PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I asked God to send me his friends..,
He sent you.
I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No. It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it  up.
I asked God to make my handicap disappear,
God said, No. your spirit is whole,
your body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; 
it isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
          God said, No. You must grow on your own, 
but I will prune you to make You fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life
so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said .. Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

We, the members of the Broward Chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind, Inc., cordially invite you to attend our 50th annual convention.  This convention will be held on May 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 2003 at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Sheraton Hotel at 1825 Griffin Rd.  There will  be many exciting things for you to do at this convention.  Make your plans to join us!

1.  There will be a pre-convention cruise aboard The Seascape with gambling and live entertainment on Thursday evening, May 15th, leaving from the hotel lobby, (by bus to the ship), at 6:00 PM and returning at midnight.  The cost is $40.00 and includes a dinner buffet, cruise, taxes, port charges, games, dancing, Las Vegas shows, video arcade, poker room, bingo, full casino, slot machines and transportation to and from the convention hotel. Hope everyone has a great time.  You MUST pre-register for this event.

2.  The annual FCB Legislative Seminar will be presented by Carl McCoy, Immediate Past President of FCB,  and Charlie Crawford,  Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind.

3.  Enforcing Our Hard Won Access Laws, a panel presentation will be moderated by Gayle Krause, ADA Specialist with Dade County.

4.  The Convention will formally open on Friday evening at  the third annual Awards Dinner.  The cost of this meal event is $21.00.

You will be able to enjoy discount shopping at Burdines by using the coupons included in your convention packet.

There will be very informative seminars held on Friday afternoon:

Friday evening's festivities will end with a game night created by Dan and Leslie Spoone and their friends and hosted by Paul Edwards.

This year the exhibits will be open on Friday afternoon as well as all day Saturday.

5.  Wake up on Saturday morning and get yourself ready to work and play hard by participating in an aerobic exercise class presented by Leslie Spoone, a certified aerobics instructor.  The class will begin at 7:00 AM and end at 7:45 AM.

On Saturday morning, FCB will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a panel presentation moderated by Paul Edwards, Immediate Past President of the American Council of the Blind, that honors FCB's 50 years of hard work and commitment to the issues of people who are blind and visually impaired 

6.  From 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, a walking tour of the cruise ship, Zuiderdam, will be offered to the first 25 to register for it.  It is necessary to present a picture ID to board the ship.  Lunch will be served to those taking the tour on the ship's Lido Deck.  The cost of this tour event is $10.00.

From 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM, three concurrent workshops will be offered. They are:
7.  Adaptive Technology in the New Millennium, a panel presentation given by the FCB Technology Committee and moderated by the committee's chair, John Richards.  Topics under discussion will be:  talking note takers; voice recognition; Windows XP coupled with screen readers and screen magnifying
software; and broad band internet access.

8.	Exercising in the Main Stream, how to work out in your local gym or Y, presented by Leslie Spoone.

9.  Library Users Workshop presented by Doug Hall, Head of Volunteer Services, and Greg Carlson, Library Program Administrator.

From 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM Two concurrent workshops will be offered.  They are:
10. Building a Flexible Wardrobe That Works For You.  A panel presentation moderated by Gayle Krause, a Mary Kay Consultant.

11. Way Finding Devices, What Are They and How Can They Work For You?
Presented by Charlie Crawford.

After Lunch, Craig Kiser, Director of the Division of Blind Services, will present the Division's report. 

Special interest affiliates will then hold their meetings from 2:45 PM to 4:30 PM.  They include 
RSVF (Randolph Shepard Vendors of Florida) 
FCCLV (Florida Council of Citizens With Low Vision) 
FABS (Florida Alliance of Blind Students)
CCTB (Coalition for Concerns of the Totally Blind) 
Please make your plans to attend these very informative sessions.

12. Our banquet speaker will be Charlie Crawford, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind.  The cost of this year's banquet is $26.00.  At the conclusion of this event, our annual FCB dance will be held. The FCB business meeting will take place on Sunday Morning.

If you have any questions, please contact Bobbie Probst at the Project Insight office (800) 267-4448. 

Hotel Registration: please call the hotel directly to make your room reservations.  The room rates for the convention are $64.00 plus tax per night for up to four people.  You must make your reservations for a room by May 1st in order to insure the convention rate.  Their phone number is (954) 920-3500 or (800) 325-3535.  The hotel is located at 1825 Griffin Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33004.

Florida Council of the Blind Proposed Constitutional Amendment 03-4-2003.

The following proposed Amendment to the Florida Council of the Blind Constitution will be voted upon at the May, 2003 FCB Annual Convention.

The proposed amendment will add Subsection C. to ARTICLE IV which will allow for voice votes at annual conventions, except for the election of officers, and will provide for record voting if requested by twenty-five (25) voting members.

ARTICLE IV,  Voting

C. Except for elections of officers where there are contests, which elections shall be conducted by record vote, voting at Annual Conventions may be conducted by voice vote.  If a voice vote on any issue, in the opinion of the presiding officer, is too close to determine the result, the presiding officer shall have the discretion to order a record vote on the issue.  A record vote on any issue shall also be ordered by the presiding officer if any twenty-five (25) voting members and/or members-at-large identify themselves from the floor of the convention and request a record vote.

Please indicate which event you expect to attend on the registration form by circling the appropriate number associated with that event.

If you require the use of assistive listening devices please contact Bobbie Probst in the Project Insight Office at 1-800-267-4448.







Convention Registration:  Please submit by May 9, 2003.

Name: _________________________________
Address: ________________________Apt:_____
City: ________________   State: __________
Zip Code: ____________ Phone: ____________
Circle your media preference:
Large Print   Braille   Cassette Tape   Computer Disk

Circle those events that you wish to attend
1.  Thursday Evening Cruise.             2.  Legislative Seminar.
3.  Enforcing Access Laws.                4.  Awards Banquet.
5.  Exercise Class.                             6.  Cruise Ship Tour.
7. Adaptive Technology Presentation.
8. Exercising in the Main Stream.      9. Library users Workshop
10.  Building a Flexible Wardrobe.
11.  Way Finding Devices.                12. Annual FCB Banquet.

Complete Pre-Registration ............$57.00
 (Includes Registration, Awards Dinner & Banquet)

Registration and Banquet without Awards Dinner $36.00

Banquet Entree' Circle One:   Beef   Chicken   Vegetarian

Registration and Awards Dinner.........$31.00

If you do not plan to attend the awards dinner and banquet, the registration fee for the convention will be $10.00.  If you do not pre-register the fee will be $15.00 at the convention.

Thursday Night Cruise..............$40.00

Saturday Morning Cruise Ship Tour..........$10.00
Please make check payable to FCB......Total: $______

And Mail to:    Sila Miller, Convention Registrar
                       FCB - 2003 Convention
                       2201 Limerick Drive                       Tallahassee, FL 32309

COMING BY AIR?

For those who are coming to this year's convention by air, the hotel offers a complementary transfer service.
The service is available from 5 AM - Midnight.
There is a courtesy phone located in the baggage claim area or you can call the hotel directly when you get to the airport at (954) 920-3500 and ask for guest services. Remember the location is the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Sheraton as there are several Sheratons with shuttle service.

"PROJECT INSIGHT IS A SERVICE SPONSORED BY THE FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND PEER SUPPORT.  IT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE NOT READILY AVAILABLE FROM OTHER SERVICES."

Outta Sight Travel and Holland America Cruise Lines invite the Florida Council of the Blind convention attendees to come on board the MS ZUIDERDAM on Saturday, May 17, 2003.  The Zuiderdam is Holland America's newest ship and prides itself on being an accessible vessel.  The signs in the public areas are done in both print and Braille.  Holland America Lines is noted for their fine treatment of guide dogs.  While on the ship, the FCB participants will be toured through the ship with an escort from the cruise line and allowed to enjoy a buffet lunch on the Lido deck.  Transportation will be provided to the ship from the hotel.  Space is limited to 25 people.  Reservations must be made in advance, and government issued picture ID is mandatory.  The names on the manifest must match the ID - no nick names.  More information will be available with the convention registration packets.  The fee will be $10 to cover the shuttle service.

On the day before Thanksgiving, Jackie Hull, Gary Metzler and Dr. John had the opportunity to do a ship inspection on the Royal Olympia Cruise Line's Olympia Explorer.  The ship was a small intimate vessel with a wonderful layout, a friendly crew, and phenomenal food.  Our District Sales Manager met us onboard and gave us some promotional opportunities.  One sounded quite appealing - a 2 night cruise to the Bahamas on the sister ship, the Olympia Voyager.  We were so excited, that as soon as we got to the car, we got on the cell phone, called the cruise line and made bookings for friends and us.  When I got back to the office the following Monday I followed through with the reservation calling the cruise line to advise them that Gary is blind and travels with a guide dog for the blind.  I was immediately told that they had a policy that animals or pets were not allowed on their ships and there were no facilities for any animal.  I explained that this was a guide dog and the Americans with Disabilities Act allowed him to accompany us.  Once again I was told that there were no facilities and that their policy allowed for no animals or pets.  I immediately contacted Debbie Grubb, a fellow FCB member and president of Guide Dog Users, Inc. to see if perhaps I was misinterpreting the ADA - I felt that a company's policy should follow a country's law.  She concurred with me and joined with us on our advocacy campaign.  Debbie also referred us to Melanie Brunson, esquire, of the American Council of the Blind.  Melanie joined in and attempted to communicate with the cruise line, who seemed to be ignoring us.  They stood firm in their "policy."  Roberta Schwartz of SATH (Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality) joined in the quest and wrote to the cruise line.  After four months of stress, letter writing, phone calls, and other forms of communication, the efforts of all these professional women paid off.  

Fourteen days before the scheduled departure date of the cruise, Dr. John was given permission to accompany Gary on the Olympia Voyager as his guide dog for mobility assistance.  Special thanks to Debbie, Melanie and Roberta for their unending support.  Anchors aweigh!

I'm passing this along to you as I consider you valued friends.  This has worked for me and I think it may work for you as well.  I have found Inner Peace.  Recently, I read an article that stated:  The best way to achieve inner peace is to 'Finish Things You Have Started.'  So today I finished two large bags of potato chips, the last half of a lemon cream pie, a nearly full bottle of Jose Cuervo, a small box of  Godiva Chocolates, and I slapped the crap out of someone I have never liked. I feel better than I have felt for a long time.

UNFORGETABLE COLE SLAW
By Jean Knutsen
1 head cabbage (about 2 pounds), cleaned and shredded
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 tbls wine vinegar, lime or lemon juice
1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1/4 tsp celery salt
2 tbl mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste and a dash of paprika
Mix oil, vinegar or juice. Add prepared mustard, salt, pepper, paprika and mayonnaise, mix well. Pour mixture over shredded cabbage. Toss and refrigerate. This can be made up a day ahead so flavors have a chance to blend.

Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library   1-800-226-6075

Division of Blind Services  (Tallahassee)  1-800-342-1828

American Council of The Blind   1-800-424-8666
(available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday)

ACB Legislative Hotline:  1-800-424-8666 
(Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST
Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)

AT&T Disability Services:  1-800-872-3883 
Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier

Bellsouth Disability Services:  780-2273 from anywhere

Social Security:  1-800-772-1213 24-hour voice and touch tone accessible

Bobbie Probst: Clay, Alachua, Halifax, PSLCB  - (904) 641-0709   

Robert Miller: Tallahassee, Pinellas County - (850) 906-9821

Lee Stallworth: Pensacola, Port Charlotte, FABS -  (850) 433-5663

 Patti Davis: Mid Florida, Tampa, RSVF  - (407) 767-8616 

Carl McCoy: Brevard, Palm Beach County, Polk -  (850) 553-9490   

Nancy Folsom: Ocala, Greater Tampa, FCCLV - (850) 893-8650

Sharon Youngs: Plant City, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood - (727) 937-8631

Jesus Garcia: Miami Metro, Broward - (305) 654-8329

Jim Warth: Greater Miami, Jacksonville - (813) 251-8469

                            -THE END-