It’s convention season! Want to see your affiliate’s convention listed here? Have you had a successful convention and want to brag a little? Send the information to [email protected].
Pennsylvania to Hold Virtual Convention
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind will hold its conference virtually from Sept. 16-19, 2021. This year’s theme is “Strengthening Community through Unity.” Plans include a crafters’ panel discussion, a volunteers’ panel, and much more.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Grignon at (570) 807-1276 or by email, [email protected]. Or contact PCB’s conference planning leader, Sue Lichtenfels, at (412) 480-9696 or [email protected].
Fill Your Bucket in South Dakota
The South Dakota Association of the Blind will hold its state convention at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Aberdeen Sept. 17th and 18th. This year’s theme is “Fill Your Bucket with More Tools for Life.” Activities include a tour of the new school for the blind and having pizza with the students. Some of the featured topics are: navigating the healthcare system when they realize you can’t see, and exploring ways to work with the iPhone to help us get and stay healthy. Oh, and yes, there will be a silent auction, too. For more information, visit www.sd-sdab.com. The registration form is now available on the website. If you have questions, send email to [email protected].
Proud to Be in OCB
The Oklahoma Council of the Blind will hold its virtual conference and convention Sept. 24-26.
This year’s theme is “Proud to be in OCB: Overcoming Challenges and Barriers.”
ACB is partnering with OCB to provide its webinar accessibility so we can go virtual and stream the convention on ACB Media. With this partnership, folks from across the United States will be able to join our convention activities, which will include a consumer/professional seminar on Friday.
Plans include a trivia night, a live auction, exhibitors, and our business meeting and election of officers on Sunday morning. Mark Richert, former ACB first vice president and interim executive director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), will be our special guest speaker. Mark has much experience in the advocacy field and can relate many of his own personal stories about why advocating for yourself is more important than ever today. He has a compelling story to tell, as he relates his personal struggle with depression and how he is dealing with it now.
On Friday at the consumer/professional seminar, OCB member Marilyn Sanders will ask the question, “Are you a wizard?” Mark Richert will discuss AER’s current activities. Tracy Brigham, Division Administrator for Oklahoma Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will report on the latest activities of the agency. There will also be a report from New View Oklahoma and the Veterans Administration.
Come join us for this exciting weekend! The registration form is available at www.okcb.org. The cost for the convention is $10, and if you wish to attend the consumer/professional seminar, the cost is $20. The seminar and convention only cost $30.
Missouri 65th Annual Convention
Missouri Council of the Blind will have a virtual convention again this year. The MCB 65th annual convention will be a two-day event beginning on Friday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. Central. We will start again on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Central. Registration is $10, and must be returned before Sept. 15. The registration form is available to complete online at https://moblind.org/convention, or print and mail. All registrations after the 15th will be $25. The registration deadline is Oct. 1. The convention will be held on the Zoom platform. You can also join in via your phone.
The board will meet on Thursday; general sessions will be held Friday and Saturday.
We’ve also got some fun planned! Join us on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Central for game night. Bring your favorite snack and beverage while we get together for some social fun, as well as play four rounds of Pirate Booty. This game is like Bingo, except it is played with cards of 6 rows and 6 columns, and there is no free space. If you win, you shout “Booty!” Prizes will consist of gift cards in the following amounts: 1st winner, $25; 2nd winner, $50; 3rd winner, $75, and 4th winner, $100. Cards for this event will be large print with braille overlay. They cost $10 each and can be purchased from the MCB office by calling (314) 832-7172. You can also order and pay for cards with your convention registration.