The Blind Missourian
                                       December 2018

Table of Contents

National Federation of the Blind of Jefferson City Walk for
   Independence by President Melissa Kane                                      1

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest 
   by Shelia Wright, President                                                           1

Braille letters from Santa by Chris Danielsen                                   3

    National Federation of the Blind of Missouri 2019 Scholarship 
       Program by Julie McGinnity                                                         4

57th Annual Convention National Federation of the Blind of 
   Missouri by Gene Coulter                                                              8 

PLEDGE OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

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.

National Federation of the Blind of Jefferson City Walk for Independence
By President Melissa Kane

The National Federation of the Blind of Jefferson City had an eventful Walk for Independence on Sunday, October 7, 2018. The walk was scheduled from 2-5 PM at McKay Park in Jefferson City. Rain was expected, but the weather was showing a break from 2-4 PM, so we went ahead and got started. We had twelve guests from around the affiliate who were members of our Anthem USABA (United States Association of Blind Athletes) team join us to fulfill one of their requirements, and we did not want to make it a wasted trip for them.

Shortly after getting started, we had a very large down pour pop up, and then the tornado siren went off. Everyone took shelter in the bathrooms. Fortunately, the tornado warning was quickly cleared, and there was no tornado. 

President Melissa Kane and husband Ben Kane only live a couple of minutes from the park, so we moved the event there. More walking was done in the neighborhood in between down pours, and lots of food, drink, and companionship was enjoyed. Door prizes were drawn, Melissa Kane won a yellow mum, and free Dairy Queen Blizzards were won by Chris Griggs, Dorothy Walker, Linda Coccovizzo, Jeff Giffen, Chris Tisdal, and Jennifer, Jamie and Josiah Irving.

Members of the chapter who raised the most money will be announced at the November meeting. The top five will win prizes from our sponsors who donated gift cards. Thank you to the following sponsors: Aris Pizza, Maddison’s Café, Oscar’s, Bandana’s, and Melody’s Quality Jewelry.

A good time was had by all, despite the weather.

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
By Shelia Wright, President

The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri is proud to announce that we have registered Missouri as a participating state for the 2018-2019 Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest. This qualifies all K-12 Braille readers throughout Missouri to participate without any cost to the school or family. 
 
Below is a flier that gives an overview of the second nationwide Braille Readers are Leaders Contest. Registration is available online, and the reading period will begin on December 1, 2018. We hope that this program will assist you and encourage your Braille readers to develop strong Braille skills and a love for reading.  

Braille Readers Are Leaders (BRAL) Contest
The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, in partnership with the NFB Jernigan Institute and The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, again announces the annual Nation-wide Braille Readers Are Leaders (BRAL) contest for kids. Students must be K-12, and must reside in a state registered for the contest. Entrants compete to read the most Braille pages, going against other students in similar grades across all participating states. The contest runs for seven weeks, encouraging students to be proud of their Braille reading ability and to work to improve their Braille skills -- while possibly winning prizes in the process. 

A thumbnail sketch of the contest: 
•	For each student who enters, a certifying official (parent, teacher, etc.) must fill out and submit a registration form. This can be done as early as November 1, 2018 and as late as January 19, 2019. 
•	Students enter in one of five grade categories: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, & 9-12. 
•	Participants record Braille pages read between December 1, 2018 and January 19, 2019 on a reading log. 
•	The certifying official must submit the completed reading log form by February 2, 2019. 
•	Prizes in each grade category are: first, $25; second, $15; third, $10. 
•	Every contestant, whether a winner or not, will receive a gift bag of Braille-related items at the end of the contest. 
•	To get the complete contest rules, registration form, and the reading log form, visit the website, http://www.nfbofillinois.org/nationwide-bral-contest. 
•	Both the registration form and the reading log form can be submitted by email as attachments to Deborah Stein at dkent5817@att.net. Please put Nationwide BRAL plus the contestant’s name in the subject line. Alternatively, you can mail to: Deborah Stein, 5817 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631
•	In addition to awards in the five grade categories, Kelly Doty Awards of $25 will be given to students who have met unusual challenges in order to learn and read Braille. Such challenges include, but are not limited to, having other disabilities in addition to blindness or being an English language learner.

If you have questions, email the contest administrator, Deborah Stein, at dkent5817@att.net (please put “Nationwide BRAL Question” in the subject line). 
Or phone 773-203-1394 
“LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT”

Braille letters from Santa
By Chris Danielsen

Dear fellow federationists the holiday season is fast approaching. Once again the National Federation of the Blind is helping Santa Claus send letters in Braille to young blind children across the country.

More than ten years ago, Santa asked us to be his honorary elves. Ever since, we've been helping him send letters in contracted Braille to blind boys and girls who are ten years old and younger in the United States. Along with the Braille letter, Santa includes a print letter so that parents who might not read Braille can follow along. He also includes a fun tactile coloring sheet.

Requests can be made from November 12, 2018, through December 14, 2018. To make a request, fill out the online form located at https://nfb.org/santa-letters. Remember, requests must be received no later than December 14 so that Santa's letter will arrive before Christmas.

We wish all of you a joyful holiday season!

National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
2019 Scholarship Program

The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri announces our 2019 Scholarship Program. We will be accepting applications until February 1, 2019. We invite all qualified candidates to apply. Applicants must be legally blind and plan to enroll in a post-secondary institution for the fall of 2019. Applicants should live in Missouri but need not be a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Scholarships begin at $500 and are based on merit. This year we invite applicants to submit all information and documents online.  All application materials must be received by February 1, 2019 either through the online form (found at www.nfbmo.org) or at the email address provided below. Acknowledgment of applications and documents will be sent upon receipt. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Scholarship Chair. 

A complete application consists of the official application form and a student essay, plus these supporting documents: student transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a letter from an NFB of Missouri Scholarship Committee member, and proof of legal blindness.  Please note that letters of recommendation must not be submitted by the applicant but must come directly from the person authoring the recommendation.
 
In an effective essay the applicant may consider sharing about his or her life in a way that gives the committee insight into him or her. The essay should cover the ways in which one lives successfully as a blind person and describe personal goals for the future. Committee members give the essay a great deal of attention.

In addition to receiving the monetary award, the scholarship recipients will attend the convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, March 21-24, 2019, at the Holiday Inn in Columbia, MO. Hotel accommodations, convention registration, and planned meals during the convention will be included. We are also happy to help coordinate transportation to ensure this is not a barrier to our scholarship class. The type of transportation assistance may vary based on where in Missouri the winner resides and the available transportation resources in that community. 

Throughout the convention, scholarship winners will have an opportunity to learn about the National Federation of the Blind and network with successful blind people. In addition, final interviews with the Scholarship Committee will aid the committee in determining which scholarship each winner will receive.

You should know that merit scholarships from the National Federation of the Blind go directly to the winner and should not be considered as a similar benefit by Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. Therefore, students can use funds to meet expenses that other funding sources do not cover. Also, merit scholarships are viewed favorably when included on a resume.

The application can be found on the NFB of Missouri website.  If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the scholarship chair.
 
Julie McGinnity, Chair
Scholarship Committee
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Phone: 314-610-7740 
Email: scholarships@nfbmo.org
Web Page: www.nfbmo.org

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
OF MISSOURI
2019 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Scholarships may range from $500 to $2,500.

Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by February 1, 2019. Student generated documents must be submitted either through the online application (found at www.nfbmo.org) or by email to scholarships@nfbmo.org.

Name (Please include any birth or other names): 

Home address: 

Address of lodging at school (if different): 

Email address: 

Your Phone number: 

Alternative Phone: 
 
Are you legally blind? 

Educational history
Name of institution you are currently attending with location, dates and class standing (freshman, sophomore): 

Current cumulative grade point average at this institution: 

List other high school(s) and post-secondary institutions attended, including dates, location, and cumulative grade point average: 

ACT or SAT scores (high school seniors only): 

Rank in graduating class: 

Significant honors and awards received: 

Future plans
College or post-secondary institution to be attended in fall of 2019 with class standing: (If accepted after application deadline, indicate this and submit documentation as soon as possible under separate cover.) 

In what area do you plan to major? 

What are your career goals? 

Additional documentation
1. Write an essay of no more than 1,000 words which introduces you to the committee.

2. Provide two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic performance. These individuals must send their recommendations by email directly to the Scholarship Committee Chair at scholarships@nfbmo.org. We will not accept letters of recommendation that have been emailed by the applicant. 
List the names of your references below. 

3. Provide under separate cover transcripts from your high school and/or the college(s) you have attended. Although high school transcripts can be helpful, they are not required for applicants that already have at least 30 college credit hours.

4. Schedule an interview with a member of the scholarship committee. Request a letter evidencing the fact that you have discussed your scholarship application with him/her. You may contact Julie McGinnity by phone or email to learn the name of the appropriate person in your area. Although interviews may take place after February 1, the applicant must request an interview on or before that deadline. 

5. Provide proof of legal blindness. This could be from a doctor, school, or agency whose services are based on legal blindness.

To help us with distribution of application forms in the future, please indicate how you obtained information about this scholarship.  

Students who are selected to receive a scholarship will be invited, with assistance from the NFB of Missouri, to the state convention March 21-24, 2019, in Columbia, MO. Final interviews determining the awards will take place during the convention, and scholarships will be presented at the banquet on Saturday evening.  Recipients should arrive on Friday morning and plan to participate in the entire convention. Scholarship winners will receive at least $500. Winners will be notified by February 20, 2019, to allow students time to make their convention arrangements.

Applications and all documentation, including letters of recommendation, must be emailed or submitted through the website no later than February 1, 2019. We require that all documents be submitted through the website or by email rather than via snail mail. If you have any questions about submitting documents or our online form, please contact the scholarship chair using the email address or phone number provided below. For applications or additional information, please visit www.nfbmo.org or feel free to contact Ms. McGinnity.
Julie McGinnity 
NFB of Missouri Scholarship Committee
Email: scholarships@nfbmo.org
Phone: (314) 610-7740
57th Annual Convention National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Holiday Inn Select Hotel at the Mall
2200 I70 Drive Southwest; Columbia, MO 65203 573-445-8531
March 21-24, 2019
Pre-register online at www.NFBMo.org

	The Columbia Chapter would like to welcome everyone to Columbia, home of the Tigers, Cougars, and Stars. Not only are we home to three major colleges, one of which is a flagship university where homecoming was begun in 1911 when the football coach at the time, Chester Brewer, invited alumni to come home for the KU VS MU football game, but we also have satellite campuses for several smaller colleges. There is also a thriving arts district and lots of walking trails where you can enjoy the beauty Columbia has to offer.

 We are proud of George P. Smith, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, the 2018 winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Two world famous athletes are proud to call Columbia home: J’den Cox, bronze medal winner in the 2016 summer Olympics, and Carl Edwards, former NASCAR driver. The Columbia Chapter was started in February of 1974. We are forty-five years old and have been active in a number of events over the years, with both events we’ve held and events we’ve participated in. Some events we have participated in include Earth Day, the Memorial Day Parade, and the Twilight Festival. Events we have held include casino nights, nights with Mario Manzini, car washes, and trivia nights. 

We welcome everyone to Columbia and hope you enjoy what we have to offer and invite everyone to share in the celebration from March 21-24, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel. Room rates are $93.00 a night plus 12.96% tax for up to four in a room. To make reservations call 573-445-8531.

Conveniently located off Interstate 70 at exit 124, the hotel features the ESPN Sports Zone restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For fine dining there is Churchill’s Steak and Seafood, open for dinner and reservations are recommended.  The Atrium Lounge is open nightly until 10:00 in the heart of the hotel. The hotel has a hot tub, indoor pool, beauty salon, and a 3,000 square foot fitness center. Also included is free Wi-Fi internet, a business center, and free parking.

Convention registrations post marked on or before March 12, 2019, will be $15.00. After March 12 the cost to register will be $20.00. Registration will be open from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Friday and 5:00 to 7:00 Friday evening and 8:00 to 8:30 Saturday morning.  Hospitality will be open on Friday evening from 5:30 to 11:00. Come eat, drink, and enjoy the fellowship!

We have several planned meals throughout the weekend at very good prices. The highlight will be our Saturday banquet for $35.00. We will also have a planned lunch for Friday and Saturday for $16.00 each and our annual Prayer Breakfast Sunday morning at a cost of $13.00. The planned meals are open to everyone. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of these meals as there are not many other restaurant facilities nearby. After March 12 the cost for registration increases    to $20, lunches to $20, banquet to $40, and Prayer Breakfast to $16.

We again will be offering the Kid’s Zone for those children in need of supervised care. There is no cost for children registered for the convention. Children’s registration is $10.00 for those 14 and under. This year we are offering children’s pricing for our meals, so the lunches will be $10.00 and banquet will be $20.00 if paid by March 12. Important: we must receive requests for child care by March 1. Care will be provided on Saturday during the morning and afternoon sessions, the evening banquet until 9:00 p.m., and the Sunday morning session which will adjourn at 12:00 p.m.  Meals are not provided in child care so parents need to make arrangements to feed their children. Children’s registration and meals purchased after March 12 will incur additional charges, so registration will then be $15.00, lunches 13.00, and banquet $25.00.

Exhibit space is free to the chapters and divisions of the NFB for federation fund raising and information distribution and for a cost of $35.00 to outside exhibitors. Exhibit tables must be reserved before March 12, 2019. To donate door prizes, please contact Door Prize Chair Carol Coulter Phone: 573-474-3226. 

Equality * Security * Opportunity

National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
2019 State Convention 
Adult Registration Form
Columbia, March 21-24, 2019 

Please use one form per residence. Several registrations may be combined on one check if they are sent in the same envelope. There are separate forms for child care and exhibitors.
Registrant Name: ________________________________________________
Second registrant: _________________________________               
Street Address: __________________________, Apt.: ________
City: ______________________, State: ____, Zip Code: _________
Phone Number: ______________, Email: _____________________ 
Select preferred agenda format: 	__ Braille, ___ Print, ___ Electronic
Desired Blind Missourian format: ___Print, ___Email, ___Thumb Drive, __None
Desired Braille Monitor format: ___Print, ___Email, ___Thumb Drive, ___Braille
Select the items or events that you would like to purchase below:
*Convention Registration: Preregistration prior to March 12, 2019
Number of registrants: ___ at $15.00 		                    Total: $______
Annual Banquet: 	    ____ tickets needed at $35.00          Total: $______
Friday Luncheon:       ____ tickets needed at $16.00         Total: $______
Saturday Luncheon:   ____ tickets needed at $16.00         Total: $______
Prayer Breakfast:	    ____ tickets needed at $13.00 	Total: $______
                                                Total amount enclosed:   $______
*For registrations postmarked after March 12, 2019 please adjust amounts as follows: registration - $20.00, lunches - $20.00, banquet - $40.00, and breakfast - $16.00. Add amounts on all forms enclosed and make your check payable to: NFB of Missouri. Please mail to: Carol Coulter, 1504 Furlong Drive, Columbia, MO 65202.  	
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Convention Children’s Registration Form and Kid’s Zone Request
March 22-24, 2019

We will be offering child care in the Kid’s Zone for those children in need of supervised care. There is no additional cost for children who are registered for the convention; see the form below. Care will be provided on Saturday during the morning and afternoon sessions, the evening banquet until 9:00 PM, and the Sunday morning session which will adjourn at 12:00 PM. Meals are not provided in the Kid’s Zone, so parents need to make arrangements to feed their children. Important: Parents wanting care for their children must send this request on or before March 1, 2019. Payment for registration and meals needs to be received by March 12, 2019. You may Email this form to cjcoulter59@gmail.com or mail it to the address below. Payments can be mailed or made at www.nfbmo.org.

Name of Parent or Guardian: _____________________
Address: ________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ________________________________
Cell Phone: _______________ Home Phone: ________________
Names and Ages of Children: ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________Special Concerns: __________________________________________________________________Number of registrants: ___ at $10.00 		                    Total: $______
Annual Banquet: 	    ____ tickets needed at $20.00          Total: $______
Friday Luncheon:       ____ tickets needed at $10.00         Total: $______
Saturday Luncheon:   ____ tickets needed at $10.00         Total: $______
Prayer Breakfast:	    ____ tickets needed at $13.00 	Total: $______
                                                   Total amount enclosed: $______
Mail form and Check made payable to NFB of Missouri to: Carol Coulter, Treasurer, 1504 Furlong Drive; Columbia MO 65202. 
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Exhibitor Registration State Convention March 22, 2019

The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri is pleased to announce the opportunity to those interested in renting exhibit space during our 57th annual convention at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia. Exhibit space will be available on a first come basis from 2:00 PM until 10:00 pm on March 22, 2019. 
Exhibitors are welcome for a cost of $35.00. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for an additional cost. Contact Eugene Coulter at: GeneCoulter@Charter.Net for additional information. Exhibit space is free to the chapters and divisions of the NFB for federation fundraising and information distribution. Exhibit hours will be from 2:00 PM until 10:00 PM Friday evening. All space must be reserved before March 12, 2019.

Name of Organization: ___________________________
Name of Contact person: _________________________
Address: ______________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________
Phone: ________________ Email: __________________
Items exhibiting: ________________________________
_____Check here if you are a NFB chapter or division and mail in form.
_____check here if you are a non-NFB exhibitor and mail in form and check for
          $35.00.
          Make checks payable to NFB of Missouri and mail to: Carol Coulter, Treasurer 1504 Furlong Drive Columbia, MO 65202

Board of Directors
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

Officers:
Shelia Wright, President			           Julie McGinnity, First Vice President 
Gene Fleeman, Second Vice President           Dacia Cole, Recording Secretary
Erin Magoon, Corresponding Secretary         Carol Coulter, Treasurer

Board Members:
Eugene Coulter 		Roger Crome	                      Jenny Carmack
Amy Wilson		          Chris Tisdal		 	            Melissa Kane
Daniel Garcia	          President Emeritus, Gary Wunder

Chapter Presidents
Dacia Cole, Columbia                  		   Amy Wilson, Old Drum Chapter
Melissa Kane, Jefferson City	        		   Ben Vercellone, Springfield
Daniel Garcia, Kansas City          	 	   Chris Tisdal, Lewis and Clark	  
Roger Crome, Mineral Area Chapter                Dan Keller, Show-Me State Chapter

Blind Missourian Editor Carol Coulter
Proof Readers Helen Stevens, Shelia Wright, and Gary Wunder
Read by Elisabeth Coulter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

FREE MATTER FOR THE
BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED

NFB of Missouri
1504 Furlong Dr.
Columbia, MO  65202