[nabs-l] Read our July, 2016 NABS Notes
NABS President
nabs.president at gmail.com
Sun Jul 31 03:05:01 UTC 2016
Hey NABS,
Please join me in reading what you’ve all been waiting for:
the July NABS Notes!
Thanks to Bre Brown and Syed Rizvi for helping compile this month’s
bulletin.
Pasted below, attached, and with the online link provided, you can choose
how you’d like to best read the happenings of National Federation of the
Blind, our national student division, NABS and our state divisions!
Let me know if you have any questions; and we look forward to hearing you on
tomorrow’s Meet the Board call at 7pm!
http://nabslink.org/content/nabs-notes-july-2016
NABS Notes July 2016
The National Association of Blind Students
- A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind.
In this edition of the NABS monthly bulletin:
1. National Convention in A Nutshell
2. July Membership Call: Meet the NABS Board
3. NABS Flash Drives: Student Success Toolkits
4. Announcement from Our National Legal Team
5. Join A NABS Committee
6. Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey
7. Monthly Blog Post
8. State Updates
9. July NABS Board Meeting Minutes
National Convention in a Nutshell
The 2016 National convention was a huge success!
Our Membership Committee coordinated our annual Mentor Program with a great
turnout and several events with a diverse group of students.
Our Fundraising Committee raised over $4,200 through the sales of
snackpacks, bottled water, soda, raffle tickets, and flash drives. We also
held our annual Penny Wars fundraiser and hosted an energetic Monte Carlo
Night, as we do at each national convention.
The National Association of Blind Students would not have come out so strong
without the help of our volunteers, card dealers, marshallers, and
overwhelming support. This year was particularly bitter sweet with our
immediate past President Sean Whalen and immediate past 1st Vice President
Candice Chapman bidding NABS farewell after years of talent, leadership, and
unequivocal effort. We know that both Sean and Candice will always be here
for guidance, suggestions, and problem solving; and now, we are more than
confident to follow in their footsteps with great new leaders on board.
Congratulations to our newly elected officers and board members:
President, Kathryn Webster
1st Vice President, Bre Brown
2nd Vice President, Syed Rizvi
Treasurer, Luke Schwinck
Secretary, Michael Ausbun
Board Member 1, Vee Gaspa
Board Member 2, Tarik Williams
Board Member 3, Chris Nusbaum
Board Member 4, Bryan Duarte
The National Association of Blind Students has hit the ground running with
high hopes for blind students across America. Thank you President Whalen,
Vice President Chapman, and Board Member Garret Mooney for your devotion to
blind students. I would not be here today without your mentorship, belief in
me, ability to challenge ideas, and sincere friendship. We are eager to make
each of you proud in the coming year! With national convention three weeks
behind us, we are energized more than ever to plan for our division’s 50th
anniversary in 2017 and transform our dreams into reality. We are the
students of today, yet the leaders of tomorrow.
Thank you; and we will see you in January at Washington Seminar.
Kathryn Webster
President
July Membership Call: Meet the NABS Board
The 2016 NABS Board is eager to host our first membership call as newly
elected leaders!
When: Sunday, July 31, 2016
Time: 7pm eastern daylight time
Where: Conference call line: 605-475-6700
Access code: 7869673
Details: We invite you to join us for our Meet the Board call at 7:00 pm
eastern. During this call, the NABS Board will have the opportunity to
introduce themselves. We will discuss our various committees and ambitious
plans for the upcoming year. Bring your questions, suggestions, and ideas!
Come dream big with us!
NABS Flash Drives: Students Success Toolkits
These flash drives were made for you: fellow students, parents, and curious
learners!
For just $10, our 4 gb Flash drives contain the following software,
Tutorials, resources, Templates, and information To ensure you are
successful.
* Software: including NVDA
* Tutorials: including Excel, Outlook, and more!
* Templates: including sample cover letters, resumes,
professionalism preparation documents, etc.
* Additional Resources: including NFB literature, an LSAT practice
test, the NFB Self-Advocacy Toolkit, and personal testimonies from our NFB
training centers
* Health/Fitness documents
To order your very own drive, visit:
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0FJAEhElmWp_Smg2zM8DTRT9Sqmg1bhV
vGEy_2pxZODSUBg/viewform?c=0&w=1>
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0FJAEhElmWp_Smg2zM8DTRT9Sqmg1bhVv
GEy_2pxZODSUBg/viewform?c=0&w=1
We accept PayPal, Venmo, and checks.
Direct any questions to Luke Schwinck (luke.schwinck at hotmail.com) or Kathryn
Webster (nabs.president at gmail.com)
Announcement from Our National Legal Team
Our National Federation of the Blind Legal team has been fast at work
preparing resources for blind students, parents, teachers, and higher
education administrators. If you’ve read the first version of the
Self-Advocacy Toolkit, we now have a new edition with a plethora of
additional resources and answers for you.
* Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit Version 2.0:
<https://nfb.org/self-advocacy-higher-education>
https://nfb.org/self-advocacy-higher-education
* High-Stakes Testing Self-Advocacy Toolkit:
<https://nfb.org/high-stakes-testing-self-advocacy-toolkit>
https://nfb.org/high-stakes-testing-self-advocacy-toolkit
* Higher Education Accessibility Online Resource Center
<https://nfb.org/higher-education-accessibility-online-resource-center>
https://nfb.org/higher-education-accessibility-online-resource-center
Join A NABS Committee
Three committees have been established, and we need your help for them to be
successful!
Please reach out to the NABS committee chairs or co-chairs to get involved.
Fundraising Committee
Chair: Luke Schwinck ( <mailto:luke.schwinck at hotmail.com>
luke.schwinck at hotmail.com)
Co-Chair: Syed Rizvi ( <mailto:syedrizvinfb at gmail.com>
syedrizvinfb at gmail.com) and Tarik Williams (
<mailto:williams.tarik20 at gmail.com> williams.tarik20 at gmail.com)
Description: The most important part of any movement is funding that
movement. Therefore, the Fundraising Committee of the National Association
of Blind Students, a proud division of the National Federation of the Blind,
is paramount to effecting positive change for blind students in our nation.
This is illustrated by the majority of the NABS Board, beginning with their
involvement on the Fundraising Committee. We are seeking passionate,
creative, and hardworking students from all corners of the country to learn,
and lead alongside President Kathryn Webster and the NABS board. Our vision
for this year is to engage in a variety of ventures from grant writing to
hosting local and national fundraising events, and everything in between.
The majority of our committee’s work is creating, planning, and implementing
events such as Monte Carlo Night at national convention and NABS Café at
Washington Seminar, as well as making fundraising merchandise decisions. We
are anxious to share with you our experience, and knowledge with the sincere
hope that you will return the favor. This year on the fundraising committee
you can expect to work hard and have a great time doing it!
Legislative Committee
Chair: Michael Ausbun ( <mailto:mausbun at nevada.unr.edu>
mausbun at nevada.unr.edu)
Co-Chair: Vee Gaspa ( <mailto:veegaspa at gmail.com> veegaspa at gmail.com)
Description: Have you ever found yourself in a class where the materials
were inaccessible? Have you ever thought legislation, the political process,
or advocating for equality, opportunity, and security for blind students is
important? We need your help! The Legislative committee of the National
Association of Blind Students is looking for volunteers! We work closely
with the Governmental Affairs team at the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, in order to facilitate the dialogue which leads to the
development of equitable policy. We will be focusing on our national agendas
from a student’s lens, and need your help doing so!
Membership/Communications Committee:
Chair: Bre Brown (bre.brown24 at gmail.com)
Co-Chairs: Bryan Duarte ( <mailto:bjduarte at asu.edu> bjduarte at asu.edu) and
Chris Nusbaum ( <mailto:dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com)
Description: Are you interested in communicating with our membership, and
facilitating personal and professional development? How about insuring
students have access to resources to help them be successful? Join us! The
Membership/Communications Committee of the National Association of Blind
Students is looking for volunteers! Tasks include, though are not limited
to, planning and participating in membership calls, writing and gathering
blog posts, generating resources for student toolkits, development of
regional student programs, and membership outreach. This is a newly formed
committee, so it’s got a lot of reach to get your feet wet in something new
and fun!
Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey
If you are blind or visually impaired, reside in the United States, and are
at least 18 years of age, we cordially invite you to participate in this
survey. The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of your
experiences as an adult who is blind or visually impaired, including your
experiences with education, employment, training, and vocational
rehabilitation. If you complete this survey, you will be entered into a
drawing in which 5 individuals will win a $100 VISA gift card.
We offer you three ways to complete the survey:
1. Go to: www.pdrib.com/ares <http://www.pdrib.com/ares>
2. You may Email: pdrib2016 at gmail.com <mailto:pdrib2016 at gmail.com>
3. You may call: (318) 257-2029
Questions or concerns about this survey may be directed to: Edward Bell,
Principal Investigator, Professional Development and Research Institute on
Blindness, (318) 257-4554 ebell at latech.edu
Monthly NABS Blog
This month, NABS is proud to share a myriad of reflections experienced from
our national scholarship winners during the 2016 National Federation of the
Blind National Convention. Each year, 30 finalists are selected to attend
our National Convention, be matched with mentors each day, and gain some
financial gain toward the pursuit of higher education. If you are hooked
immediately, or interested in learning more, please visit our scholarship
page at www.nfb.org/scholarships
Please join us in reading some personal stories from our new and seasoned
Federationists as we marvel over their accomplishments!
http://nabslink.org/content/scholarship-spotlight-part-1-meet-some-our-2016-
scholarship-class
State updates
Disclaimer: All updates are not edited, revised, or altered by the NABS
Board; instead pasted directly from the state student leader.
Colorado:
What an incredible time we had at this year's National Convention! Colorado
had many students in attendance this year. We sold 5 hour energy shots and
will continue to sell them. CABS donated soda and helped out at one of our
local chapter's picnic this month. We are currently working on putting
together materials for high school students in Colorado in order to help
them better prepare for college. On that same note, we are planning to work
with the local chapter of AER to reach out to rehab professionals and TVI's.
We will be holding a seminar for teachers of blind students to help them
understand what their students will be facing in college. We are also
planning a dinner in September to reach out to students. There's been talk
about one on one mentoring and a possible science seminar in the future as
well! CABS continues to work with the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB)
and the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in mentoring programs and
events throughout the year. Stay tuned for more!
Connecticut:
The Connecticut Association of Blind Students is gearing up for our 45th
Connecticut State Convention that will be held from November 4-6 in Shelton,
CT. Congratulations to our CTABS Treasurer, Kathryn Webster, for being
elected President of the National Association of Blind Students. We are
ready to continue building our student division and developing new leaders.
We were excited to have two Connecticut students awarded national
scholarships during the 2016 national Convention. The CT students will be
working hard on recruiting for our state scholarship program, as well as
legislative matters as we prepare for Washington Seminar.
Hawaii:
The Hawaii student division is proud to announce that we will be presenting
a charter for our organization at this year’s State Convention. We have been
diligently working on the structure, formality, and leadership of our group.
As we work closely alongside our affiliate leadership, the Hawaii students
are excited to kick off the coming academic year with a great deal of
effort. As of October 1, 2016, HIABS will officially be chartered as a
formal division within the Hawaii Affiliate. There, we will hold elections,
host a 2-hour breakout session, and plan for the upcoming year. We are eager
to get involved on both the state and national level to improve the lives of
all blind students.
Massachusetts:
The Massachusetts Association of Blind Students had a very successful month
in June and at the end of the semester. Massachusetts had for national
scholarship winners at National Convention this year, as well as two
Jernigan Fund Award recipients. We had nine students attend the National
Convention in total. MASSABS is looking forward to the fall semester and
toward more growth in our division this year.
Maryland:
The Maryland Association of Blind Students is excited to report that this
year's national convention was the most successful one in our history! For
the first time in many years, MDABS raised some funds of our own during
national convention by selling Old Bay seasoning, the unique and delicious
Maryland staple which has become famous for adding a little spice to our
crabs. Thanks to the hard work of our Board members, led by ever-energetic
fundraising chair Erin Daring, we raised a total of $285 during the week,
setting a new fundraising record for us! We were also happy to have two
first-time convention attendees among our membership, both of whom loved
their convention experience and came away from it recommitted to the work of
the Federation. As we prepare to return to school, we're also beginning to
make plans for our 50th annual state convention, to be held October 28-30 in
downtown Baltimore. We're confident that the events we plan this year will
be our best yet, and will be worthy of our affiliate's golden anniversary
celebration. Stay tuned for updates!
Oklahoma:
We are happy to report that much has happened. During the seminar day of
Oklahoma’s state convention on March 31, 2016, the Oklahoma student division
held its first student seminar. During the student seminar we learned about
accessibility technology for students, advocating in higher education,
adults training centers, and entering the force as a young blind adult. We
discussed several useful resources to students including study aid apps,
sources for accessible textbooks, and accessible technology lending programs
to the blind. Later in the day we learned some useful blindness skills and
performed some confidence building exercises together. Overall, we had a
great student’s seminar. This year we tried out a new fundraising idea that
we borrowed from the Texas Association of Blind Students and it was a great
success. For those of you at convention you know what I am talking about but
for the rest of you I will give some more details. This year we sold raffle
tickets for comfortable seating for two individuals during general sessions.
We were able to receive two very comfortable chairs and provide snacks and
water severs complementary with the seats. Because who doesn’t want to be
comfortable and pampered during general session. With this fundraiser we
were able to raise $160.00. The fundraiser was so popular we will be
bringing it back this coming year. During state convention the student
division always has its annual business meeting. We were able to grow are
student division this year. The student division board is as followed.
Cammie Loehr reelected as president, Rex Schuttler elected vice president,
Cathy Tuton elected as secretary, Callie Chappell reelected as treasurer,
and Yoshi elected as board member. Meeting were decided to be held the first
Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm via conference line.
Virginia:
The Virginia Association of Blind Students has seen a resurgence in the past
few months in terms of fundraising and marketing strategies. Once a division
of our affiliate that was shrouded in mystery, VABS has hit the ground
running in fundraising with our shot glass fundraiser at National
Convention. The event allowed VABS to add a few hundred dollars to our
budget and put us in place for future fundraising possibilities. Future
plans for the division includes our breakfast social fundraiser on August
6th at our State Board Meeting, our procurement of an exhibit hall table for
our state convention, our “Dance Party” themed social at our state
convention in Virginia Beach, and our planned 50/50 raffle at the same
event. Also, our plans for outreach and marketing are well underway with
collaborative efforts on different events during “Meet the Blind” month that
includes Richmond’s “Walk with the Blind,” Fredericksburg’s “Paddle with the
Blind,” and Chesapeake Bay’s “Bowl with the Blind.” All of these events will
have the attendance, cosponsor ship, or advertisement of the Virginia
Association of Blind Students.
July NABS Board Meeting Minutes
July, 2016
Meeting called to order at: 9:05 P.M.
Members Present:
Kathryn Webster (President)
Bre Brown (1st Vice President)
Luke Schwinck (Treasurer)
Michael Ausbun (Secretary)
Vee Gaspa (Board Member 1)
Tarik Williams (Board Member 2)
Chris Nusbaum (Board member 3)
Bryan Duarte (Board Member 4)
Treasurer’s Report:
Checking account balance: 7752.65
- Four donations
o $500.00 white cane
o $350.00 Sun fund
o $750.00 Jernigan fund
o $15.00 per month to PAC every month; 180 a year
- Reimbursements
o $115.00 convention supplies
o $24.76 Uber ride
o $90.00 two banquet tickets
- Total revenue: 4124.09
o $870.00 Monte Carlo
o $1145.00 registration
o $1646.87 exhibit hall
o $462.22 Penny wars
Committee Reports
Fundraising:
- Goals
o Raise $10,000-$15,00
o Continue writing Grants, fundraising traditions, and new fundraising
programs.
o Facilitating communication with Greek life on campuses
o Diversification of geographic representation on the committee.
Legislative:
- Goals
o Collect at least 15 letters from each state
o Have representation on the committee from all 52 affiliates
o Try to get at least one letter of support from institutions in each
state
o Continue frequent and effective communication with our Government
Affairs Team (Gabe Cazares, Parnell Diggs, John Pare, ETC.)
Membership/Communications:
- Goals
o Working on the dear student initiative
o A guide for Student presidents
o Redevelopment and maintenance of the Student resource section of the
website
o Maintain the scholarship page on the website
o Update Facebook/increased promotion
o More state student division presence on social media
Old Business:
The national Convention was a smashing success. Thanks to the new and old
board for stepping up and taking responsibility. Discussion of modifications
to increase the experience for all students at student division events will
come at a later date.
New Business:
- Behavior
o Conference etiquette:
* If you are not talking, please mute yourself.
* Call for the floor by stating your name
* If you are disconnected, simply call back in. Please be mindful that we
will still be discussing things, so rejoin respectfully.
- Social media
o Behavior
* It is important to note that you need to remain professional; you are a
mentor and role model and a leader.
o Remember to share social media posts; friend NABS on Facebook and
twitter.
o Make sure you join the student list serves.
- The structure of meetings
o The meeting will start on time. “Early is on time, on time is late.”
o The general order is: Roll call; treasurers report; state
updates/communication; old business; new business; comments
- Committees
o Fundraising
Schwinck, Duarte, and Rizvi
o Legislative
Ausbun and Gaspa
o Membership/Communication
Brown, Williams, and Nusbaum
- Positional Responsibilities
o Treasurer:
* Providing the National Office with bank statements, reimbursements, and
all other relevant documentation.
o Secretary
* Taking notes and having them to everyone within 48 hours
o Williams
* Delivering the NABS Notes consistently.
o Websites
* President Webster and Duarte will make sure that website information is
up to date, consistent, and well organized.
- Short term long term email by July 20
o Overview of long term and short term action plan
- State liaison program
o You have a group of six or seven states assigned to you
o Accountability: stay in touch with your states. Get in contact with your
states within the next week
- NABS rep program
o NABS Reps. Are determined by several factors, such as Finances,
experience what the state needs, etc.
o Folks need to try to request a nabs rep within 8 weeks
o A lot of states do not realize that they have this program.
- In-person board meeting
o Aug. 12 – Aug. 14
o Get receipts to Kathryn
o Everyone needs to be at the Jernigan Institute by 5 P.M
o People will fly out by Sunday afternoon
o Dress will be business professional
o Logistics need to be booked soon
o Call for ideas
* The best way to network with leaders
* How to start a division from scratch
* Relationship building and communication with external authorities
o If anyone has any dietary restrictions, please let President Webster
know
Meeting adjourned at 10:04 P.M
The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
Yours,
Kathryn Webster
President | National Association of Blind Students
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