[Youth-outreach] Teen Night at the Hotel!

[Jeffrey Thompson]

Hey,
I was combing my hair and this teenie bopper song Fireflies came on and realized that Teen Night falls on convention night. Then I got this email response from Stephanie asking about Teen Night and I stood there comb in hand, gel in the other, yes, real men use gel, why not have Teen Night at convention? 
Did you know that on Friday night at 6:30 PM at the Crown Plaza Hotel Riverfront there is a Student Association meeting? This is where local and national students are meeting to discuss successful plans and tips for higher education and ways to enhance your opportunities in high school and college. There is also a Parents of Blind Children meeting going on at the same time! Moms and Dads, this is a great opportunity to meet other parents of blind children and learn about the opportunities available for your child. This is a win/win situation and we all can build on our network for success.
I would like to meet up with all of you at the convention and enjoy some time together. There is hospitality going on afterward  and you are all welcome to join us.
I will be at the convention all weekend, and I am really hoping some of you can represent Teen Night by speaking to the crowd. I am sure they want to hear it from you.
Well, I hope you can make it, Lori and the students from "Blind, Inc. will be there and so will 100 other participants. Oh, I suppose I should finish with my combing of my hair...now that I got hair gel all over the keyboard. Dang, one thing at a time, eh?
Give me a shout back soon.
Have a good one.
Jeff

2009 Annual Convention
We of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota are pleased to announce plans for our upcoming state convention. The annual two-and-1/2 day convention will be held on October 23 - 25, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul - Riverfront at 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55101. Our national representative will be Patti Gregory-Chang, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, board member of the National Federation of the Blind, and senior assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago Law Department. There will be a strong focus on braille literacy throughout the convention. Following is information you'll need to know concerning prices, logistics, and the exciting events that will take place this year.

We will hold our traditional bake auction during the Saturday and Sunday general sessions and the Saturday evening banquet. Door prizes will also be given during those times. You must register and be present in the meeting room to win.

Friday, October 23:

1:00-5:00 p.m.: Registration will be open. Registration will also be open at other times during the convention. There is a registration fee of $10.00. Banquet tickets are $25.00, and tickets for the BLIND, Inc. lunch are $15.00.

2:00-5:00: Workshops and Meetings

  a.. Technology demonstrations, including the KNFB Reader Mobile and much more; 
  b.. Senior citizens meet to plan activities and to make their voice heard in the Federation; 
  c.. Minnesota Association to Promote the Use of Braille annual meeting; 
  d.. Resolutions committee meeting. Steve Decker, chair of the Resolutions Committee, asks that you submit proposed resolutions in advance of the convention and then come participate in the discussion. You may send your draft resolutions to Steve at the NFB office or e-mail them to sdecker at blindinc.org. To see the resolutions we have passed during the past ten years, check past resolutions. 
6:30-8:30: Annual meeting of the Minnesota Parents of Blind Children; Annual meeting of the Minnesota Association of Blind Students.

7:30: The Metro Chapter of the NFB of MN invites you to an evening of hospitality and fun with opportunity to gather with friends old and new. Snacks will be provided and there will be a cash bar.

Saturday, October 24:

8:15 a.m.: Registration opens.

8:30 a.m.: Coffee and rolls will be available.

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: General session packed with a variety of information and discussion on current issues related to blindness. Among other items, we will hear from Minnesota agencies for the blind, elected officials, and more, and we will take the opportunity to make our voice heard.

12:00 p.m.: BLIND, Inc. Lunch: Celebrate the progress and accomplishments of our consumer-directed training center along with students and staff of BLIND Inc.

6:00 p.m.: Social hour with cash bar prior to our banquet. Come and join us for more hospitality.

7:00 p.m.: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address from our national representative, Patti Gregory-Chang, who will no doubt remind us why we are members of this dynamic and action-oriented organization with its positive philosophy. After the banquet, the Metro Chapter will host an after-banquet party with karaoke.

Sunday, October 25:

9:00 a.m.-Noon: Business session. We will hear reports, deal with any remaining resolutions, and more. The positions of President, Secretary, and three board members will be up for election.

Hotel arrangements: Room rates are $74.00, with $10,00 for each additional person in room beyond two (max. four), plus tax. Please make hotel reservations directly with the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel at  (651) 292-1900  (651) 292-1900 . Be sure to mention that you are with the convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. Reservations must be made before October 2 to be sure of these rates.

Please make banquet and breakfast reservations by calling  612-872-9363  612-872-9363 or e-mailing sstarnes at blindinc.org.

Louis Braille Coins: These stunning commemorative silver dollars, cast by the U.S. Mint and featuring readable Braille, will be on hand at the convention for purchase. They make great holiday gifts, and you can also help by selling them to others. Proceeds from the sale of these coins go to support braille literacy programs, so please help us spread the word and sell these beautiful coins! For more information, visit www.braille.org.

Cash Prizes for Essays: The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota Federationists to participate in its annual essay contest. Although there is not a specific essay question, the essay should be focused on your experiences as a blind person and highlight a positive message or outcome. The length of the essay should be about the length of a Minnesota Bulletin article. The writer of the winning essay will receive $50, and all others who write an essay will have their names entered into a drawing for $50. Both winners will be announced at the banquet on Saturday evening. All entries must be received by October 8. E-mail them to tom.scanlan at earthlink.net.

Win A Digital Audio Book Reader: The Metro Chapter will also be selling raffle tickets at the convention (one for $6, two for $10), and the prize is the winner's choice of either a Victor Stream or a BookSense Standard.

Our convention each year is an opportunity for the blind of our state to come together for a common cause and to educate ourselves and others. Public service and other resources for the blind are presented, ideas are exchanged, and plans and policies for the coming year are formulated. Make plans to join us and be a part of the excitement!