50th Annual State Convention Agenda

Table of contents

Empowering the Future: Fifty Years of Progress and Possibilities!

April 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2025

Radisson Hotel and Conference Center
625 W Rolling Meadows Drive
Fond du Lac, WI 54937
Reservations: (920) 923-1440

Our special guest will be Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind.

The National Federation of the Blind is the only organization directed by blind people that believes in our full capacity and has the power, diversity, determination, and love to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in the capabilities of blind people; we take action to advance the aspirations of the blind; and we create a loving community where we learn to be our most powerful selves. Our faith in the capacity and dignity of blind individuals is at the heart of our mission. We know that blindness need not hold you back. We want our community to feel empowered to dream big; and we’ll work with determination so those dreams can be realized. There are no limits to what we can accomplish.

NFB of Wisconsin Board of Directors and Officers

President: Ben Dallin
First Vice President: Denise Charlier
Second Vice President: Meghan Whalen
Secretary: Laurie Holzmann
Treasurer: John Fritz
Board Members: Chelsea Dallin, Kimberly Kiser, Hunter Kuester, Renee Jones, Nicole Wolf, and Patty Zallar

NFB Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the effort 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

Convention Arrangements

If you have any questions about convention arrangements, contact Hunter Kuester, 920-285-8530.

Registration

Registration will be open on Friday, April 5, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, and Saturday, April 6, from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. If you have any questions contact Chelsea Dallin, 608-290-5573. Onsite registration is $25, Saturday Box Lunch is $25, Saturday Banquet is $45. If registering onsite, meals will be available on a first come basis until sold out.

Presidential Suite

Anyone who wants to meet with President Ben Dallin is welcome to come to the Presidential Suite. Call Ben at 775-934-6181 to make arrangements.

Childcare Room

Childcare will be open during the general convention sessions. Children may be dropped off no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the start of the session and must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. For location and  any questions, please contact Debi Meng at 608-558-1589 (Before and during the convention).

Door Prizes

You may be the lucky winner of a great door prize! Names will be drawn throughout the convention sessions and banquet. To be eligible to win, you need only to be registered and to be present in the meeting room when your name is drawn, unless you are in childcare. All donations of door prizes should be clearly labeled in braille and print and turned in to the door prize table in Meeting Room C.

Basket Raffles

Throughout convention, you will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of several exciting baskets, each put together by a chapter or division of our affiliate. Each will have a different theme, and these will be announced before and during convention. Purchase tickets at the table outside of general session or at other times from our members!

Exhibits

We encourage all attendees to visit our exhibitors. Learn about employment opportunities, technology, and more! Everyone who visits each table will be entered into a drawing for a special prize! Our vendors this year include: Saavi Services for the Blind, Vision Forward, Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Beyond Vision, Occupaws, Humanware, Wisconsin Talking Book, and Braile Library.

NFBW Auction

You may be the lucky high bidder of a great auction item!  All donations of auction items should be clearly labeled in Braille and print, and turned in to the door prize table in Meeting Room C.

PAC Plan

You can be a part of our mission to help blind people live the lives we want. Make recurring monthly donations through direct withdrawals from a checking account, or charges to a credit card by signing up for our Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program. Visit our PAC table during general sessions, or visit Nfb.org/pac

Dog Relief Area Information

After going through the doors at the top left of the lobby, turn left and down a short hallway.  you will find the pool/game area. The pool is on the left side with a wooden fence around it. To the right of the pool are tables and chairs. There is also a game area here with a pool table, air hockey table, etc. On the right side of this room are doors that lead out to a courtyard where service dogs may be relieved. There will be a garbage can outside. Please contact Meghan Whalen from WAGDU at 262-844-7938 if you have any questions, concerns, or are in need of pickup bags.

Note: When checking in at the hotel, they may give you a Service Animal Companion Letter and ask you to complete an emergency contact form for your service animal. This is completely voluntary and is not required to complete. They will also give you a sign to hang on your door, please display your “Dog on Vacation” sign at all times.

Meet President Riccobono

Mark Riccobono has served as President of the National Federation of the Blind since July of 2014. In his Federation work he has led a number of critical initiatives including: establishment of the National Center for Blind Youth in Science, building a national mentoring program, expanding Braille literacy programs including the NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning program, development of cutting-edge technologies including a car that a blind person can drive (the NFB Blind Driver Challenge®), many advocacy priorities, affiliate-building projects, and serving as a point person for key relationships with NFB partners. Learn more and interact with President Riccobono by visiting https://Riccobono.personal.ai

Friday, April 4, 2025 Schedule

1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Tech Corner, Meeting Room B
Bring your tech questions and tips for discussion in an informal setting and network with other attendees.

3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall, Meeting Room D/E

3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Registration, Meeting Room D/E

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Hospitality and Open Mic Night, Room 188/189
Come enjoy refreshments and great company to kick off your convention experience, and share your talents on the mic starting after 8!

7:00 p.m. Resolutions Committee Meeting, Meeting Room A
Dave Hyde, Chairperson

Saturday, April 5, 2025 Schedule

7:00 a.m. Annual Breakfast Meeting: Wisconsin Association of Guide Dog Users WAGDU, Hotel Restaurant
Meghan Whalen, President

8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Exhibits, Meeting Room D/E

8:00 to 8:45 a.m. Registration, Meeting room D/E
Registration is $25
Saturday Box Lunch is $25
Saturday Banquet is $45
Meals will be available on a first come basis until sold out.

8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Childcare, contact Debi Meng for location

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. General Session 1

12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Lunch, Meetings

2:00 to 5:00 p.m. General Session 2

7:00 p.m. Banquet and Keynote Address

9:30 p.m. Fundraising Auction

General Session 1

9:00 a.m. Call to Order
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
NFB Pledge
Welcome and Proclamation

9:20 a.m. Meet our Exhibitors!

9:30 a.m. Report from the National Federation of the Blind
Mark Riccobono, NFB President

10:00 a.m. Report from the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Dan Wenzel, Director

10:20 a.m. SAAVI Services for the Blind
Cody Beardslee and Emily Papenfus

10:40 a.m. What’s New at Wisconsin BEP and DVr
TJ Jerke, BEP Director

11:00 a.m. Office of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Doug Martens

11:20 a.m. Update from Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library
Beth Voecks, Library Services Manager

11:40 a.m. Experiences With NFB and Blind Cricket
Abey Finklea

Lunch and Meetings

All Lunches will be available outside of Meeting Room C. Please only take a box lunch if you purchased one and have a ticket in hand.

Student Group: Calling current and prospective students, come network, share tips and experiences, and explore ways to get involved with the Federation, Hotel Restaurant, confirm your attendance with Chelsea Dallin, (608) 290-5573

Luncheon and Annual Meeting: Wisconsin Parents of Blind Children WOPBC
Debi Meng, President, Meeting Room C

Luncheon and Annual Meeting: National Federation of the Blind - Wisconsin Badger Chapter, Board Room 1
Kimberly Kiser, President

12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Exhibits, Meeting Room D/E

General Session 2

2:00 p.m. Call to Order

2:05 p.m. National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin Presidential Report: Ben Dallin, President, National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin

2:20 p.m. What’s New at Humanware
Rachel Ramos, Product Specialist

2:40 p.m. My Journey in the Federation, Training, and Learning about Multiple Disabilities
Shayna Wederath

3:00 p.m. Balancing Career, Parenting, and the Federation
Melissa Riccobono

Breakout Sessions

3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Session 1, Meeting Room A
Wisconsin Parents of Blind Children
Debi Meng, President
Learn about topics such as braille, technology, and special opportunities for blind children.

3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Session 2, Meeting Room B
Blind Cricket clinic
Stop by and learn about this exciting sport, and participate in hands-on demonstrations!

3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Session 3, Meeting Room C
Training Centers and Structured Discovery
Presented by SAAVI Services for the Blind
Learn about adjustment to blindness training, speak with staff and graduates.

4:15 to 5:00 p.m. Session 4, Meeting Room C
Empowering the Future and Q And A with President Riccobono
Come share your ideas on the direction of our affiliate in the coming years and engage with leaders. Ask questions and share your thoughts in an interactive forum.

Evening Activities

6:45 p.m. until end of Banquet: Childcare, contact Debi Meng for location

7:00 p.m. Empowering the Future: Fifty Years of Progress and Possibilities!
Annual Banquet, Meeting Room C
Master of Ceremonies: Hunter Kuester
Invocation
Banquet Address: Mark Riccobono
Pledging Our Way to the Future!
Drawings

9:30 p.m. Fundraising Auction, Meeting Room C

Sunday, April 6, 2025 Schedule

8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Annual Business Meeting
Invocation
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer's Report
Nominating Committee Report
Elections
Committee Reports
Legislative Report
Chapter & Division Reports
Resolutions Committee Report
National Convention
State Convention
Miscellaneous Business

Special Thanks from the State President

I am honored to take the opportunity to thank our members, friends, families, guest speakers, and exhibitors  for attending the 50th annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. Your help, suggestions, ideas, and presence truly made this convention possible and memorable. A very special thank you to Mark and Melissa Riccobono for joining us from Maryland to share their knowledge, wisdom, and experience. This convention has certainly been filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and come together to change what it means to be blind. Everyone please have a safe journey back to your homes and we hope to see you all very soon. Go in peace.

Inclusivity, Diversity, and Social Conduct

The National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin seeks to provide a convention in which all participants can come together in an environment of mutual respect and professionalism. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are therefore specifically prohibited:

  • harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, physical appearance, or other group identity
  • sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact
  • public drunkenness and associated behaviors (e.g., belligerence, yelling, hostility, destruction of property)

We are committed to diversity, equity, and the free expression of ideas. These principles have been delineated in our Code of Conduct.

Information about safety and support is also available on the NFB website.