[Nfbwv-talk] 2017 NFBWV Convention Agenda
Smyth, Charlene R
Charlene.R.Smyth at wv.gov
Thu Aug 17 15:36:02 UTC 2017
Greetings Fellow Federationists,
Please find attached as a Microsoft Word document and placed below, the agenda for the 2017 convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
Please let me know if you see anything about which you might have questions or that you feel needs changed.
If there are any changes after the agenda goes to print, I will inform you of them via this list.
Charlene
CONVENTION AGENDA
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
OF WEST VIRGINIA
September 7 - 10, 2017
HOLIDAY INN AND SUITES
400 Second Avenue
Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 744-4641
"Live the Life You Want"
Welcome to the sixty-fourth Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia (NFBWV).
National Representative: Ron Brown, Second Vice-President
6010 Winnpeny Lane
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Phone: (317) 213-7031
E-Mail: rb15 at iquest.net<mailto:rb15 at iquest.net>
NFBWV OFFICERS
President, Charlene Smyth
401 East Olive Street
Apartment 1-A
Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330
Cell: (304) 841-1111
E-Mail: president at nfbwv.org<mailto:president at nfbwv.org>
First Vice-President, Ed McDonald
151 S. Mineral Street
Keyser, West Virginia 26726
PHONE: 304-788-0129
CELL: 304-790-2321
E-MAIL: ed at eioproductions.com<mailto:ed at eioproductions.com>
Second Vice-President, Sheri Koch
833 Chappell Road
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
CELL: 304-993-5103
E-MAIL: slk8332015 at gmail.com<mailto:slk8332015 at gmail.com>
Secretary, Karen McDonald
151 S. Mineral Street
Keyser, West Virginia 26726
PHONE: 304-788-0129
CELL: 304-790-9069
E-MAIL: karen at eioproductions.com<mailto:karen at eioproductions.com>
Treasurer, Marcus Soulsby
5309 Venable Avenue
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
CELL: 304-206-4044
E-MAIL: msoulsby at nfbwv.org<mailto:msoulsby at nfbwv.org>
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
President Smyth would like to thank all chapters and their members for working so diligently to make this year's convention a success. You guys rock!!!
To the staff of the Holiday Inn and Suites, "Thank you for your help with convention arrangements."
An extra special thanks of appreciation goes out to John Jackson and his company, Master Conversions, for the Braille production of this agenda. Based in Weirton, WV, Master Conversions is a private company offering high-quality Braille and large print transcription services for more than a decade to state and federal agencies, schools and individuals. For more information, contact:
John R. Jackson
Master Conversions
PHONE: (304) 748-1963
E-MAIL: j.r.jackson at comcast.net<mailto:j.r.jackson at comcast.net>
A very special thank you goes out to Second Vice-President Sheri Koch for all of the leg work and liaison work she did with the staff of the Holiday Inn and Suites. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Thank you also to others, whose names may have been inadvertently omitted, for their hard work.
Financial and logistical support for the 2017 NFBWV Convention was provided by the following business:
SILVER SPONSOR
Mountain Streams Radio, Keyser, WV
Celebrating the musical traditions of West Virginia and the Appalachians! On the radio at 102.9FM and streaming soon at www.mountainstreamsradio.org<http://www.mountainstreamsradio.org>. A project of the Mineral County Historical Society in cooperation with WVU Potomac State College.
HOTEL DISCRIPTION
You will find information about the layout of the hotel as well as information regarding restaurant hours and other hotel details following the actual convention agenda.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
7:00 PM: NFBWV BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President; Preston Boardroom/Fourth Floor. This meeting is open to all convention attendees.
9:00 - 10:00 PM: REGISTRATION--Huntington Area Chapter; Presidential Suite 411
(Those who pre-registered at least 14 days in advance will have already paid the convention registration fee of $25.00 per person, which covers admission to all convention sessions including the Friday night reception. The convention banquet fee is $30.00 per person.) The onsite convention registration fee is $30.00 per person and the convention banquet fee is $35.00 per person.
FRIDAY, September 8, 2017
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: LIVING THE LIVES WE WANT WITH TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGY; Montgomery Room. Come and put your hands on some of the technology you have read about and have longed to see for yourself.
This portion of the agenda is presented in collaboration with the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS), a project of the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
Allied Instructional Services
100 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
PHONE: 804-368-8475
FAX: 804-368-8467
WEBSITE: www.alliedinstructional.com<http://www.alliedinstructional.com>
Julie Akers
PHONE: 540-639-9732
E-MAIL: jakers at alliedinstructional.com<mailto:jakers at alliedinstructional.com>
Christian Ministry Teachers
Kevin Willis
PHONE: 910-619-6576
Christian Ministry Teachers offers free Bible literature in Braille as well as other formats. They also show how everyone can access the Bible for free from anywhere using the website jw.org.
VFO
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
PHONE: 1-800-444-4443
WEBSITE: www.vfogroup.com
LeaAnn Kebart
E-MAIL: lkebart at vfogroup.com<mailto:lkebart at vfogroup.com>
West Virginia Assistive Technology System
Center for Excellence in Disabilities
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
PHONE: 304-293-4692
"Providing leadership in the development of services and supports for persons with disabilities."
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: LUNCH--Mosa's Café and Grill. This lunch is available only for those who ordered a boxed lunch. You are welcome to stay and eat your boxed lunch at the café or take it with you to any scheduled meetings.
2:00 PM: GENERAL SESSION; Montgomery Room
* CALL TO ORDER--Charlene Smyth, President, National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
* INVOCATION--Anita Adkins, Board Member, Members at Large Chapter
* PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE--Joe Regnier, Veteran and Member, Huntington Area Chapter
* NFB PLEDGE-Sandy Streets, Member, Harrison County Chapter
I pledge to participate actively in the effort 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.
* ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS
* INTRODUCTION OF NFBWV SCHOLARSHIP WINNER--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President
2:15 PM: THE ADA IN WEST VIRGINIA: Working in Partnership to Ensure That Blind West Virginians' Rights are Protected--Kim Nuckles, State ADA Coordinator, West Virginia Department of Administration
2:35 PM: LEGISLATION IN WEST VIRGINIA: Navigating the Legislative Labyrinth to Get a Bill Passed--Jennelle Harper Jones, Deputy General Counsel and Legislative Liaison, West Virginia Department of Administration
2:55 PM: NFB LEGISLATION ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS--Sheri Koch, Legislative Director, National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia; Michael Ausbun, Vice-President and Legislative Director, National Federation of the Blind of Nevada, and Legislative Chair, Louisiana Association of Blind Students
3:35 PM: NATIONAL REPORT--Ron Brown, Second Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind and President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana
4:15 PM: PRESIDENT'S REPORT--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President
4:35 PM: PAC PLAN--Marcus Soulsby, NFBWV PAC Plan Coordinator
4:45 PM: SPLIT THE POT--Skylor Campbell, Harrison County Chapter
5:00 PM: Adjourn
6:00 - 7:30 PM: RECEPTION-- Sponsored by all chapters; Montgomery Room. This includes a tasty dinner of chicken fettuccini alfredo, garlic bread, house salad, carrot cake, coffee, iced tea and water. Vegetarian option is available upon request if made at least two weeks in advance.
7:30 - 11:00 PM: MEMBERS AUCTION and SOCIAL TIME--Sheri Koch, Coordinator; Rick Richmond of the Members at Large Chapter and Jack Yahnke of the Sightless Workers' Guild, Auctioneers; Montgomery Room
SATURDAY, September 9, 2017
9:00 AM: GENERAL SESSION--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President; Montgomery Room
9:05 AM: WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND UPDATE--Anita Adkins, Teacher, Romney, West Virginia
9:25 AM: UPDATE ON SERVICES FOR THE BLIND, WV LIBRARY COMMISSION, AND NEWSLINE--Donna Calvert, Director of Special Services, Charleston, West Virginia
9:45 AM: WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES UPDATE--Kevin L. Maynus, Program Specialist, Blind/VI Services, Sensory Specialty Programs, Charleston, West Virginia
10:05 AM: HOW DOES THE NFB BENEFIT BLIND PEOPLE--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President; Ron Brown, Second Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind
10:25 AM: LOUISIANA CENTER FOR THE BLIND--Bre Brown, Outreach and Special Projects; Ruston, Louisiana
10:45 AM: WHAT DOES THE NFB HAVE TO OFFER BLIND STUDENTS--Michael Ausbun, First Vice-President, National Association of Blind Students (NABS) and Secretary/Treasurer, Louisiana Association of Blind Students
11:05 AM: BLIND WOMEN LIVING THE LIVES THEY WANT--Shannon Wels, Author, Blog Creator, Home School Teacher, Mom, and Minister's Wife; Anita Adkins, Author, Educator, Certified Braille Instructor, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and Board Member for the Members at Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
11:45 AM: SPLIT THE POT--Skylor Campbell, Harrison County Chapter
12:00 PM: ADJOURN
12:00 - 2:00 PM: MEMBERS AT LARGE CHAPTER MEETING--Ed McDonald, President; Preston Boardroom/Fourth Floor
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: LUNCH-Mosa's Café and Grill. This lunch is available only for those who ordered a box lunch. You are welcome to stay and eat your boxed lunch at the café or take it with you to any scheduled meetings.
2:30 - 4:00 PM: BRAILLE LITERACY DIVISION MEETING--Karen McDonald, President; Preston Boardroom/Fourth Floor
4:00 PM: RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING--Ed McDonald, Chairman; Preston Boardroom/Fourth Floor. Members are Skylor Campbell, Sheri Koch, Karen McDonald, and Mary Ann Saunders. This is an open meeting and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
6:30 PM: BANQUET--Ed McDonald, Master of Ceremonies; Montgomery Room
* INVOCATION--Patricia Walker, Treasurer, Huntington Area Chapter
* INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS--Ed McDonald, NFBWV First Vice-President
* RECOGNITION OF ROYAL COURT WINNER--Marcus Soulsby, NFBWV Treasurer
* PRESENTATION OF NFBWV SCHOLARSHIP--Marcus Soulsby, Member, Scholarship Committee
* FEDERATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD--Karen McDonald, 2014 Recipient
* RICHARD L. PORTER AWARD--Sheri Koch, Second Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
* KEYNOTE ADDRESS--Ron Brown, Second Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind and President, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana
* WINNERS OF AUCTION CLUE ITEMS--Sheri Koch, Chairperson, NFBWV Auction Committee
* SPLIT THE POT--Skylor Campbell, Harrison County Chapter
8:45-11:30 PM: SOCIAL TIME; Presidential Suite 411. Gather together for some social time and snacks.
SUNDAY, September 10, 2017
8:30 AM: GENERAL SESSION; Montgomery Room
* CALL TO ORDER--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President
* MEMORIAL SERVICE--Charlene Smyth, NFBWV President
* DO YOU DREAM IN COLOR--Movie Followed by Discussion
* PAC PLAN--Marcus Soulsby, NFBWV PAC Plan Coordinator
*RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT--Ed McDonald, Chairperson
* AGENCY PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT--Ed McDonald, Chairperson
* BRAILLE LITERACY DIVISION REPORT--Karen McDonald, President
* BRIEF FINANCIAL SUMMARY--Marcus Soulsby, NFBWV Treasurer
* OLD BUSINESS
* NEW BUSINESS
* FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLOSING REMARKS
* SPLIT THE POT--Skylor Campbell, Harrison County Chapter
12:00 PM: ADJOURN
HOLIDAY INN AND SUITES
HOTEL DESCRIPTION
This year's hotel guest room rates are $104 per night for up to four persons per room. Check in at the Holiday Inn and Suites begins at 3:00 p.m. Check out time is at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
Guest rooms at the Holiday Inn and Suites are located on six floors. The facility includes the Mosa's Café and Grill as well as the Market Sweet Shop. Details are as follows:
Entertainment: While the website indicates the hotel offers live entertainment at The Comedy Zone, please note that there is no entertainment scheduled during the time of our convention.
Entrance & Lobby: The entrance is located at the west end of the hotel. To enter the hotel, you will pass through a double set of sliding glass doors. There is a mat just inside the first door and a second mat just inside the second door. On the south/right side of the lobby are three large carpeted seating areas with benches and seats. Immediately beyond the seating area is a business center surrounded by waist to chest-high walls.
Front Desk: The front desk is located on the north/left side of the lobby about 6 to 8 feet from the entrance.
Market Sweet Shop: The market is located just beyond the double doors and before you reach the front desk. As you face the front desk, it is situated in a small alcove to the left of the desk. To enter the market, turn left just inside the alcove. The market offers a variety of items from frozen Lean Cuisine meals, to ice cream, snacks, OTC medications and more. Purchases may be charged to your room or paid for at the front desk.
Mosa Café: Just beyond the front desk is the south end of the Mosa Café & Grill. The café is an open area, separated from the lobby and first north-south hallway only by its tables on the lobby side and two pillars and tables on the east (north/south hallway) side of the restaurant. If you exit the lobby and turn left to go North in the north/south hallway, the café is along your left side. Further restaurant orientation instructions will follow.
Once you leave the hotel lobby/front desk/restaurant area, the hotel is shaped like a capitol H lying on its side with an east-west connecting bar which joins the lobby area to the guestrooms.
Pool, Hot Tub & Fitness room: Once you pass the front desk and south end of the Mosa Café on the left, you are in the west wing of the hotel with a north/south hallway running to your left and right. If you turn south/right in this corridor, you will come to a set of double glass doors which lead to the pool and fitness room. The pool and hot tub are located behind a glass door on the right and the fitness room is located behind a glass door on the left.
Lobby Restrooms: Returning to the north-south hallway, when you turn north/left to exit the lobby area, there is a restroom alcove within a couple feet on the right/east side of the hall. As you face the alcove, the women's restroom is on the left and the men's restroom is on the right.
Just beyond the restroom alcove on the right is the east-west hall connecting the lobby/restaurant area with the guestrooms.
More on the Mosa Café: Returning to the north-south hallway, the Mosa Café & Grill (with bar) is located on the west/left side of the hall as you travel north. Again, there are no walls surrounding the café; just tables and two pillars. The entrance to the café is located at the northeast corner of the café just before you come to Mosa's tall birdcage and the double glass doors leading to the conference room area. There will be a hostess stand to the right side of the entrance. Seating is to the left of the hostess stand.
If you are coming from the guest rooms, you will travel west through the east-west corridor. Shoreline the right-hand wall to locate the north-south hall. Turn right into this hallway and travel north until you reach a closed door on the right. Place your back against this door; cross the north-south hall at a slight angle to the right; and you will arrive at the Mosa Café and hostess stand.
Breakfast: A Full breakfast is free with your room. As you enter the café, the breakfast buffet is located on the north/right wall past the hostess stand. It is a self-serve buffet, but staff assistance will be available as needed. The buffet includes a waffle station, eggs, potatoes, breakfast meats, coffee, juice and more. Drinks will be served by your server.
Ballrooms and Banquet Area: The ballrooms are located at the north end of the first north-south corridor through the double glass doors past the Mosa Café. As you continue north in the corridor through the double glass doors, the first set of double wooden doors on the left leads to the Centennial Rooms, Salons A and B. Across the hall on the right is a glass door leading to the sales offices and a small doorway leading to the information desk, formerly the hotel's front desk.
After passing the sales offices and information desk on the right and the Centennial Room Salons A and B on the left, the area essentially opens up into a square with two short hallways extending off to the left and right at the north end of the square ballroom area.
Just after passing the sales offices and information desk doorway on the right, turn east/right and you will pass the built-in information desk on the right. Directly in front of you is the first set of double doors to the Montgomery Room in which our convention activities take place.
Montgomery Room Layout: The Montgomery Room is a long rectangular room running north to south. The podium and head tables are located to the right at the south end, just inside the first door of the room as described above. It will be set up with crescent shaped tables so that everyone faces the front of the room, and there will be an aisle down the center. Tables will be placed in rows and evenly aligned. As you face north, 4 technology vendor tables will be set up around the north end of the room. Additional technology vendor tables may be situated around the circumference of the ballroom lobby if needed. Door prize tables will be set up on the right side of the room along the wall.
As you continue north past the first set of double doors to the Montgomery Room on the right, you will find a built-in bench on your right and a small carpeted seating area with four armchairs and a table on your left. Just beyond the built-in bench on your right is the second set of double doors to the Montgomery Room. Just past this second set of wooden doors to our convention room is a second built-in bench and a large trash receptacle.
Ballroom Restrooms: After passing the second bench, you will find a hallway on the right which leads to the ballroom restrooms. Just inside the hallway, the first door on the left is the men's restroom. The second door on the left is a maintenance closet. Just past the closet is a small recessed area with a table and a lamp. Past the recessed area is the door to the Women's Restroom. At the end of the hall is a glass door leading outside where smoking is permitted.
Coming back out of the restroom hallway, you will be facing west. On the right/north end of the square are two sets of wooden double doors spaced approximately two feet apart which lead to the Capitol Ballroom. As you continue around the square with the Capitol Ballroom on your right, just a few feet beyond the second set of Capitol Ballroom doors and in front of you at the north/west end of the square is a short hallway. At the end of this short hallway is a glass door that leads to an outside patio area where smoking is also permitted.
Continuing around the square, turn left/south with the small hallway on your right. Past this hallway is a doorway that leads to the side of a second information desk. Turn west/right just past the doorway to the information desk which will put the front of the desk on your right. Turning left again will put the doors of the Centennial Room Salons C/D on your right. Continuing South toward the north/south hallway, the door to Centennial Room Salons A/B will be on your right. Continuing south will take you past Mosa's cage and the Mosa Café on the right.
The Connecting North-west Corridor: Again, there is a connecting east-west corridor between the guestrooms and the lobby/restaurant area. In this hallway is a Video lottery game center, ATM, access to the pet relief area, staff laundry, and small seating area.
Pet Relief Area: After turning into the east-west hall and traveling east, stay to your right and walk about ten feet to where the walls become glass for a very short distance. Walk around the plant to the pet relief area which is just beyond the opening on the south/right wall. There is a small doormat at the glass door leading to the outside. The area is a long rectangular area facing north to south with a pet waste bag dispenser and trashcan at the far south end of the rectangle area. Traveling south, you will encounter a large bush with a sidewalk on either side of the shrub. Take either side to continue to the pet relief area. There are benches on the left side of the area and an outside sitting area at the southwest end. The entire pet relief/garden area is enclosed.
Video Lottery Game Room: The first door on the left of the east-west hall is the Video Lottery Game Room. It contains 5 video slot machines. This room can be accessed only with a room key. The door must be kept closed at all times. Winnings may be collected at the front desk.
ATM: There is an accessible ATM located after you enter the east-west hallway approximately 10 feet on the left just past the Video Lottery Game Room.
Continuing east past the ATM machine on the left there is a loveseat, some plants, a locked door to the staff laundry, and then a wall with pictures.
On the right side of the hall just past the pet relief area, are two sets of tables and chairs.
Guest Laundry: When leaving the east-west hall and entering the second north-south hallway (guest room area), as you face the elevators on the east wall, there is a guest laundry room complete with washers and dryers and seating areas.
Guestrooms: The guestrooms are located in the east wing with its hallway running north and south. There are 6 floors of guestrooms. Unless otherwise specified, all conferees are booked on the 4th floor. If you are residing on the first floor, guest rooms are located on the north and south sides in the carpeted areas.
To reach the 4th floor: When you reach the east end of the east-west corridor, you will enter the north-south guest room corridor. This is the east wing of the H.
Elevators: Two elevators are located side by side at the east end of this center corridor. Facing the elevators, (just to the left along the east wall) is an alcove containing an ice machine. Ice and drink machines are located in the same area on each floor of guestrooms. Fire exits are located at both the north and south ends of the guest room corridor. When exiting the elevator, rooms 400 through 412 are to the right and rooms 414 to 428 are to the left.
Registration: Registration as well as dropping off door prizes and auction items will take place in Presidential Suite 411. Take the elevator to the 4th floor, turn right and it is the first guest room on the right.
Board Meeting: The board meeting as well as some other smaller meetings will take place on the 4th floor in the Preston Board Room. Turn left when exiting the elevators and it is the last room on the left.
Mosa's Cafe & Grille
The hotel's in-house restaurant & lounge features a contemporary atmosphere where you can enjoy all your favorites for breakfast and dinner. Start your day with Mosa's signature breakfast buffet, or made to order options.
Don't forget to visit their mascot, the cafe's namesake & only full-time resident Mosa. They serve a wide variety of food, from appetizers, salads and soups to Burgers & Sandwiches, Entrees and Steaks.
Breakfast hours are as follows: Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Dinner hours are as follows: Monday through Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Friday 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; and Sunday 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
* Not all Items are Available on Sunday
Quick Dining Options at the Holiday Inn and Suites Market Sweet Shop
Stop by the hotel's Market Sweet Shop for refreshing beverages, snacks and tasty meals that can be warmed up in your room's microwave, and a local favorite, pepperoni rolls. Their shop also sells WV Merchandise.
Comedy Zone
On most Friday and Saturday nights the Holiday Inn and Suites host the Comedy Zone at their hotel! Choose from a select menu of items for your enjoyment during the show by checking out their Comedy Zone Charleston Menu.
Room Service
Breakfast hours are as follows: Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Dinner hours are as follows: Monday through Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
No Sunday Evening Room Service
This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the individuals or entities originally addressed, and may contain confidential and privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of this email is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy or printout.
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2017 NFBWV Convention Agenda.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 90112 bytes
Desc: 2017 NFBWV Convention Agenda.doc
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwv-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20170817/286fc230/attachment.doc>
More information about the NFBWV-Talk
mailing list