2023 State Convention Agenda
National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas
Live the life you want.
Welcome to the 69th Annual Arkansas State Convention
March 31 and April 1, 2023
Held at the Four Points Marriott in Little Rock, Arkansas
Success for You and Me with the NFB #2023
Introducing the State Board Members:
| State President: | Nena Chadwick, Arkansas Affiliate |
| 1st Vice President: | Brent Philpot, Central Chapter |
| 2nd Vice President: | Donavon Cavender, At Large |
| Treasurer: | David Henry, NWA |
| Secretary: | Kyle Kiper, Central Chapter |
| Board Member 1: | Tanya Vanhouten, At Large |
| Board Member 2: | Mollie Hernandez, Central Chapter |
| Board Member 3: | Bettye Johnson, Central Chapter |
| Board Member 4: | Vacant |
| ARKABS Liaison: | Bryson Jones |
| River Valley Liaison: | Freddie Wilkey |
Introducing Chapter/Division Presidents:
| At Large Chapter: | Tanya Van Houten |
| Central Arkansas Chapter: | Cindy Scott-Huisman |
| Northwest Arkansas Chapter (NWA): | David Henry |
| River Valley Chapter: | Gary Hall |
| ARKABS: | Bryson Jones |
Committee Chairs:
| Host Committee: | Central Arkansas Chapter |
| Legislation Director: | Larry Wayland |
| Resolution Chair: | Brent Philpot |
| Nomination Chair: | Larry Wayland |
| Pac Plan Chair: | Donna Walker |
Everette Bacon, National Representative
Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors
Affiliate President of Utah
The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of and for the blind in the US, is made up of blind/visually impaired people of all ages and their families and friends. As noted above, the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas Affiliate is made up of an affiliate Board, which meets monthly, and various chapters, which also hold monthly meetings and have their own Board members. We also have a student (division)and various working committees.
The One-Minute Message:
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.
The National Federation of the Blind Pledge:
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation, and to abide by its constitution.
Integrity and Respect:
To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone.
We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds can learn, network and share with each other in an environment of mutual respect. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our community and the high expectations we strive to maintain.
Door Prizes will be drawn throughout the meeting. You must be present to win. In order to move things along, if your name is called, please call out so someone can bring your prize to you. As we warmly welcome each of our wonderful speakers and listen to what they have to share, please note that there will be time for questions at the end of each speaker's presentation. If we can keep our questions and comments brief, that will allow each person to have a turn.
Registration
All convention attendees are required to register. Registration with the convention entitles you to the convention room rate and qualifies you to win door prizes. If you have pre-registered for the convention, please go to the registration area to pick up your registration packet. If you did not pre-register, you may do so in the registration area. The onsite registration fee is $75. We will adhere to the registration times strictly so that our registration workers can participate in all convention activities. See the agenda for a list of times and locations of the registration area.
The registration table located outside of the Arkansas Suite opens at 8:30-9:45 am Friday, March 31, 8-8:45 am on Saturday, April 1, for packet pickup.
All Exhibitors will be in the hall area next to the Arkansas Suite. Friday, March 31st, 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, April 1st, 9 am-5 pm.
Friday, March 31 Morning
GENERAL SESSION I
Arkansas Suite
| 10 am | Call to order-Announcements – Nena Chadwick Opening Prayer – Pastor Trinnette Barnes |
| 10:15 am | welcome Mayor – Frank Scott Jr, Little Rock |
| 10:30 am | Affiliate President Report, Nena Chadwick Door prize Door Knockers |
| 11 am | World Services of the Blind Eric Yarberry, President/CEO |
| 11:30-12 pm | AIRS, Theresa Bertram |
| 12-2 | Lunch (on your own) |
SESSION II
Arkansas Suite
| 2 pm | Crystal Bridges Kim Crowell, Access & Inclusive Programs Manager |
| 2:30 pm | National Report. Everett Bacon, Utah |
| 3 pm | Break Door Prizes Door Knockers |
| 3:15 pm | Business Meeting /Elections Roll Call, Meeting Minutes, Treasurers Report, Constitution, Resolutions, Elections Board 1 and Board 2 |
| 5 pm | Adjourn (Dinner on your own) |
| 7 pm | Auction- Live with Auctioneer Brad Wooley, Jr Come join us for a fun-filled time with a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres while we bid on fantastic items. |
Saturday, April 1, 2023
GENERAL SESSION III
Arkansas Suite
| 9 am | Announcements - Nena Chadwick |
| 9:05 am | Hilton – Dave Wilkinson, Senior Accessibility Analyst (zoom) |
| 9:35 am | Attorney at Law – Doug Armstrong (zoom) |
| 10:05 | Door Prizes Door Knockers |
| 10:10 am | Division of Services for the Blind Cassandra Williams Stokes, Director |
| 10:45 am | Preparing for Future Adversity Larry Wayland |
| 11:15 am | Helen Keller National Center Natasha Aymami, Ashley Beaty |
| 11:30 am | Disability Rights Arkansas/Student Rights /Accommodations Molly Hernandez |
| 12 pm -2 pm | Lunch (on your own) |
SESSION IV
Arkansas Suite
| 2 pm | Break out Announcements Nena Chadwick
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| 7 pm | Banquet Prayer Bettye Johnson Dinner Banquet Address Everette Bacon, National Representative door prizes, awards, and drawing for the grand prize. |
Special Thank you to all our members, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, friends, and most importantly, our families for all the support that you have given throughout the year so that we can “Build the National Federation of the Blind"!
Meet Our National Representative:
Everette Bacon
Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors. President of the NFB of Utah since 2012.
Other highlights: FCC Disability Advisory Committee, Chair, Utah Legislative Coalition for persons with Disabilities, Chair, SLC Accessibility and Disability Commission, SLC Human Rights Commission, and more.
Currently employed as Field Services Coordinator for Utah Services for the Blind since 2005.
Blindness is hereditary due to cone/rod dystrophy.
Master's Degree from Western Michigan University
Married, wife Angela is a Neurologist at the University of Utah.
Dream Makers Circle
You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can visit your bank and convert an account to a P.O.D. (payable on death) bank account, which is payable after your passing to the National Federation of the blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income-generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage or list NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information, please contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314, extension 2422, or at pchang@nfb.org.
Vehicle Donations
The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated vehicles. Please call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting www.nfb.org/vehicledonations.
Next To all our great sponsors:
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| Silver Level: |
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| Bronze Level: |
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| Donation: |
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Thank you to all our Exhibitors:
| Disability Rights Arkansas | Lani Jennings-Hall, Marketing Communications Manager | |
| Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art/td> | Kim Crowell, Access & Inclusive Programs Manager | |
| Division of Services for the Blind | Contrena Bowie, Rehab Program Manager | |
| NanoPac, Inc | Calvin Churchwell, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist | |
| JW.org | Nick Wall | |
| FAIRS Friends Arkansas Information Reading Services | Larry Wayland | |
| Scentsy | Donna Walker, Independent Consultant | |
| Dream Vacations | JoAnn Crossley |