Back to NFB22 Convention Agenda Welcome
Note 1: Information Desk
A Federation information desk is in the Acadia Ballroom foyer from Wednesday morning through Sunday in case you have questions or need assistance.
Note 2: Hotel Room Rates
Room rates at both the Marriott and the Sheraton are: singles and doubles, $109; triples and quads, $119. In addition, the combined sales tax and tourism support rate is 16.2 percent, and there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3.00 per night.
Proof of convention registration is necessary, including the showing of an NFB registration badge, if requested. Otherwise, regular hotel rates must be paid. Hotel sleeping rooms are non-smoking; smoking is permitted only in specified areas.
Note 3: Banquet Tickets
Banquet tickets may be purchased for $75 at convention registration. No tickets will be available after 2:00 p.m. on Friday. At the banquet ticket exchange table, located in the Acadia Ballroom foyer, you may make arrangements to reserve a specific seat for yourself or for a group of up to ten people. On the evening of the banquet, tickets will be required to enter the ballroom and will be collected at the tables. Tickets may be exchanged for vegetarian, kosher, or halal meals at the banquet ticket exchange table if done so by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Banquet ticket exchange will be available at the following times (also listed in the agenda):
- Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Friday 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. and noon to 1:45 p.m.
- Saturday 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and noon to 1:45 p.m.
- Sunday 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and noon to 1:45 p.m.
Note 4: Guide Dog Relief Areas
There is a guide dog relief area at both the Marriott and the Sheraton. At the Marriott, the area is in the porte cochère. Exit the lobby doors by the concierge desk and cross the valet parking lanes to the relief area.
At the Sheraton, the relief area is at the corner of the hotel property along Canal Street. Exit the front doors of the hotel and turn right. Walk to the corner of the building, continue across the Sheraton driveway entrance, and find the iron-gated relief area immediately to your right.
Note 5: Announcement Requests
All requests for announcements by President Riccobono during General Sessions must be submitted in Braille.
Note 6: NFB Treasurer Information
Individuals needing to conduct business with the NFB treasurer may do so by going to the Galerie Registration Desk on Friday between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. or on Saturday between noon and 2:00 p.m.
Note 7: CrowdCompass Platform
The convention agenda can be accessed via the CrowdCompass platform beginning June 27. Mobile apps are available for both the iOS and Android platforms (https://crowd.cc/s/4kq4c). A web portal is also available (https://crowd.cc/nfb22). CrowdCompass allows users to customize a personal agenda, chat with other CrowdCompass convention goers, and to join streamed sessions with the click of a button for those participating virtually.
Note 8: Portrait Studio
The portrait studio wants and needs a photo of your gorgeous face! Because it has been three years since we have been in person, everyone's photo is out of date. We use images in the Braille Monitor, on websites, and for other types of publication. Having a current photo on file is important even if you are not writing an article or sitting on your chapter board. We will email photos after convention to those who would like to have them. Please visit the portrait studio outside the Acadia Ballroom during the following hours:
- Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Note 9: Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets will not be sold in the registration area, and no raffles or other such drawings will take place during convention sessions or at the banquet. The single exception will be that national divisions may (if they request it in advance) conduct drawings during the sessions or at the banquet. Groups or affiliates wishing to conduct their drawings (or any person wishing to know the winners) may go at noon on Sunday to Studio 10.
Note 10: FM Receivers Pick Up
The Amateur Radio Division coordinates the distribution of special FM receivers for our hard of hearing and Spanish-speaking attendees. Any interested attendee may pick up a receiver at a table in the back of the Acadia ballroom. A deposit of $40 in cash is required, and exact change is appreciated. The deposit will be returned if the receiver is brought back to the checkout table in good condition by the end of the banquet or within thirty minutes of adjournment of the last convention session the borrower plans to attend. Batteries for the receiver will be provided.
Note 11: NFB Camp (Child Care)
NFB Camp for children between the ages of six weeks and twelve years is available during convention sessions, most meetings, and the banquet. Preregistration and payment by June 15 are required for this childcare service. NFB Camp is organized and supervised by Carla McQuillan, the executive director of Main Street Montessori Association. Please note that childcare services provides morning and afternoon snacks, but parents are required to provide lunch for their child(ren) every day. Times listed are the opening and closing times. A late fee of $10 per quarter-hour per child will be assessed for late pickups. NFB Camp hours are:
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:45 to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Banquet: 6:30 p.m. to 30 minutes after the banquet ends
Note 12: Zoom and Ways to Access
For sessions on Zoom, there are multiple options for access.
Zoom via web: https://zoom.us/j/96287762142
Zoom One Tap Mobile: US: +13017158592,,96287762142# or +13126266799,,96287762142#
Zoom via phone by location:
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Zoom Meeting ID: 962 8776 2142
Closed captions will be provided on the Zoom platform, and you may also
access the closed captions/transcript through 1CapApp at https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb. More details for streaming available at nfb.org/convention.
Note 13: Divisions
Divisions, Committees, and Groups: The Federation carries on its business through the affiliated divisions, committees, and groups listed in this agenda.
Divisions:
Divisions of the National Federation of the Blind are organized around a specialized interest area usually related to employment or a major stage in life (e.g., parents or students). Divisions serve as a formal vehicle for building the organization at the national level.
Amateur Radio: Corbb O’Connor, President
Assistive Technology Trainers: Chancey Fleet, President
Communities of Faith: Tom Anderson, President
Computer Science: Brian Buhrow, President
Community Service: Jeanetta Price, President
DeafBlind: Alice Eaddy, President
Diabetes Action Network: Debbie Wunder, President
Human Services: Candice Chapman, President
Educators: Cayte Mendez, President
Guide Dog Users: Raul Gallegos, President
Krafters: Tammy Freitag, President
Lawyers: Scott LaBarre, President
Merchants: Nicky Gacos, President
Parents of Blind Children: Carlton Anne Cook Walker, President
Performing Arts: Katelyn MacIntyre, President
Professionals in Blindness Education: Emily Gibbs, President
Rehabilitation Professionals: Amy Porterfield, President
Science and Engineering: John Miller, President
Seniors: Judy Sanders, President
Sports and Recreation: Jessica Beecham, President
Students: Trisha Kulkarni, President
Veterans: Vernon Humphrey, President
Writers: Shelley Alongi, President
Committees:
Committees of the National Federation of the Blind are appointed by the President, with the exception of the nominating committee, and serve to advise the organization’s leadership on important matters and to carry out projects to build the organization at all levels.
Advancement and Promotion of Braille: Jennifer Dunnam, Chair
Ambassadors: Dan Burke, Chair
Blind Educator of the Year Award: Robin House, Chair
Blind Government Employment: Ronza Othman and Everette Bacon, Co-chairs
Code of Conduct Feedback Committee: Ronza Othman, Chair
Communications: Liz Wisecarver, Chair
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award: Carla McQuillan, Chair
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Shawn Callaway and Colin Wong, Co-chairs
Employment: Dick Davis, Chair
Evaluation of Technology: Mark Jones, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Award: Pam Allen, Chair
Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund: Kathryn Webster, Chair
Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Tracy Soforenko, Chair
Membership: Denise Avant and Tarik Williams, Co-chairs
PAC Plan: Scott LaBarre and Ryan Strunk, Co-chairs
Resolutions: Sharon Maneki, Chair
Scholarship: Cayte Mendez, Chair
Spanish Translation: Daniel Martinez, Chair
White Cane and Affiliate Finance: Everette Bacon, Chair
Groups:
Groups of the National Federation of the Blind serve as a resource to members around specific topic areas. Groups are coordinated by a chairperson appointed by the President and are intended to connect members across the country to strengthen the resource network of the organization.
Blind Fraternal Greek and Masonic: Shawn Callaway, Chair
Blind Muslims: Tasnim Alshuli, Chair
Blind Parents: Lisamaria Martinez, Chair
Blind Professional Journalists: Elizabeth Campbell, Chair
Blind Survivors: Kathryn Webster and Danielle Montour, Co-chairs
NFB in Judaism: Stewart Prost, Chair
NFB in the Kitchen: Regina Mitchell, Chair
NFB LGBT: Sanho Steele-Louchart, Chair
NFB Lions: Milton Ota, Chair
NFB Webmasters: Corbb O’Connor, Chair