[nfbwatlk] FW: 2008 Convention Report

[Mary Ellen]

I thought our Federation family in Washington would enjoy reading this. I
certainly was thrilled to be a part of it.
 
Mary Ellen
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-list at cfb.ca [mailto:owner-list at cfb.ca] On Behalf Of elizabeth
lalonde
Sent: May 25, 2008 3:44 PM
To: list at cfb.ca
Subject: 2008 Convention Report



The Blind Leading The Blind

Convention 2008

President's Report

Dear Federationists:

Those of you who attended the Canadian Federation of the Blind convention
this year felt the Federation fever.  The Federation spirit filled the
conference room, followed us through the halls of the hotel and onto the
streets of Victoria, and set fire to our hearts.  

Members moved with confidence, spoke with eloquence and provided one another
with a strong network of support, encouragement and hope.  

Several new people joined us this year and many long-time members returned
to celebrate and share in the family of the Canadian Federation of the
Blind.

We were honoured to welcome our guest speaker, Carla McQuillan and her
husband Lucas, to our convention this year.  Carla is past president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and past NFB board member.

Carla and Lucas infused the convention with their positive energy, and
devoted themselves to helping to make the convention a success.

The convention started with an informative and positive workshop for parents
of blind children and other interested attendees, facilitated by Carla
McQuillan.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss issues related to parenting and
education of blind children in an informal and relaxed environment.  Carla
discussed her experience teaching Montessori, and the importance of allowing
our children, blind and sighted, to explore their world and learn by doing.

Another new activity on our convention agenda this year was the adaptive
technology and blindness resource exhibit.  Many Federationists and other
guests joined us at this event to try out some of the latest adaptive
equipment, such as the Olympus digital recorder and the Kurzweil National
Federation of the Blind reader. 

We also released  the third volume of the Blind Canadian, the CFB
publication and provided other CFB and NFB literature.

Many people tried out a Federation cane for the first time;  they moved
energetically holding their long white canes with confidence.

That afternoon, a number of us enjoyed the sunshine on the cane walk.  As
always, the CFB white cane walk provided a fun and lively chance to practice
travel skills, get some exercise and enjoy one another's company.

In the evening, members relaxed and socialized at the welcome reception.
And then took part in the first annual rowdy and raucous Canadian Federation
of the Blind auction.  This auction was a rousing success.  We raised $800.



 

The following day began with a one-hundred-dollar door prize as members
settled into the conference room for a day of exciting and inspiring
speakers.  Following is a snapshot of the days topics. Some of these
speeches will be available soon in audio on our website
<http://www.cfb.ca/> www.cfb.ca

"The Blind Leading The Blind," introductory speech, by Elizabeth Lalonde,
CFB President.

"Self-Advocacy:  Making One's Way in the World with Confidence and a

Positive Approach" by Mary Ellen Gabias, CFB Vice-President

Presentation by Guest Speaker, Carla McQuillan and her husband Lucas,

National Federation of the Blind Representatives

"Overcoming the Struggles and Enjoying the Successes of Becoming Empowered"

by Shane Baker, CFB Member

"Finding the Microphone:  Moving Freely as a Blind Person" by Elizabeth

Lalonde

"Out of the Closet - With My White Cane" by Doris Belusic, CFB Secretary

"Imagining the Blind:  Work Place Attitudes and Perceptions" by Dr. Fikru

Gebrekidan, Associate Professor of History at St. Thomas University in

Fredericton, New Brunswick

"The Psychological Aspects of Advocacy:  Discussion of A University of
British Columbia Course Based on the Renowned NFB Publication, "Walking
Alone and Marching Together" by Dr. Paul Gabias, Professor UBC Okanagan and
longtime Federation leader and CFB treasurer

"The Blind Leading The Sighted" by Frederick Driver, Long-time CFB

supporting member

"Update on the National Federation of the Blind" by Carla McQuillan 

We were honoured to welcome David Cubberley, MLA, New Democratic Party, to
our convention.  David shared lunch with us and delivered greetings.

"Disability and the Political Perspective" by Dr Abebe Teklu, who received

his PhD in 2007 at the University of Victoria, Department of Curriculum and

Instruction

"The Road to Excellence in Sport is Bumpy" by Shawn Marsolais, Para-Olympic

athlete, and advocate for blind children and their families

A fun and interactive skit about a job interview.  CFB actors demonstrated
their acting talents in this lively and humorous improv performance.

  

"Overview of Triumph Vocational Services" by Michelle Underdown, Vocational

Coach, Triumph Vocational Services, Victoria BC.

"Canadian Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP):  Planning for an
Improved

Quality of Life" by Oriano Belusic, Past CFB President

"The Importance of Braille in My Life" by Erin Lacharity, Undergraduate

Student at the University of Victoria and CFB Member

Presentation by David Boyce from Penetanguishene, Ontario

"The Unheard Problem of Quiet Cars" by Mary Ellen Gabias

(This included a sing-along of the Hybrid Car Song, written by Mary Ellen)

The conference ended with a beautiful and moving performance from Augie
Thomas - Esquimalt Youth Singers and Dancers, (Coast Salish,

local First Nations, traditional dancing).

Later that evening, the banquet provided a perfect windup to an excellent
convention.  Dinner, song and Carla's inspiring banquet address, "Sincere
Ignorance and Conscientious Stupidity," completed this successful event. 

I want to thank all of the CFB members for their participation in the
convention.  Many of you travelled a long way to be there.

  

I particularly want to thank the executive for their hard work and
perseverance during the exciting, yet stressful pre-convention time and for
the incredible job they did throughout the event.

I thank:

Doris Belusic for her diligence and perseverance in putting out the third
volume of our publication "The Blind Canadian."  And for her handling of so
many of the details involved in planning such an important event.  Most of
all I thank Doris for her warmth and kindness.

Oriano belusic for his organization of the technology exhibit, and for his
on-going support and mentorship.

Mary Ellen Gabias, for her kindness, wisdom and patience, and for her
ability to know the right thing to do and the right time to do it.

Paul Gabias for his handling of all the financial affairs, and for his
excellent job as MC and auctioneer.  Paul is a man of many talents.  I thank
him for his belief in me and for his belief in the Federation.

Larry Scharschmidt for recording the convention and for helping to organize
the technology exhibit, and for His quiet diligence and support. 

Frederick Driver - though Rick is sighted and is not on the executive, he is
an executive member in spirit.  Rick, I thank you for your tremendous
research and speech-writing ability, for respecting us, for treating us as
equals and for being one of us. 

I also want to thank Shane Baker for organizing the great banquet mugs and
our first CFB t-shirts.  

And a Special Thank You to Our Sponsors who helped make the Convention a
success; these included:

National Federation of the Blind, United States of America

Victoria Imperial Lions Club, Victoria BC

First Nations Training & Consulting Services, Victoria BC

Traveller's Inn, City Centre, Douglas Street, Victoria BC

Team Sales, Victoria BC

CFUV, University of Victoria Radio

Also, thank you to the businesses and individuals who donated door prizes
and auction items, including:

Country Grocer, Victoria BC

Serious Coffee, Esquimalt

Executive House Hotel, Victoria BC

Helga Beer, Yoga Practitioner

COSMETIQUE a La Carte Skin Care Center, Victoria BC

Rogers Chocolates

Personal Communications Systems Inc, Victoria BC

And many more...

Elizabeth Lalonde, President

Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB)

www.cfb.ca

1800-619-8789

250-598-7154

president at cfb.ca

PO Box 8007

V8W 3R7

Victoria BC, Canada