[Nfb-krafters-korner] thoughts from convention

Wed Jul 11 02:59:49 UTC 2018

Ramona,

All of thoughts, well said. One idea to add would be getting a fundraiser started in the next couple of months that could fund two or three hotel rooms just for our members. This would be a great financial help and then after raising enough money for the rooms, we could look at funding stipends of $100 each or more if we can. 

I am personally considering what I can do to raise funds for my mother and I to get to Vegas next year (health willing).

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner <nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ramona Walhof via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2018 9:09 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists' <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ramona Walhof <walhoframona at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] thoughts from convention

Jill, all of these are great ideas.  This year we had enough members of Crafters Division to have done more, but not always.  Terry P and you did great work to be ready.  This is also wonderful.  

During the year we need to help those who have not been to a convention learn what there is there that can bennefit everyone.  It is exhausting just to get to the places you want to go, but you can't do it any other way than being there and going.  

Ann Cunningham and Debbie Stein and others who work on the art exhibit and the make and take are not looking for competition, but it would be great to do something similar, probably somewhat different.  When we had make and take at the Crafters Market place, it was popular.  But we just about killed off those who had to fill in for those who were not there. To make our activities at convention work, we must have reliable people to lead them and
participate.   
 We don't want to overwhelm the list with other NFB information, but we need enough to help people know what goes on in the rest of the organization.
How about one chat per month on other NFB stuff.  Say different Braille displays available; job fair info; pioneering work in fields unusual for the blind; schollarrship students; etc.  You get the picture.  If there are ways to help those who were at convention, but not at Crafters meeting to get to it, that would also help. 
We could have other events, such as demonstration of an embroidery machine or pottery techniques. Jim James sat at our business meeting and made an elaborate origami octoheedron (can't remember the entire name or spell it.
We could have a craft extravaganza with several short projects as an agenda item, but somebody has to bring materials, plan it, etc.  It works for the sports and rec division.  They have several things every day, good ones; well attended.  

This is the first year we had plenty of people to work in the exhibit room.
We could have done more at our table if we had been sure everyone would be there.  

So chew on ideas.  We have a year to plan!  
 Takes planning and advanced preparation and clean-up. Convention will not conflict with Independence day.  Often there are pretty good air fairs to Vegas. Maybe I am still wound up from convention. But I know how it works
and what it takes.      

Ramona

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of jill rossiter via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2018 3:13 PM
To: Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
Cc: jill rossiter <jillbilly4 at comcast.net>
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] thoughts from convention

Dear Krafters Division Members:

I wanted to take this time to reaffirm my commitment to the NFB Krafters Division.  I am excited to begin my term as first vice president.  I hope to be able to serve the division and membership well.  I am sure that once Tammy returns we will be hearing from her.  I am so glad that Joyce is remaining on the board to serve as second vice president.  I feel that her mentorship to our newly elected board will prove to be extremely helpful.  I would like to give my honest opinion regarding the NFB Krafters Division as it relates to the convention as a whole.  This being my first time to convention, I was in awe of the activities and meetings available to attend.
I think that the NFB Marketplace could potentially be a great out reach to loads of exhibiters prior to the exhibit hall opening.  There were a number of businesses and affiliates selling t-shirts with braille on them.  I believe if planning begins now as to contacting and recruiting venders we could have a room full of venders rather than a small number that participated this year.  I believe that we missed an opportunity to fund raise in the exhibit hall.  My experience was that convention attendees wanted to find items to buy.  They were not very interested in the table unless there was something to buy.  I would suggest to network more with the parents of blind children and the artists division.  The drop in art experience was really great and a way to get to know people and experience several types of art.  I think that we would benefit from membership if a drop in crafting session was scheduled.  These are just a few ideas and observations from a newby to convention.

Jill Rossiter

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