[NFB-NM] agenda for 2019 NFBNM Convention

Sun Mar 24 17:08:15 UTC 2019

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

The National Federation of the Blind 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. 

State Convention Agenda

April 4 - April 7, 2019

Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa

1000 Woodward Pl. NE

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Adelmo Vigil, President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico (NFBNM)

575-921-5422

NFBNewMexicoPresident at gmail.com

DOOR PRIZES:

Door prizes will be drawn during general convention sessions and during the
banquet. To win, you must be registered for the convention, and you must be
in the room when your name is called, unless you are working the
registration table, providing childcare, or are the child in their care.

Code of Conduct

We welcome all attendees to our convention and embrace diversity, inclusion,
and mutual respect. To that end, please keep the following expectations in
mind when you join us in Albuquerque.

The National Federation of the Blind provides support to members and
advocates for our rights to live the lives we want through advocacy, public
awareness, and mentoring. As a member or guest at our convention, you not
only represent yourself but also represent our organization. We want you to
enjoy your time with us and to make new friends and renew old acquaintances.
Although we encourage members to socialize and have fun, the convention also
provides an important opportunity to come together to continue the work of
our organization, to learn about the important initiatives that we are
involved with on a local and national level, and to plan our work for the
future.

Please remember these guidelines

1. Welcome new attendees: Although you will undoubtedly enjoy time with your
friends, please reach out to those who have never joined us before and help
them to be comfortable. We welcome people from all walks of life and with
diverse needs and experiences.

2. Attend and participate in sessions: It is expected that when you commit
yourself to
come to convention that you are also agreeing to attend sessions.

3. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If your
behavior could possibly make anyone uncomfortable, even if you would not be
upset by it yourself, do not do or say anything that could be considered
inappropriate by anyone.

4. We understand that, for some, enjoying an adult beverage is part of the
fun at the convention. However, public drunkenness and the associated
behaviors that often accompany it not only reflect badly on you but also do
not enhance our standing as an organization.

5. Please do not wear heavy colognes or perfumes, as some of our guests have
chemical sensitivities.

Thursday, April 4, 2019

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Board of Directors Meeting (Ocotillo I-II), Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

Friday, April 5, 2019

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

11:00 AM - Noon 

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Registration (Convention Check-In Desk)

Sarah Villavicencio, Registration Chairperson, Adults $30 Children $15

Please stop by to register, pick up your print or Braille agenda’s and

your meal tickets (if purchased).

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Childcare (Agave)

Brianne Kotschwar, Childcare Chairperson

9:00 AM - Noon

General Session Part 1 (Sandia Ballroom I-III)

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Call to Order

Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

Invocation

Martin Gallegos, Board member, NFBNM

Pledge of Allegiance

Colton Topping, 5th Grade Student at Raton Intermediate School

National Anthem

Clifton Randolph, Member, Whites Sands Chapter, NFBNM

NFB Pledge

Andres Romero, Board Member, Student Division, NFBNM 

The National Federation of the Blind Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.

        Announcements and Convention Arrangements

        Christine Hall, Convention Coordinator

9:20 AM - 9:25 AM

        Greetings from the City of Albuquerque

        Tim Keller, Mayor

9:25 AM - 9:30 AM

        Action Auction

9:30 AM - 9:50 AM

The NFB is the Tree of Life for our Blindness

Martin Gallegos, Director, Servant of the Heart Life Skills Center for
People Living with Disabilities, and Board Member, NFBNM

9:50 AM - 10:05 AM 

Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan

Tara Chavez, Chairperson, PAC Plan Committee

10:05 AM - 10:30 AM

President's Report

Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

10:30 AM - 10:35 AM 

Action Auction

10:35 AM - 11:00 AM

Exciting New Developments in Library Services for the Blind

John Mugford, Regional Librarian

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Status Report on the New Mexico Commission for the Blind

Greg Trapp, Executive Director, New Mexico Commission for the Blind

11:30 AM - 11:55 AM

My Blindness, Myself

Caroline Benavidez, First Vice President, NFBNM

This member of our Federation family will tell her story of blindness and
how the Federation has helped her live the life she wants.

11:55 AM - Noon

Questions and Announcements

Noon - 1:15 PM

NFBNM Welcome Luncheon (Sierra Ballroom I-III)

Master of Ceremonies, Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National
Federation of the Blind and President, National Federation of the Blind of
Indiana

        Action Auction

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Exhibits (Ocotillo Meeting Room I-II)

Urja Lansing, Chairperson

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Resolutions Committee (Sandia I)

Kaity Ellis, Chairperson, Resolutions Committee

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Town Forum: Services and Priorities of the New Mexico Commission for the

Blind (Sandia II)

Tom O'Brien, Chairperson, State Rehabilitation Council

1:50 PM - 4:50 PM

Senior Action Group Energy Division SAGE (Sierra III)

1:50 PM - 2:10 PM 

SAGE Registration and Membership $5.00

2:10 PM - 2:20 PM 

Welcome and Introductions

ShaRon Dandy, President, SAGE

Planning for the Future: Making Decisions While You Still Can

2:20 PM - 2:40 PM 

Services Available through the Senior Affairs Office 

Veronica Smith, Board Member, SAGE and Marie Montano

2:40 PM - 2:50 PM 

Legal Resources Specifically for Seniors

Caroline Benavidez, SAGE Vice President

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM 

Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (MOST)

Urja Lansing, SAGE Treasurer

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM 

Five Wishes, A Tool for Communicating to Others

        Jack Munson, Senior Advisor

3:15 PM - 3:25 PM 

Some Housing Choices to Consider

Caroline Benavidez, SAGE Vice President, ShaRon Dandy, SAGE President

3:25 PM - 3:40 PM 

Audience Interaction

3:40 PM - 3:50 PM 

Business Meeting and Closing

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Ties That Bind: An Interactive Discussion (Sierra II)

Facilitator: Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

Blind and sighted partners/spouses will have an opportunity to talk about
the challenges they encounter, including defining their respective roles, in
a relationship when one or both partners have a disability.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Orientation Center Alumni Get Together (Sierra I)

Lucy Malahan, Secretary, White Sands Chapter, NFBNM and Deputy Director,
Orientation Center, New Mexico Commission for the Blind

This is an opportunity for alumni to catch up with old friends and staff
from their days at the Orientation Center and network with other past and
present students.  If you want to know more about the Orientation Center or
are thinking of attending STEP in Alamogordo, please come meet some of our
staff and students to learn how our program can help you achieve your goals
of independence.

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Hospitality - Refreshments (Atrium)

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Nominating Committee (Pinon)

Caroline Benavidez, Chairperson, Nominating Committee

This is a closed meeting open only to chapter and division presidents.

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM 

Salsa Social with Joni (Sierra II-III) $5 per person

Come and learn how to dance from an expert dancer, Joni Martinez, and
support the NFB of New Mexico at the same time. Joni loves teaching others
to dance because it provides exercise, socialization, joy, and confidence.

Saturday, April 6, 2019

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration (Convention Check-In Desk)

Sarah Villavicencio, Registration Chairperson, Adults $30 Children $15

Please stop by to register, pick up your print or Braille agenda’s and

your meal tickets (if purchased).

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

6:45 PM - 10:00 PM

Childcare (Agave)

Brianne Kotschwar, Childcare Chairperson

Services will be available during general session and banquet.

8:00 AM - Noon

Exhibits (Ocotillo Meeting Room I-II)

Urja Lansing, Chairperson

8:15 AM - Noon

New Mexico Association of Blind Students (NMABS) (Sandia I)

8:15 AM - 8:30 AM 

Registration and Membership Dues

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM 

Welcoming Remarks

Kaity Ellis, President, NMABS

8:40 AM - 8:50 AM 

Remarks from Affiliate

Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

8:50 AM - 9:10 AM 

National Association of Blind Students Update

Tarik Williams, National Representative, National Association of Blind
Students

9:10 AM - 9:15 AM

Wake-Up Break  

9:15 AM - 9:45 AM 

Accessibility and Being Independent in College

Gary Bond, Accessibility Services Coordinator, New Mexico State University, 

Alamogordo Campus

9:45 AM - 10:10 AM 

Student Experience

Shawn McHugh, Student, New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Jose Burlingame, Senior, Eastern New Mexico University, Baccalaureate in
Social Work 

10:10 AM - 10:15 AM

Wake-Up Break  

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM 

Guest of Honor and our keynote speaker, 

The Honorable Howie Morales, Lt. Governor of New Mexico

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM  

Services Available to Students Through the Commission and Leveraging
Benefits or Services Through Other Sources

Daphne Mitchell, VR Program Manager, New Mexico Commission for the Blind

11:00 AM - 11:10 AM

Wake-Up Break  

11:10 AM - Noon

Elections and Business Meeting

8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

New Mexico Parents of Blind Children NMPOBC (Sandia II)

        Alexia Harrison, President

        Gail Wagner, Vice President

        Vacant, Secretary/Treasurer

Board Members: 

Lucy Alexander

Becky Smith

Vickie Buchignani

Jessica Bartenbach

Virginia Gutierrez

        8:30 AM - 8:35 AM

Welcome

8:35 AM - 8:45 AM

What is the National Federation of the Blind?

Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind and
President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana 

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM

Advocating for your Child’s Education

A Panel Discussion with Q&A

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM

Break

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM

ABLE Accounts and Other Ways to Maximize SSI and SDI

Greg Trapp, Executive Director, New Mexico Commission for the Blind, Denise
Balderas, ABLE New Mexico Coordinator and Heather Benavidez, Liaison Officer
of New Mexico State Treasurers’ Office

10:10 AM - 10:20 AM

Business Meeting

10:20 AM - 10:55 AM

Cane Walk

10:55 AM 

Adjournment

11:00 AM - 11:50 PM

Philosophy of the NFB: The Heart of the Movement (Sandia III)

Caroline Benavidez, First Vice President, NFBNM

Noon - 1:15 PM

Parent and Student Division Luncheon (Sierra I-III)

Mistress of Ceremonies, Kaity Ellis, President, Student Division, NFBNM

Luncheon Keynote Speaker, 

Tarik Williams, National Representative, National Association of Blind
Students

        Action Auction

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM 

General Session Part 2 (Sandia I-III)

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Report from the National Office

Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind and
President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana 

2:15 PM - 2:20 PM 

Action Auction

2:20 PM - 2:40 PM

How to Advocate Effectively with Your Legislators

Representative Tomás E. Salazar, New Mexico House of Representatives

2:40 PM - 2:55 PM

Dancing the Life I Want

Joni Martinez, Outreach Instructor, Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center

Joni has learned several dances within the Latin, Swing, Country, and
Ballroom genres. She has also competed in the Fred Astaire Dance Company of
Texas and has participated in several Showcases with Go Dance Studios of
Austin. This happiness is what she enjoys sharing the most and what keeps
her dancing through life.

2:55 PM - 3:40 PM

Blind Parents: Raising Our Kids to Live the Lives They Want (Panel
discussion)

Moderator: Caroline Benavidez, First Vice President, NFBNM

Panelists: 

Rafael Aguirre, Blindness Skills Instructor, New Mexico Commission for the
Blind

Tara Chavez, Second Vice President, NFBNM and President, Albuquerque
Chapter, NFBNM

Lucy Alexander, Secretary, White Sands Chapter, NFBNM and Deputy Director,
Orientation Center, New Mexico Commission for the Blind

3:40 PM - 3:45 PM

Action Auction

3:45 PM - 4:05 PM

Status Report on the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(NMSBVI)

Patricia Beecher, Acting Superintendent, NMSBVI

4:05 PM - 4:20 PM

Promoting Accessibility in Online Courses for Blind College Students, 

Gary Bond, Accessibility Services Coordinator, New Mexico State University
Alamogordo

4:20 PM - 4:25 PM

Convention Announcements

Christine Hall, Convention Coordinator

4:25 PM - 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

No Host Social Hour and Silent Auction Display (Ballroom Corridor)

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

State Convention Banquet (Sierra Ballroom)

Mistress of Ceremonies, Mary Willows, Former President, NFB of California
and Member, Albuquerque Chapter, NFBNM

Invocation

Jean Brown, Second Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind
Diabetic Action Network (DAN)

Keynote Speaker

Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind and
President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana 

Presentations and Awards

A Silent Auction will be held during the banquet. Proceeds will support our

scholarship program for parents of blind children to support the family with
a blind child to attend the National Federation of the Blind convention.

Sunday, April 7, 2019

9:00 AM - Noon

Childcare (Agave Meeting Room)

Brianne Kotschwar, Childcare Chairperson

9:00 AM - Noon

General Session Part 3 (Sandia I-III)

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Report on the Washington Seminar

Adelmo Vigil, President, NFBNM

Ernie Esquibel, Vice President, Albuquerque Chapter, NFBNM

Kaity Ellis, President, Student Division, NFBNM

Kaden Calahan, Vice President, Student Division, NFBNM

9:20 AM - 9:45 AM

Why Should I Attend the NFB National Convention in Las Vegas?

Virginia Gutierrez, Member, White Sands Chapter, NFBNM

Albert Chavez, Member, Albuquerque Chapter, NFBNM 

Ernie Esquibel, Vice President, Albuquerque Chapter, NFBNM

9:45 AM - 10:05 AM

Resolutions

Kaity Ellis, Chairperson, Resolutions Committee, NFBNM

10:05 AM - 11:45 AM

Business Meeting

Minutes of 2018 State Convention

Tonia Trapp, Secretary, NFBNM

Treasurer's Report

Curtis Chong, Treasurer, NFBNM

Elections

Caroline Benavidez, Chairperson, Nominating Committee, NFBNM

11:45 AM - Noon

Final Announcements, Closing Remarks, and Adjourn 

Notes
CHAPTERS AND DIVISIONS

CHAPTERS

Albuquerque Chapter (Albuquerque)

President, Tara Chavez                505-872-2044 

 <mailto:Nfb.abqchapter at gmail.com> Nfb.abqchapter at gmail.com

Mesilla Valley (Las Cruces)

President, Maya Alvarado             575-449-1091

 <mailto:NFBNMMesillaValleyPresident at gmail.com>
NFBNMMesillaValleyPresident at gmail.com

San Juan (Farmington)

President, Nathalie Martin            801-574-1268

 <mailto:natmartin103 at gmail.com> natmartin103 at gmail.com

West Mesa (Albuquerque)    

President, ShaRon Dandy             505-307-4876

 <mailto:NFBNM.WestMesaChapter at gmail.com> NFBNM.WestMesaChapter at gmail.com

White Sands (Alamogordo)

President, Peggy Hayes               575-434-2076

 <mailto:NFBNM.WhiteSandsChapter at gmail.com>
NFBNM.WhiteSandsChapter at gmail.com

DIVISIONS

New Mexico Association of Blind Students (NMABS) 

President, Kaity Ellis                    575-694-4299 

 <mailto:president.nmabs at gmail.com> president.nmabs at gmail.com

New Mexico Parents of Blind Children (NMPOBC)

President, Alexia Harrison             505-859-1407

<file:///F:/../../AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Fil
es/AppData/Local/AppData/Local/AppData/Local/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows
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k/Users/cchong/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/4N0
PI78F/switzerlawn at aol.com> switzerlawn at aol.com

Senior Action Group Energy (SAGE)       

President, ShaRon Dandy             505-798-0192
 <mailto:sdandy51 at msn.com> sdandy51 at msn.com

NFBNM BOARD MEMBERS

President

Adelmo Vigil, Alamogordo             term expires 2020

First Vice President

Caroline Benavidez, Albuquerque  term expires 2020

Second Vice President

Tara Chavez, Albuquerque           term expires 2020

Secretary

Tonia Trapp, Albuquerque            term expires 2020

Treasurer

Curtis Chong, Albuquerque           term expires 2020

Board Member

Martin Gallegos, Santa Fe             term expires 2020

Board Member

Ernie Esquibel, Albuquerque         term expires 2020

Board Member

ShaRon Dandy, Albuquerque        term expires 2020

Board Member

Nathalie Martin, Farmington         term expires 2019

Board Member

Urja Lansing, Albuquerque            term expires 2019

Board Member

Alexia Harrison, Los Lunas            term expires 2019

National FEDERATION OF THE Blind Convention

Sunday, July 7- Friday, July 12, 2018

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89119

The largest gathering of blind people in the world, the National Federation
of the Blind National Convention is the premier event for training, support,
and information for the blind community. 

WHO ATTENDS THE CONVENTION?

Attendees may be long-time convention goers, the newly blinded, parents and
teachers of blind children, blindness professionals who are interested in
becoming more knowledgeable about blindness, adaptive-technology providers,
and family members of people who are blind. 

A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE

For many, attendance at that very first convention has become a
life-changing experience. Many hear for the very first time that it is
respectable to be blind, that carrying a cane is useful and is nothing to be
ashamed of, that Braille is a valuable tool after all, and that much
progress is being made in adaptive technology. Attendees also learn that
they are not alone, that there are others who are facing the same problems
they are, and that an active and normal life is possible and within their
reach. Some learn for the first time that there are orientation and
adjustment centers where blind people can be sent by their rehabilitation
counselors to learn the skills of blindness and the positive attitudes which
lead to personal empowerment.

registration

Online Preregistration: Online preregistration will be available until May
31, 2019. Registration will be available on site in Las Vegas.

Schedule

Sunday, July 7,                   Seminar Day
Monday, July 8,                  Registration and Resolutions Day
Tuesday, July 9,                 Board Meeting and Division Day
Wednesday, July 10,        Opening Session
Thursday, July 11,             Business Session
Friday, July 12,                   Banquet Day and Adjournment

Hotel Information and Room Rates

You can call the hotel at 877-632-9001 to book your room. The hotel will
take a deposit of the first night’s room rate for each room and will require
a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit
will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled
before Saturday, June 1, 2019, half of the deposit will be returned.
Otherwise, refunds will not be made. For NFB convention attendees, the
nightly rate for singles, doubles, triples, and quads will be $99. Hotel
taxes are 13.38 percent and sales tax is 8.25 percent. The resort fee
(normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention attendees. However,
fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and fitness center
access may apply. 

For more information visit NFB's convention webpage at
<http://www.nfb.org/convention> www.nfb.org/convention .

National Federation of the Blind
of New Mexico

Criteria to Receive an Attendance Stipend
for Attending the
National Federation of the Blind Convention

Each member of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico (NFBNM)
who attends the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention will be
eligible for a stipend after the national convention provided that all of
the following requirements are met.

1.        The individual must be an active member in good standing of a
local chapter or division of NFBNM; the determination of good standing will
be made by the president of the local chapter or division. If the member is
an at-large member and does not belong to a local chapter or division, the
determination of good standing will be made by the NFBNM president. In
either case, the individual must be current in the payment of his/her dues.

2.        The member must have attended the state convention in the year
during which the national convention occurs.

3.        The member must not have been awarded a scholarship from the NFBNM
or the NFB in the year in which the national convention has occurred. If the
member is awarded a Jernigan Scholarship, the NFBNM president may decide to
waive this requirement.

4.        The member has not received financial assistance from another
organization or agency to attend the national convention; this requirement
may be waived at the discretion of the NFBNM president.

5.        The member must send an email to the NFBNM president indicating
that he or she plans to attend the national convention and that the stipend
will be requested. This communication should be received on or before May
31st.

6.        The member must have registered or pre-registered to attend the
national convention.

7.        During the national convention, the member must:

a.                 work at least one shift at the NFBNM exhibit table,
assuming that the affiliate is operating such a table at the convention;

b.                 attend the affiliate caucus held at the national
convention;

c.                 attend all three days of general sessions and, for every
session, notify the NFBNM delegate or alternate delegate of his/her
presence; and

d.                 attend the banquet at national convention.

8.        The member must send an email to the NFBNM president requesting
the stipend within 30 days upon their return.

Our Hope

We hope that by attending our convention your expectations of yourself are
raised, 

so that blindness is no longer the characteristic that defines you or your
future, and that low expectations no longer stand between you and your
dreams. We want you 

to become empowered to live the life you want.

OUR THANKS

Thank you to everyone who appeared on the agenda, and to all who chaired

and/or served on committees. 

Thank you to the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired 

for brailling the agendas for us this year.

We wish to thank Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation 

of the Blind and President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana for

serving as our national representative. The national perspective you brought

to us is so important to our achievement of equality, security, and
opportunity.

Thank you to the management and staff of the hotel for all their assistance

in planning this weekend and making our stay enjoyable.

We wish you safe travels home, and we hope to see you all next year.

Tonia Trapp, secretary

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

nfbnewmexicosecretary at gmail.com

www.nfbnm.org

Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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