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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <br><br>
TO:
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota members and
friends<br><br>
FROM: Steve Jacobson,
President<br><br>
SUBJECT: 2023 Annual Convention <br><br>
DATE: September 23,
2023<br><br>
<br><br>
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, 2024.<br><br>
<h2><b>When and Where:</b></h2><br><br>
The two-and-1/2 day convention will be held from November 3-5, 2023, at
the Kahler Grand Hotel at 20 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Rochester, MN, 55902.
This year we are pleased to have as our national representative Julie
Deden, 1st Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado and Executive Director of the Colorado Center for the
Blind.<br><br>
<h2><b>Hotel arrangements:</b></h2><br><br>
Room rates are $99.00 per night, plus tax, for singles, doubles, triples,
and quads. <b>Hotel reservations must be made by October 19.</b> To
reserve your hotel room, either;
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=37675&Chain=29188&arrive=2023-11-03&depart=2023-11-05&adult=2&child=0&group=23BLIND113">
Make your room reservation through our special convention link</a>; Or
<li>Call the hotel at (507) 280–6200 and choose option 1; give them our
group code "23BLIND113" when making your reservation
</ol><br>
<h2><b>Registration and Meals:</b></h2><br><br>
Everyone who registers for the convention will be eligible for door
prizes. You can <a href="https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9">register
online</a>, or, if you prefer, you can also register by mail using the
form and return envelope that will be in your mailbox shortly. Please
send in your registration as soon as possible but <b>no later than
October 27</b>.<br><br>
Registration for the convention, which includes a breakfast on Sunday
morning, is $25 in advance, and $30 on site. The Friday casual dinner is
$22, the Saturday morning seniors' division breakfast is $20, the BLIND
Inc. lunch costs $25, and the banquet is $45. If you have any dietary
restrictions, please indicate them on the registration form. <br><br>
Those intending to register on-site should still contact Judy Sanders in
advance at (612) 872-9363 or
<a href="mailto:jsanders.nfb@comcast.net">jsanders.nfb@comcast.net</a> to
reserve your meals so that we can give the hotel an accurate count.
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dues: </b></h2><br><br>
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 2024. You can pay
membership dues along with your convention registration. You can also
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/join-now">renew membership here if you are
unable to attend the convention</a>. Don't miss your chance to be part of
shaping our movement.<br><br>
<h2><b>Transportation from Twin Cities:</b></h2><br><br>
For those traveling to the convention from the Twin Cities area, the
Metro Chapter has organized a chartered bus to Rochester. To help cover
the cost of the bus, a donation to the Metro chapter of $25 per rider is
suggested but not required. The bus will leave from our headquarters at
100 East 22nd Street at 10:30 A.M. on Friday morning and will depart from
Rochester at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoon. You may use the
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRynkGKzOujSaoY-g7IGU0NtZv6SoiEsQ0VqO3p7e9_8JQYg/viewform">
convention preregistration form</a> to reserve a seat. The donations will
be collected on the bus by the chapter.<br><br>
<h2><b>Resolutions:</b></h2><br><br>
Jennifer Dunnam, chair of the Resolutions Committee, asks that you submit
proposed resolutions in advance of the convention and then come
participate in the discussion. You may email your draft resolutions to
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">
jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com</a> before October 27. To see the
resolutions we have passed during the past twenty years, visit
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions">
www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions</a>.<br><br>
<h2><b>Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:</b></h2><br><br>
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
your disability other than the blindness-related accommodations mentioned
above in order to participate fully and equally in the convention, we
urge you to let us know as soon as possible via the
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRynkGKzOujSaoY-g7IGU0NtZv6SoiEsQ0VqO3p7e9_8JQYg/viewform">
registration form</a>. 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 22, 2023.<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="OLE_LINK8"></a>Childcare:
</b></h2><a name="OLE_LINK8"></a><br>
<br>
Childcare will be provided during scheduled meetings and during the
banquet. A donation of $25 per child per day is requested to help cover
childcare costs; if this will create a barrier to your attending the
convention, please let us know and we will work with you. To sign up,
please complete the childcare section on the registration form; and you
may also reach childcare coordinator Briley O'Connor by phone at (703)
380-8876 if you have questions.<br><br>
<h2><b>Cash Prizes for Essays:</b></h2><br><br>
The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota Federationists to participate in
its annual essay contest. Although there is not a specific essay
question, the essay should be focused on experiences as a blind person
and highlight a positive message or outcome. The length of the essay
should be about 2-3 pages. The winning essay will be published in the
<i>Minnesota Bulletin</i>, 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. Both winners will be announced
at the banquet on Saturday evening. All entries must be received by
October 20, 2023. Email them to Kayde Rieken at
<a href="mailto:kayde.dawn@gmail.com">kayde.dawn@gmail.com</a>.<br><br>
<h2><b>Auction</b></h2><br><br>
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 chair
Charlotte Czarnecki
(<a href="mailto:charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com">
charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com</a>); also, let her know if you will be
labeling your item in braille or if you need for her to make the
necessary braille label. You can also let her know if you wish to be one
of the auctioneers.<br><br>
<h2><b>Convention Schedule</b></h2><br><br>
Door prizes will be given during the Saturday and Sunday general sessions
and the Saturday evening banquet. You must register and be present in the
room to win a door prize. <br><br>
Some events will be added to this schedule, and more details about the
schedule will be made available as they are finalized. <br><br>
<h3><b>Friday, November 3:</i></b></h3><br><br>
2:00-5:00 p.m.: Registration will be open. Registration will also be open
at other times during the convention. All who registered online should be
sure to stop by registration to pick up your meal tickets and the
convention agenda. <br><br>
2:00-5:00 P.M.: Exhibits and Meetings<br><br>
• Exhibits and
demonstrations<br><br>
• Resolutions committee
meeting<br><br>
5:00-7:00 P.M.: Casual dinner with friendsbeat the dinner rush and enjoy
an affordable meal in a relaxed environment<br><br>
7:00-9:00 P.M.: Meetings of the Minnesota Association of Blind Students,
the At Large Chapter of NFB of Minnesota, and our DeafBlind
group.<br><br>
7:00-11:00 P.M.: Hospitality<br><br>
<h3><b>Saturday, November 4:</i></b></h3><br><br>
7:00 A.M.: Breakfast and Annual Meeting of the NFB of Minnesota Seniors
Division. <br><br>
8:15 a.m.: Registration opens, and coffee and pastries will be
available.<br><br>
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: 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.<br><br>
12:00 p.m.: BLIND, Inc. Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch with opportunity
to hear from our new interim executive director and celebrate the
progress and accomplishments of our consumer-directed training
center!<br><br>
6:00 p.m.: Social hour with cash bar prior to our banquet. Come and join
us for more hospitality.<br><br>
7:00 p.m.: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address
from our national representative, Julie Deden. Following the banquet,
stick around for more after-banquet socializing.<br><br>
<h3><b>Sunday, November 5:</i></b></h3><br><br>
9:00 a.m.-Noon: Breakfast will be available in conjunction with this
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: President, Secretary, and
three board members.<br><br>
<h2><b>See You There!</b></h2><br><br>
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 2023 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota!<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Best regards,<br><br>
<br><br>
Steve Jacobson, President<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a><br><br>
(612) 872-9363<br><br>
Pronouns: he, him, his<br><br>
<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
Live the life you Want.<br>
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