[MN-at-Large] Apply by Nov. 19 to lead our BELL Academy, and register for the 2025 Washington Seminar!

Sun Nov 10 20:31:24 UTC 2024

From: NFBMN-News <nfbmn-news-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Corbb O'Connor via NFBMN-News
Sent: Saturday, November 9, 2024 9:02 PM
To: nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org
Subject: [NFBMN-News] Apply by Nov. 19 to lead our BELL Academy, and register for the 2025 Washington Seminar!

Hello friends,

It was such a treat to see you in person last weekend for our annual convention! Thank you to everyone who made the event possible. Your unique contributions truly made the event a success. I am elated to see how you embraced the changes (the extra hours in our agenda, a larger exhibit hall, a silent auction, karaoke, and many other tweaks), and I’m even more excited by the fun ideas that you continue to send to me for next year. Speaking of next year, please send all feedback – positive and constructive – to me; I’m keeping a list of it all as we plan the 2025 annual state convention!

Consider applying to lead the NFB BELL Academy in Minnesota next summer!

The National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (NFB BELL) Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want through instruction in literary braille, cane travel, and activities of daily living. 

A small group within our Board of Directors, chaired by Mike Colbrunn, has agreed to review applications from those who are interested in serving as the coordinator for this program.

At the end of this message, I’ve included an outline of the coordinator’s responsibilities. After reading that list, if you are interested in serving in this paid position, please submit a letter of application to president at nfbmn.org <mailto:president at nfbmn.org>  no later than Tuesday, November 19. I’ll compile the applications and share them with the committee.

Save the date, make your reservations, and plan to join our legislative efforts this winter!

At our Washington Seminar, NFB members from across the country convene to learn about and advocate for legislative initiatives that will improve the lives of blind Americans, and we’d love for you to join us Monday, February 3 through Thursday, February 6! (Information about financial assistance will be available shortly.) If you are even considering attending, please reserve your DC hotel room <https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=WASSM&qCiD=30&qCiMy=002025&qCoD=07&qCoMy=012025&qGrpCd=NF5&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=HI&qDest=550%20C%20Street%20S.W.,%20Washington,%20DC,%20US&srb_u=1&qChAge=&qRmFltr=>  today.

For 2025, we are trying something new with regard to the Washington Seminar. We are asking that all attendees complete a registration form, so that we can keep those who are attending better informed about the events taking place that week. There is no fee associated with registration, and the form is quick and easy to complete. It can be found on our Washington Seminar page <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>  along with many other helpful pieces of information about the 2025 legislative event. 

Whether or not you can travel to Washington, DC, I hope that you’ll mark your calendars to join us for our legislative day at the Minnesota Capitol. Our government affairs committee will have more information soon, including the date and issues!

Description of Coordinator Responsibilities  for the NFB BELL® Academy

The National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (NFB BELL) Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want. The Minnesota affiliate seeks a coordinator to facilitate the planning and execution of a one-to-two week program to serve Minnesota students in the summer of 2025.

A successful program necessitates the involvement of many volunteers, so the coordinator will need to recruit and oversee a team of individuals to accomplish the following:

*	Work with the affiliate president and board to determine the dates of the academy
*	Secure a location where the academy will be held (such as a school, community center, or other venue), and negotiate a contract for the space in accordance with NFB policies.
*	Recruit volunteers for the academy, and determine where their skills are best suited (Some volunteers will be less comfortable working with students but are eager to help with putting together materials or getting things embossed before the beginning of the academy, while others will want to work directly with students)
*	Submit volunteers’ information to the Jernigan Institute staff to complete a background check
*	Coordinate fundraising and grant writing projects to help fund the NFB BELL Academy in Minnesota
*	Advertise the NFB BELL Academy within Minnesota and recruit students
*	Connect with families who are interested in the NFB BELL Academy (such as answer questions about what the program involves,  and help families understand the value their student will get from attending)
*	Serve as a key stakeholder in developing an application and interview process for a lead teacher.
*	Work with the lead teacher to select lessons from the NFB BELL curriculum, and ensure necessary materials are purchased and available for students
*	Facilitate transportation and meals for students during the program
*	Plan parent engagement that will take place during the NFB BELL Academy
*	Provide logistical support to the lead teacher during the Academy
*	Complete a final report (which is critical to the Federation’s continuation of the NFB BELL Academy, as it helps us learn what is going well and what we need to improve for the future) 

A coordinator is crucial to insuring the success of the NFB BELL Academy, and this person has the opportunity to shape many young, blind children’s understanding of their blindness and future potential.

The coordinator will be paid $1,500 at the completion of a successful program. 

If you are interested in this role, please submit a letter of application addressed to the Board of Directors via e-mail to  <mailto:president at nfbmn.org> president at nfbmn.org no later than Tuesday, November 19. 

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