NATIONAL FEDERATION of the BLINDOF Michigan47th Annual STATE Conventionnovember 4, 5 and 6, 2016

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN 47th Annual STATE CONVENTION November 4, 5 and 6, 2016 Westin Southfield Detroit 1500 Town Center, Southfield, MI, 48075

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Welcome to our 2016 Convention. We encourage everyone to ask any question you may have about blindness and the National Federation of the Blind and our convention program. The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

The Michigan Affiliate is selling Braille mugs!! They have the Braille alphabet on one side. The other side has a message to decipher in Braille plus three stick figures. One person is reading Braille. Another is using a cane and another is using a guide dog.

The Lansing Chapter will hold 50 - 50 drawings. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. The gift card raffle and 50 – 50 drawings will be on Sunday morning before Adjournment. Tell your Friends We encourage you to talk about the convention to your friends including on social media. Our official hashtag is #NFBMI16 Also, visit our website at http://www.nfbmi.org, join our Facebook group, and subscribe to our Email discussion list.

HOTEL DINING TANGO's Restaurant Hours: Monday - Friday: 6:30AM - 2:00PM; 5:00 -10:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 7:00AM – 2:00PM LEVEL 1 LOUNGE Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00AM - midnight Friday & Saturday: 11:00AM - 1:00AM A convenience store is also available near the lobby featuring beverages and light snacks.

CHILDCARE Childcare will be available in Suite 317 during the Friday evening session from7 to 9 PM and during general session and the banquet on Saturday and Sunday. FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 4 1:00 - 4:00 - Senior Division Organizing Meeting – Board of Directors Room. If you are a senior or intend to be, please come and help us develop a vigorous and active Senior Division

1:00 - 6:00 Exhibit Hall – Windover Room Please stop by and see some of the latest in assistive technology, learn about services which may benefit you, and purchase some great products.

Exhibitors include: A T Guys Birding by Ear and Beyond Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) Michigan Department of Education-Low Incidence Outreach RS Games Say It in Braille

4:00 - 7:00 Registration – Charlevoix Ballroom foyer 4:00 Resolutions Committee – Board of Directors Room If you feel the NFB of Michigan needs to take a position on an issue, please bring your resolution or idea to the meeting. This is where we set policy for the organization. All are welcome. Please Email resolutions to [email protected]. David Robinson, Chairperson 7:00 -- GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT featuring Fast Freddy – Charlevoix Ballroom Learn about simple exercises which you can do from your chair, and things you can do to live a healthier lifestyle. 7:00 - 8:00 Human Services Division – Board of Directors Room If you work in human services or plan to do so or if you are simply interested in our Human Services Members, please come. Mary Ann Robinson, President 7:00 - 9:00 Parents of Blind Children organizing meeting – Windover Room – Come meet other parents and get to know Haley Dare, our enthusiastic parent leader. If you want to make a difference for your blind children, join us and make something happen. 7:00 - 9:00 Youth and Student Meetup – Nicolet Room, 2nd Floor – If you are a student or student at heart, stop by to meet others and for some fun activities. 9:00 - Midnight Motown Review, hosted by the Detroit Chapter – Charlevoix Ballroom Join your federation family for music, mingling, and fun. Cash bar available. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5 All general sessions and the banquet will be held in the Charlevoix Ballroom 7:00 Resolutions (if needed) – Location TBD 7:30 - 8:45 Registration – Charlevoix Ballroom Foyer 7:30 - 8:30 Yoga – Windover Room Hosted by Sabrina Simmons General Session 8:45 Color Guard and Presentation of Colors 9:00 Call to Order and Introductions – President, Larry Posont

9:15 National Report – Scott Labarre Scott Labarre is an attorney in private practice and President of our Colorado affiliate 10:00 Regional Transportation Authority – Michael Ford 11:00 Detroit Metropolitan Airport Segregated Bus Stops – Ody Norkin and Jason Terkish 12:00 Lunch 12:00 Pizza Buffet Luncheon hosted by the Michigan Association of Blind Students. – Windover Room All are welcome. ($15) 12:30 Michigan Association of Blind Students Annual Meeting – Windover Room. Learn about the latest happenings with your student division as well as the National Association of Blind Students. Jeff Crouch, President

GENERAL SESSION 2:00 Call to Order 2:15 BSBP Relations: Now and in the Future – President Posont Mike Powell 2:45 Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind - Victor Arbulu 3:10 Parents On the Move – Haley Dare New Facebook Page, Refurbished Division and BELL Program 3:30 Sensational Adventures in Summer Science – Donna and Fred – Wonders of Water, Rouge River, Ford F-150 and Wave Pool 4:30 Members on the Move: Panel Discussion Moderated By Mike Powell 5:00 Adjourn SATURDAY EVENING 5:15- 6:15 Guide Dog Committee - Windover Room Derek Moore, President 6:00 Social Hour, cash bar - Charlevoix and Charlevoix Foyer 7:00 Annual Banquet Sabrina Simmons, Master of Ceremonies (please have your banquet tickets out and visible for the servers) Call to Order Invocation Banquet Speech - Scott C. LaBarre, NFB National Representative Scholarship Presentation - J.J. Meddaugh Awards Our annual auction will take place immediately following the banquet. Please stick around and support our affiliate. Credit cards will be accepted. Please bring auction items to the back of the ballroom. SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 6 8:30 Devotions 9:00 Business Meeting, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. All are Welcome. Quorum Introduction of Participating Members Secretary’s report: Fred Wurtzel Treasurer’s report: Mark Eagle President’s Report: Larry Posont Elections Election of President Election of 1st Vice President Election of 2nd Vice President Election of Secretary Election of Treasurer Selection of Delegate to National Convention Resolutions: Dave Robinson National convention where and when Fund raising for national convention State convention locations for 2017 Locations for 2017 Washington Seminar January 30-Feb 2, 2017: Jason Meddaugh Student Division Report: Jeff Crouch Parents Division Report: Haley Dare Human Services Division Report: Mary Ann Robinson Guide Dog Division Report: Derek Moore Merchants’ Division Report COMMITTEES; including: Legislation, Membership, Communications and Fund Raising Chapter reports Old business New business 12:00 Adjourn WHO are the Blind that Lead the Blind? Below is a list of 2016 board members. New officers begin their terms at the close of business on Sunday. Larry Posont, President National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 7189 Connors Rd. Munising, MI 49862 Cell: (313) 727-3546 [email protected]

Michael Powell, First Vice President 29619 Fox Run Circle Warren, MI 48092 (586) 754-1325 [email protected] J.J. Meddaugh, 2nd Vice President 535 S Westnedge Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (989) 284-7915 [email protected] Fred Wurtzel, Secretary 1212 N. Foster Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 [email protected] Twitter @fredwurtzel Mark Eagle, Treasurer 1417 Corbett St. Lansing, MI 48910 (517) 394-4548 [email protected]

Diana Mohnke, Board member 6357 W Parks Rd St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 640-3171 [email protected] Derek E Moore, Board member 2652 Brooklane Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 475-3857 [email protected] Mary Wurtzel, Board member 1212 North Foster Lansing, MI (517) 485-0326 [email protected]

Melinda Latham, Board member 2409 East Jolly Road #6 Lansing, MI 48910 (517) 505-1637 Thank you for attending the 47th annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.