[Ohio-talk] Fw: Buckeye Update for August 12th

[Dr. JW Smith]

Just thought I'd send this out one more time because it is the end of the summer and we are all in and out right?

jw

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr. Smith 
To: jwsmithnfb at frontier.com 
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:56 PM
Subject: Buckeye Update for August 12th


To say that it's hot and humid would be an understatement! I don't know about you, but it seems as if it has been August for about 3 months. 

 

Meeting with Dan Connors

My meeting with BSVI Director, Dan Connors, was exceptionally exciting today. Dan informed me about some upcoming initiatives that I think you will find not only refreshing but extremely exciting. I have asked Dan to summarize those initiatives in a follow-up email to me and I will then forward it on to all of you so that you can get the word "straight from the horse's mouth." I can tell you that it seems as if this RSC administration is serious and genuine about consumer partnership and involvement with the agency. Please stay tuned in the next week or so for that follow-up memo from Dan! On a pragmatic level, I should tell you that the BSVI offices have moved from the building at 400 E. Campus View to 150 E. Campus View. According to Dan, the building is more complex in terms of its structure and make-up, but it has much more conference space. In fact, we might try having one of our future board meetings at their facilities but I'll keep you posted about that. Of course, Dan will be with us at our state convention on the morning of November 6th and I think after you read more about the proposed initiatives we could have a very positive conversation at that time.

 

Fall Board Meeting and State Convention

Our fall board meeting will be held on September 18th at the Maynard Avenue Methodist Church, located at 2350 Indianola Avenue in Columbus. This is the church where the Columbus chapter meets and they will be providing lunch for us once again. President Duffy has asked me to request that you bring a nonperishable item or items to help the church and its ministry to the less fortunate in their community. This could be food or soap or toothpaste, etc. As usual, the meeting will begin at 10:00 with lunch at noon and adjournment somewhere around 3:00. I'm sure that our Columbus chapter will give you more details about the lunch menu and specific directions as we get closer to the 19th.

 

Plan now to attend our 64th state convention, which will be held November 5th to 7th at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Sinclair Road in Columbus. You may make your room reservations even now by calling (614)846-0300 and telling them that you are making a reservation for the NFB of Ohio conference. Our room rate of $73 per night is good until October 15th, so please get your reservations in as soon as possible. Remember this year that the board meeting will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 on Friday, November 5th and an expanded technology/exhibits room will be open from 11:00-4:00 on that Friday. Additionally, there will be a fundraising strategies workshop from 6:45-8:00 on the 5th, as well as our hospitality time hosted by our Columbus chapter and Merchants division. Our national representative this year is Ron Brown, the second vice president of the National Federation of the Blind and President of our Indiana affiliate. I will tell you more about the convention in future updates and of course there will be an article in the soon-to-be-published newsletter. It's going to be an exciting convention this year, so please plan on joining us. 

 

Speaking Opportunity

I was honored to speak at the conference of the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC) on July 22. I had never heard of this group until this year and I must say I found them to be quite interesting. Part of my keynote address allowed me to talk about my NFB experience and involvement and what my job as NFBO President entails. I received this invitation by Mary-Anne Joseph's dissertation advisor, and I'm glad I accepted. I am always looking for opportunities to spread the word about our philosophy and purpose for being, and the fact that the conference was held in Las Vegas was a plus.

 

Some Final Thoughts

By now, most of you know that Mary-Anne Joseph has left Ohio and has accepted a job in Virginia, so I will be meeting with members of the southeast chapter to talk about future leadership in this area. Also, it seems more than likely that we will have a new guide dog division, and I am excited about that possibility. Finally, I have learned that Becky Booth and her husband Mark are expecting a child, so congratulations to them.