[Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???

Fri Mar 31 16:34:26 UTC 2017

Well put as always Mr. President.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via Nfbmo
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 11:25 AM
To: 'NFB of Missouri Mailing List'
Cc: Gary Wunder
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???

I appreciate all of the discussion that has taken place, and I think Gene provides good reasons for registering and Roger good reasons to be compassionate and understanding. These things don't come to us free, and when we lose money on convention, it simply means that we must raise more money or decrease program services to meet the shortfall. Look outside our organization and you will see that the registration fee we charge is a bargain. It is not at all uncommon for registration fees to be measured in the hundreds of dollars because putting on an event costs money-- everything from the space to the sound equipment and sometimes even the internet connections we use for streaming.

The upshot of all of this is that we ask you to register if you can in the knowledge that we will understand if you truly can't. We are not out to shame anyone, but there are economic realities we have to face even though we are a not-for-profit charity.

Trusting that you will do the right thing, as your heart and your head direct,

Gary
-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Crome via Nfbmo
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 10:49 AM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Roger Crome
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???

Daniel,
This is true, and it is a valuable support that NFBMO provides.  However, Rittgers only provides for a portion of the funds, and some people simply do not have the expendable cash to utilize beyond the generous support of the Rittgers funds.  That is what I was referring to.  We should always be aware of the fact that we can never truly know another person's situation.  On the exterior, it is easy to say that someone is not prioritizing the movement because they are not saving that money back, but we just do not know what responsibilities they experience.  So, as a means of embracing the family as a whole, it is important to maintain a resolve to be understanding and bring the shared information back to those who are unable to attend in a way that says, "We missed you, but you are important. We understand that life happens, and this is what you missed."  That is all I was saying.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel Garcia via Nfbmo
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 8:34 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Daniel Garcia
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???

Although the Ritger's Committee prioritizes funds for first-time convention attendees, there are funds available for those who cannot go due to financial reasons. 

Regards

Daniel

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Crome via Nfbmo
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 12:08 AM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Roger Crome
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???

Hello,
I would like to weigh in on this.  First, thank you to Gene for all of your hard work and unwavering dedication and energy that you devote to making our convention a great experience for all of us.  It is this devotion to detail and the enthusiastic participation of Federationists that makes it flow so well and reap so much information and decisions.  I see this as an opportunity to come together as a collective whole for the betterment of our mission.  It is an opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another.  Yes, for some, it may be cost prohibitive, and in that case, non-attendance is very understandable.In my personal opinion, we should not shame folks or say that, if they do not come, they have no room to complain.  The Federation is a unified whole that is representative of each individual perspective.  As such, the rule of the weakest link applies.  So, as leaders in this great movement, it is the responsibility of all of us to embrace and empower those who feel seperated from the whole.  I have heard Gary Wunder speak of being loved into the Federation family.  Sometimes, the hardest part is loving the unlovely.  It is true that the convention cost is very reasonable by any measure, but it is through compassionate encouragement that we will strengthen the core of our mission and our family.  So, for those who want to know why we have to pay, it is a necessary evil of events of any kind.  We have to try to cover cost.  We want everyone there, but we just do not have the money not to charge.

Roger Crome

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 28, 2017, at 10:25 PM, Cory McMahon via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Gene for all you do to make our convention's a success!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Randy 
> Carmack via Nfbmo
> Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 4:25 PM
> To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Randy Carmack <randycarmack at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Why should I pay to register for state convention???
> 
> And might I add.  If you think our convention prices are too high, go to nfb.org and look at their convention prices.  You will soon realize what a great deal our convention prices are.
> 
> I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gene Coulter on the great job he does every year negotiating with the hotels and ensuring that all of the ground work is done for our conventions.  Most of us don't realize all of the pre-convention things that Gene does for us, we give the host chapters all of the credit but if it weren't for all of Gene's work, our conventions would more than likely be a disaster.  I truly appreciate what Gene does every year.  I know that it must be very time consuming and at times very frustrating.
> 
> A huge thank you from me to you Gene, you do an awesome job for us.
> 
> Thanks,
> Randy Carmack
> 
> On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 3:01 PM, Gene Coulter via Nfbmo 
> <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> 
>> This question is coming up with increasing frequency so our state 
>> president thought it would be a good idea if I answered it. First, of 
>> course, it is policy that to get the convention rates at the hotel 
>> you must be registered. For example, this year’s convention hotel 
>> rate
>> is$87.00 a night as compared to the normal rate of around $200.00.
>> But what does my registration fee pay for?
>> the Meeting rooms that have cost us up to $1,000.
>> pay pal fees for on-line meal ticket sales.
>> Dance floor that has cost up to $150.
>> Additional microphones that have cost up to $150 Site visits that 
>> have cost up to $325.
>> Convention awards.
>> Occasionally outside guest speakers.
>> and many other lessfrequent  costs including paying for uneaten meals 
>> when we have not met the contract minimum  expenditures.
>> In many years the registration fees do not fully cover affiliate expenses.
>> I suspect as we go through our next rotation costs will only increase 
>> especially meeting room rental.
>> Gene
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