[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Helpful Convention Resources and Reminders

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Helpful Convention Resources and Reminders

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Information Desk and Ambassadors 

Reminder: The Federation information desk is outside the Acadia Ballroom Wednesday through Sunday for attendees with questions or in need of assistance. There are volunteers, known as Ambassadors, helping throughout the convention. Ambassadors assist in creating a welcoming and empowering experience for all by sharing information, providing directions, and helping to resolve any issues that may arise. Ambassadors are typically talking signs stationed throughout the convention hotels and ready to help!

Banquet Tickets and Exchange for Group Seating or Dietary Needs

Before Banquet

To sit with a specific group (family or friends) or to have a specific dietary meal during the banquet, you must visit the banquet ticket exchange with the original, unexchanged banquet ticket(s). Banquet tickets are 85 dollars at registration until 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. 

How it works: The banquet ticket exchange, located in the Acadia Ballroom foyer, allows you to:

*	Reserve seating for yourself or up to ten people by turning in the original ticket(s) and receiving assigned tickets with table numbers.
*	Request a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, or halal meal by 1:45 p.m. on Friday.

Banquet Ticket Exchange Open Hours

*	Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
*	Friday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.
*	Saturday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.
*	Sunday: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and Noon to 1:45 p.m.

At Banquet 

A purchased banquet ticket regardless of exchange is required to enter the ballroom and will be checked at the doors. Attendees who have unexchanged tickets will be seated at available open tables.

Portrait Studio with a Photographer

The portrait studio is located in the Acadia Ballroom foyer. Get a personal or small group photo taken! Photos are also stored for official communications of the National Federation of the Blind. We use images in the Braille Monitor, on websites, and to build the movement through authentic representation. We will email photos after convention to those who would like to have them. 

Portrait Studio Open Hours

*	Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
*	Friday: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
*	Saturday: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
*	Sunday: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

NFB Camp (Childcare) 

NFB Camp for children between the ages of six weeks and twelve years is available during convention sessions, most meetings, and the banquet. Preregistration and payment by June 15 are required for this childcare service. Childcare services provide morning and afternoon snacks, but parents are required to provide lunch for their child(ren) every day. A late fee of 10 dollars per quarter-hour per child will be assessed for late pickups. If you have questions about NFB Camp, email nfbcamp at nfb.org <email:nfbcamp at nfb.org> . 

NFB Camp Open Hours

*	Tuesday, July 8: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
*	Wednesday, July 9: Closed
*	Thursday, July 10: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:45 to 5:30 p.m.
*	Friday, July 11: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
*	Saturday, July 12: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
*	Sunday, July 13: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
*	Sunday, July 13 (Banquet): 6:30 p.m. to thirty minutes after banquet adjourns. 

Announcement Requests

Requests for announcements to be made by President Riccobono during General Sessions must be submitted in Braille.

Divisions, Committees, and Groups 

The National Federation of the Blind advances its mission through the active work of its affiliated divisions, committees, and groups—all listed in the agenda. These networks offer meaningful ways to get involved. We invite you to explore these networks and find the spaces where your voice, experience, and energy can help shape the movement.

Divisions

Divisions of the National Federation of the Blind focus on shared interests, life stages, or career fields, creating formal spaces for advocacy and leadership development at the national level.

*	Assistive Technology Trainers: Chancey Fleet, President
*	Black Leaders: Shawn Callaway, President
*	Computer Science: Brian Buhrow, President
*	DeafBlind: Maurice Mines, President
*	Diabetes Action Network: Debbie Wunder, President
*	Human Services: Sarah Patnaude, President
*	Educators: Cayte Mendez, President
*	Government Employees: Ronza Othman, President
*	Guide Dog Users: Raul Gallegos, President
*	Lawyers: Ronza Othman, President
*	Merchants: Nicky Gacos, President
*	Parents of Blind Children: Cassandra McKinney, President
*	Performing Arts: Katelyn MacIntyre, President
*	Professionals in Blindness Education: Emily Gibbs, President
*	Rehabilitation Professionals: Amy Porterfield, President
*	Science and Engineering: John Miller, President
*	Seniors: Glenn Crosby, President
*	Sports and Recreation: Richie Flores, President 
*	Students: Lauren Altman, President
*	Veterans: William Stinson, President
*	Writers: Shelley Alongi, President

Committees

Committees of the National Federation of the Blind are appointed by the President, except for the nominating committee, and guide the organization on key issues and initiatives to build the organization at all levels.

*	Advancement and Promotion of Braille: Jennifer Dunnam, Chair
*	Ambassadors: Dan Burke and Corbb O’Connor, Co-Chairs
*	Blind Educator of the Year Award: Robin House, Chair
*	Committee on Federation Website Coordination: Steve Cook, Chair
*	Communications: Liz Wisecarver, Chair
*	Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award: Carla McQuillan, Chair
*	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Shawn Callaway and Kenia Flores, Co-Chairs
*	Employment: Jennifer Wenzel and Lia Stone, Co-Chairs
*	Federation Website Coordination: Steve Cook, Chair
*	Jacobus tenBroek Award: Pam Allen, Chair
*	Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Kathryn Webster, Chair
*	Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Tracy Soforenko, Chair
*	Membership: Denise Avant, Chair
*	PAC Plan: Marilyn Green, Chair
*	Resolutions: Donald Porterfield, Chair
*	Scholarship: Cayte Mendez, Chair
*	Shares Unlimited in NFB (SUN): Sandy Halverson, Chair
*	White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Everette Bacon, Chair

Groups

Groups of the National Federation of the Blind, led by appointed chairs, connect members around specific topic areas to strengthen the resource network of the organization.

*	Amateur Radio: David Chan, Chair
*	Blind Christians: Linda Mentink, Chair
*	Blind Crafters: Tracy Carcione, Chair
*	Blind Fraternal Greek and Masonic: Shawn Callaway, Chair
*	Blind Muslims: Tasnim Alshuli, Chair
*	Blind Parents: Lisamaria Martinez, Chair
*	Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell, Chair
*	Blind Survivors: Christine Grassman, Chair
*	NFB in Judaism: Stewart Prost, Chair
*	NFB in the Kitchen: Regina Mitchell, Chair
*	NFB LGBT+: Sanho Steele-Louchart, Chair

Agenda Navigation

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