[nfbwatlk] Convention Announcement II

[Mike Freeman]

Greetings, Federationists and friends.



The 2006 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington 
will take place at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, 100 Columbia Street, 
Vancouver, WA 98660. Convention dates are November 3-5, 2006. Convention 
rates are again quite reasonable -- $65.95 per night for singles and 
doubles; $75.95 per night for triples and quads with a $10 per night 
surcharged per room if a river view is requested. To this must be added 
10.1% tax. These rates are excellent for a hotel such as the Red Lion Hotel 
at the Quay which has a fine restaurant and lively lounge. Room reservations 
should be made by calling (360) 694-8341. To get the convention rate, you 
must mention that you are attending the convention of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington. It will be helpful if you make your 
reservations by October 23. Although there will probably be rooms available 
after that for last-minute convention-goers, our block of rooms cannot be 
guaranteed much beyond October 23.

All those whose rooms are being paid for by the NFB of Washington, i.e., 
members of the Board of Directors  of the NFB of Washington and those 
receiving affiliate assistance to attend the convention, do not need to make 
reservations;

I will make them for you. Those who wish to pay their own way should make 
their reservations with the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay ASAP. I ask that 
chapter presidents please remind their members who are paying their own way 
to make their reservations sooner rather than later. You have my permission 
to nag! (big grin)



Speaking of assistance, those with whom I have not spoken who need 
assistance to attend the convention should please call me at (360) 576-5965.



On Friday, November 3, 2006 at 9:30 a.m., there will be a tour of the 
Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB); transportation will be 
provided from the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay to WSSB and back. The tour will 
last until approximately 11:30 a.m. I contemplate holding a meeting of those 
interested in forming a student division (an affiliate of the national 
Association of Blind Students) for Washington state at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. 
There will be a hands-on demonstration of the Kurzweil NFB Reader at three o'clock; 
the Resolutions Committee (which I shall appoint shortly) will meet at four 
o'clock. There will be the usual no-host bar at six o'clock and the National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington Board of Directors meeting and dinner 
at seven o'clock. All are encouraged to attend. At around 8:15 p.m., we will 
hold our annual auction. Our Auction Chair, Ben Prows, will do his usual 
magnificent job calling the auction.

Saturday will be the usual convention fare with a few surprises; I'm making 
the usual last-minute changes to the agenda. Registration will begin at 8:00 
a.m. with the convention beginning promptly at nine. The morning session 
will run till noon; the afternoon session will run from 2:00-5:00 p.m. We 
will be on our own for lunch. (I suspect, however, that a fair number of 
people will visit Who Song and Larry's Mexican restaurant which is within 
walking distance.)

There will again be a no-host bar at 6:00 p.m. with banquet at 7:00 p.m. 
where we will share fellowship and song, listen to our national 
representative's banquet speech and award the two NFB of Washington 
scholarships.



Sunday morning session begins at nine o'clock and we should end by noon. 
During this session, we will conduct affiliate business such as elections, 
chapter reports, passing of resolutions and other assorted convention 
business.



Our national representative is Scott LaBarre, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Colorado. I believe it's his first time as our 
national rep and it ought to be a fun and enlightening experience. Moreover, 
Dan and Renee Frye, lately of our affiliate and now in Baltimore, will also 
be with us. It will be great to see them again.



Convention costs (other than room costs) are as follows: if received before 
October 30, convention registration is $10.00 per person; it is $15.00 per 
person thereafter and at the door. Dinner on Friday evening and Saturday 
evening costs $30 each per adult; there is no cost for meals for children 
under 12 if accompanied by parents who have registered for the convention. A 
vegetarian entree is available upon request for both meals and diabetics may 
request a dessert that doesn't pack a sugar wallop.



Thus, an adult who registers before October 30 and wants both meals should 
pay $70; he or she will be charged $75 thereafter. Payments may be sent to:

National Federation of the Blind of Washington

P.O. Box 2516

Seattle, WA 98111



Friday's dinner is stuffed Turkey Breast with Apple Cranberry Chutney

Served with sage and almond dressing. The banquet is char Grilled Top 
Sirloin Steak

Lightly marinated and seasoned, topped with mushrooms and crispy onions.



So let's get those reservations in. I look forward to a wonderful 
convention.

I'll crank out a registration flyer with a registration form by Monday but 
there is no need to use a form to register. Just send payment with 
annotation as to whose registration the payment will cover. See y'all in 
Vancouver November 3!


Mike Freeman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Washington