[NFBMO] NFB of Missouri State Convention Agenda

Sun Mar 29 01:55:27 UTC 2026

Agenda

Sixty-Fourth Annual State Convention

April 9-12, 2026

National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

7928 NW Milrey Drive

Kansas City, MO 64152

Phone: (816) 679-5258

Stoney Creek Hotel

2601 S. Providence Dr.

Columbia, MO 65203

(573) 442-6400

NFB BELIEF MESSAGE

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people. 

NFB 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.

Welcome

The members of the Jefferson City Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind of Missouri warmly welcome our Federation family and other guests to
Columbia for our sixty-fourth annual state convention. Our host chapter has
been anticipating your arrival for months and has planned hospitality for
our members and guests from across the state. Be our guest throughout the
weekend.

The hospitality room will be open on Friday evening in the Lewis & Clark
Room, located on the first floor of the hotel. Hospitality will be open from
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Our Jefferson City chapter invites you to drop by
for fellowship, where you can enjoy snacks while you greet old friends and
make new ones.

Following this year's banquet and presentations, get ready for a fun-filled
western dance party. Yes, that is right. Come dressed for a good
old-fashioned barn dance. Do not wear your best suit or your fanciest dress.
Come let your hair down, and dress for the theme. We promise you will have
the time of your life.

Our national representative this year is Pam Allen, first vice president of
the National Federation of the Blind. Pam is also the president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. Pam is with us on behalf of
President Mark Riccobono, and she looks forward to meeting our members. She
is eager to talk with you and discuss your ideas and questions about the
National Federation of the Blind. Your ideas and perspectives are important.
Please give Pam and her husband, Roland, a warm welcome to Missouri and to
the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri annual state convention.

The National Federation of the Blind is committed to maintaining a welcoming
and safe place for everyone. All attendees must abide by our organization's
Code of Conduct, which can be found online at NFBMO.ORG. The essence is
this: be kind, welcoming, and respectful to every attendee. Please report
any unwelcome behavior.

Door prizes will be given throughout the general sessions and the banquet.
To win, you must be in the room. If you bring door prizes, please take them
to the registration table or give them directly to Debbie Wunder.

A Note from our Gold Sponsor

"Thank you to our friends at the National Federation of the Blind of
Missouri for your continued support. Please consider us for any of your
access software, Braille, accessible electronics, and video magnification
needs. We are available for product sales, support, training, and questions
along the way. Thanks again, NFB Missouri!"

www.nanopac.com <http://www.nanopac.com> 

info at nanopac.com <mailto:info at nanopac.com> 

918-665-0329

Thursday, April 9

6:30-7:00 p.m. Registration packet pick-up only - The Pines

7:00-8:30 p.m. NFB of Missouri Board meeting: Shelia Wright, president - The
Pines

This meeting is open to all members. Members may participate in discussions;
however, only board members may vote.

8:30-10:00 p.m.               Federation Family Feud and Fun: Membership
committee - The Pines

                Play and/or cheer on your Federation Family!

Friday, April 10

Friday Morning

9:00-10:00 a.m.               Ways and Means Committee: Carol Morgan, chair
- 

                The Meadows

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Taking Charge of Your Diabetes:  Debbie Wunder,
president, National Federation of the Blind Diabetic Action Network - The
Pines

11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.  Preregistration packet pick-up: This will be the last
opportunity to get your Friday lunch ticket - Second Floor Lobby

12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.   Planned lunch: ticket required - Salon B

Friday Afternoon

1:00-7:00 p.m. Exhibits - Columbia Room

1:00-3:00 p.m. Membership Movie Matinee: Sponsored by the Membership
Committee - The Pines

3:00-4:00 p.m. Harnessing Technology: A Guided Overview of WhatsApp and Be
My Eyes, sponsored by the Technology Committee - The Pines

4:00-5:00 p.m. Technology Help Forum: Bring your devices and your questions
and get answers, Technology Committee - The Pines

Friday Evening

5:00-10:00 p.m.               Hospitality - Lewis & Clark Room

5:30-7:00 p.m. Registration and packet pick-up - Second Floor Lobby

6:00-7:00 p.m. A Look at our NFB Core Values: Shelia Wright - the Meadows

7:00 p.m.            Resolutions Committee meeting: Daniel Garcia, chair -
The Pines

8:00 p.m.            NFB of Missouri Annual Auction - Columbia Room

10:00 p.m.         Nominating Committee (closed meeting - TBA): Jenny
Carmack, chair

Saturday, April 11

7:00-8:00 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast: Scholarship finalists and committee -
Tiger's Den

7:45-8:15 a.m. Registration - Salon A Lobby

Saturday Morning General Session - Salon A

8:30 a.m.            Call to Order

8:35 a.m.            Opening Ceremony and Welcome: Debbie Wunder, president,
Jefferson City Chapter

8:50 a.m.            Introduction of our 2026 Scholarship Finalists: Genny
Carmack

9:05 a.m.            Report from the National Federation of the Blind: Pam
Allen, National Representative and first vice president, National Federation
of the Blind

9:45 a.m.            Presidential Report: Shelia Wright

10:15 a.m.         Show Me Royal Ambassadors Contest: Money raised by our
chapters for the state affiliate, Carol Morgan, chair.

10:25 a.m.         Fit Break: Amy Wilson

10:35 a.m.         Youth Empowerment: Jenny Carmack, NFB of Missouri Youth
Coordinator

10:55 a.m.         News from Wolfner Library: Jami Livingston, Adult
Services, Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library

11:15 a.m.         Opportunities and Challenges at RSB: Keith Roderick,
deputy director, Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

11:35 a.m.         Sharing A Favorite App: Darrin Sherman

11:50 a.m.         Nominating Committee Report: Jenny Carmack, chair

11:55 a.m.         Announcements: Gene Coulter, convention coordinator

12:00 noon        Break for lunch

12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.   Planned lunch: ticket required - Salon B

Afternoon Session

1:30 p.m.            Convention reconvenes

1:35 p.m.            Our Employment Journeys: Linda Coccovizzo, Carol
Coulter, and Dennis Miller

2:05 p.m.            The Fund That Keeps On Giving: Gene Coulter, Chair,
Rittgers Committee

2:15 p.m.            Navigating the Missouri River: Isaac McBurney

2:30 p.m.            When Change is Needed: Gary Wunder

2:45 p.m.            Why I Am a Federationist: Carol Morgan, Eddie Culp, and
Janice Grisham

3:00-5:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

*	Journey Through Blindness-Live Edition: Debbie Wunder - Hearth Room 

Each of us is on a blindness journey; whether it is our own or that of
someone we know whether we have gone through vision loss or have never
experienced that.  There are questions to ask, experiences to share, and
celebrations to cheer about. Together we are empowered to learn, grow, and
become stronger.

*	National Association of Blind Students Annual Meeting: Svetlana
Ehlers, president, Missouri Association of Blind Students - Tiger's Den

*	Advocacy in Action: Shelia Wright - Lewis & Clark

Saturday Evening

6:30 p.m.            NFB of Missouri Annual Banquet: Debbie Wunder, mistress
of ceremony - Salon B&C

Invocation

Introduction of Head Table

Banquet Address: Pam Allen, first vice president of the National Federation
of the Blind; president of the National Federation of the Blind of
Louisiana; and director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind

Special Awards and Scholarship Presentations

Other Matters at the Discretion of the mistress of ceremonies

8:45 p.m.            After-Banquet Entertainment

The Jefferson City Chapter has found a real rootin'-tootin' DJ. See who will
be plucking our tunes. Please join in the fun! Dust off your best dancing
boots and join us on the dance floor.

Y'all come!

Sunday, April 12

7:30 a.m.            Sunday Morning Reflections: A nondenominational
devotion, Kathy Hurley - Lewis & Clark

Sunday Morning General Session

9:00 a.m.            Convention reconvenes

9:00 a.m.            Audit Report: Gene Fleeman, committee chair

9:10 a.m.            Annual Treasurer's Report: Carol Coulter, treasurer

9:40 a.m.            And The Winner Is? Carol Morgan, chair, Ways and Means
Committee

9:55 a.m.            Our State Legislative Priorities: Janice Grisham,
chair, Governmental Affairs Committee

10:10 a.m.         Resolutions: Daniel Garcia, chair

10:40 a.m.         NFB of Missouri Elections

11:10 a.m.         Mission BEAM Update: Jenny Carmack, project coordinator

11:20 a.m.         Chapter Reports

11:40 a.m.         Other Matters to Come Before the Convention

12:00 p.m.         Adjourn

Helpful Notes About the Hotel and Convention Details

The Stoney Creek Hotel room rates are $99 a night (plus 12.975% tax).

The hotel is pet-friendly and has a fitness center, free Wi-Fi, a swimming
pool, and a mini-fridge and microwave in every guest room. There is no
charge for parking.

The hotel provides a complimentary breakfast from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on
weekdays and 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. on weekends for attendees staying at the
hotel. The Antlers Lounge in the hotel lobby provides your favorite
beverages and a limited menu.

There will be opportunities to register and pick up packets on Friday and
early on Saturday morning. The cost for registration and all meals purchased
after April 1 will increase by $5 each.

Consult the front desk for the location of the designated guide dog area.
There are grassy areas at each entrance to the hotel that guide dogs can
use. As of this publication, the hotel has not determined which exit will
have a trash receptacle for your use.

Those who smoke are asked to move away from the door and the walkways when
you go outside to smoke. Thank you for not congregating near the door.

All attendees are asked to refrain from wearing perfume or cologne or using
scented lotions during convention sessions because these can trigger health
problems for other people in attendance, including allergies or asthma.

Thank you for participating in our sixty-fourth annual state convention.

Shelia Wright, President

National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

7928 NW Milrey Drive, Kansas City, MO 64152

816-679-5258

Sbwright95 at gmail.com <mailto:Sbwright95 at gmail.com> 

President at nfbmo.org <mailto:President at nfbmo.org> 

www.nfbmo.org <http://www.nfbmo.org/> 

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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