[Tall-Corn] It's Finally Here - 2026 State Convention Agenda Enclosed!

Wed Oct 7 13:00:00 UTC 2026

Good morning, Federation family and friends!

I am thrilled to be dropping in with a special delivery – the eagerly
anticipated 2026 NFBI State Convention agenda! You can find a copy attached
as well as pasted below for your convenience.

Thanks to all for their patience. We cannot wait to be with you in
Coralville in just over 48 hours!

Yours,

Elizabeth

[image: National Federation of the Blind of Iowa LogoColor image showing
the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa Logo with the tagline "Live
the life you want."]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF IOWA100th ANNUAL STATE CONVENTIONThe
Next 100 – Connected by Purpose, Driven by ProgressOctober 9–October 11,
2026Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center1220 1st AvenueCoralville, IA
52241

Helen Mejia, President

E-Mail: hmejia at nfbi.org

Cell: (570) 983-7867

Website: www.nfbi.org

If you have questions or need assistance during the convention, contact
Elizabeth Rouse at (563) 210-1854.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Thank you to all the sponsors who contributed toward the costs of this
year’s convention making it more affordable for blind Iowans to attend.

*Silver Sponsor*

Iowa Lions Foundation

*Bronze Sponsor*

Nicolet Bank

*White Cane Sponsors*

Democracy Live

En-Vision America

Greater Iowa Credit Union

Iable

JW.ORG

Leader Dogs for the Blind

NanoPac, Inc.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals/Non-24

2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Helen Mejia, President, Des Moines

Cindy Ray, First Vice President, Urbandale

Scott Van Gorp, Second Vice President, West Des Moines

Richard Webb, Secretary, Burlington

David Hammel, Treasurer, Urbandale

Becky Young, Board Member, Urbandale

Elizabeth Rouse, Board Member, Durant

Karen Clayton, Board Member, Sioux City

Shawn Mayo, Board Member, Des Moines

Committee Chairs

Karen Clayton: Audit

Elizabeth Rouse: Convention Planning

Becky Young & Donna Prime: Door Prize

____: Fundraising

Roger Erpelding: Legislative

Scott Van Gorp: Membership

Shawn Mayo: Nominating

Elizabeth Rouse: Resolutions

Emily Wharton: Scholarship

____: Youth Activities

Use the hashtag: #NFBIA2026

Like us on Facebook: National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

Follow us on X: @NFB_Iowa

Sign up for the Tall-Corn mailing list to get our latest information at
nfbnet.org
 AGENDAFriday, October 9, 2026

10:00 A.M.–3:15 P.M. & 4:00 P.M.–4:45 P.M. In-Person Registration & Online
Registration Packet Pickup – Hall of Fame

10:00 A.M.–4:45 P.M.       Exhibit Hall – Hall of Fame

10:30 A.M. –12:00 P.M.    Seniors Seminar – Cindy Ray, Coordinator, NFBI
Blind Seniors Group, Hospitality Suite 208

1:00 P.M. –3:00 P.M.         Parents of Blind Children Seminar – Molly
Hefflefinger & Monica Rouse, Hospitality Suite 234

1:30 P.M.–3:30 P.M.           At Large Chapter Meeting – Cindy Ray,
President, Hospitality Suite 208

3:30 P.M.–4:00 P.M.           Resolutions Committee Meeting (open to all) –
Elizabeth Rouse, Chair, Resolutions Committee, Hospitality Suite 234

Friday General Session – Kinnick C/D

5:00 P.M.      Call to Order – Helen Mejia, President, NFBI

Pledge of Allegiance

National Federation of the Blind Pledge

Housekeeping Items – Elizabeth Rouse, Chair, Convention Planning Committee

Welcoming Remarks from Our National Representative – Jim Marks, Board
Member, NFB & President, NFBMT

5:20 P.M.      Membership Matters Most (panel) – Scott Van Gorp, Chair,
Membership Committee

5:50 P.M.      Meet the 2026 NFBI Scholarship Winner – Emily Wharton,
Chair, Scholarship Committee

6:00 P.M.      Telling Our Story: NFBI Kernel Book Project – Barbara
Hammel, Urbandale

6:15 P.M.      Break & Transition to Kinnick Center

6:30 P.M.      Invocation – Terri Wilcox, Des Moines

6:35 P.M.      Presidential Report – Helen Mejia, President, NFBI

7:00 P.M.      What Would You Like NFBI to Do? (discussion) – Enrique
Mejia, Des Moines

7:20 P.M.      Accessible Tabletop Gaming – Emily Wharton, Des Moines &
Scott Stevens, Cedar Rapids

8:00 P.M.      Adjourn

8:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.       Hospitality – Kinnick Center

Join us for a fun-filled night of connection as we meet with old and new
friends from across the state. Cash bar available, brought to you by the
Old Capitol Chapter.

Saturday, October 10, 2026

7:30 A.M.–8:45 A.M.         Final Opportunity for In-Person Registration &
Online Registration Packet Pickup – Hall of Fame

7:30 A.M–8:45 A.M.          Exhibit Hall – Hall of Fame

8:00 A.M.      Breakfast – Kinnick Center

Saturday Morning General Session – Kinnick C/D

9:00 A.M.      Call to Order – Helen Mejia, President, NFBI

9:05 A.M.      The National Convention Experience – Bitrus Gwamna,
Inaugural Winner, Nyla Wisecup Convention Scholarship

9:20 A.M.      Why My Friend Got Better Tech Than I Did – Enrique Mejia,
Des Moines

9:45 A.M.      Expanding My Comfort Zone – Karly Prinds, Des Moines

10:10 A.M.   National Report – Jim Marks, Board Member, NFB & President,
NFBMT

11:00 A.M.   Updates from the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) & Iowa
Library for the Blind and Print Disabled – Sarah Willeford, Interim
Director, IDB & Director, Iowa Library for the Blind & Print Disabled

12:00 P.M.    Adjourn

12:00 P.M.–1:45 P.M.        Final Opportunity for Exhibit Hall – Hall of
Fame

12:30 P.M.–1:45 P.M.        Lunch – Kinnick Center

Keynote Presentation: Blind Entrepreneurship: Innovation in the Iowa
Business Enterprises Program – Matt Nemmers, Executive Officer, IDB
Business Enterprises Program

Saturday Afternoon General Session – Kinnick C/D

2:00 P.M.      Call to Order – Helen Mejia, President, NFBI

2:05 P.M.      What is the IDB Education & Training Team? – April Stots,
IDB Education & Training Director

2:35 P.M.      Meet the New Orientation Center Director – Brianna Murray,
Director, IDB Orientation Center

3:05 P.M.      Legislative Report – Roger Erpelding, Chair, Legislative
Committee & Cindy Ray, Urbandale

3:35 P.M.      The 2026 Washington Seminar – Jonathan Ice, Cedar Rapids

3:50 P.M.      Traveling to New Places for Work – Felicia Burns, Des Moines

4:05 P.M.      Becoming a Writer – Emily Wharton, Des Moines

4:30 P.M.      Living the Life I Want: My Journey in Acquiring Nonvisual
Skills – Elizabeth Rouse, Board Member, NFBI

5:00 P.M.      Adjourn

5:15 P.M.      Student Meet-Up – Kinnick C/D
7:00 P.M.      Annual Banquet – Kinnick Center

Master of Ceremonies – Enrique Mejia, Des Moines

Invocation – Cindy Ray, First Vice President, NFBI

Banquet Address – Jim Marks, Board Member, NFB & President, NFBMT

Preauthorized Contribution (PAC) Plan – Elizabeth Rouse, Coordinator, NFBI
PAC Program

Awards & Drawings

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Affiliate Board Meeting & Business Session – Kinnick C/D

9:00 A.M.      Board Meeting

Call to Order & Determination of Quorum

Secretary’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Old/New Business

Adjourn

9:15 A.M.      Business Session

Remembering the Ones We’ve Lost – Cindy Ray, First Vice President, NFBI

2025 Meeting Minutes – Richard Webb, Secretary, NFBI

Treasurer’s Report – David Hammel, Treasurer, NFBI

Audit Committee Report – Karen Clayton, Chair, Audit Committee

Resolutions Committee Report – Elizabeth Rouse, Chair, Resolutions Committee

Friends of the Library Report – Cindy Ray, President

Chapter & Group Reports

                        At Large Chapter – Cindy Ray, President

                        Des Moines Chapter – Becky Young, President

                        Old Capitol Chapter – Darrel Kirby, President

                        Siouxland Chapter – Karen Clayton, Treasurer

                        Southeast Iowa Chapter – Richard Webb, President

Blind Parents Group – Terri Wilcox, Coordinator

Blind Seniors Group – Cindy Ray, Coordinator

Blind Students Group – Enrique Mejia, Coordinator

NFB Newsline Report – Scott Van Gorp, Coordinator

Nominating Committee Report – Shawn Mayo, Chair, Nominating Committee

                        Election of Officers & Board Members

Election of Delegate & Alternate Delegate to the 2027 National Convention

Old Business

New Business

Final Remarks

Jim Marks, Board Member, NFB & President, NFBMT

Helen Mejia, President, NFBI

12:00 P.M.    Adjourn

Convention Notes:

Be sure to visit our sponsors and exhibitors and thank them for supporting
the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa! Stop by registration first to
grab your exhibitor sheet, then visit them all for a chance to win a cash
prize!

Need a dog relief area? When facing the elevators, use the exit door to
your right. Head straight outside a short distance, and you’ll find the
relief area. Please remember to clean up after your dog and help keep the
area clean for everyone!

Exciting door prizes will be drawn throughout general sessions, the
banquet, and the business session! If you haven’t sent your door prize
ahead of time, please bring it to convention and give it to one of our Door
Prize Committee Chairs, Becky Young or Donna Prime.

Got a sweet tooth? You’re in for a treat! Our Baked Goods Auction will be
sprinkled throughout the sessions, so be sure to bring your appetite—and
your bidding game! If you’re planning to bring a baked good, please let
Elizabeth Rouse know. It’s sure to be a deliciously good time!

Sponsor Ad:

[image: Promotional flyer for Iowa Lions Foundation highlighting dedication
to improving vision and hearing for Iowans of all ages through humanitarian
service by Iowa Lions Clubs. Features foundation logo, mission statement,
icons for vision and hearing, and tagline emphasizing community service
since 1959.]
 Inclusivity, Diversity, & Code of Conduct

Thank you for cultivating an atmosphere of mutual respect where attendees
can learn, network, and share with each other. The National Federation of
the Blind of Iowa is committed to diversity, equity, and the free
expression of ideas as outlined in our Code of Conduct. We recognize a
shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere.

Prohibited behaviors, such as harassment, retaliation, and sexual
misconduct, will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the
convention and/or other consequences. To report an incident at the
convention, please contact President Helen Mejia at (570) 983-7867.

The full Code of Conduct and resources are at nfb.org/codeofconduct.

Dream Makers Circle

You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a
member of our Dream Makers Circle (DMC.) It is easier than you think. You
can visit your bank and convert an account to a payable on death (P.O.D.)
bank account, which is payable after your passing to the National
Federation of the Blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the
National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of
Iowa can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income
generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan,
IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific
amount, a percentage, or list the NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For
additional information, please contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314,
extension 2422 or at pchang at nfb.org.

Vehicle Donations

The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the
education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans,
and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process
donated vehicles. Please call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a
representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting
https://nfb.org/vehicledonations <http://www.nfb.org/vehicledonations>.

Preauthorized Contributions

Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis?
Please consider joining our preauthorized contribution (PAC) plan. Starting
at $5 monthly, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise
expectations. Call (877) 632-2722, visit: https://nfb.org/pac* to fill out
the online form, or email *pac at nfb.org* for additional information.*

Mission of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa 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.

The National Federation of the Blind Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts 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.

Elizabeth Rouse (she/her/hers)

Secretary, Old Capitol Chapter

Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com

www.nfbi.org

Live the life you want.
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