[nfbwatlk] Fw: First Timers Guide to National Convention
Mike Freeman
k7uij at panix.com
Tue Jun 12 22:47:03 CDT 2007
----- Original Message -----
From: REPCODDS at aol.com
To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 12:57 PM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] First Timers Guide to National Convention
>From Dwight Please Enjoy!
FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND NATIONAL
CONVENTION
This guide is intended to give the first-time convention attendee some
important information about national conventions of the National
Federation of the
Blind (NFB). It is available on cassette, in Braille, in large print,
and on
our Web site at www.nfb.org. Detailed information about specific
conventions
may be found in the Braille Monitor, the Voice of the Nation's Blind,
on our
NFB Web site, or in specific convention agendas. First-time attendees
should
also plan to attend the Rookie Round-up, usually held on day one of the
convention, also referred to as set-up day. This gathering is
specifically for
first-time attendees such as yourself.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
"I am extremely pleased to welcome you to your very first national
convention
of the National Federation of the Blind. This information will help you
better understand the unique role the national convention plays in the
life of
our Federation.
Your presence at convention is important! By your presence, you are a
part of
the largest gathering of blind people held anywhere in the world. The
Federation needs your ideas and your voice, and you need the strength
and knowledge
that comes from common association and collective action. I hope you
come to
feel the power and unity of purpose this convention brings to those
blind
persons who choose to attend."
SOME BRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
The NFB was established in 1940. Representatives from seven states
gathered
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for the founding convention. Those seven
states
were: California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and
Wisconsin.
The founder and first President of the NFB was Dr. Jacobus tenBroek. Dr.
tenBroek had been mentored in his youth and taught about the importance
of
self-organization of the blind by Dr. Newel Perry of the California
School for the
Blind. In the early part of the twentieth century, Dr. Perry himself had
organized the alumni of the California School for the Blind in order
to-- as he
put it-- "escape defeatism and to achieve normal membership in society."
Dr. tenBroek spent most of his working life in Berkeley teaching at the
University of California. In his youth, however, he taught for a short
time at
the University of Chicago School of Law, and he was teaching there at
the time
he founded the NFB.
Today, the NFB has 52 state affiliates: one in each of the fifty states,
plus
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE PHRASE "FEDERATION PHILOSOPHY"?
You will hear people discussing what they call "Federation Philosophy."
What
they are referring to is the Federation's positive belief system about
blindness. The Federation came to know the simple truth many years ago
that blind
people are simply normal people who cannot see--we are not defective
sighted
people. Blind people are as different as sighted people are; that is, we
are
a cross-section of the broader society and, therefore, are not all alike
as
some assume. Given proper training and opportunity, the average blind
person
can compete in all facets of society on an equal basis with the average
sighted
person. Blindness is a physical characteristic, and the limitations
resulting from this normal characteristic can be overcome using
alternative
techniques to do without sight what an individual would do with sight
if he or she had
it. It is respectable to be blind, and, given proper training,
blindness may
be reduced to the level of a nuisance or inconvenience.
The real problem of blindness is not the loss of vision itself, but is
wrapped up in all of the public misunderstandings, misconceptions, and
superstitions about it. Because of these incorrect attitudes with their
resulting
stereotypes, the blind have organized for the same reasons other
minorities
have--to make positive social change through collective action.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION?
The national convention is held once each year in a location chosen by
the
President based upon successful negotiations for needed space. At this
convention, national officers and board members are elected by the
general
membership, decisions concerning the organization are made, and policies
are set for
the following year or years.
To quote briefly from the NFB Constitution (last revised in 1986):
"The Convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. It is the
legislature of the Federation. As such, it has final authority with
respect to all
issues of policy. Its decisions shall be made after opportunity has been
afforded for full and fair discussion. Delegates and members in
attendance may
participate in all convention discussions as a matter of right. Any
member of
the Federation may make or second motions, propose nominations, and
serve on
committees; and is eligible for election to office except that only
blind
members may be elected to the National Board."
The national convention also has some very practical benefits for
attendees.
Parents and teachers of blind children can observe and meet successful
role
models; expectations can be raised; friendships can be made and
renewed; the
latest adaptive technology for the blind may be observed; tours of
interesting places may be taken; and hope for the future may be
kindled. The convention
is, in a sense, a large family gathering, and has been described by one
obs
erver as being analogous to an annual meeting of the Scottish clans.
HOW BIG IS THE CONVENTION?
NFB national conventions have experienced enormous growth through the
years.
There were sixteen representatives from the seven founding states at the
1940
meeting. Just two years later--at a 1942 Des Moines, Iowa, meeting--150
representatives from fifteen state affiliates were on hand. The
convention first
recorded more than 1,000 attendees in 1971 in Houston, Texas. Attendance
went
over the 2,000 mark for the first time in 1988 in Chicago. By the
convention
held in New Orleans in 1997, registration topped more than 3,000 for
the
first time. Currently, between 3,000 and 3,500 attendees will be
present.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT A NATIONAL CONVENTION?
THE SCHEDULE
NFB national conventions are seven-day events. Day one is set-up day,
parents' seminar, a national orientation and mobility conference,
technology
seminars, and other special meetings and events. On day two,
registration begins in
the morning, and the Resolutions Committee meets in the afternoon. There
are
also other special meetings which are noted in the Agenda. On day three,
the
national board of directors meets in the morning (the meeting is open to
all)
and various committees, groups, and divisions meet in the afternoon and
evening. Day four brings the opening of the formal convention, with the
roll call
of states in the morning, and the Presidential Report and other program
items in the afternoon. There are also committee and divisional
meetings on the
evening of day four. On day five, the formal convention meets in the
morning
only, and the afternoon is reserved for tours. There are also other
afternoon
and evening committee and divisional meetings. Day six has three formal
sessions: morning, afternoon, and the annual banquet in the evening.
Day seven is
reserved for internal Federation activities and adjourns promptly at
5:00 PM.
If you hear someone say that "the convention is following the regular
schedule this year," they mean that the convention begins on Saturday
and ends on
Friday afternoon at 5:00.
THE PRESIDENTIAL REPORT
One of the major presentations each year is a report to the entire
convention
on the Federation's activities and progress during the previous year.
All
attendees are urged to be present for this major event which is held on
day
four.
TOUR DAY
For many convention attendees, this may be a rare opportunity to do some
sightseeing away from their homes. Therefore, for many years the
afternoon of
day five has been reserved for tours in the convention city. Information
about
tours is available in the Braille Monitor or from the host affiliate.
COMMITTEES, GROUPS, AND DIVISIONS
In addition to the four days of general convention sessions, many
smaller
groups affiliated with the NFB hold their annual meetings at the time of
the
National Convention. These are groups such as blind students, blind
lawyers,
parents and teachers of blind children, blind secretaries, blind
businessmen and
women, blind teachers, blind guide-dog users, blind computer users and
blind
rehabilitation professionals. These meetings are open to all, and the
first-time convention attendee should look at the Agenda to select
those which
might be of interest to him or her. Attendees are encouraged to attend
more than
one division meeting if they have interest in more than one area. Some
of
these committees or divisions collect dues, and some do not.
REGISTRATION
Registration starts on day two. All attendees are requested to register,
and
the outstanding hotel group rates are not available to those who do not.
In
addition, to be eligible for door prizes you must be registered. An
official
badge is issued to each registrant and should be worn throughout
convention
week. Banquet tickets for the banquet held on the sixth night of
convention
week are available for purchase when you register. Banquet tickets
should be
purchased as early in the convention as possible and are not available
for
purchase after the beginning of the morning session on day five.
The convention agenda is available at registration and is also available
at a
number of other locations at the convention site. The agenda is also
available on the NFB Web site at www.nfb.org as soon as it is final.
The agenda
gives general information about the convention, hotel rates, and other
hotel
information, and it shows the times and locations of the various
meetings and
general sessions.
THE BANQUET TICKET EXCHANGE
All convention attendees are encouraged to attend the annual banquet on
the
sixth night of convention week. When the convention and banquets were
smaller,
attendees simply went to the banquet hall, waited in line to enter, and
found a seat once inside. Now, because more than 2,000 people will be
present, a
system for reserved seating has been developed. Purchase your banquet
ticket
at the time of registration, and your state president (or designee)
will
collect individual tickets and turn them in for assigned group seating,
usually
with others from that state affiliate.
STATE DELEGATIONS IN THE GENERAL SESSIONS
During the four days of general convention sessions, the meeting hall
will be
set up with flags indicating the location of each of the state
affiliates.
The number of seats per delegation is based upon the registration
figures.
Generally, attendees sit in their own delegations. In this way, people
can be
located easily if they are needed, and official voting delegates have
the
membership at hand if they wish to poll the delegation on voting issues,
or if
they wish to determine the consensus of their affiliate's
representatives.
GENERAL SESSIONS
The general sessions consist of program items, reports, panel
discussions,
elections, and official votes on policy issues. General convention
sessions
customarily are chaired by the Federation President. Floor microphones
are
available for comments and questions from the audience when time is
available.
OFFICIAL VOTING
Often, on votes for elections, motions, or for the adoption of
resolutions,
the President will call for voice votes. In such cases, it is usually
clear
that a vast majority has voted one way or another. However, if the
outcome of a
particular vote is not absolutely clear, then the President will ask
for a
roll call vote. In such cases, only official delegates of the state
affiliates
may vote.
In order to be as democratic as it can be in its decision-making, the
Federation has decided that each state affiliate will have one vote. At
the opening
general session, each affiliate names its official voting delegate--and
an
alternate or alternates in the event that the official delegate is
absent at
the time of a given vote. Then, when a roll call vote is taken, only the
official voting delegates may cast votes. Therefore, a maximum of 52
official
votes may be cast. The secretary keeps the official tally and announces
votes
once decisions have been made.
Some have asked why the Federation does not follow the "one man, one
vote"
rule. The concern with this method is that a very few large state
affiliates
could control the outcome on every issue. Therefore, the Federation has
opted
to have the kind of representation allowed in the United States
Constitution
for the U.S. Senate, wherein each state has equal representation.
ELECTIONS
The Federation has a national board consisting of President, First
Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve
additional
board members, each of whom serve for terms of two years. The five
constitutional officers and six of the twelve board members are elected
during national
conventions in even-numbered years, and the remaining six board members
are
elected at conventions during odd-numbered years.
At the roll call of states held on the morning of the first general
session,
each affiliate designates its appointee to the Nominating Committee. The
President then designates one of these nominees to be Chairperson of the
Nominating Committee. This committee then holds a private meeting to
come up with
its slate of candidates. This meeting is closed to the general
membership so
that free and frank discussions may be held. Note: This is the only
closed
Federation meeting at the national convention.
The actual elections are then held during a designated general session.
The
candidate offered for each position by the Nominating Committee is first
placed in nomination. The chairperson then calls for other nominations
from the
floor. In order to be completely open and democratic, the Federation
has a
long-standing policy of calling for other nominations three times before
a
motion to close nominations will be accepted by the chairperson. In this
way, it
can never be alleged that a quick vote has been pushed through without
time for
other nominations.
It is also long-standing policy that an individual will not stand for
election unless he or she has agreed to run. This policy avoids the
problem of
electing unwilling candidates.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Federation has an outstanding college scholarship program; it awards
thirty national scholarships at each national convention, ranging in
value from
$3,000 to $12,000. Applications close on March 31 of each year.
As many as 500 to 700 individuals apply each year. Each April, the
Scholarship Committee meets in Baltimore, evaluates the applicants, and
offers
scholarships to the top thirty candidates. These thirty scholars are
then brought to
the national convention, all expenses paid. They spend each day with
designated mentors.
When the students arrive, they know that they are one of the select
thirty.
It is not decided until a meeting of the Scholarship Committee a night
or two
before the banquet who will receive which of the scholarships. The
students,
of course, are all winners; the only question is who will receive which
one.
The winner of the top scholarship is offered the opportunity to speak
briefly
at the banquet.
Previous winners may also apply again for the opportunity to become
tenBroek
Fellows.
THE BANQUET
The annual banquet is the highlight of each convention. It is held on
night
six of the convention week.
The banquet features national organizational recognitions, the
scholarship
winners, and a major address by the national President. These banquets
are
recorded, and copies of these recordings are distributed free of charge.
Dating back to the 1970s, each banquet attendee receives a special
commemorative mug. The mug usually has something to do with the city in
which the
meeting is being held. Additional mugs may be purchased later for a
nominal fee
so that attendees have full sets.
(The banquet ticket exchange to allow for reserved seating has been
discussed
above.)
EXHIBITS
There is a major exhibit area at each national convention. This gives
convention goers the opportunity to examine all of the latest adaptive
technology,
to talk with officials from such agencies as the National Library
Service for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped or the American Printing House for
the
Blind, to purchase items from exhibitors, or to select items available
from
the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore.
Exhibits generally are open throughout the entire week, but they are not
open
during any of the general convention sessions. The Federation's goal is
to
have all convention attendees in general sessions.
As with other areas of the convention, the growth in the number of
exhibitors
through the years has been gratifying. In Atlanta in 2004, the number
of
exhibitors topped one hundred.
DOOR PRIZES
Significant door prizes are drawn throughout general convention sessions
and
at the banquet. To be eligible to win, an attendee must be registered
and
present at the meeting where the prize is drawn. Each morning session
begins on
time with a drawing for a $100 bill. This practice encourages attendees
to be
present and on time. Similar drawings occur periodically throughout
general
sessions and at the banquet. The grand prize drawn at the banquet is
much
larger than the others.
CONVENTION FUNDRAISING
Six different types of fundraising will be discussed during the
convention.
These are:
1. The White Cane Fund: A time will be set aside during the Convention
when
buckets will be passed through the audience to receive cash donations
for the
White Cane Fund. Affiliates will also make gifts or pledges to this
fund.
These dollars go directly to the general treasury of the Federation.
2. The Jacobus tenBroek Fund: Donations will also be made to this fund
for
the maintenance and upkeep of the National Center for the Blind
property. This
property houses the operations of the National Federation of the Blind,
and
other entities.
3. The Elegant Elephant Sale: Items are donated and then sold at a booth
in
the exhibit hall. The proceeds from this sale go into the tenBroek Fund
to
finance the National Center for the Blind.
4. The PAC Plan: Before the early 1970s, Federationists were encouraged
to
make monthly contributions to support the programs and activities of the
Federation. However, this funding source was not reliable. When the
concept of
having funds withdrawn directly from a checking account became popular
in the
business world, a Federationist named E.U. Parker of Mississippi
suggested that
the Federation establish a Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) Plan. In this way,
monthly donations could be made on the day of the month and in the
amount the
Federationist elected to give. It was believed that the PAC Plan would
insure a
consistent flow of monthly income from Federation supporters, and the
Plan
worked.
To sign up for the PAC Plan, the donor must have a checking account,
complete
a PAC Plan card, sign and turn over a voided check, and begin with a
monthly
donation of at least $5.00. Supporters of the Federation contribute
between
$300,000 and $400,000 each year through this giving opportunity.
5. SUN Shares: Supporters of the Federation are also able to make either
monthly or annual donations for SUN Shares (Shares Unlimited in NFB).
These
funds are being set aside in the event that they are needed to support
the
Federation during difficult times.
6. The Imagination Fund: In January of 2004, the Federation held the
grand
opening for its new training and research center in Baltimore. On the
day of
the grand opening, the NFB board named the new facility the National
Federation
of the Blind Jernigan Institute, named after our second president, Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan. The Institute is now operating programs and services
with the
goal of continual expansion for years to come.
The Imagination Fund, an annual fundraising effort, has been established
to
support the work of the Jernigan Institute and affiliate activities
throughout
the country. Members and friends of the organization are being asked to
participate in this annual campaign by making contributions, soliciting
gifts
from friends and colleagues, and by providing names and addresses of
individuals
who may be receptive to Imagination Fund mailings. One half of the
funds
which are raised will be used to operate the Institute, one fourth will
be
divided equally among state affiliates, and the remaining one fourth
will be set
aside to fund specific local chapter or state affiliate projects.
RESOLUTIONS
NFB resolutions are the official policy statements of the organization,
and
between twenty and thirty such policy statements are considered each
year.
Anyone may offer a resolution. The customary method is to submit a
proposed
resolution to the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee at least two
weeks
before the convention. The Resolutions Committee--appointed by the
President--holds a public meeting on the afternoon of day two of the
convention. The
resolutions, which have been submitted to the committee chairperson, are
then
considered one at a time.
After full discussion, the committee votes either to pass or not pass.
If the
committee passes a particular resolution, then it comes before the full
convention in general session for final action on the last (seventh) day
of the
convention. This means that there may be six days in which to debate
contentious issues and to try to politic for favorable votes before
final convention
action is taken.
If a resolution does not pass out of the committee, then this does not
mean
that it is completely dead. In line with democratic principles, the
presenter
of the resolution has the option of trying to have the resolution
considered
by the full convention. If he or she is able to get five state
affiliates to
request that the resolution be heard, then it will be considered by the
entire convention on the final meeting day.
Although it is somewhat rare, a resolution may also be brought to the
full
convention through the national board of directors. A majority of the
directors
would have to support the resolution in order to bring it to the floor
in
this manner.
GUIDE DOG RELIEF AREA
In order to accommodate blind guide-dog users at the national
convention,
arrangements are made each year to construct a special facility where
the dogs
may be taken to relieve themselves. This special area is refreshed
several
times each day.
Representatives of the Guide Dog Committee are available to show
first-time
convention goers where to take their animals and to assist in learning
individual clean-up practices. Dog users are expected to use these
special
facilities rather than to permit their animals to relieve themselves in
the streets
or on other hotel property.
SERVICES FOR SPANISH SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS OR THE DEAF-BLIND
The entire convention is translated by volunteers for attendees who
speak
Spanish. Small receivers are available to provide the audio
transmission.
Small receivers are also available for the hearing impaired to receive
direct
transmissions from the public address system. For those who may be
totally
deaf and use the Teletouch machine for interpreting, volunteers are
available
to translate the convention.
WHO ATTENDS THE CONVENTION?
Attendees may be long-time convention goers, the newly blinded, parents
and
teachers of blind children, blindness professionals who are interested
in
becoming more knowledgeable about blindness, adaptive-technology
providers, and
family members of people who are blind. Most attendees are from the
United
States, although each year there are foreign visitors from as many as
twenty
other countries.
A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
For many, attendance at that very first convention has become a
life-changing
experience. Many learn for the very first time that it is respectable
to be
blind; that carrying a cane is useful and is nothing to be ashamed of;
that
Braille is a valuable tool after all; and that much progress is being
made in
adaptive technology. Attendees also learn that they are not alone, that
there
are others who are facing the same problems they are, and that an
active and
normal life is possible. Some learn for the first time that there are
orientation and adjustment centers where blind people can be sent by
their
rehabilitation counselors to learn the skills of blindness and the
positive
attitudes which lead to personal empowerment.
THE PRESIDENT'S WRAP-UP
"I hope this information has been helpful to you and that it has given
you a
sense of the significant role the national convention plays in the life
of
the National Federation of the Blind. I also hope your interest has
been piqued
and that you will continue to be an active member of our movement via
your
local chapter and state affiliate. Let this convention experience mark
the
first of many others in your life. We need your voice and your talents.
Working
together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of blind
people
everywhere. We can change what it means to be blind."
____________________________________
Email: _webmaster at nfb.org _ (mailto:webmaster at nfb.org)
Posted: May 16, 2005
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-------------- next part --------------
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:REPCODDS at aol.com REPCODDS at aol.com
To:
mailto:nfbf-l at nfbnet.org nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Sent:
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 12:57 PM
Subject:
[Nfbf-l] First Timers Guide to National Convention
>From Dwight Please Enjoy!
FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND NATIONAL
CONVENTION
This guide is intended to give the first-time convention attendee some
important information about national conventions of the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB). It is available on cassette, in Braille, in large print, and on
our Web site at http://www.nfb.org www.nfb.org
. Detailed information about specific conventions
may be found in the Braille Monitor, the Voice of the Nation's Blind, on our
NFB Web site, or in specific convention agendas. First-time attendees should
also plan to attend the Rookie Round-up, usually held on day one of the
convention, also referred to as set-up day. This gathering is specifically for
first-time attendees such as yourself.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
"I am extremely pleased to welcome you to your very first national convention
of the National Federation of the Blind. This information will help you
better understand the unique role the national convention plays in the life of
our Federation.
Your presence at convention is important! By your presence, you are a part of
the largest gathering of blind people held anywhere in the world. The
Federation needs your ideas and your voice, and you need the strength and knowledge
that comes from common association and collective action. I hope you come to
feel the power and unity of purpose this convention brings to those blind
persons who choose to attend."
SOME BRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
The NFB was established in 1940. Representatives from seven states gathered
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for the founding convention. Those seven states
were: California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin.
The founder and first President of the NFB was Dr. Jacobus tenBroek. Dr.
tenBroek had been mentored in his youth and taught about the importance of
self-organization of the blind by Dr. Newel Perry of the California School for the
Blind. In the early part of the twentieth century, Dr. Perry himself had
organized the alumni of the California School for the Blind in order to-- as he
put it-- "escape defeatism and to achieve normal membership in society."
Dr. tenBroek spent most of his working life in Berkeley teaching at the
University of California. In his youth, however, he taught for a short time at
the University of Chicago School of Law, and he was teaching there at the time
he founded the NFB.
Today, the NFB has 52 state affiliates: one in each of the fifty states, plus
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE PHRASE "FEDERATION PHILOSOPHY"?
You will hear people discussing what they call "Federation Philosophy." What
they are referring to is the Federation's positive belief system about
blindness. The Federation came to know the simple truth many years ago that blind
people are simply normal people who cannot see--we are not defective sighted
people. Blind people are as different as sighted people are; that is, we are
a cross-section of the broader society and, therefore, are not all alike as
some assume. Given proper training and opportunity, the average blind person
can compete in all facets of society on an equal basis with the average sighted
person. Blindness is a physical characteristic, and the limitations
resulting from this normal characteristic can be overcome using alternative
techniques to do without sight what an individual would do with sight if he or she had
it. It is respectable to be blind, and, given proper training, blindness may
be reduced to the level of a nuisance or inconvenience.
The real problem of blindness is not the loss of vision itself, but is
wrapped up in all of the public misunderstandings, misconceptions, and
superstitions about it. Because of these incorrect attitudes with their resulting
stereotypes, the blind have organized for the same reasons other minorities
have--to make positive social change through collective action.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION?
The national convention is held once each year in a location chosen by the
President based upon successful negotiations for needed space. At this
convention, national officers and board members are elected by the general
membership, decisions concerning the organization are made, and policies are set for
the following year or years.
To quote briefly from the NFB Constitution (last revised in 1986):
"The Convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. It is the
legislature of the Federation. As such, it has final authority with respect to all
issues of policy. Its decisions shall be made after opportunity has been
afforded for full and fair discussion. Delegates and members in attendance may
participate in all convention discussions as a matter of right. Any member of
the Federation may make or second motions, propose nominations, and serve on
committees; and is eligible for election to office except that only blind
members may be elected to the National Board."
The national convention also has some very practical benefits for attendees.
Parents and teachers of blind children can observe and meet successful role
models; expectations can be raised; friendships can be made and renewed; the
latest adaptive technology for the blind may be observed; tours of
interesting places may be taken; and hope for the future may be kindled. The convention
is, in a sense, a large family gathering, and has been described by one obs
erver as being analogous to an annual meeting of the Scottish clans.
HOW BIG IS THE CONVENTION?
NFB national conventions have experienced enormous growth through the years.
There were sixteen representatives from the seven founding states at the 1940
meeting. Just two years later--at a 1942 Des Moines, Iowa, meeting--150
representatives from fifteen state affiliates were on hand. The convention first
recorded more than 1,000 attendees in 1971 in Houston, Texas. Attendance went
over the 2,000 mark for the first time in 1988 in Chicago. By the convention
held in New Orleans in 1997, registration topped more than 3,000 for the
first time. Currently, between 3,000 and 3,500 attendees will be present.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT A NATIONAL CONVENTION?
THE SCHEDULE
NFB national conventions are seven-day events. Day one is set-up day,
parents' seminar, a national orientation and mobility conference, technology
seminars, and other special meetings and events. On day two, registration begins in
the morning, and the Resolutions Committee meets in the afternoon. There are
also other special meetings which are noted in the Agenda. On day three, the
national board of directors meets in the morning (the meeting is open to all)
and various committees, groups, and divisions meet in the afternoon and
evening. Day four brings the opening of the formal convention, with the roll call
of states in the morning, and the Presidential Report and other program
items in the afternoon. There are also committee and divisional meetings on the
evening of day four. On day five, the formal convention meets in the morning
only, and the afternoon is reserved for tours. There are also other afternoon
and evening committee and divisional meetings. Day six has three formal
sessions: morning, afternoon, and the annual banquet in the evening. Day seven is
reserved for internal Federation activities and adjourns promptly at 5:00 PM.
If you hear someone say that "the convention is following the regular
schedule this year," they mean that the convention begins on Saturday and ends on
Friday afternoon at 5:00.
THE PRESIDENTIAL REPORT
One of the major presentations each year is a report to the entire convention
on the Federation's activities and progress during the previous year. All
attendees are urged to be present for this major event which is held on day
four.
TOUR DAY
For many convention attendees, this may be a rare opportunity to do some
sightseeing away from their homes. Therefore, for many years the afternoon of
day five has been reserved for tours in the convention city. Information about
tours is available in the Braille Monitor or from the host affiliate.
COMMITTEES, GROUPS, AND DIVISIONS
In addition to the four days of general convention sessions, many smaller
groups affiliated with the NFB hold their annual meetings at the time of the
National Convention. These are groups such as blind students, blind lawyers,
parents and teachers of blind children, blind secretaries, blind businessmen and
women, blind teachers, blind guide-dog users, blind computer users and blind
rehabilitation professionals. These meetings are open to all, and the
first-time convention attendee should look at the Agenda to select those which
might be of interest to him or her. Attendees are encouraged to attend more than
one division meeting if they have interest in more than one area. Some of
these committees or divisions collect dues, and some do not.
REGISTRATION
Registration starts on day two. All attendees are requested to register, and
the outstanding hotel group rates are not available to those who do not. In
addition, to be eligible for door prizes you must be registered. An official
badge is issued to each registrant and should be worn throughout convention
week. Banquet tickets for the banquet held on the sixth night of convention
week are available for purchase when you register. Banquet tickets should be
purchased as early in the convention as possible and are not available for
purchase after the beginning of the morning session on day five.
The convention agenda is available at registration and is also available at a
number of other locations at the convention site. The agenda is also
available on the NFB Web site at http://www.nfb.org www.nfb.org
as soon as it is final. The agenda
gives general information about the convention, hotel rates, and other hotel
information, and it shows the times and locations of the various meetings and
general sessions.
THE BANQUET TICKET EXCHANGE
All convention attendees are encouraged to attend the annual banquet on the
sixth night of convention week. When the convention and banquets were smaller,
attendees simply went to the banquet hall, waited in line to enter, and
found a seat once inside. Now, because more than 2,000 people will be present, a
system for reserved seating has been developed. Purchase your banquet ticket
at the time of registration, and your state president (or designee) will
collect individual tickets and turn them in for assigned group seating, usually
with others from that state affiliate.
STATE DELEGATIONS IN THE GENERAL SESSIONS
During the four days of general convention sessions, the meeting hall will be
set up with flags indicating the location of each of the state affiliates.
The number of seats per delegation is based upon the registration figures.
Generally, attendees sit in their own delegations. In this way, people can be
located easily if they are needed, and official voting delegates have the
membership at hand if they wish to poll the delegation on voting issues, or if
they wish to determine the consensus of their affiliate's representatives.
GENERAL SESSIONS
The general sessions consist of program items, reports, panel discussions,
elections, and official votes on policy issues. General convention sessions
customarily are chaired by the Federation President. Floor microphones are
available for comments and questions from the audience when time is available.
OFFICIAL VOTING
Often, on votes for elections, motions, or for the adoption of resolutions,
the President will call for voice votes. In such cases, it is usually clear
that a vast majority has voted one way or another. However, if the outcome of a
particular vote is not absolutely clear, then the President will ask for a
roll call vote. In such cases, only official delegates of the state affiliates
may vote.
In order to be as democratic as it can be in its decision-making, the
Federation has decided that each state affiliate will have one vote. At the opening
general session, each affiliate names its official voting delegate--and an
alternate or alternates in the event that the official delegate is absent at
the time of a given vote. Then, when a roll call vote is taken, only the
official voting delegates may cast votes. Therefore, a maximum of 52 official
votes may be cast. The secretary keeps the official tally and announces votes
once decisions have been made.
Some have asked why the Federation does not follow the "one man, one vote"
rule. The concern with this method is that a very few large state affiliates
could control the outcome on every issue. Therefore, the Federation has opted
to have the kind of representation allowed in the United States Constitution
for the U.S. Senate, wherein each state has equal representation.
ELECTIONS
The Federation has a national board consisting of President, First
Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve additional
board members, each of whom serve for terms of two years. The five
constitutional officers and six of the twelve board members are elected during national
conventions in even-numbered years, and the remaining six board members are
elected at conventions during odd-numbered years.
At the roll call of states held on the morning of the first general session,
each affiliate designates its appointee to the Nominating Committee. The
President then designates one of these nominees to be Chairperson of the
Nominating Committee. This committee then holds a private meeting to come up with
its slate of candidates. This meeting is closed to the general membership so
that free and frank discussions may be held. Note: This is the only closed
Federation meeting at the national convention.
The actual elections are then held during a designated general session. The
candidate offered for each position by the Nominating Committee is first
placed in nomination. The chairperson then calls for other nominations from the
floor. In order to be completely open and democratic, the Federation has a
long-standing policy of calling for other nominations three times before a
motion to close nominations will be accepted by the chairperson. In this way, it
can never be alleged that a quick vote has been pushed through without time for
other nominations.
It is also long-standing policy that an individual will not stand for
election unless he or she has agreed to run. This policy avoids the problem of
electing unwilling candidates.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Federation has an outstanding college scholarship program; it awards
thirty national scholarships at each national convention, ranging in value from
$3,000 to $12,000. Applications close on March 31 of each year.
As many as 500 to 700 individuals apply each year. Each April, the
Scholarship Committee meets in Baltimore, evaluates the applicants, and offers
scholarships to the top thirty candidates. These thirty scholars are then brought to
the national convention, all expenses paid. They spend each day with
designated mentors.
When the students arrive, they know that they are one of the select thirty.
It is not decided until a meeting of the Scholarship Committee a night or two
before the banquet who will receive which of the scholarships. The students,
of course, are all winners; the only question is who will receive which one.
The winner of the top scholarship is offered the opportunity to speak briefly
at the banquet.
Previous winners may also apply again for the opportunity to become tenBroek
Fellows.
THE BANQUET
The annual banquet is the highlight of each convention. It is held on night
six of the convention week.
The banquet features national organizational recognitions, the scholarship
winners, and a major address by the national President. These banquets are
recorded, and copies of these recordings are distributed free of charge.
Dating back to the 1970s, each banquet attendee receives a special
commemorative mug. The mug usually has something to do with the city in which the
meeting is being held. Additional mugs may be purchased later for a nominal fee
so that attendees have full sets.
(The banquet ticket exchange to allow for reserved seating has been discussed
above.)
EXHIBITS
There is a major exhibit area at each national convention. This gives
convention goers the opportunity to examine all of the latest adaptive technology,
to talk with officials from such agencies as the National Library Service for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped or the American Printing House for the
Blind, to purchase items from exhibitors, or to select items available from
the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore.
Exhibits generally are open throughout the entire week, but they are not open
during any of the general convention sessions. The Federation's goal is to
have all convention attendees in general sessions.
As with other areas of the convention, the growth in the number of exhibitors
through the years has been gratifying. In Atlanta in 2004, the number of
exhibitors topped one hundred.
DOOR PRIZES
Significant door prizes are drawn throughout general convention sessions and
at the banquet. To be eligible to win, an attendee must be registered and
present at the meeting where the prize is drawn. Each morning session begins on
time with a drawing for a $100 bill. This practice encourages attendees to be
present and on time. Similar drawings occur periodically throughout general
sessions and at the banquet. The grand prize drawn at the banquet is much
larger than the others.
CONVENTION FUNDRAISING
Six different types of fundraising will be discussed during the convention.
These are:
1. The White Cane Fund: A time will be set aside during the Convention when
buckets will be passed through the audience to receive cash donations for the
White Cane Fund. Affiliates will also make gifts or pledges to this fund.
These dollars go directly to the general treasury of the Federation.
2. The Jacobus tenBroek Fund: Donations will also be made to this fund for
the maintenance and upkeep of the National Center for the Blind property. This
property houses the operations of the National Federation of the Blind, and
other entities.
3. The Elegant Elephant Sale: Items are donated and then sold at a booth in
the exhibit hall. The proceeds from this sale go into the tenBroek Fund to
finance the National Center for the Blind.
4. The PAC Plan: Before the early 1970s, Federationists were encouraged to
make monthly contributions to support the programs and activities of the
Federation. However, this funding source was not reliable. When the concept of
having funds withdrawn directly from a checking account became popular in the
business world, a Federationist named E.U. Parker of Mississippi suggested that
the Federation establish a Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) Plan. In this way,
monthly donations could be made on the day of the month and in the amount the
Federationist elected to give. It was believed that the PAC Plan would insure a
consistent flow of monthly income from Federation supporters, and the Plan
worked.
To sign up for the PAC Plan, the donor must have a checking account, complete
a PAC Plan card, sign and turn over a voided check, and begin with a monthly
donation of at least $5.00. Supporters of the Federation contribute between
$300,000 and $400,000 each year through this giving opportunity.
5. SUN Shares: Supporters of the Federation are also able to make either
monthly or annual donations for SUN Shares (Shares Unlimited in NFB). These
funds are being set aside in the event that they are needed to support the
Federation during difficult times.
6. The Imagination Fund: In January of 2004, the Federation held the grand
opening for its new training and research center in Baltimore. On the day of
the grand opening, the NFB board named the new facility the National Federation
of the Blind Jernigan Institute, named after our second president, Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan. The Institute is now operating programs and services with the
goal of continual expansion for years to come.
The Imagination Fund, an annual fundraising effort, has been established to
support the work of the Jernigan Institute and affiliate activities throughout
the country. Members and friends of the organization are being asked to
participate in this annual campaign by making contributions, soliciting gifts
from friends and colleagues, and by providing names and addresses of individuals
who may be receptive to Imagination Fund mailings. One half of the funds
which are raised will be used to operate the Institute, one fourth will be
divided equally among state affiliates, and the remaining one fourth will be set
aside to fund specific local chapter or state affiliate projects.
RESOLUTIONS
NFB resolutions are the official policy statements of the organization, and
between twenty and thirty such policy statements are considered each year.
Anyone may offer a resolution. The customary method is to submit a proposed
resolution to the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee at least two weeks
before the convention. The Resolutions Committee--appointed by the
President--holds a public meeting on the afternoon of day two of the convention. The
resolutions, which have been submitted to the committee chairperson, are then
considered one at a time.
After full discussion, the committee votes either to pass or not pass. If the
committee passes a particular resolution, then it comes before the full
convention in general session for final action on the last (seventh) day of the
convention. This means that there may be six days in which to debate
contentious issues and to try to politic for favorable votes before final convention
action is taken.
If a resolution does not pass out of the committee, then this does not mean
that it is completely dead. In line with democratic principles, the presenter
of the resolution has the option of trying to have the resolution considered
by the full convention. If he or she is able to get five state affiliates to
request that the resolution be heard, then it will be considered by the
entire convention on the final meeting day.
Although it is somewhat rare, a resolution may also be brought to the full
convention through the national board of directors. A majority of the directors
would have to support the resolution in order to bring it to the floor in
this manner.
GUIDE DOG RELIEF AREA
In order to accommodate blind guide-dog users at the national convention,
arrangements are made each year to construct a special facility where the dogs
may be taken to relieve themselves. This special area is refreshed several
times each day.
Representatives of the Guide Dog Committee are available to show first-time
convention goers where to take their animals and to assist in learning
individual clean-up practices. Dog users are expected to use these special
facilities rather than to permit their animals to relieve themselves in the streets
or on other hotel property.
SERVICES FOR SPANISH SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS OR THE DEAF-BLIND
The entire convention is translated by volunteers for attendees who speak
Spanish. Small receivers are available to provide the audio transmission.
Small receivers are also available for the hearing impaired to receive direct
transmissions from the public address system. For those who may be totally
deaf and use the Teletouch machine for interpreting, volunteers are available
to translate the convention.
WHO ATTENDS THE CONVENTION?
Attendees may be long-time convention goers, the newly blinded, parents and
teachers of blind children, blindness professionals who are interested in
becoming more knowledgeable about blindness, adaptive-technology providers, and
family members of people who are blind. Most attendees are from the United
States, although each year there are foreign visitors from as many as twenty
other countries.
A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
For many, attendance at that very first convention has become a life-changing
experience. Many learn for the very first time that it is respectable to be
blind; that carrying a cane is useful and is nothing to be ashamed of; that
Braille is a valuable tool after all; and that much progress is being made in
adaptive technology. Attendees also learn that they are not alone, that there
are others who are facing the same problems they are, and that an active and
normal life is possible. Some learn for the first time that there are
orientation and adjustment centers where blind people can be sent by their
rehabilitation counselors to learn the skills of blindness and the positive
attitudes which lead to personal empowerment.
THE PRESIDENT'S WRAP-UP
"I hope this information has been helpful to you and that it has given you a
sense of the significant role the national convention plays in the life of
the National Federation of the Blind. I also hope your interest has been piqued
and that you will continue to be an active member of our movement via your
local chapter and state affiliate. Let this convention experience mark the
first of many others in your life. We need your voice and your talents. Working
together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of blind people
everywhere. We can change what it means to be blind."
____________________________________
Email: mailto:_webmaster at nfb.org _webmaster at nfb.org
_ ( mailto:webmaster at nfb.org mailto:webmaster at nfb.org
)
Posted: May 16, 2005
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