National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
2025 Convention Agenda
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National Federation of the Blind of Oregon; President, Stephanie McGary
Dates: October 24, 25 and 26 2025
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
15520 NW Gateway Court
Beaverton, OR 97006
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 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 2:20 pm
Room B
Oregon Commission for the Blind and Elder services: Services available, tips for safety in home and community. Julie Wright Rehabilitation specialist, Quinn Harber Rehabilitation Instructor Oregon Commission for the Blind
Room C
Ride Connection, Devon Driscoll Travel Trainer, TriMet
Session 2 - 2:30 to 3:20 pm
Room B
TriMet, Charlie Clark
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 - 3:30 to 4:20 pm
Room B
Shopping, Boundless Assistive Technology, Alice Campbell
Room C
Fund Raising and Membership Committees: Cory Schafer, and Tina Hanson respective chairs
4:30 pm Hotel guest room check in
6:00 to 7:00 pm
Rooms B and C
Light dinner buffet style
No host bar
7:00 to 9:00 pm Mixer and Auction combined
Rooms B and C
Mixer, Kristen Jocums
Auctioneers, Carla McQuillan and Bennet Prowse
Saturday morning, October 25
General Session
Rooms B and C
9:00 am to 12 noon
9:00 Welcome, Stephanie McGary, President National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
9:05 Invocation, Dan Turnbull
9:10 Flag ceremony, Shawn Doran
9:15 "America the Beautiful", Garry Relton
9:20 NFB Pledge and Belief Statement, Jack Mendez
9:30 National Report: National Representative Pam Allen
10:15 Proclamation: Ryan McBee
10:25 Oregon Talking Book and Braille Library, Jen Robinson (she/her), Program Supervisor
10:40 Oregon Commission for the Blind: Angel Hale (she/her) Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
10:55 - Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (NFB BELL® Academy), Justin Harford, Kris Colcock, and students
11:10 - Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM2U), Justin Harford and students
11:25 - General business and reading of proposed changes to NFB of Oregon Constitution. President, Stephanie McGary
Saturday afternoon October 25
12:00 to 1:00 pm
Luncheon
Speaker, Stephanie McGary
Breakout sessions
Session 1: 1:10 to 2:00 pm
Room A Self Defense, Safe Without Sight, Stan Miller
Room B Relaxation Techniques, Angel Ray, MS, LMT, LPC
Room C Smart glasses and more..., Nik Petersson
Session 2: 2:10 to 3:00
Room A Blind Entrepreneurs Panel
Angel Ray, MS, LMT, LPC, John Gardner PHD, ViewPlus, Founder, Debra Erickson: Executive Chef, Founder of The Blind Kitchen
Room B Parents' Division, from the father's prospective Panel Tracy Boyd President
Room C NFB NEWSLINE®, Jack Mendez, Deputy Director
Session 3: 3:10 to 4:00 pm
Room A Self Defense, Safe With Without Sight, Stan Miller
Room B Oregon Association of Blind Students, President Kendra Schaber
Room C Smart glasses and more..., Nik Petersson
4:15 to 5::00 pm
Celebrating Blind Equality Achievement Month Walking the Greenbrier
Saturday Evening October 25
6:30 to 7:00 pm No host bar
Banquet 7:00 to 10:00 pm
MC Kirk Wagner
Banquet speech, Pam Allen, First Vice President, National Federation of the Blind
Scholarship winners class of 2025, Kristen Jocums
PAC Plan, Carla McQuillan
Heads or Tails fundraiser, Marvin McGary and Stephanie McGarry
Sunday October 26
General Business Session
9:00 President’s Report Stephanie McGary, President
9:20 Secretary’s Report, Carina Comer, Secretary
9:30 Treasurer’s Report, Kirk Wagner, Treasurer
9:40 legislative Report, Ryan McBee
9:50 Chapter Reports
Linn Benton, Kristen Jocums, President, Rose City Chapter, Kirk Wagner, President, Southern Oregon, Katie Taylor, President, At Large, Justin Harford
10:10 Division Reports
Parents’ Division, Tracy Boyd, President Oregon Association of Blind Students, Kendra Schaber, President
10:20 Committee Reports
Fund Raising, Cory Schafer, Chair Membership, Tina Hanson, Chair
10:30 Vote on proposed changes to NFB of Oregon Constitution
11:00to 11:20 Elections
11:20 Setting next year’s convention place and date
11:30 Adjourn
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.
Convention Information | Agenda | Registration | Payment