[Nfbv-announce] 2017 Richmond seminar - Issues, Reservations and Reimbursement

[Christopher Vinson]

Hi,



Richmond Seminar is fast approaching.  We need to know if you are coming.
This year, our legislative agenda will focus on 2 new topics:

A)     Blind Parents Rights - We have a bill in the House of Delegates to
ensure that blindness cannot be a factor in determining custody/adoption
for children.

B)       Autonomous Cars - As Virginia considers the use of autonomous
vehicles, we want to ensure that a driver's license is not a requirement to
use an autonomous vehicle.  We also want these vehicles to be accessible
for blind passengers.



Both of these topics are based on resolutions passed by our convention over
the past few years.



In addition, we have received a few questions on our process for
reimbursing hotel and transportation expenses for Richmond Seminar.



Hotel:

You or your roommate makes your own reservation at the hotel at the NFB of
Virginia rate using your credit card to guarantee the room.  Do not delay,
the NFB of Virginia rate is only available until January 4th.  We can help
people arrange for roommates but don’t wait until the last minute to tell
us.



·         If one person is staying in a room by themselves, the affiliate
will reimburse you for half the cost of a room.

·         If two people are sharing a room, one of the two can submit the
reimbursement request form for the two of you.



Since these are reimbursements, you are responsible for paying for your
hotel room at the hotel.  After Richmond Seminar, follow the instructions
on the reimbursement request form to get reimbursed by the Treasurer.  Our
Treasurer, Mark Roane, will provide the latest reimbursement form via email
in the next few weeks.



Transportation:

Chapter Presidents are responsible for arranging affordable transportation
for their chapters. The affiliate will reimburse for transportation costs.
If you have questions about arranging transportation, please reach out to
either Mark Roane or myself.



Meals:

Meals are on your own. There are very affordable restaurants near the
Crowne Plaza including the  Capitol Ale House with ½ price Monday burger
night.



Details on making reservations, board meeting times and other details are
provided in the message below.



Don't  delay, plan to join us in Richmond.



Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

tracy.soforenko at gmail.com



======================================================================



Hi Virginia Federationists,



We were hoping you were considering joining us for Richmond Seminar and the
NFB of Virginia Board of Directors meeting.



The Legislative Committee Is being proactive and asking chapters to define
who will be attending by January 11th so we are not scrambling to establish
teams.  We will not be turning people away but it will really help us to
know who is coming early instead of waiting until the last minute. We get
better results when we know constituents will be attending.  The hotel room
block is filling up and reservations are due by January 4, 2017.



We now have the details for the January 16 Board of Directors meeting and
Richmond Seminar Prep Session.



Date:   Monday, January 16, 2017. This is Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

Time:   1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location:       DBVI Library and Resource center, Large Conference Room,

395 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA



Details on Richmond seminar are provided below.

====================================



Our General Assembly visits will be Tuesday, January 17th.



Hotel rooms are available:



Crowne Plaza - Downtown Richmond

555 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219 January 16-17, 2017



The deadline to make reservations is January 4, 2017.  The affiliate will
reimburse transportation expenses and hotel expenses.  Chapter presidents
should arrange cost effective transportation for their chapter members.

Individuals are expected to share hotel rooms and must obtain hotel
reservations themselves at the NFB of Virginia rate. If you need assistance
identifying a room share, please contact Deepa or Jeanette.



You may begin making reservations at any time. You may do so by calling
855-472-7802 and asking for the NFBV group block or by using the following
booking link to make reservations online:



National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=6c&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=RICCS&checkInDate=16&checkInMonthYear=002017&checkOutDate=17&checkOutMonthYear=002017&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=FBV&viewfullsite=true



• Group rate is $99 plus state and local sales tax (currently at 13.3%).

• Guest will receive $10 off overnight parking.

• Check-In is at 3 PM and Check-Out is 12 PM.



Do not delay, book your room today.



Chapter presidents must provide the names of the individuals planning to
attend from their chapter to Deepa Goraya deepa.goraya at gmail.com , Jeanette
Gholson jigholson.din at gmail.com ,

and Tracy Soforenko  *tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>*
by Wednesday, January 11, 2017 so we can establish teams in advance.



If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Soforenko at 202 285-4595
or tracy.soforenko at gmail.com