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Because of the number of BLIND Inc.-related activities next week, and
their importance, the At Large Chapter of the NFB of Minnesota has
decided to cancel its January meeting.<br><br>
See you in February, if not sooner.<br><br>
David Andrews, President<br><br>
At 09:38 PM 1/9/2024, Corbb O'Connor via NFBMN-News wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Bottom-line up front: two
meetings next week focused on BLIND, Inc., the sale of our building, and
the future of blindness training in Minnesota. Plus, be sure to
<a href="https://forms.gle/os7WAbV7QUkZjuSZ6"><b>register </a>Ā </b>for
our affiliateās strategy session on January 20.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Hello everyone,<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
I write to you from my annual horseback trip with my dad and brother.
When we started this tradition 13 years ago, I wondered how the
wranglers, staff, and even the horses would react to blindness. As herd
animals, itās definitely true that one horse will follow another, but
Iāve learned to also rely on audio cues to stay on course while loping
through the Arizona wilderness. Iāve also been taken back to the roots
of my training in nonvisual independence: using the sun as a compass,
listening for small changes in airflow to know about trees, hearing the
hooves pounding in front of me to make slight left-or-right turns, asking
the wrangler to shout about upcoming speed changes, and just enjoy the
ride with confidence! I would not have that confidence without the
blindness training that I received
trainning that weāre fortunate to
have had more than 30 years in Minnesota, too.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
As youāve heard, BLIND, Inc. is pausing its services while we all work
together to imagine the future possibilities for adjustment-to-blindness
training in Minnesota. Iām writing to invite you to a few, upcoming
conversations about both our programs and our building. As the Board of
Directors of BLIND, Inc. has chosen to sell the building, the
affiliateās Board of Directors must now choose whether we want to keep
or sell the building. Before the board makes that decision, though, we
want to hear from you. The training-center board also wants to answer
your questions and provide you with updates.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
In full recognition that these issues are complex and interrelated, we
are hoping to focus each conversation on specific areas. Please read on
so that you can bring your questions to the best venue.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
<h2><b>Opportunity #1: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting</b></h2><br><br>
The next public meeting of the Board of Directors of BLIND, Inc., which
will take place on Zoom, will have updates and be a chance for you to ask
questions of the board about its recent decisions.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Tuesday, January 16 6:30 PM-8:30 PM<br><br>
<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85237280673?pwd=NzU1eDc0a1hMdk4rNzF2RlpIM1llUT09">
Join Zoom Meeting for BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting</a><br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Meeting ID: 852 3728 0673<br><br>
Passcode: 647373<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
One tap mobile<br><br>
+13126266799,,85237280673#,,,,*647373# US (Chicago)<br><br>
+16469313860,,85237280673#,,,,*647373# US<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Please feel free to reach out to
<a href="mailto:BoardChair@BLINDInc.org">BoardChair@BLINDInc.org</a> with
any questions or comments ahead of the meeting.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
<h2><b>Opportunity #2: Affiliate Conversation about the Sale of our
Building and the Future of Blindness Training in
Minnesota</b></h2><br><br>
Our national president will facilitate a virtual conversation with
affiliate members about what we want to see in a future training center
here in the land of 10,000 lakes and discuss the sale of our headquarters
building (the Pillsbury mansion).<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Thursday, January 18, 2024 7:30 PM-9:30 PM<br>
<a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91226810860?pwd=djJYUy9Jcm5PMTNFdEYvK0VNeVkxdz09">
Join Zoom Meeting for Affiliate Conversation</a><br><br>
Meeting ID: 912 2681 0860 <br>
Passcode: 355668 <br><br>
One tap mobile <br>
+13092053325,,91226810860# US <br>
+13126266799,,91226810860# US (Chicago) <br><br>
Ā <br><br>
<h2><b>Reminder of January 20 Strategic Planning
Session</b></h2><br><br>
The purpose of this board meeting, which is open to all members, is to
brainstorm and agree upon our most important work for the year.
Conventions, legislative advocacy, and membership growth are important;
as we do these things, though, what will we do, learn, and feel? Whatās
worked well in past years that we want to replicate? What do we want to
do differently? And maybe there are a few things that we want to stop
doing so that we can make room for other work. What would make this
affiliate āeven better if?ā Please bring your ideas and energy into
this intentional space.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Weāll have lunch. So, please <b>complete this
<a href="https://forms.gle/os7WAbV7QUkZjuSZ6">registration form</a> as
soon as possible but no later than Tuesday, January 16</b>, and include
any dietary or access needs for our meeting. If we can help to facilitate
transportation for those outside the Metro area, please reach out to me
via email.<br><br>
Ā
<ul>
<li>Saturday, January 20 in-person and following the Metro chapter
meeting
<li>10am: Metro Chapter Meeting
<li>12:15pm or so: Lunch
<li>1:30pm: Affiliate strategic planning
<li>5pm: Adjourn
</ul><br>
Ā <br><br>
Both events will take place in the party room at Five15 on the Park
Apartments, 515 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454.Ā The building is
less than two blocks from the Cedar-Riverside Light Rail station on the
Blue Line. <br><br>
Ā <br><br>
As we announced at the last board meeting, are using this space for the
first time, and donāt have the necessary audio equipment to provide an
equal experience for virtual attendees, there wonāt be an option to
participate or listen by Zoom. Again, please reach out to me if you need
assistance securing transportation.<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
<h2><b>Upcoming Events</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>Thursday, January 11 7:00 PM-8:00āÆPM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
<li>Tuesday, January 16 6:00 PM-8:00āÆPM: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
<li>Thursday, January 18 7:30 PM-9:00āÆPM: Future of Blindness Training
and HQ Building in Minnesota
<li>Saturday, January 20 10:00 AM-12:30āÆPM: Metro Chapter Meeting
<li>Saturday, January 20 1:30 PM-5:00āÆPM: Strategic Planning for 2024
<li>Sunday, January 21 7:00 PM-8:30āÆPM: At Large Chapter Meeting
<li>Tuesday, January 23 7:00 PM-9:00āÆPM: Rochester chapter meeting
<li>Monday, January 29 Thursdayy, February 1: Washington Seminar in DC
<li>Thursday, February 8 5:00 PM-8:00 PM: State Rehabilitation Council
for the Blind Meeting
<li>Thursday, February 8 7:00 PM-8:00āÆPM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
<li>Saturday, February 10 9:00 AM-11:00āÆAM: Affiliate Board Meeting
<li>Saturday, February 17 10:00 AM-12:30āÆPM: Metro Chapter Meeting
<li>Sunday, February 18 7:00 PM-8:30āÆPM: At Large Chapter Meeting
<li>Wednesday, February 21 8:00 AM-4:00 PM: Day at the Capitol in Saint
Paul
<li>Tuesday, February 27 7:00 PM-9:00āÆPM: Rochester chapter meeting
<li>Thursday, March 14 7:00 PM-8:00āÆPM: Riverbend Chapter Meeting
<li>Saturday, March 16 9:30 AM-12:30āÆPM: Metro Chapter Meeting
<li>Sunday, March 17 7:00 PM-8:30āÆPM: At Large Chapter Meeting
<li>Tuesday, March 19 6:00 PM-8:00āÆPM: BLIND, Inc. Board Meeting
<li>Tuesday, March 26 7:00 PM-9:00āÆPM: Rochester chapter meeting
<li>Wednesday, July 3-Monday, July 8: National Convention in Orlando, FL
</ul><br>
Ā <br><br>
I look forward to talking with you soon!<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a> | (612)
872-9363<br><br>
Ā <br><br>
Ā <br>
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