20230415-3 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-3 Lunch and Learn 

This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind.

• Lunch and Learn: o Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Brian Dulude

• Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI): Steve Tepper o Foundation for Blind Children (FBC): Julie Oliver o The Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (Saavi): Rachel Kuntz o Arizona Talking Book Library: Elizabeth Thompson o Arizona Industries for the Blind (AIB): David Steinmetz o SunSounds: Mares Wright

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20230415-2 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-2 Sessions 3 and 4

This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind.

• Session 3 – Care, Connect, Create at the Local Level o Participants joined Central Arizona chapter members Lisa Brooks and Ted Chittenden, and Southern Arizona chapter members Jordan Lopuszanski and Lupita Hernandez as they shared the value their local affiliate has made in their lives and how they and their affiliates give back to their local community.

• Session 4 – Care, Connect, Create at the Member Level o Participants joined four AzCB members, Lily Bogan, Ron Brooks, Karen Hughes, and Melanie Sinohui and learn about what brought them to ACB and what keeps them coming back .

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20230415-1 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-1 Sessions 1 and 2

This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind.

• Opening o President’s Welcome o Meet the AzCB Board of Directors o Meet the AzCB Convention Committee

• Session 1 – Care, Connect, Create at the National Level o Kenneth and Jeff are two members of ACB’s national board and have held leadership positions for many years within ACB. Both led us through a discussion focusing on the most important principles of ACB’s core values, which being our people and our affiliates.

• It starts with caring. We as a national organization are here for each one of you, no matter what your position is within your affiliate. We are truly a family, and we need each of you to be supported and for you to support us. It takes all of us to achieve more!

• It’s about connections. We as people thrive on connecting with one another and we discussed the tools, strategies, and opportunities that the national organization provides to connect you locally, nationally, and dare we say it, even internationally with blind people no matter where they are. We discussed the programs and services that the national organization provides to empower you in your journey with ACB and how we could also use your help to empower others.

• It is about creating or empowering you to achieve more. How can you help grow your affiliate or chapter? What about advocacy? What about community, technology, health care? All of these are crucial aspects as individuals, and you play a part in driving change in and outside of the organization. o We are a family, and all the members of that family are crucial for a healthy and thriving organization at all levels. Participants learned how they fit into the organization, how they can contribute back to the organization and how they can shape the direction at every level of ACB in the work that they do to achieve more!

• Session 2 – Care, Connect, Create at the State Level o Panelists:

• Ron Brooks

• Kaila Allen
• Michael Godino
• Sarah Harris
• Lori Scharff o They shared the role that a strong state affiliate can play in helping to support local chapters and members so that our overall organization, our mission, and our members are supported and able to  succeed.

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20230402 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230402 Annual Business Meeting

• President Gabe Griffith Presiding o 2022 Convention Minutes o Treasurer's Report o Newell Perry Report o voting on proposed Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments

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20230401-3 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-3 CCB Banquet

• MCs: Larry Gassman and Regina Brink o Heard about the importance of mentorship and peer support in our community and how it impacts independence, employment, and quality of life from ACB Board Member Kenneth Semien Sr. o Presentation of CCB Awards

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20230401-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-2 Third General Session

• Second Vice-President Rob Turner & Secretary Steve Bauer Presiding o Met the new CEO of the San Francisco Lighthouse Sharon Giovinazzo o Be amused and inspired with a "Tale of Two Presidents" with CCB President Gabe Griffith and NFBC President Tim Elder o heard from California Department of Aging Director Susan Demarois o Heard a presentation from the newly formed California Agencies for Blind and Visually Impaired Inc. with Anita Aaron Executive Director and Shellena Heber Executive Director Valley Center for the Blind and CABVI Board Member.

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20230401-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-1 Morning Session

Department of Rehabilitation, DOR Employment Services and Updates

• Participants heard from key Blind Field Services staff including: o Laura Rasmussen District Administrator o Peter Dawson Regional Director o Nancy Ybarra Regional Business Specialist about DOR Employment Services including benefits, opportunities, and behind the scenes work being done to help people who are blind or have low vision have successful employment outcomes. o Jamie Gibson-Barrows employment Specialist for Valley Center for the Blind- Discussed their employment services model and how it has been successful.

• the latest updates from DOR from: o Joe Xavier Director of DOR o Sue Pelbath Deputy Director Specialized Services Division o Ana Acton Deputy Director Independent Living Services.

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20230331-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 2

• President, Gabe Griffith Presiding o Heard from Deb Cook-Louis, ACB President o Gabe's President's Report o The Governmental Affairs Committee shared the latest happenings in advocacy and legislation. o Remembered our friends who have passed away over the last year and paid respect to their life and our fond memories. o Elections followed.

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20230331-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 1

• President, Gabe Griffith Presiding o Heard from Deb Cook-Louis, ACB President o Gabe's President's Report o The Governmental Affairs Committee shared the latest happenings in advocacy and legislation. o Remembered our friends who have passed away over the last year and paid respect to their life and our fond memories. o Elections followed.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230328 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230328 First General Session

• President Gabe Griffith presiding
• Adopted our Convention Rules o Heard from Credentials and Nominating Committee Chair, Frank Welt o Heard proposed Bylaw amendments from Bylaws Committee Chair Steve Bauer

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co