[MN-at-Large] Notice of 2024 Annual State Convention

Wed Sep 25 17:03:34 UTC 2024

Please see the following convention notice from President Corbb O'Connor:

TO:                       National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
members and friends

FROM: Corbb O'Connor, President

SUBJECT:         2024 Annual Convention 

DATE:                 September 24, 2024

We of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota are pleased to
announce plans for our upcoming annual state convention. We also encourage
members to take this opportunity to renew annual membership in the NFB of
Minnesota in plenty of time for the coming membership year, which begins on
January 1, 2025.

When and Where:

The two-and-1/2 day convention will be held from November 1-3, 2024, at the
DoubleTree Saint Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55119. This year we
are pleased to have as our national representative Gary Wunder, a long-time
leader in the Federation and editor of our flagship national publication the
Braille Monitor.

Hotel arrangements:

Room rates are $99.00 per night, plus tax, for singles, doubles, triples,
and quads. Hotel reservations must be made by Tuesday, October 22. To
reserve your hotel room, either

1.	book your state convention room online with this special link
<https://group.doubletree.com/8y15v9> , or 
2.	call the DoubleTree Saint Paul East at (651) 731-2220 (ask for the
National Federation of the Blind rate).

Registration and Meals:

Everyone who registers for the convention will be eligible for door prizes.
You can register online <https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6> , or, if you
prefer, you can also register by postal mail using the form with return
envelope that will be in your mailbox shortly. Please send in your
registration as soon as possible but no later than October 25.

Registration for the convention is $25 in advance, and $30 on site. Lunch
and dinner on Friday are $25 apiece. On Saturday, the senior breakfast and
the lunch are also $25, and the banquet is $50. The Sunday breakfast is $15.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate them on the
registration form. 

Those intending to register on-site should still contact Judy Sanders in
advance at (612) 872-9363 or jsanders.nfb at comcast.net
<mailto:jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>  to reserve your meals so that we can give
the hotel an accurate count. 

Dues: 

This is also the time to pay membership dues, so that you will be able to
vote on our policies and in our elections during 2025. You can pay
membership dues along with your convention registration
<https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6> . You can also renew membership here
if you are unable to attend the convention <http://www.nfbmn.org/join-now> .
Don't miss your chance to be part of shaping our movement.

Resolutions:

We adopt resolutions at our conventions as a way to clarify and give voice
to our positions on important issues. Draft resolutions should be emailed to
resolutions committee chair Jennifer Dunnam
<mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>  by October 25. All convention
attendees are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions committee. To see
the resolutions we have adopted during the past 20+ years, visit
www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions <http://www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions> .

Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:

The convention is designed and implemented to be accessible especially to
blind people in that materials are offered in accessible formats and other
nonvisual aids are provided (therefore, special requests for these items are
not required). If you need specific accommodations based on a disability
other than blindness in order to participate fully and equally in the
convention, we urge you to let us know as soon as possible via the
registration form <https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6> . Due to the size
and complexity of this convention, as well as the need to appropriately plan
for additional human and other resources, please submit requests for
specific accommodations no later than Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Proposed Amendments to Bylaws:

This year, among other business, the convention will consider proposed
amendments to our organization's bylaws, with slight modifications to our
voting provision and with some clarifications around the conducting of
virtual meetings. Please read the attached explanation and proposed
amendments to prepare for the discussion and the vote.

Auction:

Items will be auctioned off at various times throughout the convention.
Attendees are encouraged to donate theme baskets, crafts, baked goods
securely sealed in disposable containers, or other services. Please email a
description of your item in advance to auction committee coordinators Tara
Coyne (taracoyne21 at gmail.com <mailto:taracoyne21 at gmail.com> ) or Charlotte
Czarnecki (charlotte.renee1972 at gmail.com
<mailto:charlotte.renee1972 at gmail.com> ). Let them know if you will be
labeling your item in braille or if you need for them to make the necessary
braille label. You can also let them know if you wish to be one of the
auctioneers.

Rehabilitation Training Seminar

The Minnesota Center for the Blind, formerly known as Blindness: Learning in
New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc., will conduct a seminar on Friday and Saturday
about how structured discovery training leads to meaningful employment.
Although the training is primarily geared for new staff of State Services
for the Blind, all interested Federationists are welcome. Details of
registering for this seminar will be available soon.

Convention Schedule

Door prizes will be given during the general sessions and the banquet. You
must register and be present in the room to win a door prize. 

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

Friday, November 1:

9 AM-noon and 1 PM-6 PM Registration

9 AM-6 PM Exhibits

9:30 AM-11 AM: Board Meeting 

11:15 AM-12:45 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training
part one 

11:15 AM-12:45 PM: diabetes seminar 

1 PM-1:45 PM: lunch 

2 PM-4:00 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training part
two 

2 PM-3:30 PM: Building Confidence through the Arts

2 PM-3:30 PM: Philosophy

4 PM: Resolutions Committee Meeting

5 PM: State Services for the Blind Town Hall

6 PM: dinner

7 PM: Meeting of MN Association of Blind Students

7 PM: Guide Dog Users Meeting

8 PM: Hospitality hosted by the Metro Chapter

Saturday, November 2:

7:00 AM: Breakfast and Annual Meeting of the NFB of Minnesota Seniors
Division. 

8:15 AM Registration

9:00 AM-5:00 PM: Convention sessions packed with a variety of information
and discussion on current issues related to blindness. Among other items, we
will talk to 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. This time frame will also
include breakout sessions on Employment; DeafBlindness; and Advocating for
Braille, schools and beyond (kids welcome!)

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

7:00 PM: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address from
our national representative, Gary Wunder. Following the banquet, stick
around for more after-banquet socializing.

Sunday, November 3:

8:00 AM: Breakfast

9:00 AM-Noon: During the Sunday morning session, we will discuss resolutions
and other items of business, and there will be more food for thought and
practical take-aways.  The following positions will be up for election: Vice
President, Treasurer, and two board members.

See You There!

Our convention each year is an opportunity for the blind of our state to
come together for a common cause, to raise  expectations for ourselves and
others, and to strengthen our bonds of friendship. We will share public
services and other resources for the blind, exchange ideas, and formulate
plans and policies for the coming year. Please join us for the 2024 Annual
Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota!

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