American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Special Issue: COVID and Beyond ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2021 National Convention is at Hand
by John Berggren
Reprinted from Braille Monitor, Volume 64, Number 4, April 2021
From the Editor: John Berggren heads the Convention Organization and Activities effort of the National Federation of the Blind. Each year he provides convention information that points the way to registration and kindles excitement about the coming events. Here is what lies in store for us at the 2021 NFB National Convention.
About this time last year we made the difficult decision to hold our National Federation of the Blind National Convention as a virtual event. During his December 2020 Presidential Release Live, President Mark Riccobono announced that we will again meet "anywhere and everywhere" for our 2021 annual event. While this was perhaps not our first choice, Federationists knew that 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 convention attendees as we did at our largest in-person convention, and President Riccobono's banquet address was heard by more than ten thousand 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 to introduce thousands of first-timers to our Federation family.
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 was true last year, you will be able to join in using Zoom on your desktop computer or 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 and Specialized Meetings
- Wednesday, July 7: Board Meeting and Resolutions
- Thursday, July 8: Division Meetings and Opening Ceremony
- Friday, July 9: Presidential Report and General Session
- Saturday, July 10: Business Session and 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 system, 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, including 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 still will 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; and 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.