UPDATE NFBCO State Convention Information

*UPDATE*

NFB of Colorado State Convention

October 25-28^th

Millennium Harvest house Hotel

Boulder, CO

Please read the following update for the most up to date information about the NFB of Colorado State Convention on October 25-28^th in Boulder, Colorado!

The NFB of Colorado is working hard to plan and deliver an awesome state convention that will exceed your expectations!  In order to do so, we have to make sure that you have some very important pieces of information. 

Dates to Remember:

·       September 15^th:  Pre registration began.  Pre-registration can be completed by going to our website at www.nfbco.org, going to the NFBCO State Convention link and then going to the pre-registration link. 

Pre-Registration Rates 

Registration-$15.00

Friday Luncheon-$15.00

Saturday Luncheon-$15.00

Banquet-$30.00

Total-$75.00

NOTE:  There are two forms on this page, the first one is for preregistration.  Complete this form and find the continue button to go to the payment page.  DO NOT CONTINUE TO THE SECOND FORM FOR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS.  If you are planning to be a sponsor or exhibitor please complete the second form and DO NOT complete the first pre-registration form.  If you need assistance with registration, please contact Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@labarrelaw.com or 303-504-5979

·       October 1^st:  Last day to reserve your hotel room at the special rate of $85.00 per night (no limit on room occupancy).  To reserve your room at the Millennium Harvest House Hotel, please call 800-545-6285.  BE SURE TO MENTION THAT YOU ARE WITH THE NFB OF COLORADO STATE CONVENTION.

To book your room online visit the following link:  http://www.millenniumhotels.com/boulder then selects Group Code, under the Corp/Promo Code and enter: 1210NATFED

·       October 15^th:  LAST DAY OF PRE REGISTRATION

·       October 16^th:  General registration begins. 
     General Registration Rates: 
     Registration- $20.00
     Friday Luncheon-$20.00
     Saturday Luncheon-$20.00
     Banquet-$40.00
     Total:  $100.00

NOTE:  Be sure to pre-register to save $25.00

NOTE:  If you are planning to ride the bus leaving and returning to Littleton, please contact Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@labarrelaw.com. 

Convention Weekend Outline!

Thursday Morning-Early Afternoon:  Boulder Tours

NOTE:  Tour availability is determined by interest level so if you are interested in participating in one of the exciting tour opportunities offered by the Boulder Valley Chapter, please submit your name to Maryanne Migliorelli at mrsmigs@migliorelli.org.  Please do this ASAP!!!

Thursday Late Afternoon:  The History of NFB of Colorado.  During this seminar, special guests including Mary Ellen Jernigan will discuss the history of the National Federation of the blind of Colorado, our accomplishments and achievements, and how we got to be the thriving affiliate we are today. 

Thursday Night:  Thursday night we will have a social event.  If the weather permits, the event will include a bonfire in the hotels fire pit.  If the weather is not as nice our social event will be held inside.

Friday 8:00-10:00:  Exhibit Hall:  A variety of venders will be available to share information about their products.  Whether you need information about technology, how to stay active in Colorado, or how to be a dynamic and effective leader; we will have exhibitors to meet your needs. 

Friday 10:00-Lunch:  General Sessions:  During this time we will have exciting and dynamic speakers including persons from Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, state representatives, United States Association of Blind Athletes, and much more!  Our state president Scott LaBarre will give the NFB of Colorado report.  Speakers and sessions will be diverse and will serve as a means to keep us informed about Colorado Happenings!

Friday Luncheon:  Meet the Scholarship Class:  This luncheon will give us the opportunity to meet the NFB of Colorado Scholarship Class of 2012.  This is a dynamic group of individuals who and it will be a pleasure to get to know them better!

Friday Afternoon:  Seminars:  On Friday afternoon we will have interactive seminars on a variety of topics including health and fitness, employment, technology, and much more!

Friday Reception and Hollywood Party:  The Boulder Valley Chapter will be rolling out the red carpets for the Hollywood style reception and after party.  There will be an MC who will be describing the happenings of the evening and we have even been told that celebrities should watch out for the paparazzi.  During the evening, there will be lots of Hollywood themed games for children and adults, Oscar awards will be presented, and much more.

NOTE:  Please come dressed as your favorite Hollywood Celebrity, musician, movie character, book character, TV character, etc…  If you do not want to come in costume, you can impersonate your celebrity/character.  Costume and impersonation awards will be presented.

Friday Night:    During the fun and festivities Friday night, there will be a silent auction. Other items will be auctioned throughout the weekend.  Several items will be auctioned at the banquet. 

Friday Night:  Resolutions Committee Meeting:  A resolutions committee meeting will take place on Friday evening.

NOTE:  If you have a resolution or an idea for a resolution please submit to Brent Batron bbatron@cocenter.org or Tom Anderson tanderson@cocenter.org ASAP!

Saturday Morning:  General Sessions:  During the Saturday General session we will hear reports from our National Representative, Anil Lewis, the Colorado Center for the Blind, and more.  We will also have a special presentation from our guest Mary Ellen Jernigan.  There will be a “My Blindness Myself” panel as well as a presentation about our Goodwill Industries protests.

Saturday Luncheon:  During our working luncheon, we will have exciting speakers and topics that will keep us busy while enjoying a delicious midday meal.

Saturday Afternoon:  Division meetings:  This is an exciting time for our divisions and special interest groups to get together for seminars and annual business meetings. 

Saturday Social Hour:  NFB of Colorado will enjoy a spectacular performance by Anne’s Band!

NOTE:  Anne’s Band will likely perform after the banquet as well!

Saturday Banquet:  A delicious meal will be served, awards will be presented, the winning ticket for the Amazing Vacation Travel Raffle will be drawn, and Anil Lewis, our National Representative, will give the keynote address.  A fun time will be had by all!

NOTE:  ONCE AGAIN, THE WINNING VACATION RAFFLE TICKET WILL BE DRAWN AT THE BANQUET!!!  This means it is time for us to sell sell sell!!!  Send out e-mail blasts, blast your facebook, tweet tweet tweet on twitter, send group messages to everyone in your phone, and do whatever you need to do to SELL THOSE TICKETS!!!  Currently NFBCO is able to provide many great programs and lots of financial assistance to the blind of Colorado.  WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT MONEY!!!  We need YOUR help to sell these tickets and have an extremely successful fundraiser!  If you need assistance setting up blasts via e-mail, twitter, facebook, phone, etc… please feel free to contact Jessica Beecham at jbeecham@cocenter.org or 303-778-1130 ext. 223.  You can also contact Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@labarrelaw.com or 303-504-5979. 

Sunday Morning:  There will be a few sessions in the morning including the annual business meeting.  At the business meeting, elections will be held, resolutions will be adopted, and more.   

If you have questions or need assistance with registration, booking hotel rooms, etc… please contact Lisa Bonderson at lbonderson@labarrelaw.com or 303-504-5979. 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT CONVENTION!!!

  

Congratulatoins Christine Ha, MasterChef who Happens to Be Blind!!!

Congratulations to Christine Ha for winning Master Chef season 3.  Not a reality TV fan myself, this mornings news that a blind woman had Master Chef was my first knowledge that a blind woman was even participating in Master Chef.  Immediately, I wanted to what the press had to say about her victory.  

To my disappointment, the first article from the L.A. Times portrayed a negative picture of Christine's victory.  Although the author was able to clearly identify the flaws in the cuisine prepared by the runner up (undercooked lobster and a greasy pie crust) and the only negative thing that was said about Christine's meal was that the presentation could have been better it was insinuated throughout the entire article that she won because she was blind.

The second article which included an interview with Christine was posted on realitywanted.com.  I was a little nervous when I started reading this article because the author started out by stating that Christine won "despite a huge disadvantage."  The article turned around when the author interviewed Christine and focused on her performance in the show rather than her blindness.  It turned out to be a really nice article "despite an author who automatically assumes that blindness is a huge disadvantage." 

The third video clip from ABC News was interesting.  Although blindness was portrayed as a huge challenge by the reporter, the video showed Christine working in the kitchen successfully, traveling with her cane, shopping at the grocery store, and cooking in the kitchen.  The news clip even gave brief attention to some of the alternative techniques that Christine used as a successful chef.       

The last article posted on the people.com website was the best and it was written by Master Chef judge, Joe Bastanch.  Bastanch did not focus on Christine's disability at all.  He focused on her ability to prepare meals that were consistent and delicious.  While she might not have been the biggest risk taker in the kitchen, Christine was able to ultimately outcook the other contestants time after time.  Bastach commented that half way through the season he would not have picked Christine as a winner, not because of her disability, but rather because she was less flashy and did not go out on a limb like many of her peers and previous winners.  He explained that it was her consistent ability to out cook the other contestants that ultimately  gained her the winning spot in the competition.

Christine showed the world competence and skill that had nothing to do with her vision.  Shame on the people who cannot realize that her consistently excellent meals allowed her to win the competition and not her blindness.  Congratulations Christine and thank you for helping in the movement of the National Federation of the Blind to show the world that with the proper training and tools, we, the blind, can compete on equal footing with our sighted peers!  Not only did Christine compete on equal footing, but she came out on top!!!  

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-masterchef-winner-20120911,0,4973823.story

http://www.realitywanted.com/newsitem/5732-masterchef-season-3-exclusive-interview-with-winner-christine-ha#.UFC7sJgrlrU

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/blind-chef-masterchef-winner-17214566

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20628911,00.html

Congratulations Jim and Susan!!!

On Sunday, August 3rd friends and family joined with  Jim and Susan to celebrate the beginning of their life together.  Prayers were recited, psalms were read, and I dos were said.  The beautiful upbeat ceremony was a memorable event for all in attendance!

After the ceremony was over, the the wedding party and guests were invited to the Gashel home for a reception with rockin music by the Ann Band, excellent wine, and a delicious spread.  Dr. Maurer and members from the wedding party made toasts to the newly weds wiht advice and encouragement for their new life ahead and Jim left all the ladies teary-eyed when he explained that his house of five years finally became a home.

The day was awesome  from beginning to end and could certainly be described as an excellent beginning to a new life chapter!  We wish Jim and Susan the best of luck, tons of happiness, and lots of love over the days, weeks, and months, and years ahead.