[NFBV-Announce] 2019 NFB of Virginia Final Convention Agenda
Sarah Patnaude
patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com
Mon Oct 21 23:42:15 UTC 2019
>From Tracy Soforenko, President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia President
Please find below and attached the final agenda for the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia convention.
Empowerment: Owning Your Future
61st ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA
Tracy Soforenko, President
Friday, November 1 — Sunday, November 3, 2019
Renaissance Portsmouth
425 Water Street
Portsmouth, Virginia 23704
(757) 673-3000
Co-Hosted by The Tidewater and Peninsula Chapters OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA
Stewart Prost and Uricka Harrison, Presidents
Our National Representative:
Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
The Federation Pledge 4
Convention Registration & Information 4
Meal Functions 4
Door Prizes 5
Action Auction 5
Information Table 6
Childcare 6
Dog Relief Area 7
Assistive Listening Devices 8
Hospitality Suite 8
Daylight Saving Time 8
Free Aira Access at the NFB of Virginia Convention 9
Thursday, October 31, 2019 11
Friday, November 1, 2019 11
General Session 11
Friday Afternoon Concurrent Seminars 14
Saturday, November 2, 2019 18
General Session 18
Lunch Breakout Sessions 20
Saturday Afternoon Breakout Sessions 22
2019 Convention Banquet 24
Sunday, November 3, 2019 26
General Session 26
Thank You to our Sponsors and Exhibitors 28
Dream Makers Circle 31
Vehicle Donations 31
The Federation 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.”
Convention Registration & Information
Convention registration and information will be held at the Portsmouth Registration Desk, located on the 2nd Floor outside the Portsmouth ballrooms. The cost of on-site registration is $25. Pre-registration packet pick up and on-site registration will be open at the following times:
- Thursday, October 31 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, and
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Door prizes and auction items can be brought to the registration desk beginning on Thursday evening.
Meal Functions
Tickets for all meal functions are available at the registration desk while supplies last. The only way to ensure a ticket for meal functions is to pre-register.
Banquet: Banquet tickets may be purchased, while supplies last, onsite for $37. Seating will be open, so come early to get seats together. Do not forget to bring your ticket because tickets will be checked at the door.
Box Lunch: If you did not pre-register for a boxed lunch, tickets may be purchased onsite, while supplies last, for $17.50. Box lunch tickets will be sold for both Friday and Saturday and must be used for the specific day purchased. In addition, a very limited number of student lunch tickets may be available for those who did not pre-register for $8.
Note: For more information about hotel, registration or meal functions, please contact Joe Orozco at (202) 810-4023 or via email at jsorozco at gmail.com
Door Prizes
Door prizes will be drawn periodically throughout convention sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and at the banquet. To be eligible for door prizes, you must be registered for the convention and present in the room when your name is called.
Action Auction
Throughout the convention we will be holding an Action Auction to raise money for the affiliate. The auction will be great fun with many valuable items up for bid. You will have a chance to preview auction items on Friday afternoon in the exhibit area. For more information, contact Jacki Brown, Chairperson and Auctioneer.
Information Table
If you need assistance from the NFB of Virginia (such as helping a blind child get a strong education, getting access to blindness skills training, learning to use NFB-NEWSLINE®, or resolving an employment discrimination problem), please go to the information table in the back of the Portsmouth 5 Ballroom. Additionally, if you have questions concerning accessing services from the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the information table can be a resource for guidance. After the convention, a member of the NFB of Virginia will contact you. In addition, if you would like to sign up to receive any of our publications or would like to get regular updates about our programs and legislative efforts, please also visit the information table. The table will be open during the board meeting, after the opening ceremonies on Friday, during General Session on Saturday, and all morning on Sunday. For more information, please contact Alex Castillo at (917) 532-7439.
Childcare
Childcare is available for infants through fifth graders whose parents are registered for the convention. It is available throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. Childcare is in the Jefferson Room, 1st Floor. We have activities and games for the children. For more information, please contact Uricka Harrison at (757) 349-9234.
Childcare is offered at the following times:
- Session 1: Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Session 2: Friday, 12:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- Session 3: Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Session 4: Saturday, 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Session 5: Saturday, 12:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- Session 6: Saturday, 6:45 p.m. to one half hour after the banquet ends
Snacks will be provided during Sessions 1, 2, 4 and 5. Even though childcare will be open and fully staffed during lunch on both Friday and Saturday, lunch will not be provided. Parents should either pick their children up for lunch at the end of Session 1 and Session 4 or provide a lunch for their children in the childcare room. Also, dinner will not be provided on Friday or Saturday evening. Parents should feed their children dinner prior to bringing them to Session 6. The cost of childcare is $10 per family per session.
Dog Relief Area
The Renaissance Hotel has designated a place for dog relief by proceeding out the doors across from the front desk in the lobby of the hotel. The designated place has a trash receptacle near the hotel entrance. Please do not use the terrace on the 2nd floor for dog relief.
Assistive Listening Devices
A limited number of assistive listening devices are available during all convention sessions and at the banquet. For an assistive listening device, please go to the contact table located in the back of the hall during all convention general sessions. A credit card or identification card is required as a deposit for the equipment.
Hospitality Suite
The Convention Hospitality Suite is the Commodore Room on the 2nd floor. The Commodore Room is located just off the elevator bank, in the opposite direction of all other conference rooms.
Daylight Saving Time
Don’t forget to set your watches back one hour for the change that occurs early Sunday morning. Smart phones, of course, should handle this change automatically.
Free Aira Access at the NFB of Virginia Convention
Thursday, October 31 at 3:00pm until
Sunday, November 3 at 3:00pm
Aira is very excited to be a partner with the NFB of Virginia.
Everyone can enjoy free access to Aira during the entire NFB of Virginia Convention. At any time, you can download the Aira app to your Smart Phone and start accessing the network of certified agents for assistance with visual tasks. Use the app to access Aira for 5 free minutes at a time from home or when you are traveling to and from the Convention. Once at the Convention in Portsmouth get unlimited access to Aira from 3pm on Thursday October 31 through 3pm on Sunday November 3.
Here are quick and easy instructions for downloading the Aira app onto your smart phone to get started with accessing visual information on your own terms.
>From your Smart Phone send a text message to 24729 with the message NVA
You’ll receive a text message back with a special link to download the free Aira app directly to your smart phone.
If you have an iPhone, you may need your Apple ID to confirm the download.
Downloads will be automatic on android devices.
Once you have downloaded the Aira app, just sign in with your phone number.
A code will be sent to you via text message. Enter the code and you’re in! No credit card needed.
All calls while at the Convention are free and unlimited, and all other calls when not in a free Aira Access Area are free for up to five minutes.
Making your first Aira call is simple. In the middle of the screen is a button reading Call Aira from phone. Double tap it and get connected to a highly trained agent who can describe any visual information you need.
If you are not sure about all this, stop by the Exhibits Information table for information about an Aira Ambassador to help you get started.
Want more information about Aira? Call us at 1.800.835.1934 or learn about us at www.aira.io
Thursday, October 31, 2019
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute (CLI) Wrap Up / Ramp Up: Commodore Room; Joe Orozco and Domonique Lawless, Co-Chairs. By invitation only. We are continuing the Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute. This weekend’s CLI event both completes year one and starts year two.
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Registration: Portsmouth Registration Desk.
Friday, November 1, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Registration: Portsmouth Registration Desk.
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. NFB of Virginia Board of Directors Meeting and Chapter Reports (Open to All): Portsmouth 5 Ballroom.
General Session
Portsmouth 5 Ballroom
10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Opening Ceremonies:
- Call to Order - Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia
- Invocation - Cantor Wendi Fried, Congregation Beth El, Norfolk Virginia
- Presentation of the Colors
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Federation Pledge
- Star Spangled Banner –Julie McGinnity, President, NFB Performing Arts Division, Baltimore, Maryland
- Welcome to Portsmouth, Mayor John Rowe, Portsmouth, Virginia
- Greetings from Our Host Chapters – Stewart Prost, President, Tidewater Chapter, Norfolk, Virginia and Uricka Harrison, President, Peninsula Chapter, Newport News, Virginia
- Convention Arrangements - Joe Orozco, Chairperson, Convention Organization and Arrangements
10:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Introducing the Portsmouth Regatta. Christopher Walker and Earl Everett, Fundraising Committee
10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Betting on Success: Reflections from Virginia’s 2019 McDonald Fellows and Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund Winners:
- Moderator: Mary Durbin, Chairperson, McDonald Fellowship Committee, and NFB of Virginia Liaison, Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund Committee, Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Lois Fritz, Newport News, Virginia
- Andrea Ortiz, Burke, Virginia
- Kassahun Sahilu, Alexandria, Virginia
- Yvette Williams, Newport News, Virginia
10:50 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Action Auction.
11:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Cane, Punch, Choke, and Throw: Martial Arts and Fitness as a Blind Person, Alex Castillo, Potomac Chapter, Washington DC.
11:10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Serving My Country – Building My Business. Jimmy Cunningham, Vice President, Virginia Merchants Division and Vice Chair, Virginia Business Opportunities for the Blind Board, Prince George, Virginia.
11:20 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Action Auction.
11:25 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Disability Partnership in Action. Colleen Miller, Executive Director – Virginia Disability Law Center, Richmond Virginia.
11:35 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. NFB Training Centers: The Next Generation – Jennifer Kennedy, Executive Director, Blindness Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND Inc.) Minneapolis, Minnesota.
11:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Announcements.
12:00 p.m. General Session Adjourns.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration: Portsmouth Registration Desk.
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Box lunch pick-up: Portsmouth Foyer.
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Exhibits: Portsmouth Foyer. Annette Carr, Exhibits Coordinator.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Embracing Our Diversity: Empowering Our Community: Portsmouth 4BallRoom. Evelyn Valdez and Amir Rahimi – Coordinators
- The National Federation of the Blind recognizes that our diversity is a core strength. This lunch, featuring Jean Brown as our keynote, will feature the stories from across the Virginia Federation Family and will discuss ways we can make our community more inclusive and vibrant.
Friday Afternoon Concurrent Seminars
2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Owning Your Finances Seminar - Joe Orozco, Chair, Portsmouth 5 Ballroom.
2:00 PM Your Money or Your Life
2:10 PM Financial Scams and How to Spot Them
3:00 PM The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
3:25 PM The Ultimate Budget Strategy
3:50 PM To Buy, or Not to Buy Coffee: Perspectives on Everyday Spending Choices
4:30 PM Next Steps
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Seniors Possibilities Fair – Nancy Yeager, President, Seniors division, Portsmouth 7 and 8 Ballrooms.
Have you stopped reading the newspaper or books, writing checks or other correspondence, or completing other tasks that require vision? If the answer is yes to any of the above, join us to learn about low- or no-cost solutions to these and other aspects of your daily life.
4:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Resolutions Committee: Portsmouth 6 Ballroom, Deepa Goraya, Chairperson.
We encourage the participation of all members in setting Federation policy, and the best way to influence policy is through resolutions. As a grass roots organization, we serve our movement through collective action, and such action begins with policy making and debate. Come help shape the policies of the NFB of Virginia.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Registration, Portsmouth Registration Desk.
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Public Meeting on DBVI Divisions, Programs and Services: Portsmouth 5 Ballroom, Susan K. Davis, Policy and Training Coordinator, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
We are grateful that DBVI will hold a public meeting where attendees can ask questions and speak with agency leadership. DBVI wants to hear from you so come and share your thoughts and ideas on how DBVI can better meet the needs of blind and low vision Virginians. Let your voice be heard.
5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. At-Large Chapter Meeting and Reception: Commodore Room, Patrick Johnson, President.
6:30 p.m. to 7:30p.m. Student Dinner Party: Commodore Room, Elizabeth Schoen, Coordinator, Virginia Association of Blind Students.
Join the Virginia student division leaders and members for fellowship with old and new friends to kick off the convention weekend. Open and free to all students over the age of 14.
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Convention Hospitality: Portsmouth 4 Ballroom.
Hosted by the Tidewater and Peninsula Chapters, Stewart Prost and Uricka Harrison, Presidents. All registered convention attendees are welcome to join us for this fun evening of fellowship and hospitality featuring music and fun. Don’t forget your ticket provided with your registration to enter this event. Mix, mingle, and network with Federation members and distinguished guests, all while enjoying appetizers and a cash bar.
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Student Meet & Greet, Kelly Jones, Coordinator, Virginia Association of Blind Students, Portsmouth 6 Ballroom.
If you are a student of any age, this evening item is for you! Think interactive icebreakers, engaging discussion, and high energy programming all in one session! Join students across the Commonwealth to share, learn, and grow until late hours of the evening.
7:45 to 8:45 PM Friday Evening Cookie Social for Families of Blind Children Commodore Room, Beth Sellers, President, Virginia Parents of Blind Children.
Calling all blind kids ages 0-13, siblings and parents! Join us for cookies and drinks and a chance to meet other families from across the state. Bring any Braille or large print books your child no longer needs and pick up some free books from our free Braille book exchange table. (Email bsellers31 at gmail.com with questions and any food allergies we need to be aware of).
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Young Professional Reception, Susie D’Mello and Evelyn Valdez, Coordinators, Commodore Room.
Are you a young professional looking for something exciting to do on Friday evening? Come mingle, make new connections, and enjoy a drink or two at the Young Professionals reception in the commodore Room.
10:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. Scholarship Mixer: Commodore Room, Patrick Johnson, Chairperson.
Saturday, November 2, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 10:00a.m. Registration: Portsmouth Registration Desk.
General Session
Portsmouth 5 Ballroom
9:00 a.m. Call to Order -Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia.
9:00 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. Invocation – Reverend Chris Coleman, Assistant Minister, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Peninsula Chapter, Hampton Virginia.
9:05 a.m. to 9:35 a.m. National Report – Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana.
9:35 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Action Auction.
9:40 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Blind Parents Get It Done.
- Jessica Reed, Panel Moderator, Fredericksburg, Virginia
- Yasiah Hurtado, Richmond, Virginia
- Nikki Jeffords, Arlington, Virginia
- Louise Walsh, Virginia Beach, Virginia
10:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Project RISE: Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment. Kathryn Webster, Project RISE Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Arlington, Virginia.
10:10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Advocating for Our Children: Addressing Our Kid’s Needs. Beth Sellers, President, Virginia Organization of Parents of Blind Children, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
10:20 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Celebrating Our Members - Sandy Halverson, First Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Arlington, Virginia.
10:40 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Open Doors and New Beginnings-The Future Really Is Mine: A Panel Discussion with Seniors Who Are Living the Lives They Want:
- Melody Roane, Director, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Moderator, Richmond Virginia
- Frances Dowling, Petersburg, Virginia
- Matt Heard, Burke Virginia
- Lora Shreffler, Ashland, Virginia
11:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Introducing the 2019 NFB of Virginia James F. Nelson, Jr. Scholarship Finalists. Patrick Johnson, Chairperson.
11:05 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Rehabilitation Services for the Blind in Virginia. Raymond Hopkins, Commissioner, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
11:20 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Announcements.
11:25 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Action Auction.
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Presidential Report, Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia.
12:00 p.m. General Session Adjourns.
Lunch Breakout Sessions
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Box Lunch Pickup: Portsmouth Foyer.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. 2019 Welcome Luncheon, Joanne Wilson and Jimmy Morris, Co-Coordinators, Portsmouth 4 Ballroom. Whether you are a member who wants to get more out of your membership, are a new member, or just want to learn from others in this interactive lunch-based discussion session, the Welcome Lunch is for you.
Learn more about the Federation and our positive philosophy on blindness, understand how you can better tap the broad Federation network, and be inspired to take ideas home from positive role models in our movement.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Seniors Division Luncheon and Business Meeting, Portsmouth 7 and 8 Ballrooms. Nancy Yeager, President. Join other seniors for lunch and conversation, followed by a short business meeting.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Virginia Association of Blind Merchants Division Luncheon and Business Meeting: Portsmouth 6 Ballroom. Harold Wilson, President.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Virginia Parents of Blind Children Luncheon and Business Meeting: Portsmouth 6 Ballroom. Beth Sellers, President.
Grab the boxed lunch or bring your own, but please join us for our business meeting and parents’ lunch. Our lunch hour is an informal roundtable conversation for parents of children of all ages with low vision, blindness, deaf-blindness, and multiple disabilities.
12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Student Luncheon and Virginia Association of Blind Students Business Meeting: Commodore Room. Gerald Meredith, President, Virginia Association of Blind Students.
Student Lunch pick up will be held in the Commodore Room starting at 12:05 p.m. Students are the leaders of tomorrow. During our annual luncheon, our members will elect the officers and board members for the upcoming year, as well as reflect and brainstorm on the work of our statewide division. Pre-register online for the $8 lunch by October 25.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration, Portsmouth Registration Desk.
Saturday Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chapter Leadership University: Portsmouth 4 Ballroom, Ron Brown and Kathryn Webster, Coordinators.
Chapter Presidents, Treasurers, membership coordinators, and participants in the chapter leadership institute will participate in a Saturday afternoon workshop on how to make our chapters more engaging, welcoming, and dynamic. Role play real life scenarios and bring home ideas that can be applied in your chapter in 2020.
2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The ABCs of Life Portsmouth 5 Ballroom, Nicky Jeffords, John Bailey, Martha Macias, and Rich Sorey, Co-Coordinators.
The ABCs of Life; A = Attitude, B = Breaking Down Barriers, C = Creating Connections. Come and learn about strategies necessary to earn, retain, and advance your brand in the professional and personal spheres. This interactive session will provide you with tips and techniques to meet your full potential.
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Student Seminar: Surpassing Our Limitations. Commodore Room, Gerald Meredith, Virginia Association of Blind Students, President.
Every blind student faces barriers; and every blind student overcomes obstacles. But not every blind student has a nationwide network of role models who conquered greatness given society’s limitations. During this seminar, you will be introduced to successful and ambitious blind professionals and students, confident and independent throughout their lives. This afternoon will afford all students with an opportunity to ask questions, learn from others, and engage in hands-on activities to learn how to excel in and out of the classroom.
2:00 p.m. to 4:30p.m. Parent Track: Encouraging Success in All Ages and Stages. Portsmouth 6 Ballroom, Beth Sellers, President, Virginia Parents of Blind Children.
Join us as we dig into resources that are available in Virginia to promote success for blind children and young adults in all stages of development. Topics discussed will include IEPs, Transition, and Community Based Services through DD Waiver. Question and Answer time will be available for topics relevant to participants.
2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Senior Track: Seniors in Charge: Portsmouth 7 and 8 Ballrooms, Nancy Yeager, President. Our exciting senior seminar will cover a broad range of topics including health and fitness, grocery shopping, new mobile phone options specifically targeting seniors, how to use easy to use reader services through a smartphone, programs of our national senior division, and much more.
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Project RISE Open House for Virginia students and parents: Portsmouth 6 Ballroom, Kathryn Webster, Project RISE Program Coordinator. Learn more about Project RISE, meet our team and ask your questions.
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sighted Spouse/Significant Other/Partner Get Together, Diane Bibb (wife of Dr. Patrick Johnson) and Sharon Soforenko (wife of Affiliate President Tracy Soforenko) Coordinators, Commodore Room.
Come join us for an informal, candid and open conversation between sighted partners of Virginia Federationists. To encourage sharing, this meeting is for sighted spouses only.
2019 Convention Banquet
Portsmouth 4 and 5 Ballrooms.
In Federation fashion, come dressed to impress as we celebrate our Banquet on the Waterfront with a keynote address by National Representative Ron Brown.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pre-Banquet Reception (Cash Bar): Portsmouth Foyer.
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Banquet Program – Charlie Brown, Master of Ceremonies and Past President, NFB of Virginia:
- Invocation—David Andrews, New Beginnings Outreach Center, Peninsula Chapter, Hampden, Virginia.
- A Friend in Congress. The Honorable Robert “Bobby” Scott, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 3 rd Congressional District of Virginia.
- 2019 James F. Nelson Scholarship Awards Presentation—Patrick Johnson, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, Christiansburg, Virginia
- Banquet Address – Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind
- Portsmouth Regatta
- Action Auction - Jacki Brown, Auctioneer
Sunday, November 3, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. Devotions: Portsmouth 6 ballroom.
Mark and Melody Roane, Coordinators
General Session
Portsmouth 5 Ballroom.
9:00 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. Invocation – Deborah Prost, Board Member, Tidewater Chapter, Norfolk, Virginia.
9:05 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. Be Your Own Boss.
Annette Carr, Moderator, Fairfax, Virginia
Have you ever considered if you have what it takes to be your own boss? Make your own hours. Answer to no one. Bring in the big bucks. Hear what this panel of entrepreneurs have to say about the myths and facts of being your own boss.
9:25 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Business Session:
- Audit Committee Report—Sean McMahon, Chairperson
- Treasurer’s Report—Mark Roane, Treasurer
- SUN Committee Report: Sandy Halverson, Chairperson
- 2020 Richmond and Washington Seminars—Deepa Goraya and Derek Manners, Legislative Directors
- 2020 National Convention, June 30 - July 5, Hilton Americas Hotel, Houston, Texas
- 2020 NFB of Virginia Convention, October 30 – November 1, Westin Tyson’s Corner, Falls church, Virginia
- Resolutions—Deepa Goraya, Chairperson
10:10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Action Auction.
10:20 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Interactive Town Hall Discussion with Ron Brown, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind and Tracy Soforenko, President.
11:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Action Auction
11:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breaking the Ropes: an interactive session on owning your future, Joanne Wilson, Federation Leader, Alexandria, Virginia. An interactive session to build your individual beliefs about blindness for future growth.
11:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Students are Paving the Path for Our Future – Sied Rizvi, First Vice President, National Association of Blind Students, Austin, Texas.
11:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Virginia Association of Blind Students Update, Gerald Meredith, President.
11:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reports and Announcements.
12:00 p.m. General Session Adjourns.
12:00 to 1:00 PM Project RISE Lunch Pick Up – Commodore Room
Thank you to our Tidewater and Peninsula Chapters for hosting the 2019 NFB of Virginia State Convention. Your hospitality made us feel like family and made our convention a success.
Thank You to our Sponsors and Exhibitors
Please thank this year’s Convention Sponsors and Exhibitors located in the hallway outside the Ballrooms on Friday, November 1 from 12:00pm until 5:00pm.
SPONSORS
- Aira – Free access to Aira from Thursday October 31 at 3:00pm until Sunday November 3 at 3:00pm. Aira promotes independence through the use of modern technology and real-time remote assistance to visual information for those with vision loss. At the press of a button, you are immediately connected to a network of certified Agents who can assist you with a never-ending list of visual tasks. 858-876-2472 www.aira.io
EXHIBITORS
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Distribution of the free iBill Currency Readers. 202-874-2608 www.bep.gov
- Christian Ministry Teachers – Free Bible literature in Braille, large print, audio, and RTF formats. 703-989-2230 JW.ORG
- Sprint Vision - Sprint is committed to working with phone manufacturers and the blind and low vision community to deliver user-friendly accessible phones. 619-246-7107 www.Sprint.com/Vision
- Ultra-Low Vision Lab, Wilmer Eye Institute – Research study using virtual reality to understand how people with extremely limited vision use what vision they have. The research team is looking for study participants. Stop by their table and see if you are a good candidate. 424-398-1727 https://www.ultralowvisionlabjhu.net/
- Virginia Beach Public Library Bayside Area & Special Services - In cooperation with the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled, provides library services to Virginia Beach residents with visual and physical disabilities. 757-385-2684 www.vbgov.com/libraries
- Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired – VRCBVI provides quality training in the skills of blindness and promotes positive attitudes about the capabilities of blind individuals to make positive contributions at work and in the community. In addition to the training program we offer for adults, we also offer innovative and fun programs for blind youth that will challenge them to reach their full potential. Learn about these and other exciting initiatives at VRCBVI! 804-371-3323 https://www.vrcbvi.org
- Vispero – Known for the screen reading package JAWS, and screen magnification package ZoomText, also provides assistive technology for blindness and low vision such as portable and desktop electronic magnification devices, refreshable braille displays, note taking devices, and more. 800-444-4443 www.vispero.com
- Volunteers for the Blind - Connects people with visual impairments in the Fredericksburg area with volunteers to assist with shopping and reading. 540-899-8847
Dream Makers Circle
You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our Dream Makers Circle. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage, or list NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information, please contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314, extension 2422 or at pchang at nfb.org.
Vehicle Donations
The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated vehicles. Please call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting www.nfb.org/vehicledonations.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20191021/9ee3ae29/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 39130 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20191021/9ee3ae29/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2019 VA State Convention Agenda - 10-19-2019.docx
Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Size: 232511 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20191021/9ee3ae29/attachment.docx>
More information about the NFBV-Announce
mailing list