[MN-at-Large] Register Now: Join Blind Minnesotans for the 2025 Annual NFBMN Convention!

[David Andrews]

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>Join Blind Minnesotans for the 2025 Annual NFBMN Convention!
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>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, 2026.
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>When and Where
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>The three-day convention will be held:
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>    * Friday, November 14 at 9am to Sunday, November 16 at noon
>    * Best Western Rochester: 1517 16th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902
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>This year we are pleased to have as our national 
>representative Norma Crosby, President of the 
>National Federation of the Blind of Texas and 
>Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind.
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>Hotel Arrangements:
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>    * Room rates are $99 per night, plus tax
>    * Reserve your room before Wednesday, October 15
>    * To reserve your hotel room, either
>        * 
> <https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.24148.html?groupId=9L0HB9G1>book 
> your state convention room online with this special link, or
>        * call the Best Western Rochester at 
> (507) 289-8866, extension 1 (ask for the 
> National Federation of the Blind rate).
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>Registration and Meals
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>You can 
><https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9>register 
>online, or, if you prefer, you can also register 
>by postal mail using the form with return 
>envelope that will be in your mailbox shortly.
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>Please send in your registration as soon as 
>possible but no later than November 3.
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>    * Registration: $25 in advance, $30 on-site
>    * Friday lunch: $20
>    * Friday dinner: $30
>    * Saturday Senior Division Breakfast: $27
>    * Saturday MCB Lunch $30
>    * Saturday Banquet: $55
>    * Sunday Breakfast: $25
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>New this year, we are announcing the meal 
>selections (and giving you extra choices for the 
>banquet!). The registration form will ask for your preferences.
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>Those intending to register on-site should still 
>let us know in advance by 
><mailto:jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>emailing Judy 
>Sanders or by calling her at (612) 872-9363 to 
>reserve your meals so that we can give the hotel an accurate count.
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>Dues:
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>So that you will be able to vote on our policies 
>and in our elections next year, you’ll want to 
>pay your annual $5 membership dues.
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>Either pay your dues on your 
><https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9>convention 
>registration form, or 
><http://www.nfbmn.org/join-now>renew membership 
>here if you are unable to attend the convention. 
>Don't miss your chance to be part of shaping our movement!
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>Transportation from the Twin Cities:
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>The Metro Chapter has organized a chartered bus to Rochester.
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>    * Round-trip or one-way fare: $40 per seat
>    * Departs on Thursday, November 13 at 3pm
>    * Return trip leaves the hotel in Rochester on Sunday, November 16 at 1pm
>    * Pickup/return location: Cub foods, 5937 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
>    * <https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9>Sign 
> up for the bus on your convention registration form
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>Resolutions:
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>To clarify and give voice to our positions on 
>important issues, the convention considers 
>formal policy statements each year. Draft 
>resolutions should be 
><mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>emailed to 
>resolutions committee chair Jennifer Dunnam No 
>later than November 7. All convention attendees 
>are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions committee.
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>To read our resolutions from the last 20+ years, 
>visit <http://www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions>www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions.
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>Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:
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>The convention is accessible especially to blind 
>people. We offer materials in braille, large 
>print, and electronically. Wayfinding is made 
>accessible through human “talking signs.” We 
>repeatedly ask all attendees to respect our 
>fragrance-free environment. Gender-neutral 
>restrooms are located near the hotel pool. 
>Assistive listening devices are available for 
>use in the general session and, upon request, 
>breakout spaces, though we ask that you let us 
>know on the registration form if you are in need of a receiver.
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>If you need other accommodations to participate 
>fully in the convention, we urge you to let us 
>know as soon as possible via the 
><https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9>convention 
>registration form. Because we’ll need to 
>appropriately plan for additional resources, 
>please submit requests for specific 
>accommodations no later than Sunday, October 26, 2025.
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>Auction:
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>Donated themed baskets, crafts, baked goods 
>(securely sealed in disposable containers), or 
>other services will be auctioned throughout the convention.
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>Please consider donating items for the event! 
><mailto:charlotte.renee1972 at gmail.com>Email a 
>description of your item in advance to Auction 
>Coordinator Charlotte Czarnecki. Let us know if 
>you need for us to make a braille label.
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>Cash Prizes for Essays:
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>The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota 
>Federationists to participate in its essay 
>contest. The 2-3 page essay should be focused on 
>experiences as a blind person and highlight a positive message or outcome.
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>The winning essay will be published in the 
>Minnesota Bulletin, and the writer will receive 
>$75. Another $50 will be awarded in a random 
>drawing from the rest of the essays, which will 
>also be considered for publication.
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>All entries must be received by October 31, 2025 
><mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>via email 
>to Bulletin Editor Jennifer Dunnam.
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>Convention Schedule
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>Here are just a few highlights that you can expect at our convention:
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>    * Casual pool party on Thursday evening
>    * Exhibitors showcasing products and 
> services of unique interest to the blind
>    * Tactile art room where you can unleash your creativity
>    * A beginner, guided session on learning to 
> draw with Scalable Vector Graphics via code
>    * Exploration of the latest artificial intelligence tools
>    * Intermediate financial planning seminar 
> (retirement, investing, and home ownership, just to name a few)
>    * Blind Minnesotans celebrate how they’re living the lives they want
>    * Accessible puzzles in an escape room
>    * Town hall hosted by Minnesota State 
> Services for the Blind where you can comment on 
> proposed rule changes and existing services
>    * Planning four our advocacy, education, and advisory work in 2026
>    * Updates from the Minnesota Center for the 
> Blind, Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library, and other agencies
>    * Elections for President, Secretary, and 
> three board members of the NFB of Minnesota
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>More details about the schedule (and some 
>surprises) will be made available as they are finalized.
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>See You There!
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>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.
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>Please join us for the 2025 Annual Convention of 
>the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota!
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>Corbb O’Connor, President
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>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
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><mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9363
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