Welcome to the 2017

National Federation of the Blind of California Convention

November 2 – November 5, 2017

Embassy Suites 901 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035

Convention Hosts:

President, Ever Lee Hairston

First Vice-President, Bryan Bashin

Second Vice-President, Robert Stigile

Secretary, Shannon Dillon

Treasurer, Rochelle Houston

Board Members: Karen Steele, Jim Barbour, Charlotte Carroll,

Jana Littrell,Tim Elder, Carmen Weatherly, Carla Scroggins

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the Nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

Convention Information

Thursday movie night with snacks; Friday begins with the Vendor Showcase and Exhibit Hall; Friday night Federation Feud Game; Saturday luncheon and Banquet are all included in the $75 fee. If you prefer to attend only the convention sessions, the fee is $35.

Vendors’ Showcase

The Vendors’ Showcase takes place in the Amalfi room from 8:30 am to 9:30 am on Friday, November 3. At the Showcase you will hear vendors describe the current products and services which they will have on display in the Exhibit Hall.

Convention Exhibits

The Exhibit Hall will be open on Friday, November 3rd from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Exhibit tables are located in the Grand Ballroom.

Guide Dog Relief Area

Please take dogs to the rear of the hotel either through the side door or the front door exit.

Chapter & Division Presidents

Shasta Cascade - Debbie Worstman

San Joaquin - Ken Volonte

San Francisco - Christina Daniels

Tri-Valley - Carl Martin

River City - Tiffany Manosh

Bay Area - Shannon Dillon

At Large - Allison Depner

San Fernando - Robert Stigile

Pathfinders of Los Angeles - Rochelle Houston

Escondido - Yvette Lee

Riverside/San Bernadino - Carmen Weatherly

San Diego - Lisa Irving

California Association of Guide Dog Users (CAGDU) - Tina Thomas

California Association of Blind Students (CABS) - Carla Scroggins

Senior Division - Charlotte Carroll

Diabetes Action Network - Joy Stigile

Inland Empire - Cheryl Thurston

Please encourage every member to participate in all convention activities!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Platinum Level $5,000+

VOTEC Corporation

2017 National Federation of the Blind of California Convention Agenda

Thursday, November 2

8:00 pm Movie and Snacks, “Do You Dream in Color?”

Cordoba Room

Friday, November 3

7:30 am – 8:30 am Registration Packet Pickup

Area in front of the Grand Ballroom

8:30 am - 9:30 am Vendor Showcase

Amalfi Room

Coordinator, Cheryl Thurston

Listen to a brief description of products and services

9:30 am - 3:30 pm Exhibit Hall

Grand Ballroom

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Board of Directors meeting

Amalfi Room

Meetings of the Board of Directors are open to the public. Please join us as we greet our scholarship finalists, and our National Representative, Scott LaBarre, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Registration Packet Pickup

Area in front of the Grand Ballroom

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Resolutions Committee

Amalfi Room

Chairperson, Bryan Bashin

The Resolutions Committee comes together once a year to decide on the policies and direction of the affiliate for the upcoming year.

2017 National Federation of the Blind of California Convention Agenda

Friday, November 3

3:00 pm – 4:15 pm California Association of Blind Students (CABS)

Amalfi Room

President, Carla Scroggins

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm California Association of Guide Dog Users (CAGDU)

Amalfi Room

President, Tina Thomas

5:30 pm - 6:15 pm Orientation Center for the Blind

Amalfi Room

President, David Chan

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Registration Packet Pickup

Area in front of the Grand Ballroom

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Federation Feud

Amalfi Room

Emcee, Michael Richardson

Saturday, November 4

9:00 am General Session Call to Order

Grand Ballroom

President, Ever Lee Hairston

Welcoming Ceremony

2017 Convention Coordinators, Jim Barbour, Christina Daniels, Rochelle Houston

Pledge of Allegiance

Jim Barbour

NFB Pledge

Denise Bravell

Invocation, Carlos Miyares

2017 National Federation of the Blind of California Convention Agenda

Saturday, November 4

“God Bless America”

Rachel Elizabeth Grider

9:15 am Welcoming Remarks

9:20 am - 9:30 am Student Division Skit

9:30 am - 10:00 am National Report

National Representative, Scott LaBarre, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado President

10:00 am – 10:20 am Braille Enrichment in Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy Northern California Coordinator, Debbie Worstman

10:20 am – 10:50 am Why I am a Federationist?

Tim Elder, Tiffany Manosh, Rochelle Houston

10:50 am – 11:05 am Mike L. Marlin, Director

Braille and Talking Book Library

California State Library

11:05 am – 11:35 am Employment Panel

Moderator, Robert Stigile

Shannon Dillon

Ahmet Ustunel

Elizabeth Campos

11:35 am - 11:50 am Philosophy Skit

11:50 am - 11:55 am Senior Division Skit

11:55 am Shout out to First Time Attendees

Noon Adjourn

2017 National Federation of the Blind of California Convention Agenda

Saturday, November 4

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon

Special Presentation, Ruth Sager, National Senior Division President

Speaker, Christina Daniels

Atrium

2:00 pm General Session resumes

Grand Ballroom

2:00 pm - 2:10 pm President’s Report

President, Ever Lee Hairston

2:10 pm - 2:20 pm Douglas G. Towne

Chairman, Disability Relations Group

2:20 pm - 2:30 pm California Association of Guide Dog Users Skit

2:35 pm – 3:45 pm Round Table Discussions

Topics:

KNFB Reader – Michael Richardson

iPhone for Beginners – Rochelle Houston

iPhone Apps including News Line and BARD - Tiffany Manosh

California Dept. of Rehabilitation (DOR) – Joe Xavier, Director

Interview Preparation – Jeannette Stewart

Parents of Blind Children – Debbie Worstman

How to Become a Leader - Ever Lee Hairston

VOTEC – Douglas G. Towne

Blind and Hearing Loss Discussion - Angela Fowler

Legal Issues – Tim Elder

2017 National Federation of the Blind of California Convention Agenda

Saturday, November 4

3:45 pm – 4:30 pm General Session resumes

“No Boundaries: Release What Holds You Back”

Grand Ballroom

4:30 pm Adjourn

7:00 pm Banquet

Emcee, Bryan Bashin

Banquet Address, Scott Labarre

Scholarship Presentation, Jana Littrell

Auctioneers, Michael Richardson & Michael Hingson

Grand Ballroom

Sunday, November 5

9:00 am General Session

President, Ever Lee Hairston

Grand Ballroom

9:10 am – 9:25 am Elections: Report from Nominating Committee,

Chairperson, Robert Stigile

9:25 am – 9:40 am Resolutions

Chairperson, Bryan Bashin

9:40 am – 9:50 am Financial Report

Treasurer, Rochelle Houston

9:50 am – 10:50 am Chapter Reports - Pledges and Donations

11:00 am Adjourn

Thank you to all of our Vendors and the generous donations from:

San Diego Foundation

Charitable Grant Rosen Bien Galvan and Grunfeld, LLP

Thank you to all of the chairpersons and members of the committees that have helped to make this convention a success.

Convention Coordinators – Christina Daniels, Rochelle Houston and Jim Barbour

Resolutions Committee - Chairperson Bryan Bashin

Door Prize Committee - Chairperson Carmen Weatherly

Exhibit Hall Committee – Chairperson Cheryl Thurston

Scholarship Committee – Chairperson Jana Littrell

Auction - Chairperson Karen Steele

PAC Committee – Chairperson Michael Hingson