2013 Convention at a Glance

Thanks to our 2013 Sponsors

TITLE
Vanda Pharmaceuticals(link is external)
PLATINUM
New York State Commission for the Blind(link is external)
SILVER
The Lighthouse Guild Services(link is external) • 3D Photoworks(link is external) • C-Tech(link is external)
BRONZE
Northeast Association of the Blind in Albany(link is external) • Strictly Car Service(link is external)
WHITE CANE
Vis-Ability(link is external) • HIMS International(link is external) • New Utrecht Pharmacy(link is external)
Guide Dog Foundation(link is external) • Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports(link is external)

AGENDA

Call to order
- Carl Jacobsen, President, National Federation of the Blind of New York State
- Invocation, Rabbi Brian Daniels and Cantor Dr. Mindy Jacobsen
- Pledge of Allegiance, Mike Robinson, 2nd Vice President NFB of NYS and Buffalo Chapter President
- National Anthem, Mindy Jacobsen, 1st Vice President, NFBNY

Presentation of the Scholarship Class of 2013
- Cayte Mendez, Chair, Scholarship Committee

State of the State Address
- Carl Jacobsen, President

Why I Came, Why I Stayed
- Laura Herman, Niagara Falls Chapter President

Report from the National Office
- Mark Riccobono, Executive Director, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

NABA, A Great Place to Work
- Chris Burke, Executive Director, Northeast Association of the Blind in Albany

And Now A Word From Our Sponsors
- Mindy Jacobsen

Not Your Daddy’s BEP
- Alan Gatoff, Director, Business Enterprise Program, Commission for the Blind
- Julie Cardone, Senior Counselor, Commission for the Blind
- Gary Grassman, Chairman, Committee of Blind Vendors

What’s happening at the Libraries?
- Caroline Ashby, Chief Librarian
- Valeria Paradiso, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
- Sharon Phillips, Chief Librarian, New York State Talking Book and Braille Library

Students in Action
- Chancey Fleet, 2nd Vice President, National Federation of the Blind New York City Chapter
- Shafeka Hashash, President, New Jersey Association of Blind Students

The Future is Ours
- Fr. John Sheehan SJ, Chairman, Xavier Society For the Blind

Our Blind Children Will Be Literate, The BELL Program, Quality Education, Literacy and Attitudes
- Brooke Jensen and Jessica Brown, Co-Leaders, Northern New York Parents of Blind Children
- Cayte Mendez, President, National Association of Blind Educators

Springing into Life
- Margo Downey, Commissioner, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and President, New York Association of Guide Dog Users

So How Do We Get It All Done?
- Brian Daniels, Associate Commissioner, Commission for the Blind, Rensselaer, New York

Banquet Invocation
- David Stayer, President, National Federation of the Blind, Greater Long Island Chapter

Banquet Keynote Address
- Mark Riccobono, Executive Director, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Presentation of Scholarships to the class of 2013
- Cayte Mendez, Scholarship Committee Chair

POBC Presentations
- Maria Garcia, POBC President
- Tommy Needham