vitu
			NFB Newsline, Dave Meyer 
Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service, Erika Lotz
Envision America

7:00 – 11:00		IABS IDOL – Admission $5 includes your first performance
			Julia Chang, IABS Secretary 
			James Dickman, IABS Board Member 

Join us for the Illinois Association of Blind Students annual IABS Idol.  Based on the popular TV show American Idol, IABS Idol invites everyone to participate as a soloist  or a group in performing a song of their choice.  We encourage participants to bring instruments.  Our judges are  Ronza Othman, Cary Supalo,  and Jean Brown.  

Each performance is $5 per person.  In addition, this year we will be charging a $5 admission fee which includes 1 free performance so get up and sing your favorites.  Also, don’t forget our “battle of the chapters.”  This year’s theme is “Independence.”

.   
Saturday, October 26th,  Breakouts

8:45 - 5:15		NFBI Kid Kamp 
			Francisco Chang and Janna Stein, Directors
			Yosemite Room 
			
		Theme: Space

	8:30		Registration
	9:00		Egg Balance
	9:30		Crafts: Stars, Spaceships, Telephones, and more
	11:30		Funny Space Facts and Jokes
	12:00		Lunch
	1:00		E.T.
	3:00		Reading with Bill Reif 
	4:00		Sing-Along with Dave Meyer and Cathy randall	
	
9:00 – 3:00		Teen Scene 
			Chris Jeckel and Ryan Parrey, Coordinators
			Redwood Room 

4:00 - 5:00		Significant Others Breakout
All who have a significant other: spouse, sibling, child, parent, etc. are encouraged to attend 
Francisco Chang, Moderator 
			Redwood Room 

Note:  Luncheons are listed later in this agenda.
Saturday, October 26th, Morning

7:00 - 8:30 		Parents of Blind Children Breakfast 
			Open to all who are interested.
			Debbie Stein, NFBI Board Member
			Master of Ceremony  
			Hawthorn Room 

			Welcoming Remarks
			Debbie Stein, NFBI Parent’s Committee Coordinator

2013 Illinois BELL Program, ”Presentations by BELL Students"
			Amy Lund, Moderator

			The Human Touch 
			Jean Brown, Beauty Salon Owner

8:00 - 9:00 		Registration
			Pat Olson, Registration Coordinator  
			Outside of Hawthorn Room 

			Later registration– see Glenn Moore in General Sessions

9:00 - 11:00	General Session 
			Patti Chang, Esq., NFBI President
			Hawthorn Room  
						
	9:00 - 9:15			Call to Order & Welcome
Moment of Silence  - We wish to remember those who have passed in the previous year.  
From Blackhawk Ruby Blanchard
From Chicago: Connie Davis
From Four Rivers: Tony Torragrossa

	9:15 – 9:45		National Report 
				Ron Brown, President NFB of Indiana

	9:45 – 10:15		Mentor/Mentee NFB Style
				Alexa Schwichow, Freedom Link 
				Hannah Hakes, Freedom Link and Blind Inc 

10:15 – 10:30	Legislative Report, Rose Sloan, NFB Governmental Affairs Specialist

10:30 – 11:00	Equality: It’s Your Right
Horizons for the Blind	
			Byron Lee, Horizons Marketing Team
			Aaron Mason, Horizons Marketing Team
			George McKenzie, Horizons Marketing Team 

11:00			Announcements and adjournment for lunch

Saturday, October 26th, Luncheons

11:30 - 1:30 		Illinois Association of Blind Students (IABS) Luncheon
Anyone interested in students issues is welcome
Hawthorn Room

				Welcome
				Brianna Lillyman, IABS 2nd Vice President
				Katie Leinum, IABS Board Member 

				What is IABS All About?
				Rose Sloan, IABS President
				
	The Scholarship Program
	Debbie Stein, IABS Board Member

	Meet the Scholarship Class of 2013
	Adrienne FalconeR
	Alexa Schwichow
	Alexander Taikwel
	Nicole Yarmolkevich
	
	The STEMX Program
	Alexander Taikwel, STEMX Participant
	Chris Meyer, STEMX Mentor

	The Internship Program
	Ronan Young, Intern
	James Dickman, Intern

	The National Association of Blind Students
Justin Salisbury, President Connecticut Assn. of Blind Students

	The College Experience Panel
	Katie Leinum, Moderator, IABS Board Member
	Rose Sloan, IABS President
Justin Salisbury, President Connecticut Assn. of Blind Students
	Chris Jeckel, IABS 1st Vice President
	Brianna Lillyman, IABS 2nd Vice President
	
	Closing Remarks
	Brianna Lillyman, IABS 2nd Vice President

11:30 – 1:00		Parents will Join our Students Luncheon
			Hawthorn Room

1:00 - 3:00		Parents Seminar 
			Anyone interested in parent issues is welcome.
			Sierra Room 

			Blindness: Tips and Tricks
			Amy Lund, TVI Springfield

			Access to Tactile Graphics the E.A.S.Y. Way
			Josh Coffee, E.A.S.Y. LLC.
			Mike Coleman, E.A.S.Y. LLC.

			Making Connections: Where Do We Go From Here?
Debbie Stein, Moderator
Nelly Gamino, Moderator
Saturday October 26th, Afternoon 

2:00 - 5:00 		General Session 
			Hawthorn  

2:00			Call to order and announcements

2:00 – 2:30		 Hear from Illinois Veterans
Dan Peters, Builder Constructionman, United States Navy
			SPC Steven C. Baskis, United States Army

2:30 – 3:00		Remembrances by the son of Dr. tenBroek
			Dutch tenBroek

 3:00 – 3:45		Dept. of Rehabilitation Services 
				Update on DRS, BEP, and BBS
				Francisco Alvarado, Assistant Director, DRS
				Raven Pulliam, Assistant Bureau Chief, BEP 
				Janet Sherburne, Assistant Bureau Chief, BBS

3:45- 4:15	ETEXT Universal Affordable Electronic Course Content Platform 
			Milind M. Basole, Principal E-Learning Professional				Yury Burukhovich, Lead E-Learning Professional 

4:15 – 5:00		Employment Panel 
Paul Shepardson, Contract Specialist, Federal Government
Nick Robertson, Contract Specialist, Federal Government 
Sameer Doshi, Vice President/Applications Development Senior Manager Citigroup

	5:00		Announcements and Adjournment

Saturday, October 26th, Evening 
 
5:00 – 6:30		Scholarship Committee Meeting 
			Room TBA  

6:00 - 7:00 		Hospitality 
			Yellowstone Room  

7:00 - 10:00	Annual Banquet
			M.C. Denise Avant Esq., NFBI 1st Vice President
					Hawthorn  
 
					Welcome to Bloomington and Invocation 
					Cary Supalo, Bloomington Chapter President

					Presentation of Bloomington Charter
					Patti Chang, NFBI President

					Welcome to Bloomington/Normal
					Teri Renner, City of Bloomington Mayor

 					BELL from a Parent/Teacher Perspective
					Nelly Gamino, Parent
					Gloria Moyer, Teacher of the Visually Impaired
	
				IABS Awards to Outstanding Educators

					My Poem, “I am From” 
					Rupa Elizabeth Sprecher,, Winner NFB Writer’s Contest
	
					15 for Funds 
				Cathy Randall, NFBI Development Committee Chair

					Banquet Keynote Address
				Ron Brown, NFB 2nd Vice President 

				Scholarship Awards
				Debbie Stein, Scholarship Committee Chair

10:00 – 12:00	Hospitality   
			Yellowstone Room 
Sunday, October 27th, Morning

7:00 - 8:30 		Student Breakfast and IABS Business Meeting 
			Rose Sloan, IABS Vice President
			Hawthorn Room  

Note:  All are welcome who are interested in student issues but please note that only those who have paid IABS dues may vote in elections. Please see Rose Sloan or any IABS Board Member to pay dues.  We will be collecting money at the registration table and at the IABS table during convention. 

Welcome
Rose Sloan, IABS President

NABS Update
Justin Salisbury, NABS Board Member

Approval of Minutes of Oct. IABS Meeting 

Treasurer’s Report 

Fund Raising Comm. Update
Julia Chang, IABS Secretary

Outreach Comm. Update
James Dickman, IABS Board Member

Mentoring Update
Brianna Lillyman, IABS 2nd Vice President

President’s Report
Rose Sloan, IABS President

Old Business

New Business 

Elections: 
Treasurer – formerly Meg Dowell
2 Board Seats – currently held by Ryan Parrey and Katie Leinum

Schedule Next Meeting

9:00 - 12:00 	General Session 
			Hawthorn Room  
					
	9:00 – 9:05		Call to Order

	9:05 – 10:00		Braille is Beautiful, a dramatic presentation by talented Braille readers					

	10:00 – 10:30 	Treasurer and President’s Reports
				Treasurer’s Report, Glenn Moore NFBI Treasurer
				President’s Report, Patti Gregory-Chang, NFBI President

	10:30 – 11:00	Chapter Reports
				At-Large:
				Blackhawk: Patrick Olson
				Bloomington, Cary Supalo
				Chicago, Dave Meyer
				Ferris Wheel, Bill Reif
				Four Rivers:  Brian Sumner
				IABS: Rose Sloan
 
11:00 – 11:15	Fundraising
			IABS Raffle Drawing
Shopping Certificate Program, Dave Meyer, Chicago Chapter President 

	11:15 – 11:45	Resolutions
Chris Jeckel, Chair NFBI Resolutions Committee	

	11:45 – 12:00		Elections

				Election of two members of the Board of 
				directors to fill seats currently held by Debbie Stein and Bill Reif 

				Election of Delegate and Alternates to 2014 
				National Convention

	12:00			Adjournment

Thanks to the Special Events Committee and all others who have served on committees, worked registration and information tables, secured door prizes, and appeared on the agenda.  You have helped make this convention a tremendous success.


NFB of Illinois
President: Patti S. Gregory-Chang, Esq.

NFB PLEDGE

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.		


The Illinois Affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind has two listservs for all interested in blindness issues in IL.  IL-Talk is for everyone and IABS-Talk is specific for those interested in student issues.  Sign up by going to www.nfbnet.org.

Please give to the National Federation of the Blind Annual Appeal by sending to NFBI, c/o Glenn Moore, Treasurer PO Box 1065 Elgin, IL 60121.

PS.  Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nfbi and on facebook by searching on "National Federation of the Blind of Illinois."
Patti Gregory Chang Esq.
President, NFBI
pattichang at att.net