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<h1><b>Join Blind Minnesotans for the 2025 Annual NFBMN
Convention!</b></h1><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, 2026.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>When and Where</b></h2><br><br>
The three-day convention will be held:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>Friday, November 14 at 9am to Sunday, November 16 at noon
<li>Best Western Rochester: 1517 16th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902
</ul><br>
<br><br>
This year we are pleased to have as our national representative Norma
Crosby, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and
Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind.<br><br>
<h2><b>Hotel Arrangements:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>Room rates are $99 per night, plus tax
<li><b>Reserve your room before Wednesday, October 15</b>
<li>To reserve your hotel room, either
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.24148.html?groupId=9L0HB9G1">
book your state convention room online with this special link</a>, or
<li>call the Best Western Rochester at (507) 289-8866, extension 1 (ask
for the National Federation of the Blind rate).
</ul>
</ul><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Registration and Meals</b></h2><br><br>
You can <a href="https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9">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.
<br><br>
<br><br>
Please send in your registration as soon as possible but <b>no later than
November 3</b>.<br><br>
<ul>
<li>Registration: $25 in advance, $30 on-site
<li>Friday lunch: $20
<li>Friday dinner: $30
<li>Saturday Senior Division Breakfast: $27
<li>Saturday MCB Lunch $30
<li>Saturday Banquet: $55
<li>Sunday Breakfast: $25
</ul><br>
<br><br>
New this year, we are announcing the meal selections (and giving you
extra choices for the banquet!). The registration form will ask for your
preferences. <br><br>
<br><br>
Those intending to register on-site should still let us know in advance
by <a href="mailto:jsanders.nfb@comcast.net">emailing Judy Sanders</a> or
by calling her at (612) 872-9363 to reserve your meals so that we can
give the hotel an accurate count. <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dues: </b></h2><br><br>
So that you will be able to vote on our policies and in our elections
next year, you\u2019ll want to pay your annual $5 membership dues. <br><br>
<br><br>
Either pay your dues on your
<a href="https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9">convention registration
form</a>, or <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>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Transportation from the Twin Cities:</b></h2><br><br>
The Metro Chapter has organized a chartered bus to Rochester. <br><br>
<ul>
<li>Round-trip or one-way fare: $40 per seat
<li>Departs on Thursday, November 13 at 3pm
<li>Return trip leaves the hotel in Rochester on Sunday, November 16 at
1pm
<li>Pickup/return location: Cub foods, 5937 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
<li><a href="https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9">Sign up for the bus on
your convention registration form</a>
</ul><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Resolutions:</b></h2><br><br>
To clarify and give voice to our positions on important issues, the
convention considers formal policy statements each year. Draft
resolutions should be
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">emailed to resolutions
committee chair Jennifer Dunnam</a> No later than November 7. All
convention attendees are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions
committee. <br><br>
<br><br>
To read our resolutions from the last 20+ years, visit
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions">
www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:</b></h2><br><br>
The convention is accessible especially to blind people. We offer
materials in braille, large print, and electronically. Wayfinding is made
accessible through human \u201ctalking signs.\u201d We repeatedly ask all
attendees to respect our fragrance-free environment. Gender-neutral
restrooms are located near the hotel pool. Assistive listening devices
are available for use in the general session and, upon request, breakout
spaces, though we ask that you let us know on the registration form if
you are in need of a receiver.<br><br>
<br><br>
If you need other accommodations to participate fully in the convention,
we urge you to let us know as soon as possible via the
<a href="https://forms.gle/uMhSgKAftaxufNvw9">convention registration
form</a>. Because we\u2019ll need to appropriately plan for additional
resources, please submit requests for specific accommodations no later
than Sunday, October 26, 2025.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Auction:</b></h2><br><br>
Donated themed baskets, crafts, baked goods (securely sealed in
disposable containers), or other services will be auctioned throughout
the convention. <br><br>
<br><br>
Please consider donating items for the event!
<a href="mailto:charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com">Email a description of
your item in advance to Auction Coordinator Charlotte Czarnecki.</a> Let
us know if you need for us to make a braille label.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Cash Prizes for Essays:</b></h2><br>
<br>
The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota Federationists to participate in
its essay contest. The 2-3 page essay should be focused on experiences as
a blind person and highlight a positive message or outcome. <br><br>
<br><br>
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. <br><br>
<br><br>
All entries must be received by October 31, 2025
<a href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">via email to Bulletin
Editor Jennifer Dunnam</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Convention Schedule</b></h2><br><br>
Here are just a few highlights that you can expect at our
convention:<br><br>
<ul>
<li>Casual pool party on Thursday evening
<li>Exhibitors showcasing products and services of unique interest to the
blind
<li>Tactile art room where you can unleash your creativity
<li>A beginner, guided session on learning to draw with Scalable Vector
Graphics via code
<li>Exploration of the latest artificial intelligence tools
<li>Intermediate financial planning seminar (retirement, investing, and
home ownership, just to name a few)
<li>Blind Minnesotans celebrate how they\u2019re living the lives they want
<li>Accessible puzzles in an escape room
<li>Town hall hosted by Minnesota State Services for the Blind where you
can comment on proposed rule changes and existing services
<li>Planning four our advocacy, education, and advisory work in 2026
<li>Updates from the Minnesota Center for the Blind, Minnesota Braille
and Talking Book Library, and other agencies
<li>Elections for President, Secretary, and three board members of the
NFB of Minnesota
</ul><br>
<br><br>
More details about the schedule (and some surprises) will be made
available as they are finalized. <br><br>
<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. <br><br>
<br><br>
Please join us for the 2025 Annual Convention of the National Federation
of the Blind of Minnesota!<br><br>
<br><br>
Corbb O\u2019Connor, President<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a> | (612)
872-9363 </blockquote></body>
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