National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma
2020 State Convention
September 10-13, 2020
“We know who we are, do you”
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.
National Federation of the Blind 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 programs and policies of the Federation and to abide by its constitution.
Hotel
Embassy Suites Northwest
3233 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-842-6633.
Room reservations must be made by each participant. The room rate for singles and doubles is $114.00 for a King Studio and $129.00 for a 2 room, 2 Queen bed suite + tax. For more than 2 guests there will be an upcharge of $10 per evening. Embassy Suites offers a FREE full breakfast with each overnight stay. You may book by calling the Embassy Suites directly at the number listed above for reservations or by going directly to this link:
https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/es/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=OKCONES&spec_plan=CESNFB&arrival=20200324&departure=20200331&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Convention Rates and Packages
Convention Package – Saves you money!
Preregistration – $95.00 thru 5:00 PM, September 4, 2020. Includes Registration, Friday Luncheon, Boxed lunch for Saturday, and 1 Banquet meal for Saturday evening.
Ala Carte Pricing (Listed below are pre-registration rates. At the door add $5 to each.)
Registration – $25.00
Friday Luncheon – $15
Saturday Boxed Lunch – $25
Saturday Banquet Meal – $45.00
*If you require specialized meal accomodations, please indicate so on your registration. If you do not indicate a meal accommodation on your registration we cannot guarantee that special requests can be honored.
You may pre-register and pay online using a Pay Pal account or credit card. You may also register and pay at the door. The following link will take you directly to the registration page on our website:
Visit our online registration page
Should you have questions about convention registration please contact Glenda Farnum by phone at 405-255-6482 or by e-mail at treasurer@nfbok.org. Should you have questions about the NFBOK 2020 convention, please contact Audrey Farnum, 405-590-6110 or Glenda Farnum at405-255-6482. You may also send an email to info@nfbok.org. Audrey and Glenda are serving as co-chairs for this year’s Convention Arrangements Committee.
Special Guests
We are happy to welcome our national representative, Adelmo Vigil. Adelmo serves as President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico and on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. Adelmo has a lot of work experience and years of experience in the National Federation of the Blind to share with us. Please welcome Adelmo and his wife, Soledad, to our great state! Adelmo will also lead several break-out sessions that you will not want to miss.
Adelmo Vigil was born in the small community of Amalia, New Mexico, in 1951. He was adopted as a baby by his aunt and uncle and raised as an only child on their small ranch. Although it was clear very early that he did not have normal vision, his parents expected him to handle his share of the chores, which included caring for the horses, cows, sheep, and goats. At the age of five Adelmo received the official diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. He began his education in the local public school, but no one there had any expertise in the needs of blind students. Adelmo was not taught Braille, could not read the print that he was expected to use, and therefore did not read or write well. In 1964 when he was thirteen, his parents decided to enroll him in the New Mexico School for the Blind. Although the family did not wish to be separated, it was their hope that Adelmo would receive a better education at the residential school.
Adelmo’s first two years at the school for the blind were no different from his public school education–he was still encouraged to use his limited vision. He remembers that each weekend he had to write an essay for his English class to be submitted and read aloud on Monday. Adelmo would write the piece and memorize it, because he could not read his own writing. But, after two years of struggling, he went to an eye examination and was told by the school nurse who had accompanied him to the appointment, “I have some bad news for you. You’re going to have to learn Braille.” The relieved Adelmo responded, “That is the best news I’ve ever heard. Maybe I’ll learn to read now.”
Passionate about mentoring and teaching young people, Adelmo pursued a degree in elementary education at Western New Mexico University. There he met his wife Soledad, who was also pursuing a teaching career; they were married in 1975. When he began to seek employment in the Silver City area, where he had been a successful student teacher, Adelmo encountered discrimination for the first time. None of the local schools could hire him, because his name was not on the list of teachers available for hiring provided by the district administration, even though he had completed his student teaching at one of the district schools. Fortunately, his student teaching supervisor, Travis Columbus, believed in Adelmo’s capabilities and helped him file a complaint against the district with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. Ultimately, in 1977 Adelmo applied for a position in Shiprock, New Mexico, and began his teaching career. The principal at Adelmo’s first school in Shiprock would not assign him to some of the routine responsibilities expected of other teachers, such as supervising students during recess, but when Adelmo transferred to a different school, the principal there was eager to have him not only assume all the duties of other teachers, but to serve on the curriculum committee and in various other roles. Adelmo gained a reputation of being gifted with difficult students, and parents were asking for their children to be in his classes. He also coached junior high and high school wrestling.
Adelmo’s experiences teaching sighted students and combatting discrimination earned him an invitation to speak at the 1982 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico in Albuquerque. That convention and his first national convention a year later were revelations to Adelmo. “I realized that I was not alone in facing challenges and discrimination and that I had the Federation family behind me. I also learned that the progress I had been able to make and that other blind people were making was due to the work that the National Federation of the blind had been doing since its inception,” he says. Adelmo immediately became involved in the affiliate and has served in various roles since that time, culminating in his election as affiliate president in 2012.
Adelmo’s passion for helping his blind brothers and sisters also led to his second career. In 1989 he was appointed to the Board of Regents of the New Mexico School for the Blind, a position from which he helped engineer the school’s dropping of its NAC accreditation. In 1993 he moved to Alamogordo to take a position as director of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind’s orientation and adjustment to blindness center. In 1997 he became deputy director of the Commission and continued to serve in various roles there for the next ten years. He was particularly passionate about working with young adults in the commission’s summer programs. He retired in 2007 but jokes that he has retired three additional times since then. In 2009 he received training as an orientation and mobility instructor through Louisiana Tech and has received the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board. He went on to supervise and mentor other blind travel instructors.
Adelmo was elected to the NFB Board of Directors in 2016. He says, “I am honored and humbled to serve on the board and to give back the encouragement, support, and love that I have received from my Federation family. I remain passionate about helping the blind live the lives they want, particularly young people, and will do my utmost to build the National Federation of the Blind and to advance our goals.”
Adelmo and Soledad live in Alamogordo. They have two sons, Adrian and Gabriel, and six grandchildren so far.
We are also happy to welcome Carlton Anne Cook Walker to our convention this year. Carlton serves as President of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC), a proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. She is also an Attorney at Law and Principal of BEAR (Blindness Education and Advocacy Resources)
Carlton Anne Cook Walker is an attorney in solo practice in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She also heads BEAR (Blindness Education and Advocacy Resources), an education consultancy business. Ms. Cook Walker also serves as the President of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, the parent division of the National Federation of the Blind.
For more than a decade, Ms. Cook Walker has provided advocacy for families of blind and low vision children, and she has spoken on legal topics related to blindness to attorneys, state agencies, education professionals, advocates, and parents throughout the nation. In addition, Ms. Cook Walker is a certified teacher of students with blindness and visual and multiple impairments. She worked as an itinerant teacher of blind and low-vision students in South Central Pennsylvania for more than six years and then as Manager of Braille Education Programs for the National Federation of the Blind.
Ms. Cook Walker is a graduate of North Carolina State University (B.A., B.S., and B.S,) in Raleigh, NC, of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (M.B.A.), Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D.) in Winston-Salem, NC, and Salus University in Elkins Park, PA (M.Ed.).
Registration
Registration on Thursday September 10, will be from 5:00 – 7:00 outside of the “Welcome to Convention” reception located to the far north of the building across from General Session Room D.
Registration on Friday, September 11, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the same location.
Registration on Saturday, September 12, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the same location.
If you have not registered by Sunday, September 13, please locate Glenda Farnum at the head table to register.
Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall, located in Room A, will be open for our members on Friday, September 11, from 1:00 to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, September 12, from 8:30 to 12:30. To register for Exhibitor door prizes you must visit the exhibit hall and get your exhibit hall card stamped by each participating exhibitor. Drawings will be held at the banquet on the evening of September 12. You must be present to win.
Door prizes& Action Auction items
Please bring door prizes and Action Auction items to the Registration table.
Action Auction items will be on display during the hours that the Exhibit Hall is open. Similar to a Silent Auction, bid sheets will be placed for each item with the last bid being taken when the Exhibit Hall doors close. The Action Auction will occur throughout General Session on Saturday afternoon. The live Action Auction bidding begins where the silent bids ended. All proceeds go to the Live the Life You Want fund established in 2016. The Live the Life YOU Want fund is the Member Development fund of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma. The fund provides assistance to members in the form of scholarships to attend state and national conventions, Washington Seminar and to further educational opportunities.
Thursday September 10, 2020
7:00 – 10:00 Welcome to Convention” reception- (Reception room immediately before breakfast area following elevator well)
If this is your first time to the NFB of Oklahoma convention or if this is your 45th convention, this session is for you! It is for everyone!! Meet up with old friends and make new ones. Learn about what your convention experience can be and meet many leaders and long term Federationists who will show you the ropes and lead you in navigating convention. All are welcome.
Light hors d’oeuvres will be available along with a cash bar.
Friday, September 11, 2020
7:30-8:50 Registration –
9:00 – 12:15 General Session –Room D
9:00 – 9:05 Welcome- Jeannie Massay, President, NFBOK
9:05 – 9:10 Convention Arrangements & Announcements – Glenda Farnum
9:10 – 9:40 NFB Membership Pledge
9:40 – 10:30 National Report -Adelmo Vigil, Board member, National Federation of the Blind, President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
10:30 – 11:00 Oklahoma Election Board: It is our right to vote independently!
11:00- 11:15 News from the U.S. Census Bureau – Nyree Cunningham-Pulllen, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau
11:15 – 11:30 PAC and other funds updates, Glenda Farnum, NFBOK Treasurer
11:30 – 11:45 What is the NOPBC? Carlton Walker – National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, President
11:45 – 12:00 Hitting the slopes; Blind people ski!
Audrey Farnum
12:15 – 1:45 Luncheon hosted by NFB Newsline – Room D
Newsline presentation, Audrey Farnum, 1st Vice President, Mike Floyd, 2nd Vice President and Steve Shelton, Board Member, NFBOK
2:00 – 3:30 Round 1 Break – out sessions
Session A, 2:00 – 3:30 Navigating your child’s/ teen’s IEP – Room B
Do you have questions about what your rights are regarding the IEP process, how to determine and get what your child /teen needs to become a confident traveler, a good technology user and a great braille reader? Come to this session! Presentation and discussion about everything a blind youth will need to become an independent, confident adult.
Carlton Ann Cook Walker, Mother of a blind teen, Teacher of Blind Students and Attorney.
Session B, 2:00 – 3:30 Finding peace in your daily life – Room C
Introduction to meditation and breathing to regulate emotion and start your days off from a great perspective.
Jeannie Massay, President NFBOK and Licensed Professional Counselor
Session C, 2:00 – 3:30 Blind people do what – Room D
? Row, bike, ski and more! Learn more about all of these activities and how you can make them a part of your life.
Try out a rowing machine and see a demonstration of its accessibility features. You can also get a hands on look at some cross country skis. Audrey Farnum, 1st Vice President, NFBOK, President, Central Oklahoma Chapter
3:45 – 5:15 Round 2 Break – out sessions
Session A, 3:45 – 5:15 Helping our clients find their path to living the lives they want: Effective, ethical and successful work with blind clients in Rehabilitation. The model for the best outcomes – Room D
Adelmo Vigil
Session B, 3:45 – 5:15 Self-Advocacy: Your Rights and Responsibilities – Room B
Are you confused by the Rehabilitation process? Learn about what your responsibilities are as a client and what your rights are according to the Rehabilitation Act.
Glenda Farnum and Fatos Floyd
Session C, 3:45 – 5:15 Accessibility at work and in the classroom – Room C
Discussion about accessibility at school and work. What you need to know to be an effective, efficient and productive student or employee.
Audrey Farnum and Brayan Zamarripa
5:15 – 7:30 Dinner on your own!, There are a number of restaurants in the general vicinity of the hotel Most are a short Uber, Lyft or Cab ride away.
7:45 – 9:30 Resolutions Committee –Room D
Steve Shelton, Chair
Any member may submit, at least 1 week in advance of the convention, a resolution which may be considered by the Committee. All members are encouraged to attend as this is where you will learn about the resolutions for this year. Resolutions which pass the committee will then be voted on by the membership at our annual business meeting on Sunday, September 13. Resolutions are the birth place of what becomes the policy and action of our affiliate.
Resolutions for consideration may be sent to Steve Shelton at steve@sbshelton.com
Saturday, September 12, 2020
8:15 – 9:00 Walk this Way! – Gather in the hallway outside of Room D
Come join in an interactive cane walk. Learn tips and techniques to use the long white cane and dispel the misperceptions about why we use long white canes.
9:15 – 10:45 Round 1 Break – out sessions
Session A, 9:15 – 10:45 Living the Good Life: Independent home skills – Room B
Tips and tricks for non-visual techniques at home. Do you have questions about doing any of the things necessary to run your home?. Questions will be answered by the experts!
Glenda Farnum & Fatos Floyd
Session B, 9:15 – 10:45 Learning the skills of blindness – Room D
Do I need them? A discussion of training centers, what you can expect and what they can give you if you put the effort in.
Adelmo Vigil
Session C, 9:15 – 10:45 What is the National Federation of the Blind? – Room C
Join long-time Federationists and those who are new to the Federation to learn about who we are, what we do and how you can become a part of living the life you want and helping others to do the same
Jeannie Massay and Mike Floyd
11:00 – 12:15 Round 2 Break – out sessions
Session A, 11:00 – 12:15 Structured Discovery: What is it really – Room D
Do you know what structured discovery is? Never heard of it or think you know? Learn exactly what it is and what we mean when we talk about it.
Adelmo Vigil, Fatos Floyd and others
Session B, 11:00 – 12:15 Legislative Seminar: Our current legislative priorities in Oklahoma and the nation – Room B
Steve Shelton, Brayan Zammarippa, rilee Sloan and Jenna Adair
Session C, 11:00 – 12:15 Learning to be an advocate for others – Room C
Want to learn how to be an effective advocate for yourself and others? This is the place for you!
Carlton Ann Cook Walker
12:15 – 2:15 Lunch!
Grab your Boxed Lunch and find a Division or learn about becoming a member of the NFBOK! You may be interested in: OABM (Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants Oklahoma Blind Students group, or Parents of Blind Children. If you are not specifically a member of any of the above but have interest in helping out please join in wherever you feel that you fit best! If you are interested in joining the National Federation of the Blind and are not yet a member join us in Room D to learn about becoming a member and what you can do to advocate for yourself and others.
Oklahoma Blind Students Group –Room B
Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants- Room C
Parents of Blind children – Room D
2:15 – 5:15 General Session – Room D
2:15 – 2:25 Action Auction (Special thanks to our Auctioneer extraordinaire, Kenny Blair)
2:25 – 2:45 Advocating for my child: my family’s journey
Carlton Ann Cook Walker
2:45 – 2:55 Action Auction
2:55 – 3:25 Blind students: Making our way at university –
Brayan Zamarripa, Jenna Adair, Rilee Sloan and Cathy Tuton
3:25 – 3:35 Action Auction!
3:35 – 3:50 News from the Department of Special Education – Todd Loftin, Executive director, Oklahoma Department of Education, Special Education Services
3:50 – 4:00 Action Auction
4:00 – 4:30 NFBOK President’s Report, Jeannie Massay
4:30 – 4:40 Action Auction
4:40 – 4:50 PAC & other funds update, Glenda Farnum
4:50 – 5:00 Action Auction
5:00 Adjourn
5:15 Nominating Committee – TBA
Meeting closed to all but those serving on the Nominating Committee
6:00 Pre-banquet reception (Cash bar available
7:00 – 10:00 Banquet
Keynote address: Adelmo Vigil, President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico, Board member. National Federation of the Blind, and, most importantly, member, National Federation of the Blind!
Sunday, September 13, 2020
9:30 – 10:30 NFBOK Board Meeting – Room D
(All are invited to attend)
Secretary’s Report –Brayan Zammarippa, Secretary
Treasurer’s Report – Glenda Farnum, Treasurer, NFBOK
10:30 – 10:50 Resolutions Committee Report to the Membership followed by a vote of the dues paying members present.
10:50- 10:55 Nominating Committee Report
10:55 – 11:10 Elections
11:10 – 11:55 Doing the work of the Federation: Committee check-in meetings
11:55 – 12:00 Closing remarks – the President
12:00 Adjourn
** Remember to sign up for committees that you may be interested in helping out with! See Jeannie at any time during convention.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
We would like to take a special opportunity to thank our Sponsors and Exhibitors. Our convention would not be the same without you! We appreciate your sponsorship and donations along with those of you who chose to exhibit with us this year.
NFB Newsline
National Federation of the blind of Oklahoma
Exhibitors:
Hotel description
Have a great time during convention!
National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma
2020 State Convention
March 26-29, 2020
“We know who we are, do you”
National Federation of the Blind 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 programs and policies of the Federation and to abide by its constitution.
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.
Embassy Suites Northwest
3233 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-842-3152
Hotel reservations
Room reservations must be made by each participant by March 12, 2019. The room rate for singles and doubles is $114.00 for a King Studio and $129.00 for a 2 room, 2 Queen bed suite + tax. For more than 2 guests there will be an upcharge of $10 per evening. Embassy Suites offers a FREE full breakfast with each overnight stay. You may book by calling the Embassy Suites directly at the number listed above for reservations or by going directly to this link:
https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/es/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=OKCONES&spec_plan=CESNFB&arrival=20200324&departure=20200331&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Convention Rates and Packages:
Convention Package – Saves you money!
Preregistration – $95.00 thru 5:00 PM, March 20, 2020. Includes Registration, Friday Luncheon, Boxed lunch for Saturday, and 1 Banquet meal for Saturday evening.
Ala Carte Pricing (Listed below are pre-registration rates. At the door add $5 to each.)
Registration – $25.00
Friday Luncheon – $15
Saturday Boxed Lunch – $25
Saturday Banquet Meal – $45.00
*If you require specialized meal ACCOMODATIONS, please indicate so on your registration. If you do not indicate a meal accommodation on your registration we cannot guarantee that special requests can be honored.
You may pre-register and pay online using a Pay Pal account or credit card. You may also register and pay at the door. The following link will take you directly to the registration page on our website:
Should you have questions about convention registration please contact Glenda Farnum by phone at 405-255-6482 or by e-mail at Gfarnum5474@gmail.com
Should you have questions about the NFBOK 2020 convention, please contact Audrey Farnum, 405-590-6110 or Glenda Farnum at405-255-6482. Audrey and Glenda are serving as co-chairs for this year’s Convention Arrangements Committee.
This year’s convention is shaping up nicely! We are happy to welcome our national representative, Adelmo Vigil. Adelmo serves as President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico and on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. Adelmo has a lot of work experience and years of experience in the National Federation of the Blind to share with us. Please welcome Adelmo and his wife, Soledad, to our great state! Adelmo will also lead several break-out sessions that you will not want to miss.
Registration
Registration on Thursday March 26 will be from 5:00 – 7:00 outside of the “Welcome to Convention” reception located to the
Registration on Friday, March 27, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the
Registration on Saturday, March 28, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the
If you have not registered by Sunday, March 29, please locate Glenda Farnum at the head table to register.
Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall will be open for our members on Friday, March 27 from 1:00 to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 to 12:30. To register for Exhibitor door prizes you must visit the exhibit hall and get your exhibit hall card stamped by each participating exhibitor. Drawings will be held at the banquet on the evening of March 28. You must be present to win.
Door prizes& Action Auction items
Please bring door prizes and Action Auction items to the Registration table.
Action Auction items will be on display during the hours that the Exhibit Hall is open. Similar to a Silent Auction, bid sheets will be placed for each item with the last bid being taken when the Exhibit Hall doors close. The Action Auction will occur throughout General Session on Saturday afternoon. The live Action Auction bidding begins where the silent bids ended. All proceeds go to the Live the Life You Want fund established in 2016. The Live the Life YOU Want fund is the Member Development fund of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma. The fund provides assistance to members in the form of scholarships to attend state and national conventions, Washington Seminar and to further educational opportunities.
Thursday March 26
7:00 – 10:00 Welcome to Convention” reception-.)
If this is your first time to the NFB of Oklahoma convention or if this is your 45th convention, this session is for you! Meet up with old friends and make new ones. Learn about what your convention experience can be and meet many leaders and long term Federationists who will show you the ropes and lead you in navigating convention. All are welcome.
Light hors d’oeuvres will be available along with a cash bar.
Friday, March 27
7:30-8:50 Registration –
9:00 – 12:15 General Session –
9:00 – 9:05 Welcome- Jeannie Massay, President, NFBOK
9:05 – 9:10 Convention Arrangements & Announcements – Glenda Farnum
9:10 – 9:40 NFB Membership Pledge
9:40 – 10:30 National Report -Adelmo Vigil, Board member, National Federation of the Blind, President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
10:30 – 11:00 Acquiring the Skills of Blindness; The Louisiana Center for the Blind ,
11:00- 11:10 Get on the PAC Plan: Sign up today! – Glenda Farnum & Jeannie Massay
11:10 – 11:50 **NOPBC representative(unconfirmed)
11:50 – 12:10 Oklahoma School for the Blind *Unconfirmed)
12:15 – 1:45 Luncheon hosted by NFB Newsline
Newsline presentation, Audrey Farnum, 1st Vice President,Mike Floyd, 2nd Vice President and Steve Shelton, Board Member, NFBOK
Breakout sessions are focused on living the lives we want to live whether that involves independent living, going to school, going to work, having fun or all of these things. The point is that you choose the life that you want to live. Here is where you find out how!
2:00 – 3:30 Round 1 Break – out sessions
3:45 – 5:15 Round 2 Break – out sessions
5:15 – 7:30 Dinner on your own!, There are a number of restaurants in the general vicinity of the hotel Most are a short Uber, Lyft or Cab ride away.
7:45 – 9:30 Resolutions Committee
Steve Shelton, Chair
Any member may submit, at least 1 week in advance of the convention, a resolution which may be considered by the Committee. All members are encouraged to attend as this is where you will learn about the resolutions for this year. Resolutions which pass the committee will then be voted on by the membership at our annual business meeting on Sunday, April 15th. Resolutions are the birth place of what becomes the policy and action of our affiliate.
Resolutions for consideration may be sent to Steve Shelton at steve@sbshelton.com
Saturday, March 28
8:15 – 9:00 Walk this Way!
Come join in an interactive cane walk. Learn tips and techniques to use the long white cane and dispel the misperceptions of why we use long white canes. Oh yes, we’ll also have fun! Meet in the
Breakout sessions are focused on living the lives we want to live whether that involves independent living, going to school, going to work, having fun or all of these things. The point is that you choose the life that you want to live. Here is where you find out how!
9:15 – 10:45 Round 1 Break – out sessions
11:00 – 12:30 Round 2 Break – out sessions
12:30 – 2:15 Lunch!
Grab your Boxed Lunch () and find a Division of the NFBOK you may be interested in: OABM (Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants), OKABS (Oklahoma Association of Blind Students, or Parents of Blind Children. If you are not specifically a member of any of the above but have interest in helping out please join in wherever you feel that you fit best!
Blind Students group
Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants-
Parents of Blind children –
2:15 – 5:00 General Session
5:00 Adjourn
5:15 Nominating Committee – TBD
Meeting closed to all but those serving on the Nominating Committee
6:00 Pre-banquet reception (Cash bar available
7:00 – 10:00 Banquet
Keynote address: Adelmo Vigil , President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico , Board member. National Federation of the Blind, and, most importantly, member, National Federation of the Blind!
Sunday, March 29, 2019
9:30 – 12:00 Business Meeting
9:30 – 9:50 Presidential Report – Jeannie Massay, President NFBOK
9:50 – 10:05 Treasurer’s Report – Glenda Farnum, Treasurer, NFBOK
10:05 – 10:20 Secretary’s Report –Brayan Zammarippa, Secretary
Chapter & Division Reports
10:20 – 10:30 Central Oklahoma Chapter, Audrey Farnum, President
10:30 – 10:40 T-Town Chapter, Mike Floyd, President
10:40 – 10:50 Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants
10:50 – 11:00 Oklahoma Association of Blind Students
11:00 – 11:10 Resolutions Committee Report to the Membership followed by a vote of the dues paying members present.
11:10 – 11:40 Nominating Committee Report
11:40 – 11:55 Elections
11:55 – 12:00 Closing remarks – the President
12:00 Adjourn
** Remember to sign up for committees that you may be interested in helping out with! See Jeannie at any time during convention.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
We would like to take a special opportunity to thank our Sponsors and Exhibitors. Our convention would not be the same without you! We appreciate your sponsorship and donations along with those of you who chose to exhibit with us this year.
Bronze Level Sponsors:
Sponsors:
NFB Newsline
National Federation of the blind of Oklahoma
Exhibitors:
Hotel description
Have a great time during convention!
National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma
2020 State Convention
March 26-29, 2020
“We know who we are, do you”
National Federation of the Blind 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 programs and policies of the Federation and to abide by its constitution.
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.
Embassy Suites Northwest
3233 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-842-3152
Hotel reservations
Room reservations must be made by each participant by March 12, 2019. The room rate for singles and doubles is $114.00 for a King Studio and $129.00 for a 2 room, 2 Queen bed suite + tax. For more than 2 guests there will be an upcharge of $10 per evening. Embassy Suites offers a FREE full breakfast with each overnight stay. You may book by calling the Embassy Suites directly at the number listed above for reservations or by going directly to this link:
https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/es/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=OKCONES&spec_plan=CESNFB&arrival=20200324&departure=20200331&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Convention Rates and Packages:
Convention Package – Saves you money!
Preregistration – $95.00 thru 5:00 PM, March 20, 2020. Includes Registration, Friday Luncheon, Boxed lunch for Saturday, and 1 Banquet meal for Saturday evening.
Ala Carte Pricing (Listed below are pre-registration rates. At the door add $5 to each.)
Registration – $25.00
Friday Luncheon – $15
Saturday Boxed Lunch – $25
Saturday Banquet Meal – $45.00
*If you require specialized meal ACCOMODATIONS, please indicate so on your registration. If you do not indicate a meal accommodation on your registration we cannot guarantee that special requests can be honored.
You may pre-register and pay online using a Pay Pal account or credit card. You may also register and pay at the door. The following link will take you directly to the registration page on our website:
Should you have questions about convention registration please contact Glenda Farnum by phone at 405-255-6482 or by e-mail at Gfarnum5474@gmail.com
Should you have questions about the NFBOK 2020 convention, please contact Audrey Farnum, 405-590-6110 or Glenda Farnum at405-255-6482. Audrey and Glenda are serving as co-chairs for this year’s Convention Arrangements Committee.
This year’s convention is shaping up nicely! We are happy to welcome our national representative, Adelmo Vigil. Adelmo serves as President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico and on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. Adelmo has a lot of work experience and years of experience in the National Federation of the Blind to share with us. Please welcome Adelmo and his wife, Soledad, to our great state! Adelmo will also lead several break-out sessions that you will not want to miss.
Registration
Registration on Thursday March 26 will be from 5:00 – 7:00 outside of the “Welcome to Convention” reception located to the
Registration on Friday, March 27, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the
Registration on Saturday, March 28, will be from 7:30 – 8:45 AM in the
If you have not registered by Sunday, March 29, please locate Glenda Farnum at the head table to register.
Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall will be open for our members on Friday, March 27 from 1:00 to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 to 12:30. To register for Exhibitor door prizes you must visit the exhibit hall and get your exhibit hall card stamped by each participating exhibitor. Drawings will be held at the banquet on the evening of March 28. You must be present to win.
Door prizes& Action Auction items
Please bring door prizes and Action Auction items to the Registration table.
Action Auction items will be on display during the hours that the Exhibit Hall is open. Similar to a Silent Auction, bid sheets will be placed for each item with the last bid being taken when the Exhibit Hall doors close. The Action Auction will occur throughout General Session on Saturday afternoon. The live Action Auction bidding begins where the silent bids ended. All proceeds go to the Live the Life You Want fund established in 2016. The Live the Life YOU Want fund is the Member Development fund of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma. The fund provides assistance to members in the form of scholarships to attend state and national conventions, Washington Seminar and to further educational opportunities.
Thursday March 26
7:00 – 10:00 Welcome to Convention” reception-.)
If this is your first time to the NFB of Oklahoma convention or if this is your 45th convention, this session is for you! Meet up with old friends and make new ones. Learn about what your convention experience can be and meet many leaders and long term Federationists who will show you the ropes and lead you in navigating convention. All are welcome.
Light hors d’oeuvres will be available along with a cash bar.
Friday, March 27
7:30-8:50 Registration –
9:00 – 12:15 General Session –
9:00 – 9:05 Welcome- Jeannie Massay, President, NFBOK
9:05 – 9:10 Convention Arrangements & Announcements – Glenda Farnum
9:10 – 9:40 NFB Membership Pledge
9:40 – 10:30 National Report -Adelmo Vigil, Board member, National Federation of the Blind, President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
10:30 – 11:00 Acquiring the Skills of Blindness; The Louisiana Center for the Blind ,
11:00- 11:10 Get on the PAC Plan: Sign up today! – Glenda Farnum & Jeannie Massay
11:10 – 11:50 **NOPBC representative(unconfirmed)
11:50 – 12:10 Oklahoma School for the Blind *Unconfirmed)
12:15 – 1:45 Luncheon hosted by NFB Newsline
Newsline presentation, Audrey Farnum, 1st Vice President,Mike Floyd, 2nd Vice President and Steve Shelton, Board Member, NFBOK
Breakout sessions are focused on living the lives we want to live whether that involves independent living, going to school, going to work, having fun or all of these things. The point is that you choose the life that you want to live. Here is where you find out how!
2:00 – 3:30 Round 1 Break – out sessions
3:45 – 5:15 Round 2 Break – out sessions
5:15 – 7:30 Dinner on your own!, There are a number of restaurants in the general vicinity of the hotel Most are a short Uber, Lyft or Cab ride away.
7:45 – 9:30 Resolutions Committee
Steve Shelton, Chair
Any member may submit, at least 1 week in advance of the convention, a resolution which may be considered by the Committee. All members are encouraged to attend as this is where you will learn about the resolutions for this year. Resolutions which pass the committee will then be voted on by the membership at our annual business meeting on Sunday, April 15th. Resolutions are the birth place of what becomes the policy and action of our affiliate.
Resolutions for consideration may be sent to Steve Shelton at steve@sbshelton.com
Saturday, March 28
8:15 – 9:00 Walk this Way!
Come join in an interactive cane walk. Learn tips and techniques to use the long white cane and dispel the misperceptions of why we use long white canes. Oh yes, we’ll also have fun! Meet in the
Breakout sessions are focused on living the lives we want to live whether that involves independent living, going to school, going to work, having fun or all of these things. The point is that you choose the life that you want to live. Here is where you find out how!
9:15 – 10:45 Round 1 Break – out sessions
11:00 – 12:30 Round 2 Break – out sessions
12:30 – 2:15 Lunch!
Grab your Boxed Lunch () and find a Division of the NFBOK you may be interested in: OABM (Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants), OKABS (Oklahoma Association of Blind Students, or Parents of Blind Children. If you are not specifically a member of any of the above but have interest in helping out please join in wherever you feel that you fit best!
Blind Students group
Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants-
Parents of Blind children –
2:15 – 5:00 General Session
5:00 Adjourn
5:15 Nominating Committee – TBD
Meeting closed to all but those serving on the Nominating Committee
6:00 Pre-banquet reception (Cash bar available
7:00 – 10:00 Banquet
Keynote address: Adelmo Vigil , President, National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico , Board member. National Federation of the Blind, and, most importantly, member, National Federation of the Blind!
Sunday, May 31, 2020
9:30 – 12:00 Business Meeting
9:30 – 9:50 Presidential Report – Jeannie Massay, President NFBOK
9:50 – 10:05 Treasurer’s Report – Glenda Farnum, Treasurer, NFBOK
10:05 – 10:20 Secretary’s Report –Brayan Zammarippa, Secretary
Chapter & Division Reports
10:20 – 10:30 Central Oklahoma Chapter, Audrey Farnum, President
10:30 – 10:40 T-Town Chapter, Mike Floyd, President
10:40 – 10:50 Oklahoma Association of Blind Merchants
10:50 – 11:00 Oklahoma Association of Blind Students
11:00 – 11:10 Resolutions Committee Report to the Membership followed by a vote of the dues paying members present.
11:10 – 11:40 Nominating Committee Report
11:40 – 11:55 Elections
11:55 – 12:00 Closing remarks – the President
12:00 Adjourn
** Remember to sign up for committees that you may be interested in helping out with! See Jeannie at any time during convention.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Sponsors:
Nannopak
NFB Newsline
National Federation of the blind of Oklahoma
Exhibitors:
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma Election Board
Oklahoma Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Hotel description
Embassy Suites Northwest is located on the north side of NW Expressway. The main entrance to the hotel is on the East side of the building under a drive-in portico. This is the entrance that you should use during your stay.
Upon entering the hotel you will be in front of a visual digital sign. To your left is the Business Center and to the right, about 20 feet, is the front desk. The wall to the front desk is at an angle to the northwest. The area between the front desk and the digital sign is a large multiple area seating space with couches, chairs and tables. There is an outside seating area immediately south of the indoor seating area which may be accessed from a door under the grand staircase which is west of the indoor seating area.
There is a small convenience store located to the West of the front desk. They carry soda, water snacks and a few items should you need them. (There is also a 7-11 outside of the building on the southwest corner of the building and is accessible by sidewalk. Starbuck’s is immediately across the street on Independence from the 7-11)
Immediately following the convenience store and front desk is a hallway that is on your right and angles a bit to the Northeast. This hallway leads to the restrooms, restaurant and lounge and meeting room area.
The elevators to the guest rooms are in an elevator bank immediately past the hallway that leads to the restrooms, restaurant and meeting room area.
The reception on Thursday evening will be held in a room to the right of the elevator well on the right side of the hall. For those of you who are staying in the hotel our breakfast is FREE!! The breakfast area is immediately past the reception room with several different buffet areas. Should you need help, please ask for assistance. Also, be patient, please! There will be many of us and we should be mindful that there are others staying in the hotel. That being said, it is a good idea to leave for breakfast earlier than you might think necessary in order to be on time!
Upon entering the hallway to the west of the convenience store the ground floor restrooms are on the right immediately following the water fountains with the men’s being the first door on the right and the ladies being the second on the right. Across the hall from the restrooms is the Local restaurant and lounge. As you continue down the hallway past the restrooms and restaurant you will enter the meeting area. You will notice that you move from tile to carpet at this point.
On your right will be a row of windows marking the outer edge of the hotel. To your left will be our break-out rooms. The first door to your left is Room A, the second door to your left is Room B and the third door to your left is Room C. General session is in Room D which is at the end of the hall and can be accessed through the second and third doors on the left.
Have a great time during convention!
For everyone who took the time to come to our convention, we thank you for the opportunity you have given us to let you get to know us and for us to get to know you. We have local chapter meetings in Oklahoma City, Lawton and Tulsa and are geared to charter a chapter in Norman. We invite you to attend a meeting and welcome you to do so. For information on our chapters please go to www.nfbok.org
. If you are interested in organizing a chapter in your city or town please let us know and we will help you do so.