by Cynthia Towers, Convention Coordinator
The unforgettable words "Houston, we have a problem" were uttered by the Apollo 13 astronauts as they tried to return to earth after experiencing technical difficulties. Fortunately, they made a triumphant return and that is exactly what ACB conventioneers will be doing in July 2002. Our return to the Adam's Mark Hotel in Houston, Texas will be nothing less than triumphant. Those of you who were there before remember the great accommodations, good food, exciting tours and of course the spectacular convention itself.
This past summer and fall have been a time of transition for me. I transitioned from being your national secretary for the past six years into the position of convention coordinator. I also transitioned from being an elementary to a middle school teacher. I am now in charge of teaching math to 143 7th and 8th grade students each day. As I go about the business of managing the rigors of the middle school routine, I am also managing the sometimes day-to-day operations of putting on a convention of our magnitude.
Preparations are well in place for this year's 41st annual gathering. Thanks to the tireless work of the local affiliate, under the guidance of Texas president Chris Prentice, ACB board member Ed "Doc" Bradley, and the entire convention committee, your stay in Houston will be enjoyable, informative and fun. Cindy Burgett will once again run the Youth Activity Center (YAC). This new venture was born at the Des Moines, Iowa convention and Cindy is anticipating increased participation as this program catches on in popularity. The children do all sorts of crafts, games and activities. It is a lot for one person to take care of the administrative functions of the YAC as well as keep the "natives from getting restless." If you are someone who knows some youth activity games you can share with Cindy, she would greatly appreciate it. Volunteers are vitally needed. Please contact Cindy at (877) 329-6361 if you can give her a hand this summer.
Patricia Saunders will staff the convention office and Jean Mann will look after the information desk this year. Neither of these women are strangers to the inner workings of an ACB convention nor are they immune to long hours and hard work. The committee is developing a system to make the reservation of tables for the banquet less confusing. Look for those details as convention draws closer. Please remember that the convention office is primarily for internal matters. The information desk is where you need to direct your convention-related questions. Should your query deal specifically with the hotel, please go to the front desk for such concerns.
Mike Smitherman will once again be in charge of the exhibit area. Following a preliminary trip to Houston in October, Mike has selected a decorator and has planned the layout for this year's exhibitors. The board voted to raise the cost of the booths this year, as our prices had not risen in the past five to six years. ACB, just like everyone else, needs to keep up with inflation.
I won't steal Mike Hoenig's thunder by telling you about all the magnificent tours he has planned. I'll let him do that in this and future issues. Let me just say that the entire convention committee is jealous that we won't be able to take advantage of a majority of the outings such as the fabulous day trip to Galveston, the tour to NASA, the Science Museum or the Range where a real down-home Texas barbecue is planned. Thanks, Mike, for getting us all going to the local shoe store to get our attire of hats and boots so we're all decked out properly. Chaps and spurs are not needed on this trip.
Margie Donovan is an enthusiastic supporter of dog guide users and their dogs. She and I will be traveling to Houston in January to familiarize ourselves once again with the relief areas at both hotels.
There are so many other people who help to make convention successful. Both the Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis offices do a stellar job with the administrative side of convention, well before, during and long after we have all gone home. Volunteer coordinator Margarine Beaman is just like that Energizer bunny -- she just keeps going and going and going. Carla Ruschival is in charge of convention contracts and site selection. She knows how to negotiate and I am so fortunate to have her as my right arm woman.
The national office needs your help. This year deadlines will be strictly adhered to and thus if you are charged with the responsibility of getting your program items in, please do so on time. Copious calls, countless e-mails and much searching for affiliate leaders goes on at this time all in order to put together a complete program. Well, this year "if you snooze, you lose." Last year's pre-registration packet was mailed far later than it ever should have been and this cannot happen again. If you miss the deadline you will have to find another means of advertising your agenda.
Some functions will be held in the Hilton, across the street from the Adam's Mark. There will be shuttles between the two hotels as there is a busy street with no crossing light. The committee is considering the feasibility of having a crossing guard on duty at that corner during peak convention times. A grocery store is approximately four blocks away. A delivery method may be established, as the store does not currently offer this service as a matter of course. It may be possible to run shuttles to that location as well.
There are many more details that I will touch upon as time draws closer. For now, I look forward to seeing many of you at the midyear meeting in February. I hope that your holiday season was a peaceful one. Let us all stand united in our belief that America is the best country in the world and that the American Council of the Blind is the best organization to which a blind person can belong. I thank all of you for your support and guidance. If you would like to contact me about any convention- related matter, or you want to help correct 143 math assignments, you can contact me at (206) 729-9654; I live in Seattle. You may also e-mail me at [email protected] -- I think. As I write this, my previous server has gone bankrupt and the new one has yet to materialize. Take care of yourselves, do a random act of kindness today and may God bless America and the ACB.