California Council of the Blind
2023 Conference and Convention
Hybrid Main Event Schedule
(Events listed are subject to change.)

Important to note: Unless otherwise noted, events will be in person, the Zoom Webinar platform, and streamed on ACB Media.

Tuesday, March 28 7:30 pm
virtual First General Session

(On Zoom and streamed on ACB Media)
President Gabe Griffith presiding

It’s time to get the main event started. We will adopt our Convention Rules, hear from Credentials and Nominating Committee Chair, Frank Welte, Hear proposed Bylaw amendments from Bylaws Committee Chair Steve Bauer, and maybe a few surprises.

Friday, March 31, 2023

10:00 am-1:00 pm Check in and Registration desk open.

Please note only convention registration fee will be taken at this time. All meals must be purchased by March 23, 2023 11:59 pm.

1:00-4:00 pm Exhibit Hall

Atrium Solarium

1:30-3:00 PM Electronic Ballot Return Discussion Pizza Lunch with Democracy Live

Brandy Wine Room (In person only)

Join our friends from Democracy Live for a discussion about how Electronic Ballot Return, EBR can enhance the elections and voting process to be a more private and independent experience. This will be a riveting and noteworthy discussion.

Democracy Live is generously purchasing lunch for the first 30 people registered for this lunch.

4:00 PM-6:00 PM Check in and Registration desk open

Please note only convention registration fee will be taken at this time. All meals must be purchased by March 23, 2023 11:59 pm.

5:00-7:30 PM Come Together

No host bar Attitude Adjustment Happy Hour starting at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner Theater at 6:30 pm. Please note no host bar will close at 7:00 pm.
Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom

Dinner and a show? Yes, please. Please join CCB’ s ACB Capitol Chapter for a live performance of Country of the Blind. Based on a short story by H. G. Wells. It has been adapted for radio many times, but the ACB Capital Chapter of CCB decided to form a writer’s collaborative to modernize the script and bring a blind perspective to it. All the script writers, actors, and the director are people who are blind or have low vision and members of the Chapter. The sound editors and studio recordings were done in collaboration with Eplus Studios, staffed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is both a commentary on blind VS sighted perspectives as well as humanity in general. This drama will make you laugh, cry, and think outside the box.

7:30 PM-Whenever we finish, Second General session

President, Gabe Griffith Presiding
Eagle-Berryessa Room

We will shift from the arts to business in the Eagle-Berryessa Room. We will hear from Deb Cook-Louis, ACB President, Gabe’s President’s Report, and the Governmental Affairs Committee will share the latest happenings in advocacy and legislation. We will remember our friends who have passed away over the last year and pay respect to their life and our fond memories.

Elections will follow.
Please note that all delegates attending in person must be in the Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom and those attending virtually must be present on zoom for Chapter and Affiliate votes to be counted during the roll call. Individual voting instructions will be sent out prior to elections.

Better Together Hospitality

(in person only)
Zinfandel Room

Catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Zoom Hospitality TBD

Saturday, April 1 2023

7:00-9:30 AM Check in and Registration desk open.

Please note only convention registration fee will be taken at this time. All meals must be purchased by March 23, 2023 11:59 pm.

7:30 AM: Cup of Joe with Joe!

Membership Committee Breakfast
Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom

Come have a “Cup of Joe” with Joe Green, Membership Committee Chair and discuss the lifeline of our organization; you, the members. All are encouraged to attend this important discussion.

9:00 AM3:00 PM Exhibit Hall

Atrium Solarium

9:00-11:30 AM, Department of Rehabilitation, DOR Employment Services and Updates

Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom

Hear from key Blind Field Services staff including: Laura Rasmussen District Administrator, Peter Dawson Regional Director, and Nancy Ybarra Regional Business Specialist about DOR Employment Services including benefits, opportunities, and behind the scenes work being done to help people who are blind or have low vision have successful employment outcomes. We will also hear from Jamie Gibson-Barrows employment Specialist for Valley Center for the Blind about their employment services model and how it has been successful.

Stick around for the latest updates from DOR from Joe Xavier Director of DOR, Sue Pelbath Deputy Director Specialized Services Division, and Ana Acton Deputy Director Independent Living Services.

9:00-11:00 AM Gene’s Yellow Brick Road

(In person only)

Ever wonder how detectable warnings, accessible pedestrian signals, and other transportation related safety infrastructure works or looks like? Join Eugene Lozano Jr Chair of the California Access and Transportation Committee in the parking lot to do just that. He has brought in leading manufacturers of products that help to keep us safe. Volunteers will be available for assistance.

Lunch 11:45 AM-1:00 PM

• Technology Committee lunch
  (In person and on special Zoom line only)
  Brandy Wine Room

  Are you excited for the new Victor Stream? Well, you’re in luck. Join the Technology Committee to hear all about it and other cool gizmos and gadgets that increase our independence and quality of life.

• California Library Users of America, CLUA lunch
  (In person and on special Zoom line only)
  Zinfandel Room

  Do you like to read? Well then, you're in luck! Join CLUA President Pam Metz for an up close and personal discussion with librarians Mike Marlin from the Sacramento Talking Book Library and Lisa Lepore from the Las Angeles Braille Institute followed by a discussion about book groups. Don't miss this opportunity!

1:15 PM-4:30 PM, Third General Session

Second Vice-President Rob Turner & Secretary Steve Bauer Presiding

This general session is jam packed with great speakers and valuable information. Meet the new CEO of the San Francisco Lighthouse Sharon Giovinazzo, be amused and inspired with a “Tale of Two Presidents” with CCB President Gabe Griffith and NFBC President Tim Elder, hear from California Department of Aging Director Susan Demarois, and we will finish up with a presentation from the newly formed California Agencies for Blind and Visually Impaired Inc. with Anita Aaron Executive Director and Shellena Heber Executive Director Valley Center for the Blind and CABVI Board Member.
 

6:00 PM-7:00 PM, Attitude Adjustment Happy Hour-No host bar

Atrium Solarium

7:00 PM CCB Banquet

Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom
MCs: Larry Gassman and Regina Brink

Get ready for just the start of a special and celebratory night. We will hear about the importance of mentorship and peer support in our community and how it impacts independence, employment, and quality of life from ACB Board Member Kenneth Semien Sr., presentation of CCB Awards, and a performance by ACB Capitol Chapter member and local Jazz and R&B vocalist Sabrina Hocker. Please note that due to copyright laws Sabrina’s performance will be limited to in person and over zoom Webinar and will not be streamed on ACB Media.

After the Banquet-till we can’t flash dance no more!

Brandy Wine Room

Put on your leg warmers or your Miami Vice sports coat and join DJs Joe and Regia M Marie for a fun-filled 80’s party!!!! We will be taking it back to the old school and listening to all of the great and not so great hits from the 80’s and getting “Foot Loose” on the dance floor!!!!!

Better Together Hospitality

(in person only)
Zinfandel Room

Catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Zoom Hospitality TBD

Sunday, April 2

7:00 AM, Palm Sunday Devotional

(In person only)

8:00-8:45 AM, Back to Business Breakfast

(in person)
Atrium Solarium

9:00 AM, Annual Business Meeting

President Gabe Griffith Presiding
Eagle-Berryessa Ballroom

To close the 2023 Hybrid convention, we will conclude with our convention business meeting. This meeting will include the 2022 Convention Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Newell Perry Report, and may include voting on proposed Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments.