[nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Debra Baxley
debrabaxley at bellsouth.net
Wed Jul 11 07:17:20 CDT 2007
Really! One hasn't lived until one has been thrown down the stairs, or one
has fallen backward on a moving escalator, and one's hair has been pulled
out by the moving escalator parts! This happened to me as a child under
Miss Jo-anne Fernandez's children's "Pilot Program." At the National
Convention.
Debra
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Debra Baxley
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 6:30 AM
To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Was I supposed to get money and tickets that I knew nothing about? Is this
only for rookies?
Debra
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 6:05 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Debra if you don't want the money or the tickets hand them over, I will take
them off of your hands.
cheryl and maxx
----- Original Message -----
From: Debra Baxley<mailto:debrabaxley at bellsouth.net>
To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 2:35 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Do we have to have a door prize after every little subtopic in General
Session?
Debra
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>
[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 12:29 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Mike:
At the risk of being accused of being a heretic, I'll bite.
(1) We could eliminate the rollcall of states; all that info could be
computerized and submitted before the convention. Some of the pageantry
of the convention and the demonstration of our diversity would be lost,
however.
(2) We could eliminate the bucket-passing for the White Cane and
tenBroek funds on Friday morning. Again, all this could be handled by
computer ahead of time. As with (1), however, we would thereby eliminate
some pageantry and, perhaps, some of the subtle impetus to personally
contribute to these funds.
(3) We could hold Saturday's seminars concurrent with Sunday's
activities, thus eliminating one day.
I emphasize that I do not necessarily favor any of these suggestions; in
fact, I wish the exhibit hall were open on Saturday (Seminar Day) so
that I could get a better look at it as I'm running most of the rest of
the convention. Moreover, I am realistic enough to admit that many
Federationists including, most probably, our leadership, wouldn't go for
(1) or (2). But you asked for ideas. Be careful what you wish for: you
might get it! <g>
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Hingson
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
As we discuss shortening the convention I wonder what we are willing
to
cut. This is one of the points Dr. Maurer made last Friday as we all
pondered the issue.
I agree the entire issue should be discussed earlier in the
convention.
However, I think we all should give thought as to what we would cut or
how we could shorten the convention without cutting anything.
It is a measure of how large and active we have become that we are
having this discussion at all. What a great thing!
Now, rather than just adding in our preferences how about some
constructive ideas as to how we might bringing a shorter convention
about. For my part, I see no way to cut any activity. So, now what?
I plan to give this more thought and would appreciate any comments
others may have.
Michael Hingson,
For information on Michael's speaking topics and speaking availability
please visit
<http://www.michaelhingson.com<http://www.michaelhingson.com/>
For information on Guide Dogs for the Blind please visit
<http://www.guidedogs.com<http://www.guidedogs.com/>
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>
[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Sherri
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:29 PM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
I was disappointed that they waited until the end of the convention
when
many had gone home to bring up the idea. I am also for shortening the
convention. It is prohibitively expensive for me and many others I am
sure, especially when you have to bring children along.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Jacobson"
<steve.jacobson at visi.com<mailto:steve.jacobson at visi.com>>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List"
<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>>
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
Brian,
My note along with some of its associated frustrations was not in
response to yours alone. While any implication that you or others
were
arguing out of ignorance was not intended, the arguments expressed
hear
generally have not taken into account the entire problem. My attempt
was to raise some of the other issues not raised.
In case it makes any difference with respect to my credibility, I
believe we should look at restructuring our convention to shorten it
and
voted that way. I also think that the fact that the vote was evenly
split on Friday afternoon, after many who could not stay until then
had
left, tells me there is a pretty strong feeling that shortening the
convention should be considered. We probably should have taken a
voice
vote on Wednesday or something. However, I also see that having a
more
complicated question to try to determine what sort of rate increase is
acceptable is very difficult to do and still draw meaningful
conclusions.
Still, it probably
should be done as part of our planning, and I think writing to the
national office with ideas or approaches is a good idea. I really
enjoyed our convention in Philadelphia, but it is my understanding
that
we would not have gotten that location had it not been for the
inability
to honor arrangements in Detroit that year.
Again, my intent was not to accuse anyone of being ignorant, and
perhaps
simplistic was an unwise choice of words, but it seemed that many
opinions were being expressed without acknowledging the difficulties.
Best regards,
Steve Jacobson
On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:03:12 -0400, Brian Miller wrote:
>Hi Steve,
>I thought several of us here had made our preferences clear. I don't
>think most of us are being naive about what it takes to put on a
>convention, or the myriad logistical issues involved, or the complex
>variables that need to be considered. I've been to countless state
>conventions, and eleven national conventions with the NFB, and
>countless conferences and conventions outside the NFB, so I don't
think
>I'm arguing here out of ignorance.
>I was there the last time the question was put to the convention
about
>whether or not people prefered cheaper rates -- I voted against this
>rather simplistic choice for cheapness above all else. Maybe we need
>to frame the question differently -- such as, "Would you be willing
to
>pay $10-20 more a night if it meant broadening our choices of venues?
>This might have illicited a different response -- or maybe not, but I
>think it would have been a more informative vote.
>I'm also one of those who thinks we ought to try and shortened the
>convention week -- even if only by one day -- to afford us more
>opportunities for venues, and, in some cases, to save a little money
>and time.
>Why not experiment and see what happens? It took quite a while for
us
>to finally get around to pre-registering -- now everybody seems to
love
it.
>This is a small example, obviously, but I think we always need to be
>thinking creatively, because this is the strength of our
organization,
>and will help keep us viable for decades to come.
>Brian M
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steve Jacobson"
<steve.jacobson at visi.com<mailto:steve.jacobson at visi.com>>
>To: "NFB Talk Mailing List"
<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>>
>Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:03 PM
>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions and Convention Locations
>> I don't have any inside information on this, and the experience I
had
>> with
>having the convention here in Minnesota is twenty-five years old, but
I
see
>a lot of simplistic
>> assumptions in some of these messages. I am all for moving our
>> convention
>around and think that would be good for affilliate development and
probably
>would
>> increase attendance. It is difficult for me to believe, though,
that
>those goals are not considered in general, already.
>>
>> First, someone stated earlier that hotels don't have the right to
tell us
>to shorten our convention if we pay their rates. Well, this is
simply
not
>true. Hotel rates are
>> something that is negotiated. If our convention is longer than a
hotel
>wants, they simply don't offer us anything. They have no obligation
to
>take
>any particular
>> convention at a given time. There are no rights involved at all.
>Therefore, the discussion of the length of a convention is very much
>relevant, and the length of our
>> convention may well reduce our options.
>>
>> I don't remember when this occurred, but I recall some time back
that
>there was a friday afternoon voice vote on which was more important,
rates
>or new cities.
>> Maybe we need to do this again, but what I recall was that the vote
was
>overwhelmingly in favor of going with low rates. I also believe, but
could
>be wrong about
>> this, that there was a preference for a single main hotel, as well.
>People were not real happy with the arrangement in Charlotte, for
example,
>as convenient as it was,
>> where there were several hotels and a convention center close
together.
>Again, maybe thinking has changed, but some of this discussion may
have
>preceeded
>> people here.
>>
>> Given these discussions and the unclear vote about shortening
>> conventions,
>our options are somewhat limited. We have a couple of Marriott
hotels
here
>in the
>> Twin Cities of Minnesota, but to my knowledge, none can even come
close
>> to
>holding our convention. The size of the hotel is one factor, but so
is
a
>room that can
>> hold a general session or handle our banquet. Another issue is the
cost
>of getting to certain cities. Picking a city that tends not to have
low
>airfares can be a big
>> negative. If one flies to a convention with a family of four as we
do,
>> an
>increase in fare of $150 is about equal to doubling our hotel rate.
>>
>> I don't say all of this to discourage discussion, but this
discussion
>seems to be based on the assumption that there are hundreds of ideal
sites
>for our convention just
>> waiting to be asked, and that we are simply staying within our
comfort
>zone as an organization disregarding all of these sites. I just
don't
>believe that is the case from
>> what I have heard and seen, and I truly question what would happen
to
>attendance if our rates should jump up $30 per night even in more
ideal
>locations.
>> Examining how we might restructure our conventions to increase
options is
>certainly something we should do, and I thought that it was a
positive
sign
>that this was
>> done this year. Again, this is only a feeling of mine, but from
what
I
>heard, my guess is that we'll have to discuss this again, especially
if
>location options decrease.
>> People need, therefore, to make it known as to what they feel is
>important. However, we also need to understand the requirements of
our
>convention as well, and
>> try to frame our preferences within those requirements.
>>
>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:35:21 -0400, Brian Miller wrote:
>>
>> >I don't think it is necessarily true that we won't get good deals
in
>other
>> >cities -- especially given our close relationship with Marriott.
We
>would
>> >likely not get as good a deal as in the deep south in summer, but
we
>could
>> >get something we can work with.
>>
>> >I think there are several things to consider:
>>
>> >* For many NFBers this is there only vacation all year, and is a
big
>outlay
>> >of time and money, even at the cheaper prices;
>> >* Holding a convention in a state potentially strengthens that
affiliate
>and
>> >gives the affiliate a chance to shine, to grow, and to attract
attention
>> >from the local and state news;
>> >* Attendance has clearly flattened over the past decade -- perhaps
a
>> >coincidence, but nonetheless worth considering; and,
>> >* I think we've become complacent -- when the conventions moved
around,
>each
>> >year was memorable, exciting, different, and showed how the blind
can
>take
>> >on any city and make it ours. Now we only take on a few cities
because
>it
>> >is where we get cheap rates. I think this is selling ourselves
short.
>>
>> >Just some thoughts.
>>
>> >Brian M
>> >----- Original Message -----
>> >From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com<mailto:k7uij at panix.com>>
>> >To: "NFB Talk Mailing List"
<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>>
>> >Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:27 AM
>> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>>
>>
>> >> Priscilla:
>> >>
>> >> You'd have to pay quite a bit more to have a national convention
in
>> >> Portland or Seattle, let alone San Diego. The NFB of Washington
hasn't
>> >> had a convention in Seattle proper since 1987.
>> >>
>> >> Like someone else, I don't go to convention to bop around the
city; I
>go
>> >> to get my vote in and influence policies and learn new things.
>> >>
>> >> Mike
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: Priscilla McKinley
>> >> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> >> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 9:12 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> It's pretty funny...but quite sad...that I'm looking forward
to
a
>> >> convention
>> >> in Detroit, Michigan!. However, compared to years and years
in
>> >> southern
>> >> locations, Detroit will be rather refreshing. Still, I'd be
willing
>> >> to pay
>> >> more to go to San Diego, San Francisco, Anaheim, Portland,
Seattle,
>> >> Denver,
>> >> or any number of places that would be new. After all, what
happened
>> >> to the
>> >> idea of travelling outside of our comfort zones? Atlanta,
>Louisville,
>> >> and
>> >> Dallas have become comfort zones for me, very very hot comfort
>> >> zones.
>> >>
>> >> Priscilla
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Michael D. Barber"
<m.barber at mchsi.com<mailto:m.barber at mchsi.com>>
>> >> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'"
<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>>
>> >> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 9:37 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > The convention is in Dallas next year, Detroit in 2009 and
back in
>> >> Dallas
>> >> > for 2010.
>> >> >
>> >> > -----Original Message-----
>> >> > From:
nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>
>> >> [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> >> > Behalf Of T. Joseph Carter
>> >> > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 7:53 PM
>> >> > To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> >> > Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Resolutions
>> >> >
>> >> > Actually, it's planned to be in the same two cities for
something
>> >> like the
>> >> > next several years.
>> >> >
>> >> > On Mon, Jul 09, 2007 at 09:52:15AM -0600, dmgina wrote:
>> >> >> Well now,
>> >> >> If we are paying the prices the hotel is asking for, then
they
>have
>> >> no
>> >> >> rite to ask us to make the convention shorter.
>> >> >> This is planned in a year in advance what is the problem
here.
>> >> >> Don't care for this at all.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --Dar
>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> > nfb-talk mailing list
>> >> > nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> >> >
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>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >
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>>
>>
>>
>>----------------------------------------------------------------------
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>-
>> >----
>>
>>
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>>
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