[Nfbc-info] 2012 National Convention Important Meetings

[Mary Willows]

2012 NFB Convention Dallas Important Meetings:



We will need at least two people to attend each of the following key 
meetings at our national convention.  Each grant winner should choose a 
minimum of two to attend and report back to me by August 1.  Please reply to 
let me know which you can cover.



It is mandatory that grant winners attend a meeting in Robert Stigile’s room 
on Saturday at 6:00 P.M.  We will all go to the Rookie Round-up together 
from there.



Saturday
8:00 - 9:00 pm—WHITE CANE AND AFFILIATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Are there new and ingenious ways to collect money and spread the word about 
the NFB?  I’m sure there are. Come and share your ideas on how to fund our 
movement. Alpidio Rolón, Chairperson

Sunday

1:30 pm—RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE; Sharon Maneki, Chairperson
Chantilly West Ballroom, Tower lobby

Sunday

6:15 - 10:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS (NABS)
Stemmons Ballroom, Atrium lobby
    6:15 pm–Registration ($5.00); 7:00 pm–Meeting
Students, young professionals, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in 
learning about issues affecting blind students are welcome to attend.
Sean Whalen, President

Sunday
7:30 - 9:00 pm—STATE CAPITOL HILLS AND BILLS
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Do you want to be more successful at passing laws at the state level? Join 
the discussion with experienced advocates on developing a legislative agenda 
for your affiliate, writing bill language, networking with your legislators, 
engaging our members, and turning bills into laws. Lauren McLarney, 
Coordinator


Sunday
7:30 - 9:00 pm—LIBRARY SERVICES COMMITTEE; David Hyde, Chairperson
Milan Room, Tower mezzanine


Sunday
8:00 - 9:30 pm—MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE—THREE THINGS EVERY MEMBER NEEDS: 
FINDING, ATTRACTING, AND KEEPING NEW MEMBERS IN OUR CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES; 
Sapphire Room, Tower lobby
The NFB is a dynamic organization, achieved entirely by the sheer 
determination and creativity of its members—present and past.  Please join 
us to discuss new ideas to increase our membership further, such as “at 
large” chapters and how they work. Ron Gardner, Chairperson

Monday

9:00 - 11:30 am—NFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Open to all)
Chantilly Ballroom, Tower lobby

Monday
1:00 - 3:00 pm—PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING & SEMINAR
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Don't wait for the media to discover you—come and share ideas and strategies 
on how to harness the power of the media!  Members of the committee and the 
newly created NFB Press Corps, as well as others interested in getting our 
message out, are encouraged to attend. Chris Danielsen, Chairperson

Monday
1:00 - 5:00 pm—NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND MERCHANTS REVOLUTIONIZING 
RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD: THE NEW NFB ENTREPRENEURS INITIATIVE; Senators Lecture 
Hall, Tower Lobby
 1:00 pm–Registration; 1:30 pm–Meeting begins
Let’s continue to protect and defend the Randolph-Sheppard Program. The need 
to expand business opportunities and to develop new business initiatives for 
the blind of America is pressing. Nicky Gacos, President



Monday, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M..  California caucus, Sapphire Room, Tower.  This 
is mandatory for grant winners.  All current and former Californians are 
invited.


Monday
6:00 - 8:00 pm—NFB COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (formerly the Newsletter 
Publications Committee); Edelweiss Room, Atrium mezzanine
We’ve changed our name!  Join our think tank; the questions are: how are we 
doing, and how can we improve our overall communication within and outside 
our Federation? Robert Leslie Newman, Chairperson

Monday
6:00 - 9:00 pm—BACK TO BASICS CHAPTER BUILDING SEMINAR
Carpenter Ballroom, Atrium lobby
Featuring fresh, new ideas to make chapter meetings exciting, informative, 
and philosophically strong; presentations from inspiring Federation leaders; 
live demonstrations; audience participation; and a special recognition for 
chapter presidents.  Presented by the NFB Affiliate Action Team

Monday
6:30 - 8:00 pm—MEET THE BLIND MONTH SEMINAR
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Join us as we explore Meet the Blind Month (each October) through fun and 
exciting activities! Learn more about planning creative events. This seminar 
is for Meet the Blind Month beginners to seasoned veterans. Sponsored by 
NFBJI Outreach; Coordinators: Melissa Kobelinski and Mika Baugh.

Tuesday
7:00 - 9:00 pm—LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES SEMINAR: MOVING LEGISLATION AT THE 
NATIONAL LEVEL
Fleur-de-lis A Room, Atrium mezzanine
Each affiliate should send one representative. Learn the best methods of 
increasing support for our national legislative priorities.  Changing lives 
through laws is our business. Led by Anil Lewis, Lauren McLarney, and Jesse 
Hartle.

Tuesday
8:00 - 9:30 pm—NFB GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
Steuben Room, Atrium mezzanine
Learn to plan, write, and submit a strong grant application, and hear how 
others have won grants for their chapters and affiliates.  Coordinator: Seth 
Lamkin, NFB Jernigan Institute









Mary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
mwillows at sbcglobal.net