by Steve Jacobson

As most of you already know, Ryan Strunk felt that his new job responsibilities would not permit him to devote the time and energy that he felt was required to be president of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. On April 13, he announced on our NFBMN-NEWS email list his decision to step down as president. As vice-president, the responsibility of the office of president has therefore come to me.

Volume 88, Number 2

A Publication of the

National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, Inc.

100 East 22nd Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404

Exciting times are coming in NFB conventions. Keep these in mind as you plan your activities throughout the coming year.

By Chuk Hamilton, Director, State Services for the Blind.

(Editor’s Note: This presentation about State Services for the Blind (SSB) was made at the semi-annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota on May 20, 2006. SSB is a division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).)

(Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to the semi-annual convention on May 20, 2006. Dave Kleis is a long-time friend of the NFB of Minnesota; first for many years in the Minnesota Legislature and now as the Mayor of St. Cloud. He co-sponsored our NFB-NEWSLINE® funding legislation as one of his last acts in the legislature before being elected mayor.)

City of St. Cloud

Over sixty people gathered at O'Hara's Restaurant in St. Cloud on May 20, 2006 to hold our semiannual state convention and celebrate the 35th anniversary of our Central Minnesota chapter. A day packed full of information, fun and friendship began shortly before 9:00 a.m. with coffee and rolls.

By Bridgette Bornstein, WCCO-TV

(Editor’s Note: This item was broadcast on WCCO-TV on July 12, 2006. The unidentified blind runner in the triathlon was Jeff Thompson. Both Luis Thorin and Jeff Thompson are members of our Metro Chapter, as well as graduates of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND). They successfully completed their segments of the triathlon on July 15, which turned out to be the hottest day of the summer.)

By Jeff Thompson

(Editor’s Note: Jeff Thompson is a member of our Metro Chapter, a graduate of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), and the president of our student division. He currently teaches industrial arts at BLIND. He is a winner of a 2006 NFB national scholarship, and plans to continue his education in history and political science at the University of Minnesota.)

By Chris Nisan, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

(Editor’s Note: The following article was published in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder on June 14, 2006. Michele Gittens, Carrie Gilmer, and Philip Richardson are members of our Metro Chapter. Michele Gittens is a graduate of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), and Jordan Richardson has attended BLIND’s Buddy Program during several summers.)

Blind Children Have Dreams to Realize

By Joyce Scanlan, President

(Editor’s Note: This was the keynote speech at our parents’ seminar on May 6, 2006.)