[nfbwatlk] NFB of California Convention

David Andrews dandrews at visi.com
Sun Oct 17 15:21:39 UTC 2010



National Federation of the Blind of California

Annual Convention Agenda

October 21-24, 2010

Crowne Plaza, Irvine, CA


“Six Dots Can Illuminate the World”
A Campaign for Braille Education

Mission Statement: The goal of the National 
Federation of the Blind is the complete 
integration of the blind into society on a basis 
of equality.  This objective includes the removal 
of legal, economic, and social discrimination and 
the education of the public to new, and more 
accurate, concepts concerning blindness.  It 
means the right of the blind to work along with 
their sighted peers in the professions, skilled 
trades, and regular occupations.

Mary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
39481 Gallaudet Dr.  Apt # 127
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 248-0100
Toll Free: (877) 558-6524
Web Site - www.sixdots.org

Convention Information

Registration (Mezzanine Level ) Fee - $15.00.
Co-chairpersons: Tiffany Manosh and Ever Lee Hairston.

Convention Attendees

All those attending their first NFB of California 
convention are invited to stop at the literature 
table in the registration area Friday afternoon 
to pick up a first-timer's ribbon and to have 
their names entered for a special door prize drawing.

Door Prizes

Door prizes should be labeled in Braille and 
print on a 3 x 5 card stating the value, the 
donor or chapter.  Turn in door prizes to either 
Robert Stigile or Jana Littrell.

Banquet – Catalina I, II, and III - $35
Diabetes Action Network Luncheon – Avalon III - $25
Chapter Interaction Breakfast – Avalon Ballroom - $15
“Blind, Sealed, and Delivered, I’m Yours” A play 
presented by the Diamond Club -
Catalina III - $10
Kids Camp - San Clemente - $10

There will be a few meal tickets available at the 
Registration Table for those who did not purchase 
one in advance. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.


Hotel Information


The Crowne Plaza front door faces Von Karman 
Avenue.  When you walk in the front door, the 
gift shop is on the right.  The front desk is on 
the left.  From the front door, walk straight, 
about twenty feet to find the elevators.  From 
the front door, walk forward approximately five 
feet and make a right, enter the hallway that 
leads to the Paradise Restaurant.  Go straight 
ahead for approximately 30 feet, and on the left 
will be the restrooms, and on the right side just 
before the restaurant, will be a doorway to the 
Parking lot.  Dog guide users, exit this door for 
the relief area­the grassy area is on the 
right.  The receptacle will be at the end of the 
grassy area before entering the parking lot.  To 
use the stairs to get to the mezzanine level, 
turn into the restaurant hallway for about 
fifteen feet and the stairs are on the 
right.  Once at the top of the stairs, convention 
registration is on the right.  Walk straight 
ahead to the meeting rooms.  Catalina III comes 
first where the board of directors will 
meet.  Next, Catalina II is the exhibit 
room.  From the elevator alcove, turn left to the 
registration area, then left again to the meeting 
rooms.  Avalon and San Clemente rooms are to the 
right when you exit the elevator alcove.





Exhibits

The Exhibit Hall (Catalina II) will be open 
Friday October 22, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 
P.M.  Please stop by. Visit with the vendors and 
see their products which are designed to assist 
blind people to be independent.  There will be a 
table in the Exhibit Hall where you can purchase 
Whozit Polo Shirts and Socks.  Free NFB 
Literature will also be available at the table.

Drawing Tickets

Drawing tickets will be available for purchase 
throughout the convention. The drawings that will 
be held at the banquet are: Parents of Blind 
Children - ($5.00 apiece or 3 for $10.00) for a 
gourmet food basket, tactile quilt with Braille 
dots on it, and a spa basket; Netbook - ($5.00 apiece or 3 for $10.00).


Thursday October 21, 2010

4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. – NFB of California 
convention registration – Mezzanine Level

6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. – Board of Directors 
Meeting – Open to the public - Catalina III

7:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. - WII Nintendo Game Tournament. Come join the
           fun.  Catalina III   Federationists 
will attempt to outscore each other
           in virtual games such as bowling, golf, and other sports.


Friday, October 22, 2010

8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – Registration – Mezzanine Level

9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. – Exhibits – Catalina II

9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. – Resolutions Committee, 
Chairperson, Jim Willows – Catalina III

10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – Chapter on Aging, President, Patricia Munson
           Avalon II and Avalon III

10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – California Association of Guide Dog Users, (CAGDU)
           President, Shannon Dillon – Avalon I

1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. – Education Committee, 
Chairperson, Karen Steele – Avalon I

1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. – Legislation Committee, Co-chairpersons, Angela Fowler
           and Shannon Dillon – Catalina III

2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. – Registration – Mezzanine Level

2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. – Library Committee, 
Chairperson, Joy Stigile – Avalon II and III

2:30 P.M. – California Association of Blind 
Students (CABS) Registration – Catalina III

3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. – CABS Business Seminar and Business Meeting,
           President, Angela Fowler – Catalina III

4:45 P.M. – 9:15 P.M. – NFB Kids Camp (Child Care) – San Clemente

5:00 P.M. – California Parents of Blind Children 
– Registration – Avalon II and III

5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. – Parents of Blind Children Meet and Greet,
           President, Kathleen Church – Avalon II and III

5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. – California Orientation 
Center for the Blind Alumni Association Inc., a 
statewide chapter of the NFB of California.
President, David Chan – Avalon I

7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. – Diamond Club presents “Blind, Sealed, and
           Delivered, I’m Yours”, an original play written and directed by
           Rochelle Houston.  A young blind woman, recently divorced,
           looking for love again – Catalina III

8:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. – California Parents of Blind Children Business Meeting
           President, Kathleen Church – Avalon II and III



Saturday, October 23, 2010

8:00 A.M. – 8:45 A.M. – Registration – Mezzanine Level

8:30 A.M. – 12:15 P.M. and 1:45 P.M. – 5:15 P.M. and 6:15 P.M. – 9:15 P.M.
           Kids Camp – San Clemente

9:00 A.M. – General Session call to order, 
President, Mary Willows, Catalina II and III
9:05 A.M. – Invocation – Rochelle Houston, President – The Pathfinder Chapter
           Pledge of Allegiance – Pam Chase, 
President, North Riverside County Chapter
9:10 A.M. – National Anthem – Nancy Angwin, member,  Central Valley Chapter
           NFB Pledge – Angela Fowler, President, 
California Association of Blind Students.
NFB PLEDGE:
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts 
of the National Federation of the Blind; to 
achieve equality, opportunity and security for 
the blind; to support the policies and programs 
of the Federation and to abide by its constitution.

9:15 A.M. – Welcoming Comments – Mayor Sukhee Kang, Mayor, Irvine, California
9:20 A.M. – National Report – Dr. Fredric Schroeder, First Vice President,
National Federation of the Blind


9:45 A.M. – “The Education of Blind Children in 
America, a National Perspective”,
Stuart Wittenstein, Ed.D., President, Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB).
10:10 A.M. – Pre-Authorize Check (PAC) Plan Report – Geraldine Croom,
           Co-Chairperson, PAC Plan Committee
10:15 A.M. – Youth Panel “The Fifth Generation 
Benefits from NFB Youth Programs”, Moderator: 
Ever Lee Hairston, Second Vice President, NFB of California.
Panelists: Henry (Hoby) Wedler, Instructor, 
Junior Science Academy, 2010; Serena Olsen, 
California Youth Slam Coordinator; Kia Vaca, 
Counselor/Instructor, Summer Training and 
Employment Program (STEP) Louisiana Center for the Blind.
10:55 A.M. – Questions from the Audience
11:00 A.M. – Turning the Page on Library Services, Henry C. Chang, Ph.D.,
           Director of Library Services, Braille 
Institute, Library Services, Recipient
           National Medal for Museum and Library Services.
11:20 A.M. – Challenging America to learn Braille 
– Leslie E. Stocker, President
           Braille Institute of America.
11:40 A.M. – Having Fun at Junior Blind – Jay 
Allen, Executive Vice President and Chief 
Operating Officer, Junior Blind, Los Angeles.
12:00 P.M. – Adjourn

12:15 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. – Registration, Mezzanine Level
12:15 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. – Diabetes Action Network Lunch and Business Meeting,
           President, Joy Stigile – Avalon II and III

2:00 P.M. – Call to Order – Catalina II and III
2:05 P.M. – Presidential Report; President, Mary Willows, NFB of California
2:30 P.M. – Washington Seminar 2011, Tiffany Manosh, Coordinator,
           Washington Seminar, Member Board of Directors, NFB of California.
2:40 P.M. – Educating our Blind Children in California with a Full Continuum
Of Program Options, – Linda Wyatt, Ed.D, 
Consultant, Special Education Division, California Department of Education.
3:00 P.M. – California Department of 
Rehabilitation Panel  – “Beyond SB 105, Where Do 
We Go From Here?”.  Panel Moderator, Bryan 
Bashin, Member Blind Advisory 
Committee.  Panelists: Joe Zavier, Deputy 
Director, Specialized Services Division; 
Catharine Bailes, District Administrator, Blind 
Field Services; Deb Meyer, Program Manager, 
Business Enterprise Program and all Supervising 
Staff from the Blind Field Services 
Division.  This topic will be presented in a 
respectful and yet questioning forum. Clients are 
invited to submit questions in advance so the 
Supervisors can address the needs of clients.
3:55 P.M. – Reports and Resolutions
4:00 P.M. – Living in the Working World 
Panel.  Moderator: Robert Stigile, First Vice 
President, NFB of California.  Panelists: Bryan 
Quintana, Middle School Teacher, San Jose, 
California; Adam Shaible, National Orientation 
and Mobility Certification (NOMC) World Access 
for the Blind, Long Beach, California; Jason 
Holloway, Collections Representative, Internal 
Revenue Service, Oakland, California; Melissa Haney, Rehabilitation Counselor.
5:00 P.M. – Adjourn





BANQUET EVENT and SCHOLARSHIPS

6:30 P.M. – No host bar – Mezzanine Level 
Foyer.  Visit with old friends and make some new 
ones while you wait for the Catalina Ballroom to be opened for the banquet.

BANQUET

7:00 P.M. - Mistress of Ceremonies – Ms. Ever Lee 
Hairston, Second Vice-President, NFB of 
California and recently elected member of the National Board of Directors.
Invocation – Kia Vaca.
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Fredric Schroeder, First 
Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind.
Presentation of Charters – President, Mary Willows
Presentation of Scholarships.- Chairperson, Karen Steele
Auction.

After the banquet party.  The California 
Association of Blind Students will host a Karaoke 
party until 10:30 P.M.  All are invited to join the fun.



Sunday, October 24, 2010

7:30 A.M. – Chapter Interaction breakfast – 
Robert Stigile, First Vice-President, National 
Federation of the Blind of California – Avalon Ballroom
9:00 A.M. – Call to Order – President, Mary Willows – Catalina II and III
9:05 A.M. – Invocation – Geraldine Croom, Member 
Board of Directors, NFB of California, President, Guiding Lights Chapter.
9:10 A.M. – “The Future is Ours” – Michael 
Hingson, President, The Michael Hingson
           Group Inc., “Speaking With Vision”.
9:30 A.M. – “Why the NFB?” – meet  Rick Watson, 
Nancy Angwin and Veshon Khan and
           hear their stories about how they 
found the NFB of California.
9:45 A.M. – “Braille Literacy Through Tactile 
Maps”  Lisamaria Martinez, Director,
           Community Affairs, San Francisco, Lighthouse for the Blind.
10:00 A.M. – Resolutions – Chairperson, Jim Willows
10:15 A.M. – Elections – This year the five 
Officer positions are up for election.
           They are: President, Mary Willows; 
First Vice President, Robert Stigile;
           Second Vice President, Ever Lee Hairston; Secretary, Shannon Dillon;
           Treasurer, Gail Paulson; and three 
members of the Board of Directors.
           Lisamaria Martinez, Tiffany Manosh, and Melissa Haney.
10:35 A.M. – “The Blind Driver Challenge – On to 
Daytona” – Ever Lee Hairston, Member Board of 
Directors, National Federation of the Blind.
10:50 A.M. – Newsline for the Blind – Jason 
Holloway, California Newsline Coordinator,
           Member Board of Directors NFB of California.
11:05 A.M. – Financial Report
11:30 A.M. – Adjourn




Thank you to all of the people who helped make this convention a success.
A special thanks to our sponsors: the Michael Hingson Group Inc.

2010 Committee Chairpersons
Convention Coordinator:  Robert Stigile
Registration:  Tiffany Manosh and Ever Lee Hairston
Scholarship Committee:  Karen Steele
Exhibits:  Joy Stigile
Race for Independence:  Tina Thomas
Fundraising:  Gail Paulson
Library:  Joy Stigile
Education: Karen Steele
Legislation:  Shannon Dillon and Angela Fowler
Resolutions:  Jim Willows
Pre-Authorized Check Plan:  Geraldine Croom and Jim Willows
Washington Seminar:  Tiffany Manosh
Membership:  Lisamaria Martinez
Door Prizes:  Jana Littrell and Robert Stigile
Youth Slam:  Serena Olsen
Newsline:  Jason Holloway



                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920



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