The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota is an organization focused on consumer advocacy for blind people and promoting a positive philosophy of blindness.  We are also a family.  Here is a column that we print from time to time, containing items that would not normally be sent out on our membership listserv but which are noteworthy and of interest to members.  Did you or a Federationist you know get a new job?  Go on a major trip?  Win an award?  Have a child?  Something else important to you?  If you have news you would like shared in this column, send it to the Bulletin editor, Tom Scanlan, and he will pass it along.  Here’s the news since our last column:

Welcome to Ronan Miguel Dempsey who was born June 3.  We wish all the best to him and his brand new parents, Andi and Frandi.

We also hear that Kallie and Steve Decker are expecting a new little one sometime this fall. 

Bryce Samuelson recently got a job as an electronics consultant at Wal-Mart in Rochester.  Congratulations!

In late June Kathy McGillivray began her new job as director of Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS) Disability Services at Augsburg College.  She brings much experience and common sense to the position, and the students and staff will be fortunate to work with her.

During the May 8, 2014 annual Windom Neighborhood meeting at the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis, Pat and Trudy Barrett received a Windom Neighborhood Treasures Award.  Trudy was honored for her participation during the past three years on the Windom Community Garden Committee, the Welcome Wagon Committee, and staffing a table at the Annual Windom Reads event.  Trudy and other members of the Minnesota National Association to Promote the Use of Braille (NAPBUB) read and wrote Braille for several students, teachers, and parents at the Windom Spanish Immersion Elementary School.  Pat also has been a member of the Garden Committee, the Safety Committee, and the Communications Committee, which puts out the quarterly neighborhood newsletter.  Congratulations to the Barretts.

We welcome three long-time Federationists to Minnesota!  Brook Sexton, Amber Holladay, and Chase Holladay have come here to assist Target with accessibility issues.  We look forward to working with all of them.