[MN-at-Large] Starting tonight, join Events this week for a Discussion of BLIND, Inc., Our Building, and the Future of Training in Minnesota

[David Andrews]

Still one meeting left.

Dave




>This is a friendly reminder of tonight’s 
>meeting of the BLIND, Inc. Board of Directors, 
>tonight’s deadline to register for our 
>strategy session this Saturday, and Thursday’s 
>membership meeting with President Riccobono. The 
>connection information and link to register can 
>be found in my e-mail from last week, which I am pasting below.
>
>Â
>
>Please reach out to me with any questions.
>
>Â
>
>Corbb
>
>Â
>
>From: Corbb O'Connor <<mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 9:38 PM
>To: 
>'<mailto:nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org>nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org' 
><<mailto:nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org>nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: Join Events Next Week for a Discussion 
>of BLIND, Inc., Our Building, and the Future of Training in Minnesota
>
>Â
>
>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
training tthat 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 – Thursday, 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
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