[NFB-Conventions] The 2019 Fall Convention Agenda

[David Andrews]

>
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>
>2019 Annual Convention #NFBMN
>October 25–27, 2019
>Best Western Plus Kelly Inn
>100 4th Avenue South, St Cloud, MN 56301
>Ryan Strunk, President
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>100 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404
>(612) 872-9363, <mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org
>www.nfbmn.org
>National Representative:
>Dr. Marc Maurer
>Immediate Past President
>National Federation of the Blind
>Baltimore, MD
>
>
>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.
>Welcome to the 2019 Minnesota Convention!
>
>
>Registration
>
>
>
>Registration is required to attend and 
>participate in convention activities. Please 
>consult the times in the agenda for when the 
>registration desk will be open. On-site 
>registration is available for $15, and a limited 
>number of meals are available at the following rates:
>·     Family Dinner on Friday evening: $15
>·     Senior Breakfast on Saturday: $15
>·     BLIND, Inc. Luncheon on Saturday: $20
>
>·     Banquet on Saturday evening: $35
>Please also ensure we have your most current 
>contact information, including your e-mail 
>address. If you do not currently receive The 
>Braille Monitor­our national monthly 
>magazine­please let us know, and we will sign you up.
>
>
>
>Social Media
>
>
>
>The Social Media Committee invites you to share 
>your convention experience with your friends and 
>family to show them how the NFB of Minnesota is 
>empowering blind people. Post to Twitter or 
>Facebook using #NFBMN. We love pictures
just 
>remember to add descriptions so everyone can enjoy them.
>
>
>Bake Auction
>
>
>
>Our largest state fundraiser will again be an 
>opportunity to show off your culinary talents 
>and sample the food-based flair of fellow 
>Minnesotans. Even though we call it a bake 
>auction, don’t worry. You don’t have to bake to 
>take part. In past years we’ve had homemade 
>candies, snack mixes, and even homemade pickles 
>and jams. If you can cook it, and it doesn’t 
>have to be refrigerated, Auction Coordinator 
>Charlotte Czarnecki will land a good price and new home for your treats!
>Please bring donated food items to the 
>front-left corner of the room before the start 
>of Saturday’s General Session. Please also bring 
>your checkbooks and credit cards!
>
>
>Door Prizes
>
>
>
>Prizes will be awarded throughout the 
>convention. To be eligible, you must be 
>registered and present in the room when your 
>name is drawn. Donations should be brought to 
>coordinators Amy Baron, John TeBockhorst, or Tom 
>TeBockhorst in the front-left corner of the room 
>before the start of Saturday’s General Session.
>
>
>Live Streaming
>
>
>
>For those unable to join us in person this 
>weekend, the convention will be live streamed. 
>Go to the following link, then choose your 
>player: <https://www.nfbmn.org/stream/>https://www.nfbmn.org/stream/.
>
>
>Childcare
>
>
>
>Childcare will be provided during scheduled meetings and during the banquet.
>·     Friday, October 25: 2:30-5:15 PM and 
>6:45-8:45 PM (Note that childcare is not 
>included during the Friday casual dinner or pool party.)
>·     Saturday, October 26: 8:30 AM-5:15 PM and
>6:30-10:30 PM
>
>·     Sunday, October 27: 8:30 AM-12:15 PM
>Please keep your cell phone charged and turned 
>to vibrate, as we will call you if your child 
>needs you. For more information contact 
>childcare coordinator Briley O’Connor at
>(703) 380-8876.
>
>
>Raffle
>
>
>
>A 50/50 raffle will be conducted during the 
>convention, and the winner will be drawn during 
>the banquet. The proceeds will support Community 
>Shares of Minnesota, which in turn supports the 
>NFB of Minnesota. All tickets are $2.
>
>
>Get on the PAC Plan
>
>
>
>The Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan has 
>come to be an increasingly important part of 
>financing our movement. According to the 
>chairman of the NFB’s PAC committee, Scott 
>LaBarre, the Federation has raised more than $10 
>million over the years through the PAC Plan.
>The PAC Plan allows members, affiliates, 
>chapters, and others to give a regular and 
>automatic donation to the Federation every 
>month. All you need provide is your checking 
>account, debit card or credit card information. 
>Because of the costs associated with operating 
>the program, the minimum donation is $5 per 
>month, yet there is no restriction on how much 
>you donate. Please sign up at the convention to 
>begin a new PAC contribution or to make changes 
>to your current contribution. Your donation will 
>help the blind live the lives we want.
>
>
>
>Friday, October 25
>
>
>
>2:30–5:00 PM­REGISTRATION (POOLSIDE)
>Those who pre-registered should pick up meal 
>tickets and agendas. Also, come chat with Visit 
>Greater St. Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau 
>to learn about nearby attractions.
>3:00-8:30 PM­NON-VISUAL SKILLS FAIR (SUNWOOD CENTER)
>How do I light a candle? Change a diaper? Store 
>a long, straight cane in a restaurant without 
>tripping anyone? Can I use NFB-NEWSLINE® with my 
>Amazon Echo? If I can't read prescription 
>bottles anymore, how can I tell what's what? 
>Come get the answers to these questions and more 
>through hands-on demonstrations and activities. 
>Whether you've been blind for two months or 20 
>years, there's always something to learn. Taey Mack, Coordinator
>3:15–5:00 PM­EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR (CONGRESS/SENATE)
>Dick Davis and Brian Dulude, Facilitators
>3:15–4:00 PM­LET’S GO BUILD THE FEDERATION (STATE ROOM)
>Join us for an open discussion about how we can 
>fundraise and build membership across the state. Ryan Strunk, Facilitator
>4:15–5:00 PM­RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE (STATE ROOM)
>Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson
>5:15–6:45 PM­CASUAL DINNER (POOLSIDE)
>Join your federation family for a fast, casual, 
>and affordable dinner with a cash bar. We 
>guarantee to have you fed before the start of the evening sessions.
>7:00–9:00 PM­ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MINNESOTA 
>ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (STATE ROOM)
>Cody Beardslee, President
>7:00–9:00 PM­GAMES AND CONVERSATION (CONGRESS/SENATE)
>9:00–11:00 PM­POOL PARTY (POOLSIDE)
>Join the Central Minnesota chapter for a fun 
>evening of snacks and dessert while splashing 
>around with friends. A cash bar will be available.
>
>
>
>Saturday, October 26
>
>
>
>7:00 AM­BREAKFAST AND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 
>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MINNESOTA 
>SENIORS DIVISION (CONGRESS/SENATE)
>Judy Sanders, President
>7:30 AM–12:00 PM­REGISTRATION (SOUTH LOBBY)
>Coffee with bagels and toppings will be 
>available in the back of the General Session room.
>9:00 AM–12:00 PM­GENERAL SESSION (STATE ROOM/SUNWOOD CENTER)
>9:00 AM, Call to Order
>9:05 AM, Opening Ceremonies­Beverly Stavrum, 
>President, Central Minnesota Chapter
>9:25 AM, News from Our National Office­Dr. Marc 
>Maurer, Immediate Past President, National Federation of the Blind
>10:05 AM, Ringing the BELL in Minnesota­Briley 
>O'Connor, Coordinator, NFB-Braille Enrichment 
>for Literacy and Learning Academy, Minneapolis
>10:25 AM, Kylesthenics­Kyle Hanneman, Fitness Consultant, Minneapolis
>10:30 AM, An Update from the Department of 
>Education­Kristin Oien, Specialist for the 
>Blind/Visually Impaired, Minnesota Department of Education
>10:45 AM, Q&A
>10:50 AM, What's Happening at the Academy­John 
>Davis, Director, Minnesota State Academy for the Blind
>11:10 AM, News from State Services for the 
>Blind­Dave Andrews, Chief Technology Officer, State Services for the Blind
>11:40 AM, Why I Am a Federationist­Corbb O'Connor, Member, Minneapolis
>11:55 AM, Reports and Announcements
>12:00 PM, Adjourn
>12:15 PM­BLIND, INC. LUNCHEON (CONGRESS/SENATE)
>Please join the students and staff of Blindness: 
>Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND)  Inc. as we 
>celebrate the progress and accomplishments of 
>our consumer-directed training center rooted in 
>Federation philosophy.  Jennifer Kennedy, Executive Director
>2:00 PM–5:00 PM­GENERAL SESSION (STATE ROOM/SUNWOOD CENTER)
>2:00 PM, Call to Order
>2:05 PM, Presidential Report­Ryan Strunk, 
>President, National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>2:25 PM, News from Our Braille and Talking Book 
>Library­Catherine Durivage, Director, Minnesota 
>Braille and Talking Book Library
>2:40 PM, Why I Am a Federationist­Dale Heltzer, Secretary, Rochester Chapter
>2:50 PM, An Update from the National Association 
>of Blind Students­Johna Wright, Board Member, 
>National Association of Blind Students
>3:05 PM, NFB Training Centers: The Next 
>Generation­Jennifer Kennedy, Executive Director, 
>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc.
>3:35 PM, Kylesthenics­Kyle Hanneman, Fitness Consultant, Minneapolis
>3:40 PM, Family, Faith, and the Federation: 
>Living the Life I Want­Kotumu Kamara, English 
>Language Learning Instructor, BLIND, Inc.
>3:50 PM, A Perspective on Supporting Our 
>Deaf-Blind Members­Dave Walle, Member, Rochester
>4:10 PM, From Sheltered Employment to 
>Self-Employment: Finding My Part of the American 
>Dream­Michael Colbrunn, Member, Mankato
>4:25 PM, The Hard-Scrabble World of Competitive 
>Word Play­Nadine Jacobson, Member, Minneapolis
>4:40 PM, Why I Am a Federationist­Patricia 
>Maurer, Director of Community Relations, National Federation of the Blind
>4:55 PM, Reports and Announcements
>5:00 PM, Adjourn
>6:00 PM­SOCIAL HOUR AND CASH BAR (CONGRESS/SENATE)
>Join us before the banquet for some hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
>7:00 PM­BANQUET (GRAND BALLROOM)
>·     Invocation
>·     Introduction of Head Table
>·     Raffles and Drawings
>·     Presentation of Awards
>o  Scholarship Class: Steve Jacobson
>o  Essay Contest: Kathy McGillivray
>
>·     Keynote Address: Dr. Marc Maurer
>10:00 PM–MIDNIGHT­POST BANQUET SOCIAL AND CASH BAR (GRAND BALLROOM)
>
>
>
>Sunday, October 27
>
>
>
>For your convenience, we have worked with the 
>hotel to have The Green Mill Restaurant open 
>early. Service will begin at 7:00 AM for those wishing to purchase breakfast.
>9:00 AM­BUSINESS SESSION (STATE ROOM/SUNWOOD CENTER)
>Coffee and muffins will be available in the back of the General Session room.
>·     Call to Order
>·     Announcements
>·     Treasurer’s Report­Jennifer Dunnam, Treasurer
>·     Reflections on our First 
>Convention­Charlie Rush-Reese and Arlene Rush, Members, Robbinsdale
>·     Elections
>
>·     Reports of Divisions and Committees
>
>
>Special Thanks
>
>
>
>The activities of this organization can only 
>succeed with the help and dedication of many 
>Federationists, and the convention is no 
>exception.  The National Federation of the Blind 
>of Minnesota offers particular thanks to the 
>Central Minnesota chapter for their hospitality, 
>and to all of the many Federationists who have 
>worked both out in front and behind the scenes 
>to make this convention happen. Also, thank you 
>to the Visit Greater St. Cloud Convention & 
>Visitors Bureau team for their support with 
>planning the convention and printing materials.
>
>
>NFB of Minnesota Board of Directors:
>
>
>
>·     Ryan Strunk, Minneapolis (President)
>·     Steve Jacobson, Edina (Vice President)
>·     Jennifer Wenzel, Bloomington (Secretary)
>·     Jennifer Dunnam, Saint Louis Park (Treasurer)
>·     Dave Andrews, Stillwater
>·     Cody Beardslee, Minneapolis
>·     Rob Hobson, Minneapolis
>·     Sheila Koenig, Minneapolis
>
>·     Alex Loch, Duluth
>
>
>NFB of Minnesota Chapters
>
>
>
>·     At-Large: Dave Andrews, President
>·     Central Minnesota: Beverly Stavrum, President
>·     Metro: Deanna Langton, President
>·     Riverbend: Christopher Murphy, President
>·     Rochester: Jan Bailey, President
>
>·     Twin Ports: Alex Loch, President
>
>
>Divisions, Committees, and
>Work Groups
>
>
>
>·     Convention Bake Auction: Charlotte Czarnekki
>·     Convention Childcare: Briley O’Connor
>·     Convention Door Prizes: Amy Baron, John TeBockhorst, and Tom TeBockhorst
>·     Convention Logistics: Corbb O’Connor
>·     Convention Sound, Recording, and 
>Streaming: Tim Aune and Steve Jacobson
>·     Fundraising Committee: Taey Mack, Chairperson
>·     Membership Committee: Jan Bailey, Chairperson
>·     Minnesota Association of Blind Students: 
>Cody Beardslee, President
>·     Minnesota Bulletin: Kathy McGillivray, Editor
>·     Pedestrian Safety: Pat Barrett
>·     Resolutions Committee: Jennifer Dunnam, Chairperson
>·     Scholarship Committee: Steve Jacobson, Chairperson
>·     Social Media: Samantha Flax and Kayde Rieken, Co-chairpersons
>
>·     National Federation of the Blind of 
>Minnesota Seniors’ Division: Judy Sanders, President
>
>
>Ryan Strunk, President
><mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org
>www.nfb.org
><http://www.nfbmn.org>www.nfbmn.org
>(612) 872-9363
>Live the life you Want.