[NFB-Utah] Possibilities in Motion NFBU annual state convention and auction baskets Update

[nfbutah at gmail.com]

Hello Federationists 

The 2026 NFB of Utah state convention is 26  hours away! 
It is time to gather, grow, and gear up for action! We are thrilled to invite you to the 2026 National Federation of the Blind of Utah Annual State Convention, held at the Courtyard Marriott in Ogden 247 24th street, Ogden Utah, 801-627-1190,

This year, our theme is "Possibilities in Motion: Bridging Policy, Purpose, and Personal Potential."

We have some sad news to mention that our National Representative was Jesse Shirek, there has been an emergency in their family that will not allow him and his wife to attend this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and we wish them well and a speedy recovery.
 
In October 2020 we had a virtual National representative  at our convention and he has agreed to fill in this year last minute. Below is some information about this national rep, if you haven't had a chance to hear him speak it is a treat. If you haven't shaken his hand and have met him, it will make your day. He is Federation through and Through. He is a great friend and we are honored to have him come.
Please check out his voice which is attached from some thoughts he shared with us as our national rep during the 2020 convention.

NFB National Representative: Anil Lewis
Currently employed as the executive director for Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind, located in Baltimore, Maryland, he coordinates outreach, marketing, and fundraising activities for a national nonprofit organization. He leads a dynamic team of individuals responsible for the creation, development, implementation, and replication of innovative projects and programs throughout a nationwide network of affiliates that work to positively affect the education, employment, and quality of life of all blind people.

Lewis has dedicated his leadership skills to the development and growth of disability rights organizations that promote independence and improve quality of life. Lewis additionally volunteers as a teacher and mentor for blind kids, working with promising blind students who, because of limited resources and lack of trained professionals to teach them, are inappropriately encouraged to pursue special education diplomas. He wants blind students to set higher goals for themselves and to receive the training and tools they need to acquire the skills to reach their full potential.

Speaking of his personal life, Anil Lewis says that his proudest accomplishment is his bright, ambitious son Amari, born in 1997. Balancing his many civic responsibilities with his personal life as a father is undoubtedly his greatest challenge. His greatest success, he thinks, has been overcoming the temptation to subside into becoming an unmotivated, self-pitying person with a disability. He thinks his greatest contribution so far has been to encourage other people with disabilities to believe in themselves and to understand that they can make a difference.

There still is time to register, you can do it any time this weekend this form is friendly and easy to navigate and we need your registration if you are taking part in any aspect of this convention, not to mention getting your name brailed as well as entered to win and to be eligible for door prizes.

Auction Items Needed

We need your donate auction items for our annual state convention auction.
You can personally donate, ask friends and family and/or local business in your area. If you donate its tax deductible.
We can provide you with a donation letter with our tax ID number. 

 Donation items can be gift cards, cash, and/or a theme gift basket (e.g.

date night, BBQ, gardening, game night etc.... When you donate, please click on the link below to fill out the donor's donation form to help us document
all donations items that have been donated for our auction this year. 

You can drop off items with Stephanie Cordova,
or we can plan to pick up items. If this is not possible, you can bring the donation item to the convention, we will start receiving items at the Marriot

Friday April 24th @ 7:00am. Stephanie Cordova will be collecting the auction items at the convention. 

Donor form 

https://forms.gle/qY9doVRiQxDs44PQ6

Please contact the Auction Coordinator for more information. 
Stephanie Cordova, 801-718-8403, 
scordova63 at hotmail.com

 

Convention Highlights

*National Report Anil Lewis 
* Dynamic Workshops: Explore the intersection of policy and personal potential.
* Community & Connection: Network with friends and colleagues from across the state.

We look forward to seeing you in Ogden as we move forward together to turn possibilities into reality.

Live the life you want.

Best regards,

The NFB of Utah Board of Directors
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