Announcing the 2016 NFBI State Convention

Dana Ard, President

National Federation of the Blind of Idaho

Our 2016 state convention will be held April 22-24 at the Red Lion hotel located at 621 21^st Street, Lewiston, Idaho. The phone numbers are (800) 232-6730 or (208) 799-1000. Room rates are $89.00 for singles, doubles, triples, and quads, plus a tax of 8.00%. There will also be a $25.00 authorization hold per night for people using debit cards. In other words, if you stay 3 nights, $75.00 will be held on your card until you check out. Those held funds will be released within 7 days after the conclusion of the convention. This is important because the funds will not be available for your use until they are released by the hotel. I understand that this only applies to debit cards, not credit, and so, if possible, try to use a credit card when you check in. When you make your reservations, be sure to state that you are registering for the National Federation of the Blind convention and you want the room rate of $89.00. This rate will extend through April 24. The cut- off date for reservations is March 22, so get them made right away.

The convention will have something for everyone. On Friday, we will have an expo featuring vendor products and services. NFB will have a table and will demonstrate the new KNFB reader. A free KNFB reader will be given away in a drawing. We will have a senior seminar, as well as an opportunity for students to meet with a national board member of the student division,(NABS), with the goal of starting a student division in Idaho. Parents of blind children will be able to meet either Friday or Saturday or both days if needed. Child care will be provided during general sessions and for the banquet. Details will be finalized for specific meetings when I have a clearer idea of who will be attending. The hospitality room will be open Friday around lunch time, so be sure to stop by for refreshments and fellowship. The resolutions committee will meet on Friday. Mike Gibson is chair. Please email him your resolutions at mike.gibson71@gmail.com. Attending the resolutions committee meeting will give you a good understanding of how NFBI policies are created. Our state board meeting will be Friday evening, and you can learn much about the state affiliate by attending that meeting.

Our Friday evening will be a social with an open mic so we can showcase our talents including music, comedy, storytelling, poetry, or anything you would like to share. We will probably have a few auction items to get you ready for Saturday night’s auction.

I am busily working on Saturday’s general session. We will have speakers from the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind, the Idaho Commission for the Blind, and the Idaho Commission for Libraries. I am also planning a panel on transportation, and one on blind people who are employed. We will also hear from our NABS representative, our national rep and much more. Stay tuned.

Saturday night will feature an exciting banquet with the speech from our national representative, scholarship and braille read-a-thon awards, presentation of charters for the new chapters, and much more.

Our business meeting will take place Sunday morning. I intend for the convention to adjourn at noon, if not earlier.

I will have the registration form on the web after meal selections and prices have been established. I hope to have the agenda posted within a month of the convention, depending on speaker confirmations. I will post more information for the web page and on the Idaho listserv as I get it. In the meantime, get your reservations in. We need attendees to make this 2016 convention great!