[Ohio-Talk] Happy Friday, everyone.

[Richard Payne]

	Happy Friday, everyone.
I hope you and your families are safe and that the recent storms did not
cause significant damage in your area. Please continue to take care and stay
safe.
I have included the announcement about the state convention, along with
other important information, in this email. We are pleased to share that
Ohio will have our National President, Mark A. Riccobono, serving as the
national representative to the convention this year. His presence should be
a strong encouragement for members who may still be considering whether to
attend. Your attendance is also valuable-not only to you, but to the many
members who benefit from your participation and support.
Several of you have asked about contests leading up to the convention. This
year, we are taking a different approach. Only those who have reserved a
room, registered for the convention, and purchased a banquet ticket will be
eligible for the contests. These contests may take place at any time, so
please do not delay-you could be the winner.
Yesterday, Annette and I set up a table at the Accessible Ohio event, which
had more than 400 people in attendance. We believe we may have connected
with a couple of vendors for our convention, and Annette wrote people’s
names in braille. This was our third year participating in the event, and
each year we have been invited to take part. I hope the other members who
attended were also able to enjoy the event and make meaningful connections.
The State Board of Directors meeting will be held on Zoom on September 26,
2026. We will send out additional information as we get closer to the
meeting. If you have items you would like the board to discuss, please email
me directly rather than replying to the list.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

The countdown has begun!

President Richard Payne and the Ohio Board of Directors are excited to
invite you to the 80th National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO) State
Convention, taking place November 5-8 at the University of Dayton Marriott,
located at 1414 South Patterson Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio.

Join us as we celebrate 80 years of advocacy, leadership, achievement, and
the limitless potential of blind people. Whether you are a longtime
Federation member, attending for the first time, a community partner, or
simply interested in learning more about the National Federation of the
Blind, this convention will inspire, educate, and empower you. The 2026
Theme is “Reflecting Our Journey, Shaping a New Vision: Empowering Members
to Inspire the Future.”

Hotel Information:
Make the University of Dayton Marriott your home for the weekend. The hotel
offers comfortable accommodations and excellent amenities while providing
the perfect setting for convention activities, including general sessions,
workshops, networking, exhibits, and banquet events. Guest rooms are
available for $129 per night, plus 16.5% tax. To reserve your room, call
800-627-7468 and mention that you are attending the National Federation of
the Blind of Ohio State Convention to receive the special convention rate.

The 80th NFB of Ohio Convention Preregistration for the 2026 state
convention in Dayton, Ohio is live now! It closes on November 1, 2026 at 11:
59 AM. EST.

Preregistration and Registration fees this year are:
*	Preregistration Fee: $30
*	Boxed Lunch: $25.
*	Banquet Meal: $55!

Onsite Registration will begin on November 6th from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
and again from 12:15 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.
*	Onsite Registration: $35
*	Onsite Banquet Meal: $60

So don't delay, preregister to secure your spot today!
www.nfbohio.org/convention <http://www.nfbohio.org/convention>

Navigating the University of Dayton Marriott Hotel

Hotel Lobby:
As you enter the hotel, you'll step into a spacious, welcoming lobby.
*	Directly to your left is a comfortable lounge area where you can
relax between convention activities.
*	Directly to your right is a complimentary water station.
*	Continuing pass the water station and down the hallway is the
Dewberry 1850 Restaurant, which offers a full-service restaurant, bar, and
lounge-perfect for meeting with friends or enjoying a meal.
*	The front desk is straight ahead, about 20 paces from the entrance.

NOTE: The University of Dayton Marriott is cashless.

Fitness and Recreation:
To the right of the front desk, you'll find the hotel's fitness center,
which includes cardio equipment, weight machines, fresh towels, and water.
Nearby are the indoor swimming pool and hot tub, with comfortable seating
for relaxing after a busy day. An ADA pool lift is available for guests who
need assistance entering the pool area.

Guest Rooms:
The hotel offers both King and Queen guest rooms, each designed with
comfortable beds, modern furnishings, and dedicated workspaces.

The University of Dayton Marriott has six floors of guest rooms. Two
elevators provide access to the upper floors, and guest rooms are also
available on the first floor for those who prefer not to stay on a higher
floor.

Standing at the front desk with your back to the main entrance, venture
around to your left and proceed down the hall is where first-floor guest
rooms and an elevator serving the upper floors are available. However,
before turning left toward those guest rooms, straight ahead you'll also
find the hotel's market, which sells beverages, snacks, ice cream,
over-the-counter essentials, and University of Dayton souvenirs and apparel.
For your convenience, a second elevator is located down the hallway toward
the Dewberry 1850, on the left-hand side before reaching that restaurant.

Convention Areas:
After checking in, turn right from the front desk and continue about 30 to
40 feet to reach the ballroom area.

Moreover,  Along this hallway you will find also:
*	First-floor guest rooms, on your left and down the hall.

However, straight ahead you will find:
*	The Welcome Table, officiated by the Miami Valley and Springfield
Chapters
*	The River Park Room, where door prizes and auction items will be
stored,
*	The Information Desk, where you can also temporarily store items,
*	Ballrooms (E through H),
*	The Ballroom Foyer,
*	The Key Fabor Room,
*	The Tradewinds Room, which is at the end of the hall of the
Ballrooms,  where on Friday, November 6: Hospitality and on Saturday,
November 7: the Exhibit Hall will be housed.

Seminar and Registration Areas:
All seminars will be held in Ballrooms E through H, along with one
additional meeting room, Key Fabor.

Convention registration will take place in the Ballroom Foyer, where
literature and convention materials will also be available. Please feel free
to take any literature you need.

Guide Dog Relief Areas:
Guide dogs are welcome, and two relief areas are available.
*	The first is outside the exit at the end of the hallway near the
first-floor guest rooms to the left of the registration area. The grassy
relief area is located just off the parking lot.
*	The second is outside the exit in the Tradewinds Room, providing
another convenient location for guide dogs to take a break.

Pre-Convention Activities:

Support the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio by joining an exciting
and meaningful event where every pin makes a difference!
How it Works:
●	Blind bowlers will take the lanes on November 5th.
●	Sponsors pledge 25 cents or more for each pin knocked down.
●	Pledge sheets will be provided so you can make a monetary
contribution to the organization. Your support helps strengthen the treasury
of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, funding programs, services,
and advocacy for blind individuals across the state.
For more information or to sponsor a bowler contact: Theresa McKenney,
Fundraiser Committee, Chair at (216) 990-2582 or Patricia McPherson at
patrinkle at icloud.com <mailto:patrinkle at icloud.com>


Convention Highlights:

The convention will begin on Friday, November 6th with the Ohio State Board
of Directors Meeting, where Board Members will review and discuss policies,
collaborate on programs and services, and address initiatives that support
Ohioans who are blind or have low vision. This meeting is an excellent
opportunity, to learn how the Board works on behalf of our members at the
local, state, and national levels, including partnerships with legislators
on issues affecting the blind and low vision community. The Board will also
conduct the final readings of the previous meeting minutes and review the
treasury reports.

All members and guests are encouraged to attend the Board meeting to gain a
better understanding of the organization's initiatives that will help shape
the future of our organization. Also, come meet your Ohio State Board of
Directors, learn about the important work being done in our communities, and
be part of building a stronger future for blind and low vision Ohioans.

Immediately following the Board meeting, convention registration will open
at 12:15 P.M.

Then the gavel will fall with the opening ceremonies and general session
promptly at 2:00 PM. We will have a series of speakers covering a wide range
of topics, including introductions from NFB national President, Mark A.
Riccobono, Honorable, Mayer of Dayton, Shenise Turner-Sloss, Ohio House
Representative, Mark Sigrist, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
(OOD) and much more. Of Course, Annette Lutz will have exciting door prizes
as well. To contact Annette with items, email her at
president.capital.nfboh at gmail.com.

Friday evening will see a flurry of activities. Primarily, our Hospitality
Suite located in the Tradewins Room will open its doors at 5:30 PM. Your
host will be the Miami Valley and Springfield Chapters, and they will make
you feel relaxed and right at home. They are also planning some enjoyable
activities for your visit. Snacks and beverages will be available for your
comfort.

The At-Large Chapter, the Ohio Communities of Faith, Ohio Community Service
and the Ohio Association of Guide Dogs Users (OAGDU) Divisions will hold
their annual business meetings that evening. The Blind Parents Group,
Nominations and Resolutions Committee meetings will also take place.
first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend the Rookie
Roundup/a meet and greet. President Payne, National President, Mark
Riccobono  and other Federation leaders will be on hand to welcome you and
preview the convention activities. Moreover, sign-up for the evening event
facilitated by Jessica Stover. The details will be coming soon.

Saturday morning, November 7th, from 7:00 to 8:45 AM, The Scholarship
Breakfast Meeting will take place in the Dewberry 1850 Restaurant. If you
are a student, you should consider attending.

The gavel falls again promptly on November 7th at 9:00AM to continue general
sessions. We will break at 12 noon for lunch. Note: Boxed Lunch Pick-up
(tickets required) will be in the Ballroom Foyer Area on November 7th. Be
sure to order your boxed lunch when you Preregister for the convention. The
Ohio Association of Blind Seniors, the Diabetic Action Network (DAN)
Divisions and the Deaf Blind Committee will conduct their annual meetings,
and The afternoon promises provocative workshops on promoting leadership,
membership building, and successful employment strategies. The Exhibit Hall
will be quite exciting, with vendors attending such as, Vispero, State
Library of Ohio, EvenGround Accessibility, Eye Learn Tech LLC. and Ohio
Disability Rights Law and Policy just to name a few. These and more on-hand
Vendors will be available to us from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM demonstrating
their high and low-tech products for blind and Low vision users. Chapters
and divisions will also have the opportunity to hold fundraisers in this
exhibit area.

Saturday night’s banquet will surely be the highlight of the convention.
This is an opportunity for fellowship and for all of us to share a meal
together. Our keynote speaker for the evening will be NFB national
President, Mark A. Riccobono. The Gavel Awards ceremony celebrating the
chapter and division accomplishments from the past year will be revealed.
Lastly, the finale of the banquet will be the announcements of the 2026
scholarship winners. Be sure to order your banquet meal when you Preregister
for the convention. Don’t worry, the night is not over - plans are in the
works for an exciting after-banquet activity.

Sunday, November 8th is the day we relax a little, reflect on the past few
days, and think about where we are headed in the future. Elections will be
held for the members of the Ohio Board of Directors. All NFB members are
eligible to vote if their dues are in good standing.

Subsequently, our Convention Planning Committee is committed to making your
convention experience memorable and quite enjoyable. Therefore, our goal is
to bring you the most up-to-date information on the Convention. So please
feel free to contact the Committee Chair with any questions, concerns and
or, requests for accommodations at SMTurner.234 at gmail.com
<mailto:SMTurner.234 at gmail.com> .

We will be ready to greet you bright and early at 9:00 AM on Friday morning
with your registration packets, agendas and to preview the weekend
activities. Please bring all donated door prizes to the River Park Room or
the Information Table, as well. For those who are generously providing the
convention with auction items, please review the policy on Auction
Guidelines. Please read it carefully and follow the instructions.

Suzanne Turner is the Chair of convention arrangements, and she will make
sure that the hotel facility--which includes staff, accommodations, guide
dog relief areas, meeting rooms, dining areas, and common areas--is as
blind-friendly as possible. Lastly, volunteers will be available to assist
and direct convention attendees to pinnacle points and conference rooms.

We hope this overview helps you become familiar with the hotel's layout and
amenities and provide a look into the Convention. President, Payne and the
Ohio Board of Directors looks forward to welcoming you to Dayton as we
celebrate 80 years of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio!

Together, with love, hope, and determination, the members of the National
Federation of the Blind transform dreams into reality. You can live the life
you want.

Richard Payne, President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com>
www.nfbohio.org <http://www.nfbohio.org/>
The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.


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