[nfb-talk] NFB Connecticut Convention

[nfbtalk at localnet.com]

The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
35th Annual State Convention
November 3, 4 & 5, 2006
General Information


It's time to gather for the 35th Annual State Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind of Connecticut. Each year we meet to share ideas,
to inform, to instruct and to have fun with our fellow Federationists,
families and friends. We will have updates on technology, division
meetings, personal anecdotes, raffles, door prizes and much more. We kick
off the weekend on Friday evening with hors d'oeuvres and music presented
by DJ Rich McGaffin, a member of the Southern CT Chapter. On Saturday,
various vendors will be with us once again with an array of goods and
services. Registration deadline is October 26th.

Hotel Information
Courtyard by Marriott
780 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton CT 06484
203-929-1500
The Courtyard by Marriott is located at 780 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton.
The Marriott is located ½ mile from Exit 12, Route 8. Convention rates are
$72.00 plus tax per room per night. Reservations must be made by October
20th to receive the discounted room rates. Call the Marriott at
203-929-1500 to reserve your room.

National NFB Representative
Pam Allen
Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind
President, NFB of LA
Executive Director, Louisiana Center for the Blind


Convention Agenda


Friday November 3, 2006
Join us at 7:00 PM for a cash bar and hot hors d'oeuvres. Music will be
provided by DJ Rich McGaffin. At 8:00, meet Roy Markowitz and learn about
"Back Pain and Beyond". We will have the opportunity to purchase tickets
for our Basket Raffle. Come and see!

Saturday, November 4, 2006
Registration begins at 8:00 AM, followed by a continental breakfast . You
will have the opportunity to hear from our State President, Alfonse
DeLucia as well as our National Representative, Pam Allen; the Board of
Education and Services for the Blind's Executive Director, Brian Sigman;
and Carol Taylor, Director of the Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped. Verna O'Donnell will talk about tactile art for blind
children. Deputy Secretary of the State Lesley Mara will give us an update
on the latest voting technology.

Lunch will be served at 12 noon. Plan to make time to try the new IVS
phone voting system. Our Saturday afternoon schedule begins at 2:00 PM and
will be an exciting program. Al DeLucia will moderate a panel discussion
on the feasibility of having a rehab center for the blind in Connecticut,
one that would serve this section of the country. Participants will
include Pam Allen, Director or the Louisiana Center for the Blind; Al
Spooner, Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach at BLIND, Inc, in
Minnesota; Brian Sigman, Executive Director, BESB; and Patrick Johnson,
ACSW, President of CIB OakHill. Dr. Felicia Wilkins Turner, Research
Coordinator for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and Noreen Grice,
author of "Touch the Stars", will also be speakers on our afternoon
program. We hope to find times throughout the day to do some reminiscing
about the past 35 years. Following the close of the afternoon session, the
State Diabetes Action Network and the National Association of Guide Dog
Users Divisions will meet back to back. Lois Williams, National President
of the Diabetes Action Network, will be the guest speaker at the first
meeting. A spokesperson from the Seeing Eye Family will be attending the
Guide Dog Users meeting for a question and answer session.

Saturday evening begins at 7:00 PM with a wonderful banquet followed by
our keynote speaker Pam Allen. Scholarships will be awarded, door prizes
and raffles will be drawn, and a great time will be had by all!

Sunday, November 5, 2006
We will hold our annual board meeting. There will be a full election.
Please join us!