[Mn-at-large] Hotel reservation deadline extended for annual convention

Thu Sep 17 23:47:46 UTC 2015

All,
In case you were not able to make a hotel reservation before the deadline
and wish that you could have done so, here is your chance. The deadline has
now been extended to September 25th, so come join us for the annual
convention. The information is below and attached again for your
convenience.

TO: National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota members and friends
FROM: Jennifer Dunnam, President
SUBJECT: 2015 Annual Convention
DATE: August 25, 2015

We of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota are pleased to
announce plans for our upcoming annual state convention. Following is
information you'll need to know concerning logistics (including advance
registration), costs, and an outline of some of the events that will take
place this year.

The two-and-1/2 day convention will be held from October 9 -11 2015 at the
Ramada Mall of America at 2300 East American Boulevard, Bloomington,
Minnesota 55425. This year we are pleased to have as our national
representative Patti Gregory-Chang, a Board member of the National
Federation of the Blind who has served as president of our affiliate in
Illinois and as the chair of our national scholarship committee.

Hotel arrangements: Room rates are $99.00 per night, plus tax, for singles,
doubles, triples, and quads. Hotel reservations must be made by September
11. To reserve your hotel room, either
1) Call 952.854.3411 or toll free 1.800.328.1931.  Ask for in-house
reservations, and mention group code NFBM while making your reservation.
Or
2) Book your room online at
http://www.secure-res.com/res/vn4/cglogin.aspx?hotelid=2978&rlog=1009. Once
there, put in the online reservation code NFOTBMN, then click the login tab.
This will bring you to where you can enter your arrival & departure dates
and where you get the special group rate.

Advance Registration: A pre-registration form and return envelope are
enclosed with this letter, so that you can register for the convention ahead
of time and avoid standing in line. Convention registration is $10 in
advance, and $15 on site.  The BLIND Inc. lunch costs $20, and the banquet
is $30.  The registration form and the payment for registration, lunch, and
banquet should be mailed before October 2.  Mail to:  National Federation of
the Blind of Minnesota, 100 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404.  Checks
or money orders should be made payable to NFB of Minnesota.  Please do not
send cash.

If you do not pre-register for the convention, please still e-mail
sstarnes at blindinc.org or call 612-872-0100 to make lunch and banquet
reservations so that we can give the hotel an accurate count.

DUES: If you have not yet paid your $5.00 membership dues, a renewal slip is
enclosed.  Please renew your membership by returning $5.00 and the slip in
the enclosed envelope.  If you did not receive a slip with this letter, your
dues are paid to June 1, 2016.

SCHEDULE

We will hold our traditional bake auction during the Saturday and Sunday
general sessions and the Saturday evening banquet.  Door prizes will also be
given during those times.  You must register and be present in the room to
win.

Some events will be added to this schedule, and more details about the
schedule will be made available as they are finalized.

Friday, October 9:

3:00-5:00 p.m.: Registration will be open.  Registration will also be open
at other times during the convention.  If you pre-registered, be sure to
stop by registration to pick up your lunch and banquet tickets.

3:00-5:00: Exhibits and Meetings
.	Exhibits and demonstrations;
.	Resolutions committee meeting (Ryan Strunk, chair of the Resolutions
Committee, asks that you submit proposed resolutions in advance of the
convention and then come participate in the discussion.  You may send your
draft resolutions to Ryan at the NFB office or e-mail them to
ryan.strunk at gmail.com.  To see the resolutions we have passed during the
past ten years, check our Web site under "What We Do."

5:00-7:00: Annual meeting of the Minnesota Association of Blind Students.

7:00-8:30: Annual meeting of the Minnesota Association to Promote the Use of
Braille.

7:30: The Metro Chapter invites you to an evening of hospitality and games,
with opportunity to gather with friends old and new. Light snacks will be
provided and there will be a cash bar. Try your hand at board games if you
wish, and study up on NFB of Minnesota history for a chance to win fabulous
prizes by answering trivia questions! Information on the history of our
affiliate is available at www.nfbmn.org under "Who We Are."

Saturday, October 10:

The Annual Meeting of the NFB of Minnesota Seniors Division will occur over
breakfast on Saturday morning.

8:15 a.m.: Registration opens, and coffee and rolls will be available.

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: General session packed with a variety of information
and discussion on current issues related to blindness.  Among other items,
we will dialog with Minnesota agencies for the blind and elected officials,
learn from the stories of our members and friends of all ages, and discuss
our current activities and plans for the future.

12:00 p.m.: BLIND, Inc. Lunch: Celebrate the progress and accomplishments of
our consumer-directed training center with a delicious lunch and a program
featuring students and staff of BLIND Inc.

6:00 p.m.: Social hour with cash bar prior to our banquet.  Come and join us
for more hospitality.

7:00 p.m.: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address
from our national representative, Patti Gregory-Chang, who will no doubt
remind us why we are members of this dynamic and action-oriented
organization with its positive philosophy. Following the banquet, stick
around with the Metro Chapter for an after-banquet party!

Sunday, October 11:

9:00 a.m.-Noon: Business session. We will hear reports, deal with any
remaining resolutions, and much more.  The positions of President,
Secretary, and three board members will be up for election.

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

Louis Braille Coins:  These stunning commemorative silver dollars, cast by
the U.S. Mint and featuring readable Braille, will be on hand at the
convention for purchase.  They make great holiday gifts, and you can also
help by selling them to others.  Proceeds from the sale of these coins go to
support braille literacy programs, so please help us spread the word and
sell these beautiful coins!

Cash Prizes for Essays: The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota
Federationists to participate in its annual essay contest.  Although there
is not a specific essay question, the essay should be focused on experiences
as a blind person and highlight a positive message or outcome.  The length
of the essay should be about 2-3 pages.  The winning essay will be published
in the Minnesota Bulletin, and the writer will receive $75.  Another $50
will be awarded in a random drawing from the rest of the essays, which will
also be considered for publication. Both winners will be announced at the
banquet on Saturday evening.  All entries must be received by September 28,
2015.  E-mail them to tom.scanlan at earthlink.net.

Our convention each year is an opportunity for the blind of our state to
come together for a common cause and to educate ourselves and others.
Public services and other resources for the blind are presented, ideas are
exchanged, and plans and policies for the coming year are formulated.  Make
plans to join us and be a part of the excitement!
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