[MN-at-Large] [NFBMN-News] Join Events Next Week for a Discussion of BLIND, Inc., Our Building, and the Future of Training in Minnesota

[David Andrews]

Because of the number of BLIND Inc.-related 
activities next week, and their importance, the 
At Large Chapter of the NFB of Minnesota has 
decided to cancel its January meeting.

See you in February, if not sooner.

David Andrews, President

At 09:38 PM 1/9/2024, Corbb O'Connor via NFBMN-News wrote:

>Bottom-line up front: two meetings next week 
>focused on BLIND, Inc., the sale of our 
>building, and the future of blindness training 
>in Minnesota. Plus, be sure to 
><https://forms.gle/os7WAbV7QUkZjuSZ6>register  
>for our affiliate’s strategy session on January 20.
>
>Â
>
>Hello everyone,
>
>Â
>
>I write to you from my annual horseback trip 
>with my dad and brother. When we started this 
>tradition 13 years ago, I wondered how the 
>wranglers, staff, and even the horses would 
>react to blindness. As herd animals, it’s 
>definitely true that one horse will follow 
>another, but I’ve learned to also rely on 
>audio cues to stay on course while loping 
>through the Arizona wilderness. I’ve also been 
>taken back to the roots of my training in 
>nonvisual independence: using the sun as a 
>compass, listening for small changes in airflow 
>to know about trees, hearing the hooves pounding 
>in front of me to make slight left-or-right 
>turns, asking the wrangler to shout about 
>upcoming speed changes, and just enjoy the ride 
>with confidence! I would not have that 
>confidence without the blindness training that I 
>received
trainning that we’re fortunate to 
>have had more than 30 years in Minnesota, too.
>
>Â
>
>As you’ve heard, BLIND, Inc. is pausing its 
>services while we all work together to imagine 
>the future possibilities for 
>adjustment-to-blindness training in Minnesota. 
>I’m writing to invite you to a few, upcoming 
>conversations about both our programs and our 
>building. As the Board of Directors of BLIND, 
>Inc. has chosen to sell the building, the 
>affiliate’s Board of Directors must now choose 
>whether we want to keep or sell the building. 
>Before the board makes that decision, though, we 
>want to hear from you. The training-center board 
>also wants to answer your questions and provide you with updates.
>
>Â
>
>In full recognition that these issues are 
>complex and interrelated, we are hoping to focus 
>each conversation on specific areas. Please read 
>on so that you can bring your questions to the best venue.
>
>Â
>
>
>Opportunity #1: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
>
>
>
>The next public meeting of the Board of 
>Directors of BLIND, Inc., which will take place 
>on Zoom, will have updates and be a chance for 
>you to ask questions of the board about its recent decisions.
>
>Â
>
>Tuesday, January 16 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
>
><https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85237280673?pwd=NzU1eDc0a1hMdk4rNzF2RlpIM1llUT09>Join 
>Zoom Meeting for BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
>
>Â
>
>Meeting ID: 852 3728 0673
>
>Passcode: 647373
>
>Â
>
>One tap mobile
>
>+13126266799,,85237280673#,,,,*647373# US (Chicago)
>
>+16469313860,,85237280673#,,,,*647373# US
>
>Â
>
>Please feel free to reach out to 
><mailto:BoardChair at BLINDInc.org>BoardChair at BLINDInc.org 
>with any questions or comments ahead of the meeting.
>
>Â
>
>
>Opportunity #2: Affiliate Conversation about the 
>Sale of our Building and the Future of Blindness Training in Minnesota
>
>
>
>Our national president will facilitate a virtual 
>conversation with affiliate members about what 
>we want to see in a future training center here 
>in the land of 10,000 lakes and discuss the sale 
>of our headquarters building (the Pillsbury mansion).
>
>Â
>
>Thursday, January 18, 2024 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
><https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91226810860?pwd=djJYUy9Jcm5PMTNFdEYvK0VNeVkxdz09>Join 
>Zoom Meeting for Affiliate Conversation
>
>Meeting ID: 912 2681 0860
>Passcode: 355668
>
>One tap mobile
>+13092053325,,91226810860# US
>+13126266799,,91226810860# US (Chicago)
>
>Â
>
>
>Reminder of January 20 Strategic Planning Session
>
>
>
>The purpose of this board meeting, which is open 
>to all members, is to brainstorm and agree upon 
>our most important work for the year. 
>Conventions, legislative advocacy, and 
>membership growth are important; as we do these 
>things, though, what will we do, learn, and 
>feel? What’s worked well in past years that we 
>want to replicate? What do we want to do 
>differently? And maybe there are a few things 
>that we want to stop doing so that we can make 
>room for other work. What would make this 
>affiliate “even better if?” Please bring 
>your ideas and energy into this intentional space.
>
>Â
>
>We’ll have lunch. So, please complete this 
><https://forms.gle/os7WAbV7QUkZjuSZ6>registration 
>  form as soon as possible but no later than 
>Tuesday, January 16, and include any dietary or 
>access needs for our meeting. If we can help to 
>facilitate transportation for those outside the 
>Metro area, please reach out to me via email.
>
>Â
>    * Saturday, January 20 in-person and following the Metro chapter meeting
>    * 10am: Metro Chapter Meeting
>    * 12:15pm or so: Lunch
>    * 1:30pm: Affiliate strategic planning
>    * 5pm: Adjourn
>
>Â
>
>Both events will take place in the party room at 
>Five15 on the Park Apartments, 515 15th Ave S, 
>Minneapolis, MN 55454.  The building is less 
>than two blocks from the Cedar-Riverside Light Rail station on the Blue Line.
>
>Â
>
>As we announced at the last board meeting, are 
>using this space for the first time, and don’t 
>have the necessary audio equipment to provide an 
>equal experience for virtual attendees, there 
>won’t be an option to participate or listen by 
>Zoom. Again, please reach out to me if you need 
>assistance securing transportation.
>
>Â
>
>
>Upcoming Events
>
>
>
>    * Thursday, January 11 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
>    * Tuesday, January 16 6:00 PM-8:00 PM: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
>    * Thursday, January 18 7:30 PM-9:00 PM: 
> Future of Blindness Training and HQ Building in Minnesota
>    * Saturday, January 20 10:00 AM-12:30 PM: Metro Chapter Meeting
>    * Saturday, January 20 1:30 PM-5:00 PM: Strategic Planning for 2024
>    * Sunday, January 21 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: At Large Chapter Meeting
>    * Tuesday, January 23 7:00 PM-9:00 PM: Rochester chapter meeting
>    * Monday, January 29 – Thursdayy, February 1: Washington Seminar in DC
>    * Thursday, February 8 5:00 PM-8:00 PM: 
> State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Meeting
>    * Thursday, February 8 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
>    * Saturday, February 10 9:00 AM-11:00 AM: Affiliate Board Meeting
>    * Saturday, February 17 10:00 AM-12:30 PM: Metro Chapter Meeting
>    * Sunday, February 18 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: At Large Chapter Meeting
>    * Wednesday, February 21 8:00 AM-4:00 PM: 
> Day at the Capitol in Saint Paul
>    * Tuesday, February 27 7:00 PM-9:00 PM: Rochester chapter meeting
>    * Thursday, March 14 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
>    * Saturday, March 16 9:30 AM-12:30 PM: Metro Chapter Meeting
>    * Sunday, March 17 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: At Large Chapter Meeting
>    * Tuesday, March 19 6:00 PM-8:00 PM: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
>    * Tuesday, March 26 7:00 PM-9:00 PM: Rochester chapter meeting
>    * Wednesday, July 3-Monday, July 8: National Convention in Orlando, FL
>
>Â
>
>I look forward to talking with you soon!
>
>Â
>
>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President
>
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>
><http://www.nfbmn.org>www.nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9363
>
>Â
>
>Â
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