[nfbmi-talk] 2013 NFB of Michigan convention agenda

Tue Oct 15 08:46:28 UTC 2013

Marcus,

At the affiliate action lunch on Saturday. 

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marcus Simmons
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 9:42 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] 2013 NFB of Michigan convention agenda

When does the announcement of the vehicle donation program occur?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 8:31 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] 2013 NFB of Michigan convention agenda

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
20812 Ann Arbor Trail
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

October 14, 2013

Dear Michigan Federationists:

     I am trying something new this year and sending out the Agenda
early. I hope you enjoy reading it. We will have a good time at State
Convention. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
Larry Posont
President
 National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
 (313) 271-3058
 Email: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
 Web page: www.nfbmi.org

 Vehicle Donations Take the Blind Further Donate your car to the
National Federation of the Blind today!
 For more information, please visit:
www.carshelpingtheblind.org
 or call 1-855-659-9314
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
OF MICHIGAN
STATE CONVENTION

October 18: 20, 2013

Hilton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel
4747 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49512-1915, USA
TEL: 1-616-957-0100

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

     The ultimate goal of the National Federation of the Blind is the
complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality.
 This objective includes the removal of legal, economic, and social
discrimination and the education of the public to new, and more
accurate, concepts concerning blindness.  It means the right of the
blind to work along with their sighted peers in the professions,
skilled trades, and regular occupations.

FRIDAY October 18

1:00 -- 5:00 SENIOR SEMINAR—Mary Wurtzel, Board Member, National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan, Salon A-B
3:00 -- 7:00 REGISTRATION, -- Mike Powell, First Vice President,
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and Paulette Powell,
outside Salon A-B
4:00 – 6:00 RESOLUTIONS-- Dave Robinson, Board Member, National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan. Board Room. Send Resolutions to
drob1946 at gmail.com

6:30 STUDENTS! MEET FOR DINNER IN HOTEL LOBBY
7:00 -- 9:00 STUDENT SEMINAR, -- Jordyn Castor, President, Michigan
Association of Blind Students Selected Restaurant
 6:30 REGISTRATION, MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG USERS
7:00 -- 9:00 MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF GUIDE DOG USERS, -- Larry Keeler,
Chairman, Michigan Association of Guide Dog Users Salon D
6:30 REGISTRATION, MERCHANT’S DIVISION
7:00 -- 9:00 MERCHANT’S DIVISION-- Terry Eagle, President, Merchant's
Division National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Kentwood A-B
9:00—10:00 MEMBERS AT LARGE CHAPTER, Dave Robinson, Board Member,
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Salon A-B
The Lansing and Ann Arbor Chapters will hold 50 - 50 drawings. Tickets
are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. The drawings will be on Sunday
morning before Adjournment.
The Ann Arbor Chapter is selling Whoozit wristbands for $5.00.
The Western Wayne County Chapter is selling 2014 Calendars with
reprints of paintings in them for $3.00.
SATURDAY October 19

7:00 – RESOLUTIONS, [If needed] Dave Robinson, Board Member, National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan in Spinnakers Restaurant
7:30 to Opening of General Session REGISTRATION – Mike Powell, First
Vice President, Outside Salon A-B
All General Sessions, the Banquet, Auction, Devotions and the Board
Meeting are held in Salon A-B.
Child Care is in the Thorn Apple Room. Child care will be available at
State Convention at the following Times: Friday, 7:00 to 9:00 during
Division meetings. Saturday, fifteen minutes before until fifteen
minutes after the morning and afternoon sessions plus the Banquet.
This means from 8:30 to 12:15 for the morning. Also from 1:30 to 5:15
in the afternoon and from 6:45 until fifteen minutes after the Banquet
adjourns. Sunday, from 8:45 until 12:15.

8:45 OPENING SESSION -- We will start on time with a door prize.
INTRODUCTION of State Board
INTRODUCTION of Participating Members
2013 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER INTRODUCED
STAR Spangled Banner, Terri Wilcox, Secretary, National Federation of
the Blind of Michigan
PLEDGE of Allegiance
9:00 -- 9:45 NATIONAL REPORT, Joe Ruffalo, President, National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey and Board Member, National
Federation of the Blind Board
9:45—10:00 Questions from Members
10:00 -- 10:15 BSBP NEWS, Director, Bureau of Services to Blind
Persons, Ed Rodgers
10:15—10:30 Questions from Members
10:30 -- 10:45 BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY, Scott Norris
New products and services will be demonstrated from the Library
including the new I-Phone App for reading digital books.
10:45–11:00 Questions from Members
11:00--12:00 DEMONSTRATION OF NEW ICE VOTING MACHINE, Steve
Delongchamp, Vice President, Election Source, Grand Rapids Michigan

12:00 – 1:45 AFFILIATE ACTION LUNCHEON, Dave Robinson
1:45 -- 2:00 ANNOUNCEMENTS, DOOR PRIZES
2:00 -- 3:00 TRANSPORTATION PANEL, J.J. Meddaugh A T Guys
Developing and Promoting Efficient, Safe, and Reliable Transportation
for the Blind: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities
Doug Boone, President, D. Boone Consultants, LLC.
Michael Bulthuis, Public Outreach Coordinator - Community Engagement,
ITP/the Rapid
Kathryn Gray, Coordinator, Transportation for Michigan - Trans4M
3:00 –4:00 Panel: WORK TO WELFARE The Current Trend in Michigan for
the Blind Terry Eagle, President Michigan Association of Blind
Merchants, Fred Wurtzel, President Emeritus, National Federation of
the Blind of Michigan, Christine Boone, Attorney at Law, Joe Ruffalo,
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
4:00 -- 4:20 BRAILLE CAMP 2013, Terri Wilcox, Secretary, National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan
4:20 — 4:40 NEWSLINE FOR THE BLIND, Georgia Kitchen, Coordinator,
Newsline for the Blind of Michigan
4:40 – 5:00 INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES IN TEXAS, Jordyn Castor, Student,
Computer Science, President Student Division National Federation of
the Blind of Michigan
6:00 -- 7:00 SOCIAL HOUR WITH CASH BAR
7:00 -- BANQUET
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, Joe Ruffalo

AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIP Presentation, Terri Wilcox, Secretary, National Federation
of the Blind of Michigan
Jackson Chapter Charter
Grand Rapids Chapter Charter
AUCTION,
Please bring auction items for the Saturday evening Auction after the
Banquet. Baked goods are especially appreciated.
Joseph Ruffalo, Jr.
(Massage Therapist, Community Leader, and Activist)

     Born July 6, 1949, in Montclair and raised in Bloomfield, New
Jersey, Joseph Ruffalo, Jr., had already graduated from Bloomfield
High School, attended Montclair State College, and served America in
Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star, before he learned in 1976 that
retinitis pigmentosa would slowly claim his vision. For six years he
continued his work as a manager in a Thom McAn shoe store, but by 1983
he began looking for guidance about how to achieve greater proficiency
and control over his life as a blind adult.
     The staff at the Joseph Kohn Rehabilitation Center (JKRC), then
located in Newark, told him he should not learn to use a cane, read
Braille, or master any adaptive devices because he still had enough
vision to do without them. Though eager to obtain the necessary
skills, at the time Joe believed he had no recourse but to adhere to
the advice of the only professionals he knew. Not until 1986 did he
learn to use a cane, and he accomplished that by teaching himself.
While at JKRC, Joe discovered a talent for baking, which led to a
successful nine-year career as the owner of a pastry business.
     In 1988 Joe tentatively attended his first NFB chapter meeting in
Newark. He reports that after ten minutes he knew that his life was
about to change dramatically. Realizing that the NFB was a place of
fraternity and empowerment, empathy and accomplishment, Joe says, �I
saw blind people doing things I wanted to do. They were holding jobs,
volunteering, and achieving in every pursuit.� This was the beginning
of Joe's own growth and achievement. In 1990 he became second vice
president of the New Jersey affiliate; two years later he was first
vice president; and by 1993 he was president of the NFB of New Jersey,
a position he maintains to this day. �It is a tremendous honor and
responsibility to promote positive attitudes about blindness and the
abilities of blind people, � Joe comments.
     But Joe's community involvement has not been limited to the
National Federation of the Blind. He has been a leader in the Lions
Club for over eighteen years, serving as president for three. He has
also held positions as zone/regent chair and serves on the District
16-E cabinet. In the Knights of Columbus Joe has held the positions of
guard, warden, and deputy grand knight, and while in the Cub Scouts of
America he has been both a den leader and cub master. As past
president of the Special Education Parent and Professional
Organization and past chairman of the board of trustees of the New
Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, he has further
worked to assure the full integration of people with disabilities into
society.
     Joe attended the Therapeutic Massage Center to obtain
certification in massage therapy and from 1998 to 2000 provided
massage for staff, patients, and visitors at Clara Maass Medical
Center in Belleville, before moving his practice to a private office.
He has served as a consultant to the Somerset School of Massage,
making recommendations to staff and students and answering questions
about training methods for blind students.
     Joe also works to smooth others' transitions from dependence to
independence as a leader in two programs sponsored by the New Jersey
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He is employed by the
First Occupational Center of New Jersey as a program specialist in the
Senior Community Independent Living Services (SCILS) program, which
identifies people over age fifty-five in Essex and Ocean counties who
have experienced vision loss, with the goal of teaching independence
skills so that these seniors can remain active in the community and
independent in their homes. As state program director and northern
region coordinator of the Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and
Determination (LEAD) program, administered in partnership with
Heightened Independence and Progress, Joe provides mentoring
activities for blind teenagers and their families.
     Joe’s many contributions to the community were recognized in
November 2000 when he was honored with the Partnership for Progress
Award at the New Jersey Commission's Believe and Achieve ninetieth
Anniversary celebration. In July 2001 his leadership in the blindness
community was again acknowledged when he was elected to the board of
directors of the National Federation of the Blind. In October of 2002
the State of New Jersey honored Joe by presenting him with the New
Jersey Vietnam Service Medal.
     Joe has always been encouraged and supported by his wife of
twenty-eight years, Judy, and his two sons, Joseph and James. In his
spare time Joe likes sports of all kinds, especially baseball and
basketball, and enjoys hosting Thru Our Eyes, an Internet radio
program (www.thruoureyes.org) that highlights blindness issues,
discusses technology, and promotes positive attitudes about blindness.
     Joe’s life and work express his commitment to the blind and their
struggle for equality in society. His achievements stand as an example
for others, like those of the Federationists who deeply impressed him
at his first chapter meeting. He achieves and grows, facing every
challenge with energy, enthusiasm, and common sense. In so doing, he
exemplifies his belief that �one of the most important things for
members of the blind community to do is to teach the public that
blindness is only a characteristic. With the proper training, skills,
attitude, and techniques, blindness can be reduced to a physical
nuisance.�

SUNDAY October 20

The Lansing and Ann Arbor Chapters will hold 50 - 50 drawings. Tickets
are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. The drawings will be on Sunday
morning before Adjournment.

8:30 -- DEVOTIONS, Terri Wilcox.
Board Meeting, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
Quorum
Introduction of Participating Members
SECRETARY'S Report, Terri Wilcox
TREASURER'S Report, Mark Eagle
ELECTION of Board Position 1
ELECTION of Board Position 2
ELECTION of Board Position 3
ELECTION of Board Position 4
PRESIDENTIAL REPORT ON NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN,
Larry Posont, President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
Resolutions, Dave Robinson
NATIONAL Convention - Where and When?
FUND Raising -- National Convention?
STATE Convention - Locations for Next Year?
WASHINGTON Seminar 2014?
STUDENT DIVISION REPORT
Merchant’s Division Report
Guide Dog Committee
CHAPTER Reports
NEW Business:
OLD Business:
12:00 ADJOURN the Board Meeting

WHO are the Blind that Lead the Blind?

Larry Posont, President National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
Before December 1, 20812 Ann Arbor Trail
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
After December 1, 2013,
7189 Connors Rd.
Munising, MI 49862
president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
Cell, (313)727-3546
Michael Powell, First Vice President
3253 Dolores Ave
Warren, Mi 48091
mpowell at wowway.com
 (586)754-1325
Joe Sontag, Second Vice President
1204 Morris Ave.
Lansing, MI 48917
suncat0 at gmail.com
(517)323-9786
(517)256-2514
Terri Wilcox, Secretary
2533 Sandalwood Circle
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
trising at sbcglobal.net
(734)663-4050
Mark Eagle, Treasurer
1417 Corbett St.
Lansing, MI 48910
 (517)394-4548
markaeagle at yahoo.com
Board Position 1 David Robinson
818 Loomis St.
Jackson, Mi 49202
 (517)775-7943
drob1946 at gmail.com
Board Position 2 Sarah Norwood
497 Campbell Street
River Rouge, Mi 48218
sand819 at gmail.com
(313)406-9424
Board Position 3 Mary Wurtzel
1212 North Foster
Lansing, MI
(517)485-0326
marywurtzel at att.net
Board Position 4 Nicholas Wilcox
2533 Sandalwood Circle
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 663-4050
Nickwilcox_2000 at msn.com

Thank you for attending the forty-fourth annual State Convention of
the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
20812 Ann Arbor Trail
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
 (313)271-3058.

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