Join Us for Our 2024 Annual Convention!

Join Us for Our 2024 Annual Convention!

TO: National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota members and friends

FROM: Corbb O’Connor, President

SUBJECT: 2024 Annual Convention

DATE: September 24, 2024

We of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota are pleased to announce plans for our upcoming annual state convention. We also encourage members to take this opportunity to renew annual membership in the NFB of Minnesota in plenty of time for the coming membership year, which begins on January 1, 2025.

When and Where:

The  two-and-1/2 day convention will be held from November 1-3, 2024, at the DoubleTree Saint Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55119. This year we are pleased to have as our national representative Gary Wunder, a long-time leader in the Federation and editor of our flagship national publication the Braille Monitor.

Hotel Arrangements:

Room rates are $99.00 per night, plus tax, for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. Hotel reservations must be made by Tuesday, October 22. To reserve your hotel room, either

  1. book your state convention room online with this special link, or
  2. call the DoubleTree Saint Paul East at (651) 731-2220 (ask for the National Federation of the Blind rate).

Registration and Meals:

Everyone who registers for the convention will be eligible for door prizes. You can register online. Please send in your registration as soon as possible but no later than October 25.

Registration for the convention is $25 in advance, and $30 on site. Lunch and dinner on Friday are $25 apiece. On Saturday, the senior breakfast and the lunch are also $25, and the banquet is $50. The Sunday breakfast is $15. If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate them on the registration form.

Those intending to register on-site should still contact Judy Sanders in advance at (612) 872-9363 or jsanders.nfb@comcast.net to reserve your meals so that we can give the hotel an accurate count.

Dues:

This is also the time to pay membership dues, so that you will be able to vote on our policies and in our elections during 2025. You can pay membership dues along with your convention registration. You can also renew membership here if you are unable to attend the convention. Don't miss your chance to be part of shaping our movement.

Resolutions:

We adopt resolutions at our conventions as a way to clarify and give voice to our positions on important issues. Draft resolutions should be emailed to resolutions committee chair Jennifer Dunnam by October 25. All convention attendees are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions committee. To see the resolutions we have adopted during the past 20+ years, visit www.nfbmn.org/about/resolutions.

Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability:

The convention is designed and implemented to be accessible especially to blind people in that materials are offered in accessible formats and other nonvisual aids are provided (therefore, special requests for these items are not required). If you need specific accommodations based on a disability other than blindness in order to participate fully and equally in the convention, we urge you to let us know as soon as possible via the registration form. Due to the size and complexity of this convention, as well as the need to appropriately plan for additional human and other resources, please submit requests for specific accommodations no later than Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Proposed Amendments to Bylaws:

This year, among other business, the convention will consider proposed amendments to our organization's bylaws, with slight modifications to our voting provision and with some clarifications around the conducting of virtual meetings. The explanation and proposed amendments have been distributed via email and postal mail to members.

Auction:

Items will be auctioned off at various times throughout the convention. Attendees are encouraged to donate theme baskets, crafts, baked goods securely sealed in disposable containers, or other services. Please email a description of your item in advance to auction committee coordinators Tara Coyne (taracoyne21@gmail.com) or Charlotte Czarnecki (charlotte.renee1972@gmail.com). Let them know if you will be labeling your item in braille or if you need for them to make the necessary braille label. You can also let them know if you wish to be one of the auctioneers.

Rehabilitation Training Seminar

The Minnesota Center for the Blind, formerly known as Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc., will conduct a seminar on Friday and Saturday about how structured discovery training leads to meaningful employment. Although the training is primarily geared for new staff of State Services for the Blind, all interested Federationists are welcome. Details of registering for this seminar will be available soon.

Convention Schedule

Door prizes will be given during the general sessions and the banquet. You must register and be present in the room to win a door prize.

Some events may be added to this schedule, and more details about the schedule will be made available as they are finalized.

Friday, November 1:

9 AM–noon and 1 PM–6 PM:  Registration

9 AM–6 PM: Exhibits

9:30 AM–11 AM: Board Meeting

11:15 AM–12:45 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training part one

11:15 AM–12:45 PM: diabetes seminar

1 PM–1:45 PM: Lunch

2 PM–4:00 PM: Rehabilitation Seminar on Structured Discovery Training part two

2 PM–3:30 PM: Building Confidence through the Arts

2 PM–3:30 PM: Philosophy

4 PM: Resolutions Committee Meeting

5 PM: State Services for the Blind Town Hall

6 PM: Dinner

7 PM: Meeting of MN Association of Blind Students

7 PM: Guide Dog Users Meeting

8 PM: Hospitality hosted by the Metro Chapter

Saturday, November 2:

7:00 AM: Breakfast and Annual Meeting of the NFB of Minnesota Seniors Division.

8:15 AM Registration

9:00 AM-5:00 PM: Convention sessions packed with a variety of information and discussion on current issues related to blindness. Among other items, we will talk to Minnesota agencies for the blind and elected officials, learn from the stories of our members and friends of all ages, and discuss our current activities and plans for the future. This time frame will also include breakout sessions on Employment; DeafBlindness; and Advocating for Braille, schools and beyond (kids welcome!)

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

7:00 PM: Banquet. The banquet will feature an inspiring keynote address from our national representative, Gary Wunder. Following the banquet, stick around for more after-banquet socializing.

Sunday, November 3:

8:00 AM: Breakfast

9:00 AM-Noon: During the Sunday morning session, we will discuss resolutions and other items of business, and there will be more food for thought and practical take-aways.  The following positions will be up for election: Vice President, Treasurer, and two board members.

See You There!

Our convention each year is an opportunity for the blind of our state to come together for a common cause, to raise  expectations for ourselves and others, and to strengthen our bonds of friendship. We will share public services and other resources for the blind, exchange ideas, and formulate plans and policies for the coming year. Please join us for the 2024 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota!