NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF NEBRASKA 2007 Annual State Convention Quality Inn and Suites Hotel North Platte, Nebraska October 5, 6 and 7, 2007 Transcribed Into Braille And Large Print By Jolene Boshart J. B. Translations 5135 South Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68506 Phone: (402) 483-5088 Email: jboshart@neb.rr.com National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Amy Buresh, President 1033 O. Street Suite 24B Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 477-7711 or 866-254-6347 (866 Blind Is) E-mail: aburesh@neb.rr.com Web Site: http://nfbn.inebraska.com NFB PLEDGE I pledge to participate actively in the effort 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. The National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska is a statewide organization composed primarily of blind Nebraskans. It is the state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, Inc., a 50,000 plus strong national-membership organization which holds nonprofit tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is not an organization speaking for the blind; it is the blind speaking for themselves. We know that blind people have very often lived tragic lives, and we know that even now blindness can be defeating. But we also know why. Not blindness, but society's devastating attitude about it constitutes our burden. We, the blind of today, have carried out a revolution and have won our independence. We have written our own philosophy, we have found our own direction, and we have learned to speak with our own voice--the National Federation of the Blind. We have taken our future into our own hands, and we are changing what it means to be blind. We are the voice of the nation’s blind! CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS If you have any questions about convention arrangements, contact Carlos Serv`an, Chairman of convention arrangements. Shake 'em up! You may be the lucky winner of a fabulous door prize. Names will be drawn throughout the convention sessions and banquet. To be eligible to win, you need only to be registered and to be present when your name is drawn. All donations of door prizes should be clearly labeled in Braille and print and turned in to Jamie Forbis, Door Prize Chairperson. NOTE: Please be courteous and turn off all cell phones, pagers, radios, MP3 players, etc. during convention meetings and the banquet. Agenda Friday, October 5, 2007 1:30 to 5:00 P.M.: Registration: Hotel lobby, Mike Hansen, Chairperson, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. Registration Costs: Registration: $15. Banquet: $30. Student Division Luncheon: $20. A complimentary hot breakfast will be served to all conventioneers staying at the hotel in the River Terrace beginning at 7:00 A.M. 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.: From Music to Mathematics: A round-table discussion of how to navigate the world of school as a blind or visually impaired student: Niobrara Room, Shane Buresh, NOMC/TBS, Facilitator, Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1:30 to 5:00 P.M.: Senior Division Business Meeting and Workshop: Snake/Callimus Rooms, Roy Hobley, President, Senior Division, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska. 4:30 to 5:00 P.M.: Rookie Round-Up: Niobrara Room, Amy Buresh, President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Nebraska and Shane Buresh, Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. Is it your first time attending a convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska? If so, we warmly welcome you, and invite you to come join Amy and Shane Buresh, along with other Federation leaders, and learn about the Federation, make new friends, and help make your rookie convention a sure-fire home run. 7:00 P.M.: National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Board of Directors Meeting: South Platte River Room. 7:45 P.M.: Resolutions Committee: South Platte River room, Barbara Loos, Chairperson, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 8:00 P.M.: Nomination Committee (closed meeting), Barbara Loos, Chairperson, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska. 8:45 P.M.: Not-So-Silent Auction: North Platte River Room. Auctioneers: Ryan Osentowski, 2nd Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska and Robert Newman, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Omaha Chapter, Omaha, Nebraska. A cash bar and snacks will be available. Saturday, October 6, 2007 7:30 to 8:30 A.M.: Registration: Hotel Lobby, Mike Hansen, Chairperson, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. 7:00 A.M.: National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Blind Parents' Committee: Westbound Room, Jamie Forbis, Chairperson, North Platte, Nebraska. 8:30 A.M.: Opening of General Session: South Platte River Room. Call to Order: Amy Buresh, President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. Invocation: Wes Majerus, Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 8:40 A.M.: Housekeeping and Announcements: Carlos Serv`an, Chairperson, Convention Arrangements, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 8:45 A.M.: Welcome to North Platte: James Whitaker, Former Mayor, Member, Chamber of Commerce, North Platte, Nebraska. 9:00 A.M.: National Report: Parnell Diggs, National Representative; Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind; President, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 9:40 A.M.: Dreaming Big: Celebrating our Triumphs and Championing our Dreams: Amy Buresh, President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. 10:00 A.M.: Report from the Commission Board: Barbara Loos, Chairperson, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Commissioners, Lincoln, Nebraska. 10:30 A.M.: Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Report/Public Forum: Pearl Van Zandt, PH.D., Executive Director, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Lincoln, Nebraska. 11:00 A.M.: Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Services Report: Dave Oertli, Director, Lincoln, Nebraska. 11:45 A.M.: The Federation in Action: How the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired are Working together to Empower the Lives of Blind Seniors in Nebraska: Bob Deaton, Deputy Director for Independent Living Services, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 12:00 P.M.: Adjourn Morning Session. 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M.: Student Division Luncheon: Loupe River Room, Randi Strunk, President, Nebraska Association of Blind Students, Lincoln, Nebraska. All are welcome, but especially any high school and college students are encouraged to attend this informative meeting. 2:00 P.M.: Opening of Afternoon General Session: South Platte River Room. 2:05 P.M.: The Federation in Action: A Winning Formula: Blind Youth + Blind Mentors + Federation Philosophy + a World-Class Science Institution = a Bright Future for the Blind: a Youth Slam Presentation. Shane Buresh, Mentor, Jamie Forbis, Mentor, Wes Majerus, Mentor, Karen Anderson, Youth Slam Participant, Rachna Keshwani, Youth Slam Participant. 2:50 P.M.: The Federation in Action: Cell Phones and Beyond: Your Connection to the Latest in Technology: Wes Majerus, Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 3:40 P.M.: The Federation in Action: What's New and Notable in Newsline ®: Jamie Forbis, Coordinator, North Platte, Nebraska. 4:00 P.M.: The Federation in Action: Trotting the Globe: Blind Corps, Taking our Message and Empowering the Blind of Other Nations: Fatos Floyd, CRC, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 4:30 P.M.: The Federation in Action: In the Hearts and Souls of Our Members: Why I Am a Federationist: Amy Buresh, Moderator. In this panel, we will hear from three Federationists who will speak from the heart about how blindness has affected their lives, and how the Federation has made a difference. 5:00 P.M.: Adjourn Afternoon Session. 6:30 P.M.: Cocktail Reception; Cash Bar: Loupe River Room. Pre-Dinner Music: Mis Kayde Rieken, Vice President, national Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Blind Students, Member, Board of Directors, national Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 7:00 P.M.: Annual NFBN Banquet. Emcee: Barbara Loos, Member, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. Invocation: Cheryl Livingston, Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. Awards: Amy Buresh, President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. Keynote Address: Parnell Diggs, National Representative; Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind; President, National Federation of the blind of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Scholarships: Shane Buresh, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Scholarship Chairperson, Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. 9:00 P.M.: NABS Idol: North Platte River Room. Come be a part of history, and watch the first ever NABS Idol competition! Cheer on your friends and fellow Federationists, or simply socialize with friends. All proceeds benefit the Student Division. A cash bar will be available. Sunday, October, 7, 2007 9:00 A.M.: Opening of Business Meeting. Invocation: Shane Buresh, Member, Board of Directors, national Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Lincoln Chapter, Lincoln, Nebraska. I Reports: A. Minutes of the 2006 Convention. B. Treasurer's Report. C. Roll Call of Chapters and Divisions. D. Committees. E. NFBN/Newsline ®. F. Web Site. G. Resolutions. ii. Elections. 12:00 Noon: Adjourn.