<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:473526930;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:410523098 -1646499328 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-text:"%1\)";
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:2111777637;
mso-list-template-ids:341376068;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> NFBMN-News <nfbmn-news-bounces@nfbnet.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jennifer Dunnam via NFBMN-News<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 25, 2024 6:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> nfbmn-news@nfbnet.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [NFBMN-News] With Attachment This Time: Notice of 2024 Annual State Convention<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="background:#FFC845;padding:5.25pt 1.5pt 5.25pt 1.5pt"></td>
<td width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:#FFF3DD;padding:5.25pt 3.75pt 5.25pt 11.25pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element:frame;mso-element-frame-hspace:2.25pt;mso-element-wrap:around;mso-element-anchor-vertical:paragraph;mso-element-anchor-horizontal:column;mso-height-rule:exactly">
<b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#003865;mso-ligatures:none">This message may be from an external email source.</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#003865;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element:frame;mso-element-frame-hspace:2.25pt;mso-element-wrap:around;mso-element-anchor-vertical:paragraph;mso-element-anchor-horizontal:column;mso-height-rule:exactly">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#003865;mso-ligatures:none">Do not select links or open attachments unless verified. Report all suspicious emails to Minnesota IT Services Security Operations Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below is the exact same message about the convention sent last evening, but this time it includes the attachment that was accidentally omitted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please see the following convention notice from President Corbb O’Connor:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">TO: National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota members and friends<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FROM: Corbb O’Connor, President<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUBJECT: 2024 Annual Convention <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">DATE: September 24, 2024<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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, 2025.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When and Where:<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The two-and-1/2 day convention will be held from November 1-3, 2024, at the DoubleTree Saint Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55119. This year we are pleased to have as our national representative Gary Wunder, a long-time leader in
the Federation and editor of our flagship national publication the <i>Braille Monitor.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hotel arrangements:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Room rates are $99.00 per night, plus tax, for singles, doubles, triples, and quads.
<b>Hotel reservations must be made by Tuesday, October 22.</b> To reserve your hotel room, either<o:p></o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><a href="https://group.doubletree.com/8y15v9">book your state convention room online with this special link</a>, or
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">call the DoubleTree Saint Paul East at (651) 731-2220 (ask for the National Federation of the Blind rate).<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal">Registration and Meals:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everyone who registers for the convention will be eligible for door prizes. You can
<a href="https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6">register online</a>, or, if you prefer, you can also register by postal mail using the form with return envelope that will be in your mailbox shortly. Please send in your registration as soon as possible but
<b>no later than October 25</b>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Registration for the convention is $25 in advance, and $30 on site. Lunch and dinner on Friday are $25 apiece. On Saturday, the senior breakfast and the lunch are also $25, and the banquet is $50. The Sunday breakfast is $15. If you have
any dietary restrictions, please indicate them on the registration form. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dues: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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 2025. You can pay membership dues along with your
<a href="https://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6">convention registration</a>. 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Resolutions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We adopt resolutions at our conventions as a way to clarify and give voice to our positions on important issues. Draft resolutions should be
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">emailed to resolutions committee chair Jennifer Dunnam</a> by October 25. All convention attendees are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions committee. To see the resolutions we have adopted during the past
20+ years, visit <a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions">www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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 a disability other than blindness 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://forms.gle/9DKqQjaHyRM9GByp6">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 20, 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed Amendments to Bylaws:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year, among other business, the convention will consider proposed amendments to our organization's bylaws, with slight modifications to our voting provision and with some clarifications around the conducting of virtual meetings. Please
read the attached explanation and proposed amendments to prepare for the discussion and the vote.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Auction:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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 coordinators Tara Coyne (<a href="mailto:taracoyne21@gmail.com">taracoyne21@gmail.com</a>) or Charlotte Czarnecki (<a href="mailto:charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com">charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com</a>). Let them know if you
will be labeling your item in braille or if you need for them to make the necessary braille label. You can also let them know if you wish to be one of the auctioneers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rehabilitation Training Seminar<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Minnesota Center for the Blind, formerly known as Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc., will conduct a seminar on Friday and Saturday about how structured discovery training leads to meaningful employment. Although the
training is primarily geared for new staff of State Services for the Blind, all interested Federationists are welcome. Details of registering for this seminar will be available soon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Convention Schedule<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Door prizes will be given during the general sessions and the banquet. You must register and be present in the room to win a door prize.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some events may be added to this schedule, and more details about the schedule will be made available as they are finalized.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Friday, November 1:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9 AM–noon and 1 PM–6 PM Registration<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9 AM–6 PM Exhibits<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9:30 AM–11 AM: Board Meeting <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">11:15 AM–12:45 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training part one
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="PT-BR">11:15 AM–12:45 PM: diabetes seminar <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="PT-BR">1 PM–1:45 PM: lunch <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 PM–4:00 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training part two
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 PM–3:30 PM: Building Confidence through the Arts<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 PM–3:30 PM: Philosophy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4 PM: Resolutions Committee Meeting<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5 PM: State Services for the Blind Town Hall<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6 PM: dinner<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7 PM: Meeting of MN Association of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7 PM: Guide Dog Users Meeting<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8 PM: Hospitality hosted by the Metro Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Saturday, November 2:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7:00 AM: Breakfast and Annual Meeting of the NFB of Minnesota Seniors Division.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8:15 AM Registration<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9:00 AM-5:00 PM: 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. This time frame will also include breakout sessions on Employment; DeafBlindness; and Advocating for Braille, schools and beyond (kids welcome!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6:00 PM: Social hour with cash bar prior to our banquet. Come and join us for more hospitality.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7:00 PM: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address from our national representative, Gary Wunder. Following the banquet, stick around for more after-banquet socializing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Sunday, November 3:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8:00 AM: Breakfast<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9:00 AM-Noon: During the Sunday morning 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: Vice President,
Treasurer, and two board members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See You There!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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 2024 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>