[nfbwatlk] The Convention was a *Rousing Success*

[Albert Sanchez]

Hey Ben!
Good report.
Who won the Hazel tenBroek scholarship?
A.S.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)" <Bennett.Prows at HHS.GOV>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 10:48 AM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] The Convention was a *Rousing Success*


> Well, here it is Monday morning, after another fantastic convention of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Washington (state) (grin).
>
>
>
> Once again this year, the team Federation really stepped up to the
> plate, and on the lat weekend of the regular baseball season,
> collectively we hit it out of the park.
>
>
>
> Jim Gashel, as the national representative showed us how to be totally
> mobile, and provide excellent information and support throughout the
> convention activities at the same time.
>
>
>
> As always, Mike chaired an excellent convention.  We heard from the
> people in the state that are here to serve the blind, such as Danielle
> King from the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, Louoma Duran,
> from the Department of Services for the blind, and Dean Stenehjem from
> the Washington State School for the Blind.  WE heard an excellent
> presentation of good news activities from Kirk Adams of the Seattle
> Lighthouse, and spent part of the Saturday afternoon session discussing
> Braille literacy, and certification of teachers to read Braille.  Denise
> Mackenstadt's presentation as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
> and of course a Braillist was right on point, and brought thoughtful
> ideas to the forefront of our minds moving forward.
>
>
>
> We had a different program this year, which was a tremendous success,
> judging by the comments from many of the participants.  Mentors were
> paired with mentees, (students) and the questions about the NFB and
> convention were coming fast and furious all weekend. Denise Mackenstadt
> and others including Jedi Moerke were instrumental in making this
> activity a success.
>
>
>
> The banquet of course was well attended.  We had some drawings at the
> banquet by those who were fund raising for chapters, and Bob Sellers was
> responsible for pushing the Louie Braille Coin drawing this year, and
> did an excellent job of getting the word out about the unique minted
> coins.
>
>
>
> The scholarship committee awarded the Beverly Prows Scholarship to a
> Washingtonian who is a freshman at Brigham Young University, Brianna
> Leavens.  She's a young lady with tremendous scholastic ability, and a
> lot of potential, who was able to fly home to Everett, (near her
> parents'
> house), and to be with us at convention and to visit her parents as
> well.  Her parents came to the convention by the way, and we all enjoyed
> meeting them as well.  Rita Szantay, as scholarship chair once again did
> a great job making the presentation.
>
>
>
>
>
> Elections were held for a couple of board positions, and Gary
> Mackenstadt of Edmonds, and Les Fitzpatrick of Vancouver were elected to
> two year terms.
>
>
>
> Of course, Dan Frye, and Renee West who are both on the NFB national
> staff were with us again this year, since they are Washingtonians if not
> physically, in spirit anyway.  They both spoke to the convention.  Renee
> brought us all the news about NFB Newsline (r), and many of us heard for
> the first time the how tos and wherefores of Newsline in your pocket and
> Newsline online.
>
>
>
> Dan spoke to the convention about his job as Associate Editor of the
> prestigious Braille Monitor, our national magazine  He really put a
> tremendous perspective on the function of the magazine in the world, and
> how our organization's publications are integral to exposing wrong doing
> in the field of work with the blind, and in trumpeting the positive work
> of those who work with us and affect our lives.
>
>
>
> We had a new and fun game for attendees on Saturday night, during a
> silent auction fund raising event.  The game was based on the TV game
> show, the Family Feud.  The mentors were teamed against the mentees.
> During the convention, conventioneers were surveyed by the students and
> mentors concerning knowledge of blindness, and individual opinions on
> various aspects of life as blind people.  The mentors won the game in
> the end, but a great time was had by all.  WE even had a few live
> auction items at the end of the silent auction.  The organizers of this
> event were, Denise Mackenstadt, who brailed the survey questions, and
> helped to iron out the logistics, Kris Colcock, Carol Smith and Connie
> Utterbach Kaye Burrows, Marci Carpenter, and a cast of thousands who
> worked to make the event a fun one.  Ivan Weich kept score, and I tried
> my best to sound like Richard Dawson.  That only lasted a minute, and I
> gave up and just hosted the game show.
>
>
>
> So, I've written enough.  I certainly had a *great* time, in and out of
> convention official sessions.  (grin.)  Thanks to Art and Nicky
> Stevenson, Renee and Aaron Squire from the NFB of Oregon for being there
> as well
>
>
>
> I'm sure others will write about their impressions too.  Now that we
> have recharged our batteries, we can move forward to do the work of the
> Federation for all blind people.  Great job folks, and, thanks.
>
>
>
> /s/
>
> Bennett Prows
>
>
>
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