National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Annual Convention
November 11-13, 2011

The Journey: Empowering Lives and Expanding Opportunities

HOST SITE

Holiday Inn Austin
6000 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX 78752

REGISTRATION

Convention registration is $20 and $30 for the banquet, for those who have not preregistered.
In order to receive the convention rates for the hotel, you must register with the convention. Convention registration will be open at the following times:

• Friday, November 11th, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 12th, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. and 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Participants who pre-register can pick up convention materials at the registration station in the meeting room area. We will strictly adhere to the schedule in order for registration volunteers to attend all meetings on time.

Registering for the convention automatically enters you in to the door prize drawing that occurs throughout our general sessions. Registering with the convention also gives you access to our upcoming events, projects, and initiatives. All registered members have a vote in our elections.

The registration area will also serve as a general convention information center. You can access print and Braille agendas, get basic directions, and a restaurant guide.

DOOR PRIZES

Heather Stivers will be serving as Door Prize chairperson. Those of you who have door prizes to turn into Heather should do so at your earliest opportunity. All prizes must be turned into the convention registration station no later than 8:30 a.m. November 12, 2011, and should be labeled in print and Braille.
In order to win a door prize, you must be registered with the convention and be present in the room when your name is called during the general sessions of the convention.

HOSPITALITY

Friday, November 11
5:00-6:45 p.m.
NFB of Texas Hospitality
Light appetizers and cash bar in the Elm Room for all convention attendees

EXHIBITORS

Friday, November 11
1:00-10:00 p.m.
The NFB of Texas will host an exhibit hall this year. Come experience the latest adaptive technology, purchase independent living aids, and access an array of information related to blindness. The exhibitors will also have a chance to display their products and information during lunch on Saturday.

Convention Agenda

Friday, November 11

The Journey: Empowering Lives and Expanding Opportunities

• 1:00-5:00 p.m. Registration
  Stationed outside the Main Ballroom
• 1:00-5:00 p.m. Exhibits
  Pecan Room/Foyer Hall
• 5:00-6:45 p.m. Hospitality
  Elm Room
• 7:00-10:00 p.m. Exhibits
  Pecan Room/Foyer Hall
• 7:00-9:30 p.m. Texas Parents of Blind Children
  The Learning Center
  Kim Cunningham, President
• 7:00-9:30 p.m. Texas Association of Blind Students
  Cyprus Room
  Juan Munoz, president
• 7:00-8:30 p.m. Technology Breakout Session
  Memosa Room
  Moderators: Thomas Stivers and Jeanine Lineback
• 7:00-8:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social with the Diabetic Action Network
  Oak Room
  Marcie Gonzalez, Chairperson
• 7:00-8:30 p.m. Seniors Break Out Session
  Sycamore Room
  Priscilla Arvonni, Chairperson
• 8:00-9:00 p.m. Dog Guide Users Committee
  Cedar/Cherry Room
  Elizabeth Campbell, Chairperson
• 9:00-10:00 p.m. Resolutions Committee Meeting
  Sycamore Room
  Jeanine Lineback, Chairperson

Saturday, November 12

The Journey: Empowering Lives and Expanding Opportunities
General Session
Main Ballroom B&C

• 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Call to Order
  Kimberly Flores, President
• 9:10 a.m. Welcome to Austin, NFB of Austin Chapter
• 9:25 a.m. 2011 Scholarship Class
  Angela Frederick, Chairperson, Scholarship Committee
• 9:40 a.m. Marching Together: Our National Report
  Dr. Frederick K. Schroeder, 1st Vice President, National Federation of the Blind
• 10:30 a.m. Empowering Our Future Through Braille: BELL Camp Video
  Priscilla Thompson, BELL Videographer, University of Texas Journalism Department
• 10:50 a.m. How the CHANGE Mentoring Program Expanded My Opportunities
  Kendal and Nikki Lyssy, West Lake High School
• 11:05 a.m. Why Me and Why the NFB?
  Monica Villareal, University of Texas at Austin, and participant in the CHANGE Mentoring Program
• 11:15 a.m. Celebrating 80 Years of Service: Division for Blind Services: Reflections to Ensure a Strong Future
  Barbara Madrigal, Assistant Commissioner, DARS-DBS
• 11:35 a.m. Introduction and Update on Important Changes Coming for Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
  Rosanne De’Moss, new director, Criss Cole
• 11:55 a.m. Announcements
• Noon Adjourn
• Noon-1: 45 p.m. Registration, exhibits, scholarship, and Youth Luncheon.
  • Registration: Hotel foyer outside Main Ballroom B and C
  • Exhibits: Pecan Room/Foyer Hall
  • Scholarship: Red Pepper Grill Private Dining Room
  • Youth: Presidential Suite — Ask Richie Flores, Youth Coordinator
• 2:00 p.m. Call to Order and Announcements
• 2:05 p.m. How the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is Expanding Opportunities for Blind Students
  Bill Daugherty, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• 2:20 p.m. Raising the Bar at Youth Slam: A Mentor and Teacher Perspective
  Juan Munoz, Slam Mentor, TABS President
  Teacher Sylvia Ekdahl, Instructor, Abilene Chapter
• 2:45 p.m. My Journey: From Finding the Federation to Funding Our Movement
  Gracie Jackson, Golden Triangle Chapter
• 3:00 p.m. Equipping Yourself to be an Essential Employee
  Larry Temple, Executive Director of the Texas Workforce Commission
• 3:20 p.m. Creating My Own Opportunity
  Jason Meddaugh, Founder, A T Guys
• 3:30 p.m. Taking the Plunge to Acquire Quality Training
  Gabriel Cazares, Louisiana Center for the Blind, TABS
  James Watson, Louisiana Center for the Blind
  Jesse Gaona, CCRC, Treasurer, Rio Grande Valley Chapter
• 3:55 p.m. Roll Call of Chapters and Division Reports
  Division Leaders, NFBT
• 4:25 p.m. Expanding Community Service in the NFB
  NFB Community Service Group and Service Project Initiative for National Convention, Dallas 2012
• 4:30 p.m. Improving Lives, Expanding Opportunity: NFB of Texas Presidential Report
  Kimberly Flores, President, NFB of Texas
• 4:50 p.m. Discussion and announcements
• 5:00 p.m. Adjourn
• 7:00 p.m. Banquet
  Main Ballroom A&B
• 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m. After Banquet Social
  Elm room

Sunday, November 13

The Journey: Empowering Lives and Expanding Opportunities

• 7:30-8:45 a.m. At-Large Chapter Breakfast
  Oak Room
  Norma Crosby, Chairperson
• 7:30-8:45 a.m. Chapter Presidents’ Breakfast
  Elm Room
  Richie Flores, President, NFB Austin

General Session

• 9:00 a.m. Call to Order
• 9:05 a.m. Invocation
• 9:10 a.m. Nominating Committee Report and Elections
• 9:35 a.m. Secretary’s Report
  Elizabeth Campbell, Secretary
• 9:55 a.m. Treasurer’s Report
  Heather Stivers, Treasurer
• 10:15 a.m. Resolutions
  Jeanine Lineback, Chairperson
• 10:35 a.m. Webmaster’s Report
  Thomas Stivers, NFBT Webmaster
• 10:45 a.m. Expanding the Chapter Experience — Update on At-Large Chapter Development
  Norma Crosby, Chairperson
• 11:00 a.m. Hot Off the Press: Updates from NFB Newsline
  Steve Tompkins, NFBT Newsline Coordinator
• 11:15 a.m. Taking It Home — This Year The Federation Has Made Me Thankful For …
• 11:50 a.m. Closing Remarks and Announcements
• 12:00 p.m. Adjourn