[nfbwatlk] FW: 2008 Convention Report

Tue May 27 17:00:28 CDT 2008

Thank you for sending this.  I enjoyed it.  It sounds like it was a roaring 
success.

Kaye
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Ellen" <gabias at telus.net>
To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:16 AM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] FW: 2008 Convention Report

>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
>
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