By Judy Sanders, Secretary

Saturday, May 3, 2008, brought approximately 70 Federationists together for the semiannual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota (NFBM). Taking place at the NFB's historic Minneapolis headquarters, spirits were high, the action was fast and the day sped by. After registering, many stopped off for coffee and rolls; by 9:30 a.m., everyone was in their seats and ready to go.

For her first time, Jennifer Dunnam, the new president of NFBM, called the convention to order. Jennifer began the day by telling us that we should all make sure that we registered to be eligible for exciting door prizes given throughout the day. They included some speech access software and Jernigan Fund raffle tickets and many other door prizes.

The president of the Metro Chapter, Pat Barrett, made welcoming remarks. The singing of the first of many Federation songs followed his welcome. As with many civil rights movements, music tells the story. Various Federationists led the singing.

Introductions of the audience followed, with people identifying themselves and giving their current vocation.

Jennifer reported that we have introduced legislation in Congress that would place a minimum-sound standard on all vehicles. This legislation is to minimize the danger that quiet cars present. HR5734 is the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. Current Minnesota cosponsors are Ellison, McCollum, Walz and Oberstar. (Note: At this writing, Congressman Peterson has added his name to the cosponsor list.) Congress is holding hearings on the budget for the National Library Service (NLS) and their conversion to digital talking books. Many Federationists in the DC area are attending those hearings.

Our advocacy work continues particularly in the area of helping children receive instruction in braille. We participate in IEP meetings with parents and will do whatever else is necessary to see that schools meet the needs of their children.

Jennifer urged us to look at our new and improved website. Tom Scanlan is now serving as our webmaster. Go to www.nfbmn.org.

Jennifer gave a commercial for the Jernigan Fund raffle tickets that she would be selling throughout the day. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip to the 2009 national convention in Detroit.

Our new NFBM brochure was unveiled. Complete with pictures, it has all the information one could want about the NFB in Minnesota. Chapters were urged to take the brochures and distribute them.

Tom Scanlan, treasurer of the NFB of Minnesota, gave a detailed budget report for our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2007 and ending on March 31, 2008. We showed income of $82,515 and expenses of $53,898. Tom also reported the Minnesota Charity Review Council has reviewed our finances and management and reported that we fully meet their accountability standards. We are also in good standing with the Minnesota Attorney General's office.

Representing Minnesota State Services for the Blind, Director Chuk Hamilton gave us a thorough update. His report appears previously in this issue. This report will focus on the question and answer period.

President Dunnam began the questioning by expressing the concern that counselors do not have an adequate background in blindness; that is, they do not understand what goes into helping a blind person feel whole and equal to being a part of mainstream society. Chuk said that there are seventeen counselors in the Workforce Development Unit. There has been a great deal of turnover and he wants to make sure that SSB does not have internal issues. To find out, the Department of Administration will be interviewing staff to allow them to pinpoint problems.

Chuk also talked about staff adjustment to blindness training. There are two phases to it: Phase 1 teaches a general overview about blindness and is required of all staff. Phase 2 is for professional staff with direct contact with blind customers; it includes counselors, supervisors, and some other professionals. Two weeks are at Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Incorporated and two weeks at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Duluth. The purpose of it is to teach the staff about the change that should occur in the blind person with proper training. He admitted that the training is not adequate.

Andy Virden complained about the difficulty with the Radio Talking Book having technical difficulties on weekends and there is no one to notify. Chuk talked about SSB's partnership with Minnesota Public Radio for almost forty years. There may be a communication problem with them on weekends but if the problem is internal then he will have to look at it.

Emily Wharton brought the subject of new SSB staff participating in their adjustment to blindness training. She commented that many of the staff fully participated in the training with good spirit and learned what they could in the short time allowed them. Her concern was for the few who demonstrated such arrogance that it seemed apparent that they had chosen the wrong career because they demonstrated a lack of respect for the blind people they encountered as instructors.

Jeff Thompson asked about what was being done for transition students, students fourteen and older. Chuk talked about an award-winning partnership between SSB and Minnesota's teachers of blind students regarding assistive technology. SSB loans school districts equipment that students can try before making a heavy investment in it. His vision for the future is that all transition students would have an adult blind mentor.

Shawn Mayo asked about the role of the Voc Tech position. These people are supposed to have a limited role in working with customers; but Shawn pointed out that there were a few occasions when the tech attended staffings for students at BLIND. There was one case where the only staff present was an intern. Chuk pointed out that corrective action was taken so that no tech would be attending a staffing without the presence of a counselor. It is inevitable that counselors will have to do more of their own clerical work because of a shortage of clerical positions and changes in technology.

Al Spooner queried as to how you get counselors to believe at the gut level in their blind customers; it is difficult for them to instill that kind of positive attitude in their customers if they do not have such an attitude themselves. Chuk acknowledged the problem but pointed out that there are no easy answers.

Gayle Bengtson complained about the difficulty in reaching someone in the St. Cloud office of SSB. Her complaint was duly noted.

Johnny Ott asked if there would be a need for field-testing of the new Radio Talking Book Radio. It is very simple to operate so there may not be much of a need for an extensive test.

Amanda Swanson served as a mentor at the NFB's Youth Academy in February. She talked about the extensive array of seminars and their effect on forcing the kids to probe their view of blindness. Amanda said that the seminars were not the typical dry presentations. There was a lot of interaction between kids and adults. Amanda had the chance to lead one of the breakout sessions where she did an exercise in biology. She worried that the teens were smarter than she was.

Beverly Collins gave us an exciting demonstration of the newest model of the Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blind Reader. It runs on a Nokia N82 cell phone. It takes a picture of printed material and reads it back in a clear voice. It can read memos, books, mail and can identify money. Its uses are endless with its ability to read print. A local dealer can provide further information and demonstration. NFB does not sell this device.

Bev also told us about her activities in the Federation as chair of our public relations committee. The committee is working to organize our massive amounts of NFB literature and is organizing a speakers' bureau.

The convention adjourned to allow everyone to enjoy their “academic lunch” served and sold by our student division. Many other activities occurred during this period. Jan Bailey joined Bev in demonstrating the KNFB Reader Mobile. Others went outside to participate in a test to see whether they could hear a quiet car as it drove around the block. It could be heard slightly when it was directly in front of us. These cars definitely pose a danger to the blind pedestrian.

The afternoon began with a demonstration of more technology. Steve Decker, Federationist and computer instructor at BLIND, Incorporated, introduced Mike Calvo who is CEO of the Serotek Corporation. They have numerous products; among them is software that can give us speech access to any computer by downloading it from their website. They are working with a nonprofit called Access Is a Right that operates for everyone to be able to use any computer. They also have systems for sale that widen the opportunity for accomplishment. Their main system is System Access. Mike generously gave away two of his reading devices as door prizes.

Charlene Childrey once again will be chairing our move-a-thon committee. This year will bring many new changes to the event with hope of reenergizing it! It is moving to Minneapolis and will take place around Lakes Calhoun and Harriet on September 6. The brochure is being written and, in addition, we will have cards to hand out to prospective donors telling them how they can donate through our website. Anyone who raises at least $25 will receive a T-shirt that says, "We are changing what it means to be blind in Minnesota." A grand prize goes to the person who turns in the most money on the day of the event.

"BLIND Incorporated Thrives in Its 20th Year" gave us a panel that NFB audiences look forward to at each convention. Shawn Mayo, executive director of BLIND, introduced us to two students who gave us their stories. Shawn introduced Reed Hoffman as having one of the biggest vocabularies she had ever heard. Reed said that he felt the need to be pithy in his remarks. He learned about BLIND from his older sister, Konnie, who spent a summer here several years ago working in the Buddy Program and taking classes. Before he decided to come here, he checked out a center in his own state. He asked about their computer training and they said that because he already knew how to use JAWS there was nothing for them to teach him. He learned that BLIND would offer him a comprehensive program that was more thorough than he expected. He worried that, as a musician, he might encounter danger in industrial arts class, but he still has all his appendages. He is learning more about using his cane and traveling independently around a big city. And in his careers class he learned about Michele Gittens who recently graduated from McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul to further her singing career. He was just accepted into the school's program to become a professional drummer.

Stacy Krahl, from the St. Cloud area, talked about being persistent in seeking enrollment at BLIND. She called Al Spooner every day to see if she could move into an apartment. She credits Zach Ellingson, her travel instructor, with giving her the motivation and pride to use her cane. She appreciates the independence that Becky Bergman gives her in home-management class and she finished learning contracted braille with the prodding of Melody Wartenbee.

The last speaker was Sidonia (Sid) Starnes, the new secretary for BLIND and the NFB of Minnesota. She came to Minneapolis to be with her husband David (a graduate of BLIND), and applied for the position. She was excited to begin this work and completed her training in adjustment to blindness a short time ago. Her favorite class was braille.

To celebrate BLIND Incorporated's 20th anniversary there will be a grand party on October 25. See article previously in this issue for more information.

Shawn announced the revival of our classes for seniors. A class will be taught here in Minneapolis and everyone looks forward to additional classes. A new program at BLIND will teach classes to blind students who are not only learning braille but also are studying English. Sharon Monthei has been instrumental in helping to develop the curriculum for this class.

Shawn closed by telling us that we can now donate to BLIND over the internet.

Al Spooner asked for pledges to the Jacobus tenBroek Fund that supports our National Center for the Blind. It was moved, seconded, and passed that our state treasury match all individuals' pledges paid by December 1, 2008, meaning Minnesota will contribute at least $2,500 to the building fund.

We were reminded to make plans for the national convention in Dallas. Many Minnesotans are planning to participate in the Federation's March for Independence.

Jeff Thompson talked about the NFB's teen night. Teens come once a month and are mentored by adult Federationists. They have engaged in activities ranging from a trip to the Mall of America to running science experiments. Saturday School for younger children is also active. One grandmother talked about how her grandson became confident in riding escalators.

Joyce talked about our upcoming Possibilities Fair for Seniors. Approximately 75 people have registered and there are several exhibitors. Barbara Pierce will be the featured speaker.

Jennifer began a report of a busy year in the legislature with the news that we have successfully worked to remove the sunset provision that would have ended the funding of NFB-NEWSLINE®. Acknowledging the leadership of Senator James Metzen and Representative Tom Rukavina, the vote in both houses of the legislature was unanimous.

The Federation began efforts for legislation to require publishers of college textbooks to provide electronic copies to producers of books for the blind or to the blind college student. The publishers felt so threatened by this legislation that they sent a representative from New York to St. Paul to present a letter of opposition to the committee hearing our bill. Our efforts will continue.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has been one of the most empowering pieces of legislation to affect blind Americans. It enables us to have nonvisual access to the ballot when we cast our vote. However, there have been difficulties in how to provide this access when voting in townships in Minnesota for their special March elections. Steve Jacobson explained our efforts to work with the Secretary of State and the township officials to come to an agreeable solution. How can small townships be relieved of high expenses for only a few voters while protecting the rights of blind voters in larger townships? The current negotiated solution is that townships with less then 500 registered voters will be exempt from providing nonvisual access unless the cost of doing so is less than $150. This provision is in effect until 2016. Larger townships are required to provide access. The NFB is named in this legislation to be a part of a committee to review how access is provided.

Steve asked us to report any election in which we might participate that does not provide us access.

The convention’s attendees elected Jennifer Dunnam as delegate and Steve Jacobson as alternate delegate to our national convention.

Al Spooner brought reflections on becoming involved in the Federation. How do experienced members take in the ideas of new members? How do new members learn from the experience of "the oldies?” Wherever we are in learning our niche in the organized movement, we should know our history and respect new ideas.

Our chapter reports show that activities are exciting throughout the state. There are common themes, such as working on public transportation, fundraising, working with parents and children, and public relations.

The convention closed with miscellaneous announcements and with thanks from our president for all those who helped make this convention such a success!