The Freestate News Vol. 8 Num. 1 Feb. 1, 1997 Monthly A publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas By Cindy Hallenbeck The members of the board of directors braved some of the coldest temperatures of the new year to meet at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Topeka on Saturday, January 11th. We welcomed our new treasurer, Vickie Vermilion, to the group. We will miss Cliff Ruemmler, but will appreciate Vickie's work and friendship as we work to make decisions that are in the best interest of the affiliate. The Washington Seminar is looming on the horizon. This is an important year for us because there has been a major turnover in the Congress. We selected four people to attend: president Susie Stanzel, first vice president and national board member Dick Edlund, Heather Kirkwood, and Billie Melugin. Billie Melugin is a student at Wichita State University and a recent new member in the South Central Chapter. She and Heather will attend the student division seminar, which is held before the Washington Seminar. THE FREESTATE NEWS was then discussed. Heather Kirkwood, a recent University of Kansas graduate and journalist, has volunteered to take on editorship of the newsletter, to make it more manageable in length, and to give it a "face lift." Much of the rest of the meeting was spent reading a document written by Sanford Alexander, president of the Kansas Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Over the past year, several work groups have met to come up with ways Rehabilitation Services could be streamlined. This has become an important issue to the blind however because many of their recommendations lean heavily toward an umbrella agency. Such an agency would not serve us well. It was clear from our study of this document and President Stanzel's response that we all need to learn a great deal more about the government process in this state. You will be seeing articles in The Freestate News which should help us all understand better the workings of our state government. Two terms are up on the Division of Services for the Blind Advisory Committee. Consumer groups serve on this committee and make recommendations as to which members can best serve. The governor then appoints the positions. We have selected Dick Edlund and Heather Kirkwood. J. D. Crabbs will be the alternate. NFB Offers Scholarships to Students Applications for NFB scholarships are due March 31. Students hoping to win prizes should apply now. Blind students in search of ways to finance post secondary education may find that the National Federation of the Blind can help. Nationally the NFB is offering 26 scholarships ranging in value from $3,000 to $10,000 to legally blind students who plan to pursue post secondary education in the fall of 1997. Students need not be a member of the NFB to apply. The scholarships are not limited to students pursuing college degrees. Those who plan to enroll in vocational schools also are encouraged to apply. The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas is also offering three $1,000 scholarships to students who qualify from Kansas. National scholarship winners must attend the national convention in New Orleans June 29 to July 6. Winners of the Kansas scholarships must attend the state convention Oct. 24 to Oct. 26. For more information call or write Susie Stanzel, 11905 Mohawk Lane, Leawood, Kans., 66239 1038, telephone (913) 339 9341. Hotels Filling Fast for National Convention Hotel reservations for national convention are going fast. The national office reports they expect to fill 1,400 rooms. However, only 1,100 are currently available. Members are being urged to make their reservations now by calling Tony Cobb at (410) 659 9314. Have your credit card and travel dates ready. There will be another large convention in town at the same time, so space could become hard to find. Room rates are: $40 single, $42 double $44 triple and $46 for a quad. A $40 deposit is required. Notes from President Stanzel Plans already are being made for next year's state convention, reports president Susie Stanzel. The convention will be held at the Holiday City Inn Centre in Topeka Oct. 24 26. Rooms will be $50 a night. The board will start planning next year's convention agenda soon. If you have any new ideas, let your chapter president or a board member know. Your ideas are welcome. Schutz Makes Plans to Retire Erhart to Take Over in the Fall By next fall Dr. Richard Schutz, director of the Division of Services for the Blind, plans to kick back and start enjoying retirement. Suzannah Erhart, who currently administers the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and the Kansas Industries for the Blind facilities in Topeka, has been appointed to take over Schutz's duties. Schutz will help Erhart with the transition and will continue to help commissioner Cussimanio with special projects. Upcoming Events South Central Chapter Meeting Feb. 1. Johnson County Chapter meeting Feb. 14. Deadline for Freestate News articles Feb. 15. Kaw Valley Chapter meeting Feb. 20. Kansas NFB board meeting March 29 National Convention June 29 to July 6. State Convention Oct. 24 26. The Freestate News Staff Editor Heather Kirkwood Braillist Cindy Hallenbeck The Freestate News is the official publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas. Subscriptions are available by writing to: Heather Kirkwood, 2400 Alabama Apt. 109, Lawrence, KS, 66046. Members are invited and non members are encouraged to make donations to support the production of The Freestate News.