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2018 Semiannual Convention<br>
#NFBMNS18<br>
Saturday, May 19, 2018<br><br>
<h1><b>Registration</b></h1><br><br>
$5.00 if paid in advance, $10.00 if paid on the day of the convention;
lunch: $9.00. If you pre-registered, please stop by to pick up your lunch
ticket. When you register, you may also pay your $5 membership dues for
the upcoming year if you have not already done so.<br>
<br>
Once you have picked up your agenda and lunch ticket, please move out of
the lobby area, so we can keep the line moving. Also, note that there
will be seating at tables in two rooms this year; the sound system will
be set up so that all attendees can hear and participate in any
discussion.<br><br>
<h1><b>Door Prizes</b></h1><br><br>
Door prizes will be awarded throughout the morning session. To be
eligible, you must be registered <i>and in the room</i> when your name is
drawn. Our door prize chairperson this year is Amy Baron.<br><br>
<h1><b>Childcare</b></h1><br><br>
Childcare will be available on the Fourth Floor of our building during
the morning and afternoon sessions. The cost is $10 per child. Children
can be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. and will need to be picked up during
lunch. The convention breakout sessions will end by 4:30 p.m. Our
childcare coordinator is Briley O'Connor.<br><br>
<h1><b>Live Streaming</b></h1><br><br>
Those unable to join us in person for the day can listen to the morning
session of the convention via live stream by visiting
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/streaming/index.htm">
www.nfbmn.org/streaming/index.htm</a> to find information and links to
the stream.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>Agenda</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>8:15
Registration</b></h3><br><br>
Coffee and doughnuts will be available. Please pickup your convention
agendas and lunch tickets.<br><br>
<h2><b>9:00 Morning General Session</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>9:00
Call to Order and Welcome from Host Chapter</b></h3><br><br>
Sharon Monthei, President, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>Pro Tip #1</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>9:10
What's Happening at State Services for the Blind</b></h3><br><br>
Carol Pankow, Director, Minnesota State Services for the Blind<br>
Lisa Larges, Outreach Coordinator, Minnesota State Services for the
Blind<br><br>
<h3><b>9:30
Reflections on the Journey: Headfirst into Life</b></h3><br><br>
Isac Kautto, Intern, Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND),
Inc.<br><br>
<h3><b>9:45
Mid-Year Treasurer's Report </b></h3><br><br>
Jennifer Dunnam, Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota<br><br>
<h3><b>Pro Tip #2</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:00 Holding the
Line: Answering Calls for the Federation</b></h3><br><br>
Judy Sanders, Member, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>10:20 Common
Bonds: Exploring a Journey of Friendship</b></h3><br><br>
Samantha Flax, Member, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>10:30
Kylesthenics</b></h3><br><br>
Kyle Hanneman, Fitness Consultant<br><br>
<h3><b>10:35 Election of
Delegates to the 2018 National Convention</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:40
Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan</b></h3><br><br>
Bob Raisbeck, Minnesota Coordinator, PAC Plan<br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>10:45 Announcing
the 2018 Scholarship Class</b></h3><br><br>
Steve Jacobson, Chairman, Scholarship Committee<br><br>
<h3><b>Pro Tip #3</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:50 A Refresher
Course from Ireland</b></h3><br><br>
Jennifer Dunnam, Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota<br><br>
<h3><b>11:05 The Power of
Dreaming at BLIND, Inc.</b></h3><br><br>
Dan Wenzel, Executive Director, Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions,
Inc.<br><br>
<h3><b>Pro Tip #4</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>11:25 Mr. T Goes
to Washington</b></h3><br><br>
Tom TeBockhorst, Member, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>11:35 President’s
Report</b></h3><br><br>
Ryan Strunk, President, National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota<br><br>
<h3><b>11:45 Pledges to
the tenBroek Fund</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>11:55 Logistics
and What Comes Next</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>12:00
Adjourn</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Lunch</b></h2><br><br>
Back by popular demand, our student division will provide us with a
delicious, noontime meal. Relax and enjoy the company of your fellow
Federationists while supporting the work of the Minnesota Association of
Blind Students. Special thanks to Leann Pischke for her
assistance.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>1:30 Concurrent Afternoon Session</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Tech Talk (NFB Conference Room, Main Level) </b></h3><br><br>
There’s no denying that technology can play a vital role in obtaining
independence when it’s used well. Come ready to share an app, device, or
practice that has contributed to your life and engage with other tech
enthusiasts.<br><br>
<h3><b>IEP 101 (Lunchroom, Main Level)</b></h3><br><br>
The individualized Education Program is vital to students’ success in
school. It determines the support, services, and accommodations they will
receive, and it can serve as a strong force in shaping their future.
Learn how you can craft a well-written IEP and how you can make sure that
it’s followed. (Briley O'Connor, Facilitator)<br><br>
<h3><b>Building Our Movement (Basement Conference Room, Lower
Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Our members and our funds are two critical components in ensuring our
continued ability to improve the lives of blind Minnesotans. Join us for
an open forum on programs we can enact to strengthen both. Come ready to
discuss your ideas. Let’s go build the Federation!<br><br>
<h3><b>Minnesota Association to Promote the Use of Braille
(Communications Room, Upper Level)</b></h3><br>
<br>
Learn all the latest in the world of braille…and enjoy other fun braille
activities! Amy Baron, President<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>3:00 Concurrent Afternoon Sessions </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota Seniors Division
(NFB Conference Room, Main Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Join us for an informative and interactive session full of practical
ideas and information about issues affecting seniors…and make your voice
heard! Joyce Scanlan, President<br><br>
<h3><b>Minnesota Association of Blind Students (Basement Conference Room,
Lower Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Students are invited to a meeting for discussing all things
student-related! Don’t be shy…let your voice be heard! Cody
Beardslee, President<br><br>
<h3><b>Minnesota Parents of Blind Children (Lunchroom, Main
Level)</b></h3><br><br>
You have the ability to be your child’s strongest ally in making sure he
or she will grow up to be independent. Come and network with other
parents of blind children to learn what you can do to help your children
live the lives they want. Briley O’Connor, Facilitator<br><br>
<h3><b>Communities of Faith (Communications Room, Upper
Level)</b></h3><br><br>
No matter your religion, you may encounter times in places of worship
where inaccessibility or attitudes about blindness can impact you. Share
stories and advice with others on how to have a more inclusive religious
experience. Sharon Monthei and Rocky Hart, Facilitators<br><br>
<h2><b>4:30 Adjourn</b></h2><br><br>
All convention activities will conclude by 4:30.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>Special Thanks</b></h1><br><br>
We’d like to thank our setup and clean-up crews, all made up of fellow
Federationists!<br><br>
<h1><b>About Us</b></h1><br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we
raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you
want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br>
<br>
For more information about the National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota, visit our web site at
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a> or call us at (612)
872-9363. You can also follow us on Twitter (@nfbmn) and find us on
Facebook.<br>
<br>
<br>
Ryan Strunk, President<br>
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a><br>
(612) 872-9363<br>
Live the life you Want.</blockquote></body>
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