Saturday I attended the Denver Chapter meeting of the NFBCO and the house was PACKED!!! There had to be 60 people in attendance and the energy was explosive! There were several VIP guests including our staff and students from the CCB summer youth program as well as Savanah and Dora who are NFBCO scholarship winners.
There was fundraising!!! Susie was working tirelessly in the kitchen selling a delicious breakfast at an outstanding value. Next time you attend a Denver chapter meeting, bring $3.50 and you too can be the consumer of a scrumptious sausage, egg, and cheese, croissant and orange juice. If breakfast is not your thing, look no further than John Batron to get your NFB of Denver candy. Candy ranges in price from 4 to 5 dollars and I have to say that those chocolate covered almonds are worth every penny! Lisa Bonderson was taking orders for state raffle tickets for an amazing $3,500.00 vacation gift card. If you missed the meeting do not worry. You can still buy YOUR raffle tickets today by visiting the following link. Tickets are $10.00 for 1 or 3 for $20.00.
After the usual business of the presidential release, reading of the minutes, and presidential report, we split into groups for introductions. The room was alive with the buzz of conversation as everyone got acquainted. When we joined together, each person introduced another person to the group. The activity was a really fun and exciting way to get to know each other better!
Next Scott LaBarre delivered the state report in which we learned that NFBCO has been communicating with the CEO and board of directors at Goodwill Industries regarding sub minimum wage payment to workers with disabilities. Although the CEO and board of directors have not responded favorably so far, the NFBCO will continue working diligently to encourage Goodwill Industries to end the practice of sub minimum wage payment. NFBCO is also expressing dissatisfaction regarding the elimination of FREX services from Denver to Colorado Springs. Scott also discussed the Amazing and Wonderful NFBCO raffle. In order to continue funding our scholarship program, BELL programs, convention assistance, as well as the numerous other services that the NFBCO provides we MUST be sustainable. Bequests are not sustainable, and therefore it is our job to FUNDRAISE!!! The take home message is SELL RAFFLE TICKETS to EVERYONE!!!
Julie delivered the CCB report in which she spoke of the success of Confidence Camp which is a two week long day camp program for youngsters in Colorado. From Littleton all the way out to Aurora, these kids were getting around town. They took trains, busses, and walked with confidence! At the end of their time they put on a talent show and a play about the monster bus that was superbly done! Brent also mentioned the success of the Youth Summer Program! From rock climbing to canoeing, these kids are doing it all. Next week students from the summer youth program as well as the adult program will be taking on Dallas, TX at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention!
When the morning finally came to a close, it took a long time for the lobby of the Colorado Center for the Blind to empty out. The friendship and camaraderie present between members and guests at the Denver Chapter Meeting might have been the highlight of the whole day. Sometimes what happens within our chapter meetings are less defining than the love and support that our members show one another in matters of day-to-day life.
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of such
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