[IL-Talk] Convention agenda PASTED IN

pattischang at gmail.com pattischang at gmail.com
Fri Oct 13 18:29:16 UTC 2023


 

 



 

 


National Federation of the Blind of Illinois


State Convention 2023


"Rooted in Philosophy"

 

 




AGENDA

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

OF ILLINOIS

Annual Convention

October 13-15, 2023

 

 

 

Naperville Marriott

1801 Naper Blvd

Naperville, IL 60563

630 505-4900

 <http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chimn-chicago-marriott-naperville/>
Naperville Marriott Website

 


The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is thankful to our 2023
state convention sponsors.


 

Gold Level Sponsors:

Elburn Lions Club

https://elburnlions.com/lions-club/

 

North Aurora Lions Club


 <https://www.northauroralions.org/> https://www.northauroralions.org/


 


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


 

The Aileen S. Andrew Foundation

 

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Inc.

 

Community Fund Quad Cities Mildred Crespin-Croegaert Fund

 

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

 

Gary and Debbie Lindon Family Fund via Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Chicago

 

The Friends and Family of Teresa Meyer for In Memoriam Gifts

 

The Naperville Noon Lion's Club

 

Chapin Lions Club

 

The Chicago Lighthouse

 

Laura Gerdes Ehrhart

 

Michelmann Foundation

 

Richard Lansden and Roger Hickman, Trustees, The Leona Stanford Vollintine
Charitable Trust

 

IABM, a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

NFBI Chicago chapter, a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois

 

 


Logistics: Announcements, Registration, Information Desk, and Smoking Policy


 

Announcements that you wish to be made from the convention floor during
sessions MUST be submitted to the information desk in the convention hall.
Mary Grunwald is coordinating our information desk this year.  Michal
Nowicki and Kira O'Bradovich are handling the registration table at
convention. Tasabih Elfaki and Michelle Ault are running our door prize
table.

If you wish to reach President Marilyn Green during sessions, please text
312-343-8396.

Smoking is not permitted in convention sessions.

 

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

Marilyn Green, President

5128 N. Oak Park Ave. 

Chicago, IL 60656               (312) 343-8396

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois ("NFBI")

 <http://www.nfbofillinois.org> NFBI Website

 <https://nfb.org/free-cane-program> National Federation of the Blind
Website

 

 

 

 


2023 Naperville Marriott Hotel/Convention Information


Naperville Marriott Website
<http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chimn-chicago-marriott-naperville/> 

 

This quick article explains the layout of the Naperville Marriott which is
our convention hotel for 2023. It also gives you basic information about the
facilities and amenities. 

 


Address and Phone:


The hotel is located at 1801 N. Naper Blvd Naperville, IL 60563. The phone
is: (630) 505-4900.

 


Sleeping Room Types:


There are two types of rooms. A Suite and a Standard Room. The suites have a
parlor with a sleeper sofa and two easy chairs. The room rate for 1 King bed
is $129 and the room rate for 2 Queen beds is $139 per night. All rooms have
hair dryers and coffee makers. Connecting rooms are available upon request.

 


Keycards and Electrical Power:


This hotel is modernized. You need to insert your keycard in a slot inside
your room to the side of the door to turn your power on. Leave it in the
slot until you exit your room.  When you remove it, the power goes off
again.

 


Checkout:


Check in time is 3:00 p.m. Checkout time is 12:00 p.m.

 


Wi Fi:


There is free Wi Fi in all lobby and common areas. This includes our meeting
rooms.

 


Facilities:


There is an indoor pool, fitness room, and Jacuzzi. There is lots of parking
especially by the side door.


Layout:


If you enter through the main doors, the layout is as follows: the Starbucks
is to the left. You should walk ahead to where the tiled flooring forms a
cross. If you turn left at the "lobby cross" with the doors at your back,
you can enter Starbucks by taking the first left. If you take a right, you
can go to the elevator bank. If you pass the elevators, you head toward the
meeting rooms. 

>From the front door, if you simply bypass the crossing of the tiled portions
of the lobby and keep going straight, you will find our information desk on
your left and the hotel desk on your right. If you pass both, there is a
restaurant directly ahead. You can find the bar which also serves food from
the restaurant by going left after passing the hotel desk. The bar will be
on your right although people can also sit on the left side at this point in
the lobby.

If you reorient to the lobby desk, at this point it is easier. If you are
standing facing the hotel front desk, the elevator bank is down the tiled
hall to the right of the front desk. There are three elevators on your left
side down that hall a short way. They are fast. 

Our meeting rooms are laid out past the elevator bank. Right after the
elevators there is a cash machine on your left and restrooms on your right.
Past those, first you come to a hallway where conference rooms A, B, and C
are on your left headed away from the lobby. Conference rooms D, E, and F
are on your right. Past that Hall the hall divides at a Y. There is another
set of restrooms down by the other conference rooms near Bailey. If you go
left, you come to Bailey-Hobson and if you go right you will get to the
Naper Ballroom. We are in the Naper Ballroom on Friday, October 13 and all
general sessions, the luncheon and the banquet on Saturday, October 14.
Outside of the Naper Ballroom we will have exhibits and we will have our
registration. 

There is a dog relief area outside of the Naper room. Exit and walk a short
way, then take a 45-degree left turn. There is a cement patio area on the
left about 30 ft. up.  At the end of the patio, you will find a grassy area
with trees which will work well for dog relief.  There is even a hydrant.

 


Braille is Beautiful - Friday


Braille is Beautiful will take place on Friday. Please feel free to reach
out to Debbie Stein if you wish to participate.      

 


Set-up for Naper Ballroom:


When you enter the Naper Room it is wider left to right and shorter going
ahead from the doors. You enter at the back of the room. We will have info,
sales, and IABS in the back of the room and head table/stage will be
furthest from the doors by the windows. Door prize table will be on the
right as you face the stage. 

 

 

Have a great convention, everyone!

 


IABS, INFORMATION, PAC AND SALES TABLES


The information desk will be in the hotel main lobby on Friday Oct. 13 from
2:00 to 4:30 p.m., and in our general session room during general sessions.
Registration will be in the hallway outside of the Naper room on Friday from
2:00 through 5:00 p.m. as well as on Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.  The
sales table for IABS will be in the back during general sessions. The PAC
plan table will also be in the back during general sessions.  Exhibitors
will be outside of our general sessions room.

 


Announcement:


You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a
member of our Dream Makers Circle. 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 Patti Chang at (773) 307-6440 or at
pchang at nfb.org <mailto:pchang at nfb.org> .

 

The PAC Plan allows members, affiliates, chapters, and others to give a
regular and automatic donation to the Federation every month. All you need
to provide is your checking, savings or credit card account identification
information.

 

Because of the costs associated with operating the program, the minimum
donation is $5 a month and there is no restriction on how much you donate.

Please sign up at the PAC table during convention to begin a new PAC
contribution or to make changes to your current contribution. Your donation
will help the blind live the lives they want.

 

 

 

 


Welcome to our 2023 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind
of Illinois!!!


 




Friday, October 13, 2023, Morning and afternoon

9:00-5:00      Exhibits - Hallway outside of Naper Ballroom   

Friedman Place

                        Guide Dogs for the Blind

Innovative Vision Products

Safety Positive Foundation

 

2:00-3:30      Sculpting with Clay - Ralph Cossentino, Instructor of
Figurative Sculpture at the Palette and Chisel in Chicago, Naper Ballroom

 

2:00-4:30      Information Table - Mary Grunwald, Hotel Lobby

3:00-6:00      Registration, Michal Nowicki, NFBI Treasurer and Kira
O'Bradovich, NFBI Chicago chapter Treasurer

Hallway Outside of Naper Ballroom 

4:00-5:00      Resolutions - Michal Nowicki and Dustin Cather, Co-Chairs
NFBI Resolutions Committee

Naper Ballroom

 


October 13, 2023, Evening


5:00-7:00      General Membership Dinner and evening general session- 

Cost $15, Naper Ballroom

5:00-5:10      Welcome and Announcements - Marilyn Green, President NFBI 

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence, Roberta Glickman- August 26,1945 to August 22, 2023-
Chicago Chapter 

Adam Kazarowicz- March 11, 1980-April 7, 2023- Chicago Chapter

Vanessa Williams McDonald- February 22, 1962-April 7, 2023- Chicago Chapter

Teresa Meyer- October 9, 1955-February 26, 2023- Chicago Chapter

 

5:10-5:30      Dinner            

 

5:30-6:00      Braille is Beautiful  

 

6:00-6:30      What does it mean to be a member of the National Federation
of the Blind-Kevan Worley, Manager, Project Literacy; National Federation of
the Blind of Colorado and Denise Avant, Co-chair, Membership; National
Federation of the Blind       

 

7:00-11:00   IABS IDOL - Admission $5, includes your first performance 

Teresa Fabre, IABS President, Naper Ballroom

Join us for the Illinois Association of Blind Students IABS Idol

Based on the popular TV show, American Idol. IABS Idol invites everyone to
participate as a soloist or group and perform a song of their choice. Bring
an instrument and perform your favorite song. Each performance costs $5 per
person. Don't forget our "Battle of the Chapters." This year's theme is
songs related to snacks. 




 


Saturday, October 14, 2023, Morning


Philosophy over Breakfast, Naper Ballroom


 

7:00-7:10      Introductions

7:10-7:30      Breakfast Served 

7:30-8:00      Why are we the National Federation of the Blind- Kevan
Worley, Manager, Project Literacy; National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado and Patti Chang, 2nd Vice President, National Federation of the
Blind of Illinois

8:00-8:30      A Candid Conversation on Canes-Sara Luna, Vice President,
Illinois Association of Blind Students, a division of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois

8:00 - 9:00    Registration

Michal Nowicki, NFBI Treasurer and Kira O'Bradovich, NFBI Chicago chapter,
Treasurer

Outside of Naper Ballroom

Later registration, see Michal Nowicki in General
Sessions

 




 


October 14, 2023, Morning Sessions


 

9:00-11:30   General Session  

Naper Ballroom

9:00-9:05      Welcome and Announcements - Marilyn Green, President NFBI 

 

9:05-9:50      National Report - Kevan Worley, CEO, Wworley Enterprises;
National Rep., National Federation of the Blind        

9:50-10:20   How does the National Federation of the Blind raise
Expectations for Students- Joshua Olukanni, President, Minnesota Association
of Blind Students and NABS Rep.; Sara Luna, Vice President, IABS, a division
of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and 2nd Vice President,
National Association of Blind Students, a division of the NFB

10:20-10:25 2024 NFB State and National Scholarship Programs - Deborah Stein
and Patti Gregory Chang, Co-chairs Scholarship committee, National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois

10:25-10:35 National Association of Blind Students Report - Joshua Olukanni,
Board Member, National Association of Blind Students, a division of the NFB

10:35-10:40 Washington Seminar 2023 and the NFB Legislative Initiatives -
Denise Avant and Dustin Cather, Federal Legislation Co-chairs, National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois

10:40-10:50 My Summer at BELL Academy-Debbie Stein, BELL Coordinator,
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois; Bridget Hickey, Co-Teacher,
Illinois Chicago BELL Academy and the BELL students

10:50-11:10 An NFB Training Center: What to Expect-Jamie Richey, Interim
Director, Blindness in New Dimensions (Blind Inc.), Minneapolis, Minnesota 

11:10-11:30 The State of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind of Illinois
-Kim Borowicz, Bureau Chief, Illinois Bureau of Blind Services 

11:30-12:00 Break 


12:00 pm-1:30pm     Illinois Association of Blind Students Lunch and
Business Meeting - Naper Ballroom


IABS President, Teresa Fabre

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
Glenn Moore or any IABS Board Member to pay dues. We will be collecting
money at the registration table and at the IABS table during convention.

12:00-12:15 Lunch

12:15-12:20 Student Excellence Award - Debbie Stein, Board Member, Illinois
Association of Blind Students

12:20-12:30 2023 Scholarship Finalists - Deborah Stein and Patti Chang,
Scholarship Co-chairs, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

12:30-12:40 NABS REP. presentation, Joshua Olukanni, National Association of
Blind Students 

12:40-1:10   Cross the Line- Illinois Association of Blind Students 

1:10-1:15      Treasurer's Report - Glenn Moore, Illinois Association of
Blind Students Board Member

1:15-1:20      Presidents Report - Sara Luna, Vice President, Illinois
Association of Blind Students 

1:20-1:30      Elections

Board Seat 3 currently held by Glenn Moore

Board Seat 4 Currently Held by Amari Richardson

1:30-1:35      Illinois Association of Blind Students Board of Directors
Photo Op 

  


October 14, 2022, Afternoon 


Breakouts 1:45-2:50 pm


 

Breakout 1

1:45-2:50 Tea Time and Personal Safety Breakout 

Conference Room F

Amy Wilson, CEO, Safety Positive Foundation

 

Breakout 2 

Conference Room D

1:45-2:50      NFB Philosophy Breakout: What is the Philosophy of the
National Federation of the Blind? 

Denise Avant, 1st Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois

 


October 14, 2023, Afternoon continued


3:05-5:00 General Session, Naper Ballroom


 

3:05-3:10      Call to Order

3:10-3:20      Closing Remarks - Joshua Olukanni, NABS Student
Representative 

3:20-3:30      Closing Remarks - Kevan Worley, NFB National Representative


3:30-4:00      State Reports

Treasury Report - Michal Nowicki, Treasurer, National Federation of the
Blind of Illinois 

Presidents Report - Marilyn Green, President, National Federation of the
Blind of Illinois

4:00-4:30      Resolutions - Michal Nowicki and Dustin Cather, Co-chairs

4:30-5:00      Elections

General Board Seats

Board Seat 1 Currently Held by Sara Luna

Board Seat 2 Currently Held by Mary Grunwald 

Board Seat 3 Currently held by Steve Hastalis  

Board Seat 4 Currently Held by Dustin Cather

 

                              Election of Delegate and Alternates to 2024

                              National Convention

 

5:00    Adjourned

 


Saturday, October 14, Evening


 


5:20-5:50       Scholarship Committee Meeting - President's Room


6:00-7:00       Hospitality - Fourier Outside of Naper Ballroom 


7:00                Annual Banquet -Naper Ballroom


MC - Denise Avant, 1st Vice President 

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

7:05-7:10      Welcome and Invocation - Eileen Truschke, Member, National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Chicago chapter 

7:15-7:45      Dinner 

7:45-7:55      Awards-Patti Chang, 2nd Vice President, National Federation
of the Blind of Illinois 

7:45-8:00      Fifteen for Funds - Cathy Randall, Board member, National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois

8:00-8:30      Banquet Speech - Kevan Worley, NFB National Representative

8:30-8:45      Scholarship Awards - Deborah Kent Stein and Patti Chang,
Scholarship Co-chairs, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 

8:45                Adjourned


9:00-11:00   Hospitality  


 




 


October 15, 2023 


 

8:00-10:00   Scholarship Breakfast- (Finalists, Committee Members, and
Invited Guests)

Conference Room D          

 


Thank You for All You Do


Thanks to the Special Events Committee, the Sound 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 PLEDGE


I pledge to participate actively in the efforts 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. 


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. 

 

 

 

Patti Chang 

2nd Vice President 

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 

773-307-6440 

 <https://www.nfbofillinois.org/> https://www.nfbofillinois.org
Pronouns: she, her, hers 

 

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 113126 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/il-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20231013/f6d9d4e7/attachment.jpg>


More information about the IL-Talk mailing list