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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><br>
2021 Semiannual Convention<br>
#NFBMN<br>
Saturday, May 22, 2021<br><br>
<h1><b>The Convention Goes Virtual!</b></h1><br><br>
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to meet in person
again this year, but our convention spirit is still vibrant and strong.
We will hear updates, discuss our future, engage in fun activities, and
conduct business…all from the comfort of our homes. <br><br>
<br><br>
Please remember that you must be a current member in order to cast a
vote. Those wishing to renew their dues can do so at
<a href="https://nfbmn.org/semiannual">https://nfbmn.org/semiannual</a>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Connection information will be sent in a separate email for those who
have registered.<br><br>
<h2><b>Accessing the Zoom Platform</b></h2><br><br>
Those wishing to join the convention via Zoom can do so in one of three
ways:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>By downloading the Windows or macOS Zoom app, found at
<a href="http://www.zoom.us">http://www.zoom.us</a>
<li>By downloading the mobile app from the App Store or Play Store
<li>By dialing in via the provided phone number, meeting ID, and
password
</ul><br>
<h2><b>Practicing Zoom Etiquette</b></h2><br><br>
To help things run smoothly, please keep the following in mind:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>When not speaking, please be sure you are muted so that your
background noise isn’t audible to everyone. To mute or unmute
yourself:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>Press *6 on the telephone
<li>Press ALT+A on the computer when inside the Zoom window
<li>Double-tap the mute icon on your phone app
<li>Press OPTION+COMMAND+A on a Mac<br><br>
</ul>
<li>We will not be conducting business by raised hands.<br>
<li>For those wishing to seek the floor, please do the
following:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>Unmute yourself
<li>Say your name
<li>Mute yourself
<li>Wait to be recognized by the facilitator.
</ul>
</ul><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>Agenda</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>8:50
Platform Opens</b></h3><br><br>
We expect to have a high number of people in attendance. In consideration
of all the participants, please be respectful in conversation and share
focus. During the business portion of the meeting, participants will be
muted.<br><br>
<br><br>
We apologize that the usual doughnuts and coffee are still not available,
but participants are encouraged to prepare a delicious breakfast ahead of
time.<br><br>
<h2><b>General Session</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>9:00 Call to Order and Welcome
from Host Chapter</b></h3><br><br>
Dave Andrews, President, At Large Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>9:05 Logistics
</b></h3><br><br>
Corbb O’Connor, Chair, NFBMN Tech Committee<br><br>
<h3><b>9:10 Pro Tip #1</b></h3><br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>9:15 From Endless Seas to
10,000 Lakes: Why I am a Federationist</b></h3><br><br>
Yadiel Sotomayor, Member, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>9:30 Update from State
Services for the Blind</b></h3><br><br>
Natasha Jerde, Director, Minnesota State Services for the Blind<br><br>
<h3><b>9:45 Q&A</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>9:50 Pro Tip
#2</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>9:55 Running the
Relay</b></h3><br><br>
Jennifer Kennedy, Executive Director, Blindness: Learning in New
Dimensions, Inc.<br><br>
<h3><b>10:20 Break </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Breakout Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Folding Fun: Accessible Origami</b></h3><br><br>
Lisamaria Martinez, Confidence Coach and Consultant, Union City,
CA<br><br>
Learn how blind people can participate in what has long been considered a
visual art, and try out your own origami with a guided lesson. You will
need sheets of paper (rectangle or square) and a flat surface to work
on.<br><br>
<h3><b>Move, Connect, and Thrive: Accessible Yoga </b></h3><br><br>
Julie Hill, Certified Yoga Therapist, Littleton, CO<br><br>
This class offers a more therapeutic approach to supporting and
nourishing your whole being. Participants will move through basic yoga
postures, breath awareness and mindfulness in this practice. Participants
are asked to clear a space on their floor and wear comfortable clothes to
move in. If possible, have a strap (belt or scarf will work), a towel or
blanket, a block (paper towel roll will work) available for the
practice.<br><br>
<h3><b>NFB Philosophy and Living the Lives we Want</b></h3><br><br>
Ryan Strunk, Facilitator<br><br>
Our lives are full of interesting opportunities to discuss the
intersection of what we want from life and how blindness may or may not
be a factor. If, instead of folding paper or folding your body, you would
like to fold your mind, come discuss blindness philosophy with your
fellow federationists.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Lunch Break – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>General Session</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>1:00 Call to Order
</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>1:05 Pro Tip
#3</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>1:10 A Tale of Two Countries:
How Advocacy Moves the Needle for Disability Rights</b></h3><br><br>
Monica Wegner, Member, Metro Chapter<br><br>
<h3><b>1:25 Sharing our Time and
Talent with One Another</b></h3><br><br>
Judy Sanders, President, National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
Senior Division<br><br>
<h3><b>1:35 Building Community with
Creativity and Fun</b></h3><br><br>
Samantha Flax, President, Minnesota Association of Blind
Students<br><br>
<h3><b>1:50 Mid-year Treasurer's
report</b></h3><br><br>
Jennifer Dunnam, Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota<br><br>
<h3><b>2:00 Election of Delegates to
the National Convention</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>2:15 Discussion of the 2021
Walk for Opportunity </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>2:25 President’s
Report</b></h3><br><br>
Ryan Strunk, President, National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota<br><br>
<h3><b>2:40 Pledges to the TenBroek
Fund</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>2:50 Adjourn</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Breakout Sessions – 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Minnesota Association of Blind Students Division
Meeting</b></h3><br><br>
Samantha Flax, President <br><br>
<h3><b>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota Senior Division
Meeting</b></h3><br><br>
Judy Sanders, President<br><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>Special Thanks</b></h1><br><br>
In these unprecedented times, we owe our deepest gratitude to everyone
who worked to bring this convention together. Thank you to those who
coordinated electronic logistics, offered suggestions and advice, and
reached out to offer help and support to all our members.<br><br>
<br><br>
Even as we are physically separate, we have come together in a new and
inspiring way. We’ll see one another in person very soon.<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>
<br><br>
For more information about the National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota, visit our website 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><br>
<br><br>
Ryan Strunk, President<br><br>
Pronouns: he, him, his<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfbmn.org</a><br><br>
(612) 872-9363<br><br>
Live the life you Want.</blockquote></body>
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