The 2021 Convention is at Hand

by John Berggren

From the Editor: John Berggren is the head of our Convention Organization and Activities effort, and annually he provides readers with convention information that points the way to registering, gives convention dates, and starts the excitement. He does so again in what follows:

About this time last year, we made the difficult decision to hold our National Federation of the Blind National Convention as a virtual event, the first time in our eighty years of existence we did not gather together in person. When President Riccobono announced during his December “Presidential Release—Live” that we would again be meeting anywhere and everywhere for our 2021 annual event, Federationists knew that, while perhaps not our first choice, the largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world would once again be an outstanding, not-to-be-missed event.

Last year we registered more than twice as many attendees as our largest in-person convention and President Riccobono’s banquet address was heard by more than 10,000 listeners. As we prepare for this July, we know that this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever. We intend and expect to register more attendees than last year and introduce the Federation family to thousands of first-timers.

Make sure that you are a part of history. Register for convention online at https://nfb.org/registration. You can also indicate your interest in participating in the NOPBC annual conference and the NFB career fair. There is always more information about all that will be happening this year at https://nfb.org/convention with updates throughout the spring. Participants can engage with us about convention on social media using the hashtag #NFB21—start now by posting that you are registered for the NFB 2021 National Convention!

As with last year, attendees will be able to join in whether using Zoom on your desktop computer, your mobile device, or by calling on your phone. In the coming months, we will be sharing information about the CrowdCompass platform which allows users to customize a personal agenda and access convention sessions with a single click.

Mark your calendar for the following schedule this July:

• Tuesday, July 6: Seminars & Specialized Meetings
• Wednesday, July 7: Board Meeting & Resolutions
• Thursday, July 8: Division Meetings & Opening Ceremony
• Friday, July 9: Presidential Report & General Session
• Saturday, July 10: Business Session & Banquet

New attendees should plan to attend the Rookie Roundup scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Also, check out our convention First-Timer’s Guide. Please plan to stop by the Presidential Suite to say hello during convention.

The convention of the National Federation of the Blind is the supreme authority of the organization. Active members who register for the convention by May 31, 2021, and provide a valid telephone number to be used for voting will be eligible to participate in votes during the business meetings of the convention. Further details about the voting process as well as opportunities to practice the voting process will be made available in the future. If you have questions about the voting process, please send an email to [email protected].

The NFB is deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, integrity, and respect. Throughout the week, you will have amazing opportunities to network with thousands of blind role models and leaders, attend presentations on a wide variety of empowering topics, and view the latest in technology. To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the convention, we must provide a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds can learn, network, and share with each other in a spirit of mutual respect. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our community and the high expectations we strive to maintain.

There may not be a physical entrance to general session, but you can still expect door prizes to be awarded throughout the week. We are now accepting door prizes for this year’s convention, and that’s where you come in. Cash donations make great prizes and are easy to distribute. Please make your checks payable to National Federation of the Blind and write “Door Prizes” in the memo. You should mail the check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services - DP. You can also send an email to [email protected] to let us know you are sending a door prize and the full name of the organization making the contribution.

We may not be able to greet people with a friendly handshake this July, but there will still be plenty of opportunities to connect with old friends as well as chances to make new ones. Join us to learn the latest in access technology; participate in meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; experience the most stimulating and provocative program items of any meeting of the blind in the world. Do not miss being a part of the 2021 National Convention. Register now. We’ll see you in July everywhere and anywhere.