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CCB Convention Schedule

THURSDAY, October 25, 2007
Pre-registration packets can be picked up at the CCB registration table in the California Foyer from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM.
  • 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM San Diego Ballroom CCB Presidents and Vice Presidents Seminar. We invite all chapter and affiliate Presidents and Vice-Presidents, or their designees (two people per chapter or affiliate), to make plans to attend this special pre-convention event. This program was envisioned and developed by participants in the CCB chapter and affiliate Presidents email list and regularly scheduled Presidents conference calls. Our purpose is to provide a forum for leadership development by presenting clear outlines of the duties and responsibilities of the chief officers of our chapters and to facilitate discussion about these duties and about two major activities of CCB, fund-raising and advocacy. In addition the informative presentations by experienced leaders of CCB, conference participants will leave the meeting with practical and useful written material in their chosen formats. We hope that you will make plans to arrive in Los Angeles early to participate fully in this unique conference.


    Please RSVP to either Linda Porelle, lporelle@sbcglobal.net 415-586-2622, or Donna Pomerantz, dmpomerantz@earthlink.net 626-844-4388, by September 25, 2007 with your preferred format; Braille, Large Print, E-mail, or Computer Disk.


    • Program Agenda
      • 8:00 – 8:30 AM BYOB bring your own breakfast
      • 8:30 – 8:45 AM Introductions
      • 8:45 – 9:30 AM Group activity – listening and reporting – Linda Porelle
      • 9:30 – 9:50 AM CCB History – Mitch Pomerantz
      • 9:50 – 10:00 AM Break
      • 10:00 – 11:15 AM Officer Duties/Responsibilities Panel – Pam Metz (moderator)
        Panel Members: President, Winifred Downing; Vice President – TBA; Secretary, Ann Kysor; Treasurer, Lee Morton
      • 11:15 – 11:35 AM Fundraising – Ken Metz
      • 11:35 – 12:15 PM Advocacy –Dan Kysor and TBA
      • 12:15 – 12:305 PM Wrap up – Linda Porelle and Donna Pomerantz
      Post workshop handouts and evaluations to be sent out via email or given out at meeting.
  • 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM California A/D Rehabilitation Services Committee, Patricia Leetz, Chair and Technology Committee, Louis Herrera, Chair, Joint meeting. If you are a person interested in low vision reading equipment or a quick and accurate print to speech reading system, check out the presentation by ABISee manufactures of the Zoom-Ex reading system from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Interested in learning more about electronic books, either audio or text? Come and get the scoop on what DAISY is and how the DAISY format works. A representative from HumanWare will talk about DAISY and what tools support the DAISY book format from 2:10 to 3:00 PM. Want to know how to advocate for yourself and how to overcome impediments to employment created by technology? Attend this one hour workshop from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Guest speaker Jessica Lorenz, Director of Public Policy and Information, San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. Rehabilitation Services Committee members: Pat LaFrance-Wolf, Richard Rueda, Connie Schoeman, Ed Crespin, Don Queen, Anita Arakawa, Ken Metz, Elmer Chapson, Brian Hall, Nelly Emerson, Terry Almy, Alice Hackney, Lucy Greco, Charles Nabarrete. Technology Committee members: Roger Petersen, Vice Chair, Kenneth Frasse, Dan Kysor, Barbara Rhodes, Sylvia Munoz, Andy Baracco, Mike Keithley, Lillian Scaife.
  • 3:00 PM Catalina Meeting Room Welcome to Los Angeles party! Hosted by Association for Multicultural Concerns (AMC). Lillian Scaife, President. Come join us and have some pizza! The $6 price will cover your pizza and beverage.
  • 4:00 PM California A/D CCCLV Program and Business Meeting, Bernice Kandarian, President. Dr. Bill Takeshita of the Center for the Partially Sighted will talk about what's new in low vision technology.
  • 6:00 PM Los Angeles Room Braille Revival League of California Board meeting. Marleen O’Neill, President.
  • 7:00 PM California A/D California Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.


    • The Hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the Board meeting to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.

FRIDAY, October 26, 2007
The CCB Registration Table is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the California Foyer, Friday and Saturday in the California Foyer. Name badges are available at the Registration Table. Please wear your badge at all times during the Convention (Required for Voting).


Convention Exhibits will be on display from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Hollywood Room, Friday and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday. Obbie Schoeman and Peter Pardini, Co-Chairs.
  • 7:30 AM Palm GrillCQ CQ CQ to all amateur radio operators! You are invited to attend the CCB Amateur Radio breakfast to take place in the hotel's coffee shop, "The Palm Grill". Remember, our official convention frequency is 147.480 MHz.
  • 8:00 AM La Jolla Room CCB Credentials Committee. Rob Turner, Chair; Committee members: Stephen Fort, Coletta Davis
  • 8:00 AM Santa Barbara Room CCB Resolutions Committee, Gabe Griffith, Chair. Committee members: Lucy Greco, Winifred Downing, Ken Metz, Eugene Lozano, Jr., Dirk Neyhart, Rhonda King, Robert Wendt, Linda Porelle, Donna Pomerantz.
  • 9:00 AM San Francisco Room Braille Revival League of California (BRLC) Business meeting.
  • 10:00 AM San Francisco Room BRLC Seminar.
  • 9:00 AM California A/D Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) Gene Lozano, Chair, and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) Bernice Kandarian, President. Opening comments.Workshop title: "What stops would you like to hear called when riding a public transportation vehicle?" Come join us as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro, (the second largest public transit operator in the United States) and the San Joaquin Regional Transportation District (the California Association for Coordinated Transportation's Public Bus Operator of the Year Award) share their progress in complying with the ADA requirements in calling out fixed route stop announcements. The Metro has installed an automatic vehicle enunciator system on all of their buses and the San Joaquin RTD has developed a criterion and procedure for calling out fixed route stop announcements. There will be a panel presentation followed by an interactive discussion between the audience and the panelists about what should be the criteria for making these announcements. The outcome of this workshop will lead to the development of a resolution or position paper for the CCB regarding fixed route stop announcement criteria that will be distributed to public transportation agencies throughout California and other parts of the country. This document will provide guidelines to be used by public transit programs about how to orient persons with vision impairments to locations along a route. Please come and help us prepare this most important document. Panelist: Steve Rank, Assistant Operations Control Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Al Martinez, Supervising Electrical Engineer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Speaker to be announced.
  • 9:00 AM San Diego One Room Window Eyes Basic Training by GW Micro. If you are interested in learning about WindowEyes, you are invited to participate in a WindowEyes Basic training on Friday. (There will also be an intermediate training class on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 to 12:00 Noon.) If you are interested in signing up for the class, call the CCB office and sign up (1-800-221-6359). Cost for Friday’s Basic training is $5 per person, fee to be paid at the convention. Saturday’s Intermediate training is $25 per person. If there are any additional questions, email Louis Herrera at lherrera@gte.net.
  • 9:00 AM Los Angeles Room Association for Multicultural Concerns (AMC) Program, Lillian Scaife, President. Join AMC in a guided discussion on the implications of ethnic and cultural diversity in our everyday interactions. Group exercises will address stereotypes, cultural sensitivity, cross-cultural awareness and team building. Don Brown, ADA Coordinator, Access Work Systems
  • 12:00 NOON Los Angeles Room AMC Luncheon, Lillian Scaife, President. Please join AMC for our annual luncheon, which will be held in memory of the late Ahmad Rahman, one of AMC’s earliest members. The Board will present John Lopez, past CCB president, with the Toscanelli Thomas Leadership Award and Melinda Wilson, attorney at law and past Chief Deputy Director of Department of Rehabilitation, will be speaking on "Leadership, If Not Me Then Who?"
  • 10:45 AM San Diego Two Room California Library Users of America (CLUA), Jerry Arakawa, President. Business meeting.
  • 12:00 NOON San Diego Two Room California Library users of America (CLUA) and Braille Revival League (BRLC) Luncheon.
    Sue Sweetman, a trainer specializing in adaptive equipment will speak about and demonstrate the Victor Reader Stream, the newest portable reader manufactured by HumanWare.
  • 1:30 PM California A/D First CCB General Session. Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
    • Pledge of Allegiance: John Ross, President, Greater Bakersfield Chapter.
    • Invocation: Calvin Brown, Associate Minister, Bethleham Temple Apostolic Church, Los Angeles.
    • 1:45 PM Words from a blind Iraq war veteran Jesse Acosta, East Los Angeles Chapter member.
    • 2:15 PM Update of the Department of Rehabilitation, Anthony Sauer, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation.
    • 2:55 PM "Continued Improvement of Greyhound Lines, Inc. Services through Action". Presenter: Russell Haynes, MA., Coordinator, ADA Compliance Department, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    • 3:35 PM "What is the Section 8 Homeowner Program?" Presenter: Speakers name to Be Announced: Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.
  • 4:15 PM Santa Cruz Room CCB Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
    From Gerry Konsler, Committee Chair: Any CCB Chapter, Statewide Affiliate or CCB Voting Member may propose amendments to the CCB Constitution and/or CCB Bylaws.
  • 4:15 PM Catalina Ballroom Association for Multi-Cultural Concerns Fiesta Party! By popular demand, AMC’s Fiesta party is back! Join the AMC Board Friday afternoon immediately following the general session. This is our yearly gala affair where we will have “bottomless margaritas,” beer, diet and regular sodas, and appetizers. Join the board, have fun, and just let your hair down. Let us provide you with a smile and possibly a new friend.
  • 4:15 PM La Jolla Room First Timer's Seminar. Jerry Arakawa, Chair of CCB First Timers Committee. An opportunity for new members or those who have not attended a Convention in a long time to learn about the purpose and function of the CCB Convention. We want all newcomers to feel welcome and to make their attendance at the CCB Convention worthwhile and memorable.
  • 4:15 PM San Diego Two Room Domestic Violence And Hate Crimes Committee, Melody Banks, Chair. Discussion topic will be Hate Crimes.
  • 4:15 PM Malibu Room Publications Committee Meeting. Bernice Kandarian, Chair.
    Committee members: Mike Keithley, Editor, Julie Cantrell, Winifred Downing, Evelyn Drewry, Brian Hall, Louis Preston, Bonnie Rennie, Richard Rueda, Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Joel Isaac, Susan Schulter.
  • 4:15 PM San Francisco Room Committee on Access and Transportation Business Session. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair.
    Committee members: Barbara Rhodes, Vice Chair, Tom Karnes, David Jackson, Dr. Flora Beck, Glenda Castle, Warren Cushman, Beryl Brown.
  • 5:30 PM Los Angeles Room President's Dinner, Mistress of Ceremonies, Linda Porelle, President – San Francisco Chapter.
    The dinner presentation and discussion theme will be leadership development. Linda Porelle will briefly review and comment on the Thursday morning pre-convention leadership conference. Attendees will then be invited to share stories of success or lessons learned from their own chapter leadership experience.
  • 7:00 PM California A/D Second CCB General Session. Rhonda King, CCB Secretary presiding.
    Friday evening's General Session will include a remembrance of CCB members who have passed away since our last convention.
    • 7:20 PM Credentials Committee report,
    • 7:40 PM United Nations Treaty on Disabilities, Kathy Martinez, Executive Director, World Institute on Disabilities.
    • 8:10 PM ACB Report, Mitch Pomerantz, President, American Council of the Blind.
    • 8:40 PM CCB President's report, Jeff Thom.
    • 9:00 PM CCB officer and board of director elections.


      • The Resolutions Committee will meet at the close of the General Session in the Santa Barbara Room.


    • The hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the general session to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.
SATURDAY, October 27, 2007
  • 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM San Diego One Room CCB Membership and Public Relations breakfast seminar ($18 per person).
  • 8:30 AM Malibu Room Education Committee breakfast ($18 per person). Joni Patche, Chair. Richard Rueda, Youth Employment Transition Coordinator, Dept. of Rehabilitation, will speak on the "Transition to Employment, a collaboration between Dept. of Rehab. and the Dept. of Education."
    Committee members: Jill O'Connell, Winifred Downing, Keith Johnson, Leslie Thom, Erik Smiley, Ellie Wong, Warren Cushman
  • 8:30 AM California B/C Guide Dog Users of California (GDUC) Business meeting. Ann Kysor, President.
  • 10:00 AM California B/C GDUC Program. Jane Brackman, Executive Director, CA State Board of Guide Dogs will provide an update on board revisions.
  • 9:00 AM San Francisco Room Blind Students of California (BSC), Sean Ryan, President. Come and help us start a new generation of blind students! How to make a smooth transition to a CSU campus. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Disability Management Counselor/Access Specialist, Services to Students with Disabilities, California State University Sacramento.
  • 9:00 AM to 12 Noon San Diego Two Room Window Eyes Intermediate Training by GW Micro.
    If you are interested in signing up for the Intermediate class, call the CCB office and sign up (1-800-221-6359).
    The Intermediate training fee is $25 per person, fees to be paid at the convention. If there are any additional questions, email Louis Herrera at lherrera@gte.net.
  • 9:00 AM La Jolla Room Seniors with Vision Loss Committee, Bonnie Rennie, Chair.
    Committee members: Gussie Morgan, Charlotte Criddell, Connie Schoeman, Keith Black, Janet Carmichael, Jane Kardas.
  • 10:30 AM La Jolla Room CCCLV will join the Seniors with Vision Loss Committee for a joint meeting. Sharon Toji of Access Communications will discuss her research project on accessible signage. Also, Lena and Leon Reznik from Abisee Inc. will introduce Zoom-Ex, a new reading machine.
  • 10:30 AM Malibu Room California School for the Blind Alumni (CSBA) meeting. Elmer Chapson, Chair.
  • 11:30 AM San Diego One Room Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB) Alumni business meeting followed at 12 Noon by the OCB Luncheon, speaker to be announced. David Jackson, President.
  • 12 Noon San Francisco Room Randolph Shepard Vendors of California (RSVC) Luncheon. David Hanlon, President. Report and Elections.
  • 12 Noon California B/C GDUC Luncheon. Ann Kysor, President.
    Introductions; Reports from guide dog schools; and a Fifty/fifty drawing.
  • 1:30 PM California A/D Third CCB General Session. Chris Gray, CCB Treasurer presiding.
    • Pledge of Allegiance: Jacqueline Jackson, President, San Diego Braille Club.
    • Invocation
    • 1:40 PM "Divided We Fail: Dealing with Healthcare Reform". Sam Thomas, Regional Volunteer Leader for Los Angeles, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
    • 2:25 PM Identity Theft Presentation, Jerry Baik, City Attorneys Office Los Angeles.
    • 3:00 PM Coalition on Accessible Telecommunication, Ardis Bazyn.
    • 3:30 PM Federal and state legislation, Dan Kysor Director of Governmental Affairs.
  • 4:30 PM Santa Cruz Room Fund Raising Committee, Rhonda King, Chair.
    Committee members: Rhonda King, Chair. Peter Pardini, Obbie Schoeman, Sharlene Ornelas, Stephen Fort, Chris Gray, John Ross, A.J. Sobieck .
  • 4:30 PM San Francisco Room Governmental Affairs Committee, Catherine Skivers, Chair.
    Committee members: Catherine Skivers, Chair. Dan Kysor, Charles Nabarrete, Mitch Pomerantz, Ardis Bazyn, Andy Baracco, Doug Rose, Peter Pardini, Barbara Rhodes, Dirk Neyhart, Jane Kardas, Stephen Fort, Louis Preston, Louie Herrera, Lupe Medrano, Allen Ramos.
  • 6:00 PM California Foyer No Host "Attitude Adjustment Hour".
  • 7:00 PM California B/C The CCB banquet will be held Saturday evening, with Louis Herrera, President of the East Los Angeles Chapter as MC.
    Invocation
    The banquet will feature our 2007 scholarship winners we will also honor our Life members.
    Keynote speaker Mitch Pomerantz, the newly elected President of the American Council of the blind. Don't forget the winning tickets for CCB raffle will be drawn at the Banquet, along with other raffles and prizes.
    If needed, the CCB Resolutions Committee will meet directly after the banquet.


    • The hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the banquet to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.
SUNDAY, October 28, 2007
  • 8:15 AM California A/D Devotional Services.
  • 9:00 AM California A/D CCB General Session. Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
    • 9:05 AM Convention minutes: Secretary, Rhonda King.
    • 9:10 AM Treasurer's Report, Chris Gray.
    • 9:15 AM Constitutional and Bylaws Committee Report, Gerald Konsler, Chair.
    • 9:30 AM Resolution Committee Report, Gabe Griffith, Chair.
    • 10:30 AM Governmental Affairs report. Dan Kysor, Director of Governmental Affairs.
    • 11:00 AM Committee Reports as time permits.


      • Adjournment will be no later than 12 noon.
Revised October 15, 2007
© 2007 California Councli of the BLind. All Rights Reserved.