[NFBMO] 2021 NFB of SC State Convention Agenda!

[Steve Cook]

Hi Federation Family! 

Below you will find the agenda for the National Federation of the Blind of SC 2021 State Convention Agenda! You still have time to register for attending our convention virtually by going to www.nfbofsc.org and registering! 

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
65th Annual State Convention
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
Jennifer Bazer, President
North Charleston Marriott
4770 Goer Drive
North Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 747-1900
Friday, August 20 – Sunday, August 22, 2021

 
CONVENTION NOTES

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 programs and policies of the Federation and to abide by its constitution.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND ONE MINUTE MESSAGE
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. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

INTEGRITY AND RESPECT
As with all NFB of SC functions, our members are held to the highest standards of decorum outlined in the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina’s Code of Conduct.  To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds may learn, network, and share with each other in an environment of mutual respect. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our community and the high expectations we strive to maintain.

We welcome Scott LaBarre as our national representative to the NFB of SC 65th annual state convention!
Scott C. LaBarre, Esq. 
LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
Denver, Colorado

Scott C. LaBarre owns and operates LaBarre Law Offices P.C., (LLO).  LLO specializes in employment law, disability rights, Randolph-Sheppard Act cases, and some international policy work, particularly in the area of copyright law.  Additionally, through his law practice, LaBarre is now serving as General Counsel to the National Federation of the Blind where he helps manage a multi-million dollar legal advocacy program as well as advising the organization on a variety of legal issues faced by a nonprofit.  Mr. LaBarre has appeared in federal and state courts throughout the United States securing many important victories for his clients such as Enyart v. National Conference of Bar Examiners, 630 F.3d 1153 (9th Cir. 2011)(securing the right for blind students to use assistive technology as an accommodation on the multistate bar exam) and Cannon v. Palmer College of Chiropractic, 850 N.W.2d 326 (Iowa 2014)(securing the right of a blind student to pursue a doctor of chiropractic degree with his requested accommodations).  He is permanently admitted before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and DC Circuits, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the Supreme Court of Colorado, and the Maryland Court of Appeals (Maryland’s highest court).  LaBarre has been named one of Colorado’s Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, distinctions recognizing the top five percent of Colorado attorneys. 

Prior to launching his own firm in July of 1998, Mr. LaBarre acted as general counsel for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Colorado, where he specialized in laws affecting the blind and disabled, serving in that capacity for over four years.  Even after establishing LLO, he has remained very active in the NFB through his volunteer service in many leadership roles.  In October of 2005, members of the NFB of Colorado elected LaBarre their President.  He also serves as Chairman of the Preauthorized Contributions Committee, one of the Federation’s major national fundraisers.  Additionally, he is President of the National Association of Blind Lawyers and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Center for the Blind.  The Federation has presented LaBarre with the Raymond W. McGeorge Award in 2010 for his work on behalf of the blind in Colorado and the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award in 2014 for his efforts to achieve successful adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Individuals Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, and Otherwise Print Disabled.  

Since 2010, LaBarre has acted as the NFB’s lead delegate to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO’s) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights to work on an international treaty to create the international exchange of published works in accessible formats for the blind and print disabled leading to the adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty in June of 2013.  This work has led to his election to the Accessible Books Consortium Board, a body sponsored by WIPO and designed to serve as an entity implementing the Marrakesh Treaty on a practical level, promote cross-border exchange of accessible books for the print disabled, and to encourage inclusive publishing.

As an original and current member of the Steering Committee, LaBarre helped to establish the Federation’s Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium which gathers leaders from all sectors in the arena of disability law to discuss the current status of the law and to plan needed reform.  LaBarre has presented at the Symposium on several occasions.

He is active in national, state and local bar associations through his service in many roles.  LaBarre is a founding member of the Disability Rights Bar Association and serves on its Executive Board as Vice Chair.  In August of 2019, LaBarre completed a three-year term on the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors where he chaired the Member Services Committee and served on the Board’s Executive Committee during his last year.  He has also been a Commissioner on the ABA’s Commission on Disability Rights and served as its Chair from 2004-2007.  Mr. LaBarre is also very active in the ABA's Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division and reassumed a position on its governing council starting in August of 2013, previously serving on the Division’s Council from 2005 through 2009.  He currently serves as the Division’s Chair Elect and will become Chair of the Division in 2022.  ABA President Reginald Turner has asked LaBarre to serve on the ABA’s Standing Committee on Meetings and Travel and the Steering Committee of ABA’s Practice Forward, a committee appointed to examine the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the practice of law.  LaBarre represents the Denver Bar Association as a Delegate to the ABA’s House of Delegates where he serves on the House’s Working Group on Operations.  In the last two decades plus, he has also taken on the roles of a Director on the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division’s governing council, Vice Chairman and a member of the ABA-YLD Bar Leadership Team, YLD Liaison to the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, a member of the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors, and Treasurer and a member of the Executive Council of the Denver Bar Association’s Young Lawyers.  

Mr. LaBarre received his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota in 1993 and his Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota in 1990.  He left Minnesota in 1993 to work at the National Headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind then moving to Colorado in 1994.  He is married to a wonderful woman who originally hales from Armenia, Anahit Galechyan.  Anahit and Scott have two children, Alexander (born October 2002) and Emily (born December 2004).  The LaBarres welcomed Moka, a vivacious and effervescent    Labradoodle, into their family in May of 2019. 


DOOR PRIZES
During the General Sessions and the banquet, door prizes will be drawn periodically. You must be registered for the convention and present to win! If your name is drawn, raise your hand and we’ll acknowledge your receipt of a prize. To raise your hand: if dialed in, press *9; if on a windows computer, press ALT + Y; or, if on a Mac, press Option + Y. Door prizes will be mailed at the conclusion of the convention if you are attending through zoom.

WELCOME
We welcome you to the North Charleston Marriott for our 65th annual state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, NFB of SC and on zoom for our hybrid convention. The North Charleston Marriott has an outside pool, state of the art 24/7 fitness center, free high-speed internet, and an airport shuttle. 

DOG RELIEF AREA
For those with dog guides, there is a specific dog relief area. A trash receptacle has been placed there for convenience and tidiness.  Please ask the front desk for the location of this area. 

CONTACT US
We have several convenient ways for you to connect with us.  Here they are.

Address:
Federation Center of the Blind
119 S. Kilbourne Rd.
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 254-3777
Web: www.nfbofsc.org

NFB of SC President:
Jennifer Bazer
Jennifer.h.bazer at gmail.com
(803) 960-9977

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
All general sessions and the Saturday evening banquet will be held in the Compass Ballroom.

Door Prize chairperson, Steve Cook
Exhibit Hall Chairperson, David Houck
Registration Chairperson, Darlene Houck

 
SCHEDULE

Friday, August 20, 2021
8:00 A.M. – 6:00 PM: Registration, Outside of Compass Ballroom
9:00-11:00 AM.: Blind Merchants pre-convention meeting, DISCOVER
10:00 A.M. – 6:00PM: Exhibit Hall open, Reflections
3:00-3:50 PM: NFB of SC Board meeting all are welcome, Momentum
4:00-4:50 PM: Senior Division, Shelley Coppel, President, Explorer
4:00-4:50 PM: Computer Science and Technology Division CSTD, Thom Spittle, President, Innovator
5:00-5:50 PM: Merchants division, Belinda Banks, President, Explorer
5:00-5:50 PM: Resolutions, Valerie Warrington, Chairperson, Innovator
6:00-6:50 PM: Sports and Rec Division, David Rebocho, President, Innovator
7:00-10:00 PM: Reception, Compass Ballroom
10:00 PM – Midnight: SC Association of Blind Students Division, Derique Simon, President, Innovator

Saturday, August 21, 2021
7:00-8:45 A.M.: Registration, Outside of Compass Ballroom
7:00-8:45 A.M.: Exhibit Hall open, Reflections
7:00-8:45 A.M.: boxed breakfast in the back of Compass Ballroom
7:30-8:30 A.M.: At Large Chapter Meeting, Ed Bible, President, Innovator

MORNING GENERAL SESSION
Compass Ballroom
9:00-9:15 A.M.: Welcome, Jennifer Bazer, President
9:15-9:30 A.M.: Welcome to the city of North Charleston and reading of proclamation, Ron Brinson,       Member North Charleston City Council, Chair of Finance Committee and Mayor Pro Tempore
9:30-9:55 A.M.: National Report, Scott LaBarre, President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
10:00-10:20 A.M.: South Carolina Commission for the Blind, Darline Graham, Commissioner
10:20-10:30 A.M.: Fit break, David Rebocho, President, Sports and Rec Division
10:30-10:50 A.M.: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities, Kayleigh Joiner, Assistant Program Coordinator,   National Federation of the Blind of Texas 
10:50-11:10 A.M.: South Carolina Talking Book Services, Kristin White, Director of Talking Books Services 
11:10-11:30 A.M.: Simple and Smart Independence, SuperSense App has You Covered, Shane Lowe, SuperSense Community Manager
11:30-noon: Presidential Report, Jennifer Bazer, President, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
Noon: Adjourn

LUNCH BREAK
12:15-1:45 PM.: Registration, Outside of Compass Ballroom
12:15-1:45 PM: Exhibit Hall open, Reflections

AFTERNOON GENERAL SESSION
Compass Ballroom
Opening with a large Door Prize; Don’t Be Late!
2:00-2:30 PM: Road Blocks or Stepping Stones, Regina Mitchell, NFB of Nevada board member and   scholarship chair
2:30-3:00 PM: Diversity and Inclusion, Derique Simon, Board Member NFB of SC and President, SC Association of Blind Students
3:00-3:20 PM: 10 Essential Tips for Blind & Socially Savvy Networkers, Eileen Rivera Ley, Master Trainer, Blind Savvy, USA Baltimore, MD
3:20-3:30 PM: Fit Break, David Rebocho, President, Sports and Rec Division
3:30-3:50 PM: Launch Your Way to Success, Summer Teen Report, Student, Staff and Intern Presentation 
3:50-4:10 PM: Students Staying Strong Together, Logan Stenzel, Board Member, National Association of Blind Students and Treasurer | Minnesota Association of Blind Students
4:10-4:30 PM: Blessings from Adversity, Creating a Successful Future, Svetlana Ehlers, Student and Member NFB of Missouri
4:30-4:40 PM: Update from the SC Department of Education Office of Special Education Services
Marty R. McKenzie, Statewide Vision Consultant
4:40-4:50 PM: Introducing the Scholarship Class, Shannon Cook, Secretary NFB of SC and Chairperson Scholarship Committee
5:00 PM: Adjourn

EVENING BREAK
5:15-6:45 PM: Registration, Outside of Compass Ballroom
5:15-6:45 PM: Exhibits Open, Reflections


CONVENTION BANQUET
Compass Ballroom
7:00-9:30 PM

Welcome, Jennifer Bazer, President
Keynote Address, Scott LaBarre, National Rep and President, NFB of Colorado
Presentation of Scholarships, Shannon Cook, Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Presentation of Sponsors
  Bignon Foundation, Carolyn Jackson, Platinum Level Sponsor
  Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Non-24, Inc., Vicki Preddy, MSN, RN, Nurse Educator, Gold Level Sponsor 
  HumanWare, Samuel Adler, Regional Account Manager, Silver Level Sponsor
  Farmers’ Telephone Cooperative, Silver Level Sponsor
Educator of the Year: Marty McKenzie, Chairperson
Donald C. Capps Award: David Houck, chairperson
Banquet Fundraiser 
Our annual banquet fundraiser is an opportunity for individuals, chapters, divisions, and business partners to contribute to the NFB of SC to further programs, services, and policies of the Palmetto affiliate.
Donations can be made through Pay Pal on
www.nfbofsc.org
Cash or writing a check made to the NFB of SC and mailed to FCB, 119 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.
9:30 PM: Adjourn

FOR NIGHT OWLS
10:00-Midnight: Game Night Fundraiser by the SC Association of Blind Students, Compass Ballroom

Sunday, August 22, 2021
7:00-8:30 A.M.: Registration, Outside of Compass Ballroom
7:00-8:30 A.M.: boxed breakfast in the back of Compass Ballroom
7:00-8:30 A.M.: Nominating Committee, Innovator

MORNING GENERAL SESSION
Compass Ballroom
8:45-9:00 A.M.: Remembering Those Who Went Before Us, A Memorial, Dorothy Barksdale, Board Member Columbia Chapter, We Care Committee Chair
9:00-9:30 A.M.: NFB of SC Elections
9:30-10:00 A.M.: Rocky Bottom and NFB of SC Treasurers’ Report, Valerie Warrington, Treasurer NFB of SC and Rocky Bottom
10:00-10:20 A.M.: Resolutions, Valerie Warrington, chairperson, Resolutions’ Committee
10:20-10:30 A.M.: Fit Break, David Rebocho, President, Sports and Rec Division
10:30-10:50 A.M.: 2021-2022 Committees: Jennifer Bazer, President, NFB of SC
10:50-11:10 A.M.: Rocky Bottom Report
Thom Spittle, chairperson
Shelley Coppel and Shannon Cook, Co-Directors, South Carolina Senior Camp
Jennifer Bazer, Director, children’s Camp
11:10-11:30 A.M.: Federation Center of the Blind FCB  Report, David Houck, Executive Director, Federation Center of the Blind and Ed Bible, Chairperson, Federation Center Board
11:30:11:40 A.M.: Update on SUN, PAC, Dream Circle, Frank Coppel, chairperson, Doing Our Fair Share Committee
11:40-Noon: Chapter, Committee, and Division Drawings
12:00 PM: Adjourn




Thank you to Our 2021 Sponsors!

——————————————————-
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR: $250

THE BIGNON FAMILY FOUNDATION
Edward and Vicki Bignon
“Being a part of a REAL solution
 is an honor and a great way to live your life.”

May 2022 bring you good health and many blessings.
Eddie Bignon


—————————————————— 
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR: $1000
 
Gold Sponsor
	Vanda Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Washington, DC. Vanda works to develop new medicines to address unmet medical needs and to improve the lives of patients
	As a proud sponsor of the NFB of South Carolina, Vanda seeks to raise awareness and provide educational resources about Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder, or Non-24 for short. 
	Non-24 is a serious circadian rhythm disorder common in people who are totally blind. It causes nighttime sleep problems and a wide range of daytime difficulties that can affect one’s ability to do everyday tasks or activities. Many people with Non-24 report having an overwhelming urge to sleep during the day as well as an overwhelming urge to stay awake at night. 
	To learn more about Non-24, contact Vanda’s Nurse Educator Vicki Preddy by calling 202-578-9060.  


—————————————————— 
SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR: $500		

BrailliantTM BI 20X
Brailliant BI
Featuring excellent, sharp and crisp braille cell technology, the new and portable Brailliant BI 20X refreshable braille display is the perfect companion to any mobile device that makes reading enjoyable while keeping you connected on the go. Customize your braille experience through an intuitive user interface and onboard smart applications including the Victor Reader library. Brailliant BI 20X expands what braille displays can do in today’s connected world.

1 800 722-3393 | humanware.com				 


—————————————————— 

SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR: $500
Farmers Telephone Cooperative – Sumter, SC
  

Internet – Wireless – Voice – Security – and Digital TV


—————————————————— 
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSOR: $250
District 32-S
South Carolina
“When it comes to meeting challenges.
Our response is simple, We Serve”



—————————————————— 
WHITE CANE LEVEL SPONSORS: $100
Carolyn Phillips
Carolyn Jackson
Jan Shaw Personal Training
Lee & Laura James
Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter
Larry C. Weston, Pastor
Barney Gadson for the M. H. Newton Family Life Center
Sumter Chapter, NFB of SC
Jennifer Bazer, President, NFB of SC
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
Carrie Montgomery



Steve Cook
District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
President of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
1st Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
The National Federation of the Blind of SC owns and operates Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center.  Below is a link to read more about Rocky Bottom and to make a reservation for a mountain retreat!
Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center
Please join the National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book at any of the below links!
National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book
Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center 
South Carolina Association of Blind Students
South Carolina Parents of Blind Children

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.