American Council of the Blind

Western New York Chapter

Convention Letter

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF NEW YORK, INC.
AN AFFILIATE OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, WASHINGTON, D.C.
A SELF-HELP ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIFESTYLE AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE BLIND

Invitation

You are invited to join us for the 2016 ACB of NY State convention.

This year we are holding it at the Holiday Inn near the Buffalo airport October 20-23. We are starting off with a leadership seminar on Thursday October 20 with a plated breakfast. The focus of this seminar is change in nonprofits and fundraising methods.

*All chapters must contact Lori Scharff and let her know who is attending from your chapter.

The afternoon will be an interactive tour at the Albright Knox art gallery with a gourmet lunch. Transportation will be provided. This is a fun interactive program with touch and feel presentations. During the second hour you can create art with the instructor. This program has been created and developed for the blind and visually impaired.

At 6pm we will gather in the lobby of the hotel and take a trip to the Anchor Bar in Williamsville to enjoy a dinner of the original Buffalo chicken wings. I will order taxi service on sight and you are responsible for your own costs.

Friday October 21

We’ll start off the morning with a hot buffet breakfast from 6.30 to 8am.
The breakfast for all buffets is as follows;
Eggs, meats, potatoes, toast, breads and pastries. Coffee, tea and juice.
NYCB will host its yearly Town Hall meeting from 10am to noon.
Our kick off to the convention will be started with the Color guard and a short presentation from a few speakers to welcome you to Buffalo and Western New York. The times for this is between 12.15 to 12.45pm
Lunch will be at 1pm.
The business meeting will begin at 2.15pm.
Friday evening will be the fundraiser to benefit both scholarship funds. ACB of NY and ACB of WNY. 100% of the profits will be divided between both.

Saturday October 22

We will start with the same full breakfast buffet between 6.30 and 8am.
Meetings as follows;
GDUES-8am to noon
NYSCCLV- 9am to noon
Children’s event with the Buffalo zoo will have two times. 9am and 10am. This is a touch and feel presentation followed by a discussion about the animals.
Exhibit room will be open from 9am to 5pm.
Parents and teachers discussion from 9am to noon
Lunch will be at noon.
Our afternoon schedule will have many interactive speakers on the topics of gaming and entertainment, Literacy and employment and pedestrian safety.
After all presentations are finished Father John will offer a Catholic Mass for those interested.
Happy hour and Banquet with Orel Miller as the speaker will start at 7pm.

Sunday October 23

Breakfast at 6.30 to 8am.
Board meeting to directly follow breakfast.

To register for the convention click HERE or call Karen Blachowicz at the number below. All payments should be mailed to Alex Meister 477 Hinman Ave, Buffalo NY 14216 or you have the option to pay through Paypal for an additional cost.
A list of speakers up to date are

  • Brian Daniels, Associate Commissioner, NYSCB
  • Bill Bouels, Veterans Administration, Washington D.C.
  • A representative from the New York School for the Blind in Batavia
  • Frank Cammarata, Erie County Advocate for the disabled
  • Kimberly Bandura, NYCB Mobility instructor
  • Oral O Miller Past President of ACB

The Hospitality room will be open Wed 8pm throughout the entire convention with the exception of Saturday between 9am and noon: hot coffee, tea, snacks, water, cold beverages. ALCOHOL FREE.

On behalf of the entire Western New York chapter of the American Council of the Blind we are looking forward to entertain, host and educate all of you.
For more information contact Karen Blachowicz at: 716-681-2730 or 716-510-4560 or karenabc1970 [at] live [dot] com.
Thank you,
Karen Blachowicz
President ACBWNY