[MN-at-Large] Draft state convention agenda and reminder to register

[David Andrews]

>
>The danger of putting out a draft agenda is the 
>need to modify it hours later! The diabetes 
>seminar is now back on Friday at 11:30 and deafblind group on Saturday at 3:30!
>
>Corbb, from my iPhone
>
>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>www.nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9363
>
>>On Oct 14, 2024, at 12:08 AM, Corbb O'Connor 
>>via NFBMN-News <nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>Good evening!
>>
>>
>>
>>There are just a few days left to reserve your 
>>hotel room and register for our annual state 
>>convention! Read on for some exciting updates about our convention.
>>
>>
>>
>>Despite many of our convention hotels having a 
>>pool, it’s rare that many of us ever have the 
>>time to get there. This year, please plan to 
>>join us for a casual pool party on Halloween, 
>>October 31, around 7:30pm. We’ve looked at 
>>lots of options for a fun, inclusive, and 
>>affordable event, but the calendar has thwarted 
>>us with so many venues having special events 
>>planned for a spooky Thursday evening.
>>
>>
>>
>>Be sure to come bright and early on Friday 
>>morning as we kick off the convention with a 
>>general session at 9:30am. Longtime Minnesotan 
>>Cody Beardslee will share practical tips for 
>>navigating his favorite place: a ballpark. 
>>We’ll also hear from a Certified Executive 
>>Coach who’s helped hundreds of executives get 
>>promoted with stellar resumes and mock 
>>interviews, and I’m confident that whether 
>>you’re looking for a job or hungry for your 
>>next promotion, you’ll find value in the 
>>session we have planned! We’ll finish Friday 
>>morning with a look inside Saint Paul’s 
>>gangster history preserved in the Wabasha 
>>Street Caves! And that’s just the beginning

>>
>>
>>
>>WWe are working with the hotel to open up more 
>>rooms at our discounted convention rate of $99, 
>>so please continue to 
>><https://group.doubletree.com/8y15v9>check the 
>>hotel website or call the front desk at the 
>>DoubleTree Saint Paul East at (651) 731-2220 if 
>>you have not already made your reservation. The 
>>final deadline to make your hotel reservation is October 22.
>>
>>
>>
>>Whether or not you’re staying at the hotel, 
>>please be sure to 
>><https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6>register 
>>for the convention so we know how many to 
>>expect and to be sure that we have the proper 
>>meal for you. This is due by October 25.
>>
>>
>>
>>Tara Coyne and Charlotte Czarnecki are still 
>>looking for auction items! They are especially 
>>looking for the following donations: baked 
>>goods in sturdy, sealed containers; baskets of 
>>goodies; and services (think of your 
>>talents!).  All donations are greatly 
>>appreciated! Based on the feedback received 
>>throughout the year, we are shifting the format 
>>to start with a silent auction on Friday, so 
>>it’s critical that we hear from you soon to 
>>coordinate logistics. Please reach out to Tara 
>>Coyne, (678)-697-2989, 
>><mailto:taracoyne21 at gmail.com>taracoyne21 at gmail.com, 
>>or Charlotte Czarnecki,: 
>><mailto:charlotte.renee1972 at gmail.com>charlotte.renee1972 at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>Lastly, I’ll let you in on what’s so far 
>>been a little secret: our draft agenda. Please 
>>note that it’s still subject to change based 
>>on the availability of our speakers. Speaking 
>>of our facilitators, an unavoidable conflict 
>>has caused us to move the diabetes seminar to Saturday afternoon.
>>
>>
>>
>>Friday, November 1
>>
>>9:00 AM–5:00 PM—Pre-Re-Registration Packet 
>>Pickup & On-site Registration (McKnight Ballroom Foyer)
>>
>>Muffins and coffee will be available. Those who 
>>pre-registered should pick up meal tickets and agendas.
>>
>>9:00 AM–6:00 PPM—Exhibits (McKnight Ballroom Foyer)
>>    * NFBMN Silent Auction
>>    * American Printing House for the Blind
>>    * Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
>>    * EZ2See®
>>    * Selvas BLV
>>    * State Services for the Blind
>>
>>9:30 AM-11:15 AM—General Session (McKnight 2)
>>    * 9:30 AM, Call to Order
>>    * 9:35 AM, A Grand Slam for Independence: 
>> The Skills of Blindness at the Ballpark—Cody 
>> Beardslee, Student Serviices Manager, Saavi Services for the Blind
>>    * 9:50 AM, The Interviewer for Your Next 
>> Job Has One Question on their Mind: Do You 
>> Know What It Is?—Kevin E. O'Connorr, CSP, CEC
>>    * 10:10 AM, Secrets of the Saint Paul 
>> Wabasha Street Caves: Gangsters, Ghosts, and Hidden History
>>    * 10:55 AM, Convention Logistics—Elizabeth 
>> Rouse, Convention Logisttics Coordinator
>>    * 11:00 AM, Building Opportunity Together: 
>> Fundraising through our Silent 
>> Auction—Charlotte Czarnecki and Tara Coyne, Co-chairpersons
>>    * 11:05 AM, Announcements
>>    * 11:15 AM, Adjourn
>>
>>11:30 AM-12:45 PM and 2:00 PM-4:00 
>>PM—Foundations of Freedom Traiining: Sessions 1 and 2 (Tartan 3)
>>
>>This training offers a deep dive into the 
>>transformative approach of structured 
>>discovery: the gold standard in blindness 
>>training. Filled with hands-on activities and 
>>rich information, participants will experience 
>>firsthand what it’s like to attend a 
>>structured discovery training center. Whether 
>>you’re a trainee or professional, you’ll 
>>walk away with key insights on how this method 
>>fosters true independence, problem-solving, and 
>>adaptability for blind individuals. Hosted by 
>>the Minnesota Center for the Blind.
>>
>>11:45 AM-1:00 PM—Deafblind Group Meeting (McKnight 2))
>>
>>Rocky Hart, Chairperson.
>>
>>1:00 PM-2:00 PM—Lunch (McKnight 1)
>>
>>A limited number of lunches may be available 
>>for those who did not pre-register. Please 
>>check with the team at the registration table.
>>
>>2:00 PM-3:30 PM—Building Confidence through the Arts (McKnight 2)
>>
>>Get ready to bring out your inner performer! 
>>Learn fun and engaging ways to build confidence 
>>that can carry you through everything from 
>>social gatherings to job interviews. This 
>>session will be full of practical tips and a 
>>few laughs as you learn how to put your best 
>>foot forward. No acting experience required, 
>>just a willingness to have fun and embrace the 
>>journey to greater self-confidence! Elizabeth Rouse, Facilitator
>>
>>2:00 PM-3:30 PM—Ownning Your Dignity (Tartan 2)
>>
>>This breakout will feature real life stories of 
>>how dignity can be taken away from us. We will 
>>deep dive into these situations in an 
>>interactive way with discussions and acting out 
>>scenarios   This is based off of President 
>>Riccobono's 2024 banquet speech. Cody Beardslee, Moderator.
>>
>>3:45 PM-4:45 PM—Resolutions Commmittee (McKnight 2)
>>
>>Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson
>>
>>5:00 PM-5:45 PM—State Services for the Blind: 
>>An Ongoing Evolution (MMcKnight 2)
>>
>>Learn about the latest news and updates from 
>>across the agency, including information on the 
>>recently obtained Disability Innovation Fund 
>>grant. Afterward, attendees are invited to a 
>>“town hall-style forum” where they are free 
>>to ask questions, share concerns, offer ideas 
>>for improvement, and suggest changes to the SSB 
>>administrative rule that governs vocational 
>>rehabilitation and independent living services 
>>(<https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/3325/>Minnesota 
>>Rules Chapter 3325). Hosted by Director Natasha 
>>Jerde and Deputy Director Jon Benson.
>>
>>6:00 PM–7:00 PM—Casual Dinner (McKnight 1)
>>/p>
>>
>>Join your federation family for a fast, casual, 
>>and affordable dinner with a cash bar.
>>
>>7:00 PM–8:00 PM—Pre-registrationion Packet 
>>Pickup & On-site Registration (McKnight Ballroom Foyer)
>>
>>7:00 PM-8:00 PM—Demanding Equal Access: A 
>>Conversation for Minnesota Guide DDog Users (Tartan 3)
>>
>>Join Minnesota guide dog users and prospective 
>>handlers as we discuss our recent rally in San 
>>Fransisco, where we demanded that Lyft and Uber 
>>drivers fully accommodate guide dogs and blind 
>>people. National representatives Debbie and 
>>Gary Wunder will share their experiences and 
>>the steps we’re taking to enforce these 
>>rights. We’ll also explore challenges faced 
>>by guide dog handlers in Minnesota and discuss 
>>the formation of a dedicated guide dog user 
>>group in the affiliate. Briley O’Connor and Aida Talic, Co-Facilitators.
>>
>>7:00 PM-8:00 PM— Belonging Matters: Creating a 
>>Culture oof Inclusion and Connection (Tartan 2)
>>
>>In this session, we will explore the importance 
>>of belonging through the lens of diversity, 
>>equity, and inclusion. Through conversation, we 
>>will discuss how belonging leads to meaningful 
>>connections and lasting commitments. 
>>Participants will leave with actionable 
>>insights on how we can each contribute to 
>>building an equitable and inclusive community 
>>where every voice is heard, and everyone belongs. Kotumu Kamara, Moderator
>>
>>7:00 PM–“8:30 PM—Annual Meeting of the 
>>Minnesota Association of Blind Studentts (McKnight 2)
>>
>>Ben Zheng, President
>>
>>7:00 PM–“8:30 PM—At-Large Chapter In-Person Meeting (Tartan 1)
>>
>>David Andrews, President
>>
>>8:00 PM–11:00 PM—Hospispitality and Silent Auction (McKnight 1)
>>
>>Join the Metro Chapter for a fun evening of 
>>meeting others from around the state. There 
>>will be additional snacks and a cash bar.
>>
>>Saturday, November 2
>>
>>6:40 AM–7::00 AM and 8:30 AM-11:30 
>>AM—Pre-registration Packet Pickup & On-ssite 
>>Registration (McKnight Ballroom Foyer)
>>
>>
>>
>>7:00 AM—Seniors in Charge! Breakfast and Annual 
>>Meeting of the National Federation of the Blind 
>>of Minnesota Seniors Division (McKnight 1)
>>
>>Join us as we collaborate on topics for our 
>>upcoming winter meetings, ensuring they reflect 
>>the needs and interests of our older members 
>>experiencing vision loss. We’ll also hear 
>>from Ed Lecher, Director of the Senior Services 
>>Unit at State Services for the Blind, who will 
>>share about the services available for seniors. Judy Sanders, President
>>
>>9:00 AM–12:00 PM—General Session (M (McKnight 2)
>>
>>Coffee will be available in the back of the room.
>>    * 9:00 AM, Call to Order
>>    * 9:05 AM, Welcome to Saint Paul—Steve 
>> Sawczyn, President, NFBMN Metro Chapter
>>    * 9:15 AM, Report from our National 
>> Office—Gary Wunder, Braille Monitor Editor and NFBMO PPresident Emeritus
>>    * 9:45 AM, Launching the Minnesota Braille 
>> Challenge—Colleen Felleer, Director, SparkPath & HR Director, BrightWorks
>>    * 9:55 AM, Meet our Joyce and Tom Scanlan 
>> Scholarship Winners: Majed Alhuwayri and Aida 
>> Talic—Steve Jacobsson, Scholarship Committee Chairperson
>>    * 10:10 AM, Minnesota Braille and Talking 
>> Book Library: Moving Into the Future, the 
>> Sequel —Catherine A. Durivage, Libraryy 
>> Program Director, Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
>>    * 10:25 AM, Who's Listening? Lessons from 
>> Serving on Minnesota Councils—Judy Sanders, 
>> Chairperson, Minnesota State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
>>    * 10:40 AM, Strengthening our Membership 
>> for a Brighter Future—Jan Bailey, Chhairperson, NFBMN Membership Committee
>>    * 10:45 AM, Minutes from our 2024 State 
>> Convention—David Andrews, NFBMN Secretary
>>    * 10:55 AM, Advancing Access: Mobile 
>> Devices, AI, and Meta Glasses—Steve Sawczyn, NFBMN Vice President
>>    * 11:05 AM, Leading with Innovation: 
>> Strengthening the Randolph-Sheppard Legacy for 
>> Blind Entrepreneurs—Mikke Colbrunn, NFBMN 
>> Board Member and Second Vice President, 
>> National Association of Blind Merchants
>>    * 11:15 AM, Sip & Savor: The Ultimate Soda 
>> Showdown—in parrtnership with Northern Soda Company
>>    * 11:35 AM, Auction & Announcements
>>    * 12:00 PM, Adjourn
>>
>>12:15 PM-1:45 PM—Minnesota Center for the Blind Luncheon (McKnight 1)
>>We invite all BLIND, Inc. alumni, former staff, 
>>and supporters to join us for lunch. Executive 
>>Director Briley O'Connor and Board Chair Carla 
>>McQuillan will provide a detailed overview of 
>>the organizational assessment, share updates on 
>>what is next for the Minnesota Center for the 
>>Blind, and discuss ways to get involved. Come 
>>for the updates, stay for the great company and conversation!
>>
>>2:00 PM–3:20 PM—General Session (Mc(McKnight 2)
>>    * 2:00 PM, Call to Order
>>    * 2:05 PM, It's Time to Turn the Page: 
>> Seeking Higher Expectations for Literacy and 
>> Learning—”Samantha Flax, NFBMN BELL Academy Coordinator
>>    * 2:15 PM, Update from the Minnesota 
>> Department of Education—Diane Dohnalik, 
>> M.S.Ed., COMS, Specialist for the Bliind and 
>> Visually Impaired, Minnesota Department of Education
>>    * 2:35 PM, Legacy in Motion: From BLIND, 
>> Inc. to Minnesota Center for the 
>> Blind—What’s Nextâ—Briley O'Connor, 
>> Executive Director, Minnesota Center for the Blind
>>    * 2:55 PM, Presidential Report—Corbb O'Connor, NFBMN President
>>    * 3:10 PM, Auction & Announcements
>>    * 3:20 PM, Adjourn
>>
>>3:30–5:00 PM— Diabetes Advocacy in Action: 
>>Shaping a More Ie Inclusive Tomorrow (Tartan 2)
>>
>>Discover how the Diabetes Action Network (DAN) 
>>is advocating for accessible diabetes 
>>management tools and supporting blind 
>>individuals living with diabetes. We’ll 
>>explore key strategies for managing diabetes, 
>>including nutrition, exercise, and accessible 
>>technologies, while promoting health and 
>>independence. The Medical Device Nonvisual 
>>Accessibility Act will also be discussed, 
>>outlining our stance on inclusive design. Learn 
>>how you can get involved with DAN and join the 
>>movement to create a more equitable healthcare 
>>landscape for the blind community. Debbie 
>>Wunder, Facilitator and President, Diabetes Action Network.
>>
>>3:30–5:00 PM—Braille for Life: Advocacy, 
>>Learning, and Fun an at Every Stage (McKnight 1)
>>
>>We’ll have multiple stations covering 
>>everything from IEP advocacy to practical uses 
>>of braille, like labeling and daily tasks. 
>>Whether you're a fluent braille reader or just 
>>starting to explore alternatives to print, this 
>>session has something for everyone; kids are 
>>welcome and encouraged to attend. We'll also 
>>show you how braille can be fun
whether in 
>>games, learning, or everryday life. Samantha 
>>Flax and Jennifer Wenzel, Co-Facilitators.
>>
>>3:30 PM-5:00 PM—Foundations of Freedom 
>>Training Session 3: Employment Panel (Tartan 3)
>>
>>In this session, graduates of structured 
>>discovery centers will share how their 
>>blindness training prepared them for successful 
>>employment and how the skills they gained have 
>>empowered them in their careers and beyond. 
>>This is a must-attend for anyone interested in 
>>the real-world application of blindness skills 
>>training. Briley O’Connor, Moderator.
>>
>>6:00 PM—Social Hour and Cash Bar (McKnight Ballroom Foyer)
>>
>>Join us before the banquet for good conversation and a cash bar.
>>
>>7:00 PM—Banquet (McKnight 2)
>>
>>Kayde Rieken and Judy Sanders, Co-emcees
>>    * Invocation
>>    * Introduction of Harvest Table
>>    * Auctions, Raffles, and Drawings
>>    * Presentation of Joyce and Tom Scanlan Scholarships
>>    * Keynote Address: Gary Wunder, Braille 
>> Monitor Editor and NFBMO President Emeritus
>>
>>10:00 PM–11:30 PM—Post-Banquet Social and Cash Bar
>>
>>Sunday, November 3
>>
>>Please remember to set your clocks one hour 
>>back. Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 AM on 
>>Sunday morning, which gives us one extra hour of sleep.
>>
>>8:30 AM—Breakfast (McKnight 2)
>>
>>11:10 AM, Chapter Reports11:30 AM, Auction & 
>>Announcements11:50 AM, Concluding Remarks from 
>>our National Representative—Gary Wunder, 
>>Brraille Monitor Editor and NFBMO President Emeritus12:00 PM, Adjourn
>_
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