by Melanie Brunson
I'd like to begin my article this month by wishing all of you a happy 2012! The new year promises to be a busy one for ACB and its affiliates. We are expecting significant activity this year on issues such as accessible prescription drug labeling, special education, vocational rehabilitation, and a wide range of transportation issues. In addition, our work on audio description and other telecommunication issues will continue, and legislative activities are only a part of what's in store for ACB in the year ahead. If you are interested in knowing more about what else is on our agenda, I hope you are planning to attend the midyear meetings in February. It's not too late to make plans to join us, but you need to act soon. The hotel is filling up fast, and rooms must be reserved by January 31.
In addition to the legislative seminar, there will be meetings of both the ACB board of directors and the board of publications, as well as a meeting for affiliate presidents or their representatives. Any ACB member can attend these meetings, and I urge members to do so. A number of exciting new activities will be discussed, and lots of information shared that touches on all aspects of life within our ACB family. For example, the ACB board will be meeting for two days this year in order to devote one day to a strategic planning session. Their aim will be to try to set goals for ACB over several years.
We will be meeting again this year at the Holiday Inn National Airport in Arlington, Va. Here are the dates:
- The ACB board meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24.
- The affiliate presidents' meeting will be on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26.
- The legislative seminar will begin in the afternoon of Feb. 26, continue through Monday, Feb. 27, and conclude on Tuesday, Feb. 28 with visits to Congressional offices by participants.
Room rates at the hotel are $119 per night plus tax, and reservations
can be made by either calling 1-800-HOLIDAY, (1-800-465-4329) or online at http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&GPC=ACB&ho....
Be sure to note the group code ACB when you make your reservation. This rate is available beginning on Feb. 22, the evening before the board meeting, and will apply through the 29th, the day after the legislative seminar.
You can register for these events online by going to the ACB web site, www.acb.org, and looking for the link to the registration form, or you can register by phone by calling the Arlington office. There is a $35 registration fee for the legislative seminar, which covers the cost of two lunches and your materials. Attendees of the affiliate presidents' meeting will be asked to pay $15 if they want a lunch during the full-day portion on Saturday. It is strongly suggested that participants order a lunch because there will be a speaker during lunchtime.
Don't procrastinate. Make your plans while there's still time. Join us for a fun and informative weekend, and start your new year off by making a difference for your affiliate, for ACB, and for the entire community of people who have vision loss. I look forward to seeing you!