National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
2025 Convention Tentative Agenda
Updates will be made as parts of our convention are finalized. Please check back often.
National Federation of the Blind of Oregon; President, Stephanie McGary
Dates: October 24, 25 and 26 2025
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
15520 NW Gateway Ct
Beaverton, OR 97006
The National Federation of the Blind of Oregon knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday 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 can transform the dreams of blind Oregonians into reality.
NFB 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."
Belief Statement
The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.
National Representative Pam Allen, First Vice President, National Federation of the Blind, President, National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana, and Executive Director, Louisiana Center for the Blind
Note: meeting rooms description. There are two meeting rooms in this hotel. The smaller one will be referred to as “meeting room A”. The second room is larger and can be divided into two rooms. This room will be referred to as “Room B” and “Room C”.
Friday October 24
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Room A registration and door prize and auction item drop-off. Marvin McGary Door Prize Chair
Session 1 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Room B:
Oregon Ccommission for the Blind and Elder services: Services available, tips for safety in home and community.
Julie Wright Rehabilitation specialist, Quinn Haberl Rehabilitation Instructor Oregon Commission for the Blind
Room C;
Ride Connection: Devon Driscoll Travel Trainer
Session 2 2:45 to 3:45 pm
Room B;
TriMet
Room C:
The Blind Kitchen: How to maintain a clean and safe kitchen as a blind cook.
Debra Erickson, Executive Chef, Founder of The Blind Kitchen
Session 3: 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Room B
4:00 to 4:30 pm Shopping, Alice Campbell
4:30 to 5:00 pm Boundless Assistive Technology, Alice Campbell
Room C:
Fund Raising and Membership Committees: Cory Schafer and Tina Hanson respective chairs
6:00 to 7:00 pm
Rooms B and C
Light dinner buffet style
7:00 to 9:00 pm Mixer and Auction combined
Rooms B and C
Mixer: Kristen Jocums
Auctioneer Carla McQuillan and Bennet Prowse
Saturday morning, October 25
General Session;
Rooms B and C
9:00 to 1130 am
9:00 am Opening Ceremony: President Stephanie McGary
9:05 am Invocation
9:10 am Flag ceremony Shawn Doran
9:15 am America the Beautiful Garry Relton
9:20 am NFB Pledge and Belief Statement
9:30 National Report: National Representative Pam Allen
10:00 Proclamation: Ryan McBee
10:10 am State Library: Jen Robinson (she/her) Program Supervisor, Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library
10:30 am; Oregon Commission for the Blind: Angel Hale (she/her) Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
10:45 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL Academy): Justin Harford, Kris Colcock and students
11:00 am Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM2U): Justin Harford and students
11:30 General business and amending Constitution. President, Stephanie McGary
12:00 to 1:00 pm Saturday Luncheon: Speaker: Stephanie McGary
Saturday afternoon October 25
Breakout sessions
Session 1: 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Room A: Self Defense, Safe Without Sight
Room B: Parents Division: Tracy Boyd President: (From the Father’s Perspective?) it’s a panel for fathers but I haven’t been given a title, this is my suggested filler
Room C: Nik Petersson: Smart Glasses and More:
Session 2: 2:45 to 3:45
Room B:
Blind Entrepreneurs Pannel
Angel Ray, MS, LMT, LPC,
John Gardner PHD, View Plus, Founder
Debra Erickson: Executive Chef, Founder of The Blind Kitchen
Room C;
NFB NEWSLINE®, Jack Mendez, Deputy Director NFB NEWSLINE® National Federation of the Blind
Session 3 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Room A:
Self Defense, Safe Without Sight
Room B:
Oregon Association of Blind Students Kendra Schaber, President
Room C:
Nik Petersson: Smart Glasses and More
Saturday Evening October 25
Banquet 7 to 9 pm
MC: Kirk Wagner
Banquet Speech: Pam Allen
Scholarship winners: Kristen Jocums
PAC Plan: Carla McQuillan
Heads and Tails: Marvin McGary and Stephanie McGarry
Sunday October 26
9:00 to 11:00 am General Business session National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
9:00 to 9:20 am President’s Report Stephanie McGary, President
9:20 to 9:30 Secretary’s Report: Carina Comer, Secretary
9:30 to 9:40 Treasurer’s Report Kirk Wagner, Treasurer
9:40 to 9:50 legislative Report: Ryan McBee
9:50 to 10:10 Chapter Reports
Linn Benton chapter: Kristen Jocums, President
Rose City Chapter: Kirk Wagner, President
Southern Oregon: Katie Taylor, President
At-Large: Justin Harford, President
10:10 to 10:20 am Division Reports:
Parents’ Division: Tracy Boyd, President
Oregon Association of Blind Students: Kendra Schaber, President
10:30 to 10:40 Committee Reports:
Fund Raising committee: Cory Schafer, Chair
Membership: Tina Hanson, Chair
10:40 to 10:50 Constitutional amendments
10:50 to 11:00
Setting next year’s convention place and date
11:00 Adjourn