<html>
<body>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><br>
2019 Semiannual Convention<br>
#NFBMN<br>
Saturday, May 18, 2019<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: $10.00. 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/stream" eudora="autourl">
www.nfbmn.org/stream</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>
Deanna Langton, 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><br>
<h3><b>9:30 A
Hand for our Heroes; Honoring and Supporting Blind
Veterans</b></h3><br><br>
Jack Rupert, 1<sup>st</sup> Vice President, National association of Blind
Veterans<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 Ensuring
Access to Education for the Blind in Africa</b></h3><br>
<br>
Devrework Damte, advocate and friend to the blind of Ethiopia<br><br>
<h3><b>10:15 Kicking down
the Doors of Adversity: The Blind in Martial arts</b></h3><br><br>
Kyle Hanneman, Fitness Consultant<br><br>
<h3><b>10:25
Kylesthenics</b></h3><br><br>
Kyle Hanneman, Fitness Consultant<br><br>
<h3><b>10:30 Election of
Delegates to the 2019 National Convention</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:35
Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:40 Announcing
the 2019 Scholarship Class</b></h3><br><br>
Alex Loch, Chairman, Scholarship Committee<br><br>
<h3><b>Pro Tip #3</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>10:45 What is the
Client Assistance Project</b></h3><br><br>
Kristina Petronko, Staff Attorney, Minnesota Disability Law
Center<br><br>
<h3><b>11:05 Five years
as Director: Perspective and Updates from 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>11:35 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>Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
(Communications Room, Upper Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Later this year, the NFB of Minnesota will host a BELL program where we
will teach young children the importance of Braille and our philosophy.
If you are interested in volunteering, this session is for you. (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>Exercising as a Blind Person (Lunchroom, Main
Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Exercise is a key component in staying healthy. It’s a great weight loss
tool, and it can even create social opportunities. As a blind person,
though, it can be hard to find accessible exercise experiences. Come
learn about tips and tricks for making sure you can stay active and fit.
(Randi strunk, Facilitator)<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! (Judy Sanders, 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 Blind Parents and Parents of Blind Children
(Communications Room, Upper Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Whether you’re a blind parent or a parent of a blind child, you may have
questions about what you should do to make sure your children grow up
happy and healthy. Come and network with other parents and find out how
you can help your children to live the lives they want. (Briley O’Connor,
Facilitator)<br><br>
<h3><b>Braille Games and Entertainment (Lunchroom, Main
Level)</b></h3><br><br>
Come relax and socialize with other federationists while enjoying Braille
games. <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 thank Site Improve for sponsoring our semiannual convention. Learn
more about them at
<a href="http://www.siteimprove.com/" eudora="autourl">
www.siteimprove.com</a>.<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: <br>
Visit our web site at <a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a>
<br>
Call us at (612) 872-9363. <br>
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><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">
<tr>
<td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank"><img src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avg.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"> </a></div></body>
</html>