by Steve Jacobson

The title I have chosen for my column this month probably sounds familiar, since it is part of the title of one of our organization's large compilation of speeches and articles. The entire title is "Walking Alone and Marching Together." If you have never checked it out, it is well worth exploring. In my relatively new role, I am learning even more the importance of "marching together." However, this phrase has a specific meaning to me as a result of the events of this past summer. I am thinking, in particular, of our national convention.

This was the forty-ninth convention that I have been fortunate enough to attend. Every convention has a unique character, although I admit I might have a hard time describing the unique character of all forty-nine. Nevertheless, there was a great deal that was unique about our first "in-person" convention since 2019. Quite honestly, the positive feeling of coming together with so many of our members after three years was much stronger than I had expected.

Since COVID-19 dramatically forced itself on our lives in March 2020, we can be proud of the many ways our state and national organization met each challenge. Each of you have contributed toward keeping us moving forward and maintaining our connections with one another. Some of you never expected that you would learn about USB headphones, master aspects of Zoom and sometimes Microsoft Teams, and how to be a "host" or "co-host." You did it, though, so that you could attend chapter meetings, state conventions, and even national conventions virtually. We continued marching together even while we walked alone, separate from each other for the safety of all.

At the banquet this year, one of our Minnesota tables welcomed several people from other states. After President Riccobono's banquet address, a woman from another state exclaimed that she was not feeling well and needed help getting out of our very large and crowded banquet room. I said I could help her, and, after adjusting my mask, the two of us made our way to the door and then to the elevators with which she was familiar. She was very appreciative of the assistance, and once out of the room, she seemed to do better. It caused me to reflect, later on, that it is very different to guide and offer physical support for another member in person than any of the help I had been able to offer people when meeting virtually.

This small effort on my part caused me to reflect upon the ways many of the members of our affiliates helped one another at the convention. Each of us who chose to attend our convention in person knew that there was some chance that COVID-19 might find us. Nevertheless, when some of our members tested positive and had to isolate themselves, it had an effect on all of us. Some of our members helped others by making extra COVID tests available to members who might have been exposed.

Those of our members who remained in their rooms because of a positive COVID test had already purchased a banquet ticket, but of course, attending the banquet was not possible for them. Shortly before the banquet, the hotel agreed to provide banquet dinners to those who were isolated, but no staff was available to deliver the meals. After a good deal of planning, coordination, and with the assistance of several members, banquet dinners were delivered to all of our members who were isolating in their rooms, and we even delivered dinners to members of other affiliates as well. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Jennifer Dunnam for her help in coordinating, and Kaden Colton, Debbie Hobson, and Susan Leiker along with her kids for delivering meals during the banquet.

Although delivering banquet meals was an unusual aspect of this year's convention, others were contributing in several other ways. Some of our members and many of the students and staff from our training center, BLIND, Incorporated, gave out information and advertised some products for both the NFB of Minnesota and our training center at our table in the exhibit hall. Others volunteered to demonstrate products in our Independence Market to many Independence Market customers. Several members volunteered their time answering questions and resolving issues at the Information Desk. Many of us served as "ambassadors". Ambassadors helped direct people to and from the general sessions, found the correct elevators and escalators, and took whatever action were necessary to make the convention go smoothly.

I have no doubt that similar stories could be shared by each of our affiliates, even while resolutions were being considered, elections were held, door prizes were being won, and inspiring presentations were enjoyed. In other words, the convention business was conducted even as these stories unfolded. The resolutions that were passed and links to recordings of general sessions on our YouTube channel can be found at www.nfb.org/convention. Of course, convention highlights will also be featured in the August-September Braille Monitor as well.

Is the pandemic over? I wish we could say it was, but clearly it is not. We have learned a lot and a great deal of progress has been made. Nevertheless, we can't predict whether some new variant might cause us some trouble in the months to come. Still, I must confess to being surprised at how really good it felt to be working with people again. I had forgotten how much I learned through conversations that take place while traveling from one meeting to another, and randomly encountering an acquaintance I had not seen for a few years. There was simply a whole layer of connections and interactions that I had missed more than I realized.

So what does this all mean? Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still with us, and we will continue to monitor developments. Sometimes virtual meetings will still make a good deal of sense. We must also consider those of us who have compromised health situations as well. While we may be leaving the isolation that we have all felt for the past while, the road ahead brings with us challenges. Perhaps, though, we can look forward to marching together more closely than we have been able to do over the past two-and-a-half years. It is important that we meet in person to build close relationships. However, there is too much to do not to also include those who can't be a part of a large gathering, and we will try to do that as well. Whenever possible, please join us in person when the opportunity is there, so we can rebuild relationships and continue marching together.