FLORIDA REGIONAL GROUP, INC.
3801 Coco Grove Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133
FRG President's Message: Now, I
would like to inform you of just a few of the highlights for our upcoming FRG State
Convention that we have been working on in order to make this different and more exciting
than previous Conventions. First, we are
calling this our BVA-FRG Tech Fest 2006. Please
join us for our "hands on" technology display on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Being at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, allows us to
have a much larger room to display a wide array of products. Highlights will include Sara the scanning and
reading appliance; Braille note, voice note empower note taker, Pack Mate portable all
purpose computer; Trekker Talking GPS; the new near and distance vision video magnifier;
Topaz video magnifier with LDC screen; Optron PCT
work bench video magnifier; Maestro talking PDA; Opal pocket viewer; quick look and pocket
and compact pocket video magnifier; Eclipse portable CCTV; Strix rechargeable portable
magnifier for near writing and distance; as well as, some new technology surprises. Some technicians will be on hand to explain and
demonstrate the wide array of items. You are
all invited to a meet and greet reception on Friday May 5 from 5 to 7 PM and Saturday from
approximately 4 :30 to 7 PM at the Tech Fest display (location to be announced at the
Convention following the opening meeting). The
second unusual event is a film to be shown, that's right a real movie, straight from Iraq. It is primarily geared around our female
veterans. I'm told that those who have seen
it, thought it made quite an impact
. The foregoing is
but a preview of two of the events at our FRG State Convention. Additional Convention activities will be announced
in future Newsletters. There is also another
twist to this Convention - that is - we have located further north on Atlantic Avenue,
where there are many other restaurants within walking distance. The hotel has been renovated twice in the past 9
years. More detailed information is included
later in this Newsletter. There Will be many
Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel attending; therefore,
I would urge you to make your reservations as early as possible in order that you will not
have to register at another hotel , because there are no more rooms available. For those of you who are driving with an empty
back seat in your vehicle, why not fill it up with another BV and his or her spouse? Dwight Sayer is our Transportation Chairman and he
shall be able to coordinate some transportation needs.
If those that are driving would call Dwight and let him know that they have an
empty back seat and if those that need transportation would also call Dwight, he could
then coordinate some of our transportation needs. Dwight
may be reached at: (407) 877-1970, or email
at: blindguysrus1@aol.com. On behalf of your Board of Directors and your
Assistance District Directors, we are looking to having an enjoyable FRG State Convention
with all of you.
There
is a considerable amount of legislative and benefits information available. The FRG has set up its Distribution List to
provide up-to-date information quickly to BV's who have access to email. If you are interested in such information send
your email address to bvafrg@comcast.net and
request to be put on the FRG Distribution List. This
is the means by which we are able to put forth to Florida BV's information that is
relevant to them as it is taking place. Terry
King FRG President.
FRG
Auxiliary President's Message: We are coming to the end of the FRG meeting year, which
means that it is time for our annual FRG State Convention.
For the past 7 months, I have been going around the state to different cities,
along with the FRG Officers. We have done
well; met new and old friends; now it is the state convention. This is the time for new information, fun with
parties, and to elect new officers for the FRG and FRG Auxiliary. It is important for you to attend. After all it is you that we represent. We will be at a different hotel on the beach. That alone should be enticing enough. For anyone who would be coming by Greyhound Bus, I
am fairly sure that I can get the Daytona Beach Elks to be at the station to bring you to
the hotel. Just call me with the day and time
you will be arriving in Daytona Beach. My
telephone number is (941) 505-7747. Please
don't wait until the last minute. See you in
Daytona Beach. Joanne King, FRG Auxiliary
President.
FRG State Convention: The
Florida Regional Group State Convention will be held at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel , 640
North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118,
May 5-7. It is a 190 room hotel directly on
the Atlantic Ocean. Your Convention Committee
secured the low rates of only $69 per day, for 1 to 4 persons per room. There are a few rooms with kitchenettes which are also $69 per day on a space
available basis. All rooms have ocean view
balconies. These low convention rates will be
in effect 3 days before and/or 3 days after the Convention.
So, you may come early or stay late for an extended vacation. The low Convention rates are guaranteed for
reservations made on or before April 13th. Reservations
made after April 13th, will be at the low Convention rate but on a space available basis. We encourage you to make your reservations soon to
insure your accommodations. You may cancel
your reservation and receive a full refund of
your deposit, if you cancel 24 hours before noon on the day you were scheduled to arrive. You will find a Hotel Reservation Slip at the end
of this Newsletter. Please clip it off and
send it to the Hotel along with your check for one night's room rate and tax or you may
use your credit card number to guarantee your reservation.
Other than your deposit, the hotel
will not accept checks for your remaining charges. You
must have a credit card or cash. The Hotel
toll free reservation number is (800)
874-7420. There are several Plaza Hotels be
sure to specify the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel.
The Convention Late Registration Desk will open at 1 PM on Friday, May 5. If you have not pre-registered (see registration
information below), you may pay your late Registration at that time. If you have pre-registered, stop by the
Registration table in the Hotel Lobby and pick up your name tags and Convention Program.
The Convention will begin at 3 PM on Friday, May 5 with an Informational Seminar
for Blinded Veterans and their families. At 7
PM on Friday evening, a dinner-dance will be held in the Ballroom. This will be an evening for good food, good times, good fun, and good music. So, join with us and enjoy a great evening.
The Annual Florida Regional Group Business Meeting will be held at 9 AM on
Saturday, May 6, in the Ballroom. At that
meeting, reports regarding FRG activities for the past year will be made. A legislative up-date will be presented. Plans for FRG activities for the coming year will
be discussed. Any proposed amendments to the FRG By-Laws, will be
considered. The elections for FRG Officers
and District Directors for the coming year
will be held. The election of a Delegate and
Alternate Delegates to the BVA National Convention in Buffalo, New York, will also be
held. Proposed resolutions for presentation
to the BVA National Convention will be considered. All
BV's in Florida are encouraged to attend this Business Meeting and share your thoughts and
concerns about our organization. Your help is
needed to assist in planning the direction the FRG will take in the coming year.
The FRG Auxiliary will hold its annual meeting in the Osprey Room at 9 AM on
Saturday. FRG Auxiliary Officers are
planning their meeting for the State Convention.
Spouses, family members, and friends of the BVA
should plan to attend this FRG Auxiliary meeting. At
that time, the auxiliary will plan their activities and elect Officers.
At 2 PM on Saturday, a second Informational Seminar will be held. The Convention will close with the Installation
Banquet on Saturday evening. There will be a
period of socializing in the Hospitality Room before and after the Banquet.
Convention Registration Fee: The Convention Registration Fee will be $35 per
person (for each BV, family member, or friend attending).
However, an early registration fee of only $30
per person will be in effect for registration received on or
before April 13th. The registration fee will
cover general Convention activities, including the dinner-dance on Friday night, the
Hospitality Room, and Banquet on Saturday night. Please
make your check payable to the BVA and send it to: 3801
Coco Grove Avenue, Miami, Florida 33133. Please
include the first and last name of each person registering, so that we will be able to
make name tags prior to
the start of the Convention.
It will be helpful if you will send your registration fee in advance.
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(Clip off the hotel reservation slip at the bottom, and send it to the Plaza Ocean
Club)
This will greatly speed up the late registration at the
Convention. It takes a lot of volunteer work
to put on this Convention and your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Remember to send your hotel reservation slip and
deposit to the Plaza Ocean Club in Daytona Beach and
your Convention registration fee to the BVA-FRG in Miami.
US
Legislative Up-Date: The President's
Fiscal Year 2007 Budget was sent to Congress on February 7.
It contains $80.6 billion in funding for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for FY 2007. It includes $42.1 billion in mandatory funding
(Compensation, Pension, training, etc.) and $38.5 billion in discretionary funding (Health
care, cemeteries, etc.) of which $34.3 is for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This is a $3.5 billion increase for
VHA over FY 2006 funding. On the surface,
this appears to be a significant increase in VHA funding.
However, there is some question where some of the $3.5 billion increase will be
found. It appears that FY 2006 VHA funding
included $1.9 billion in third party (insurance co. etc.) receipts. This amount was not achieved. The VHA budget increase includes $2.9 billion in
third party receipts. In addition, it appears
that the FY 2007 VHA budget includes about $500 million in transfer from the FY 2006
funding. An in depth evaluation of the
President's Budget will be made and further information provided in future BVA Bulletins
and FRG Newsletters.
FRG District Meeting: Prior to the FRG State Convention, a FRG meeting
will be held at the American Legion Post 222, 4250 N.E. 5 Avenue , in Oakland Park on
Saturday, March 4. The meeting will begin at
11:30 AM with a period of Socializing followed by lunch at noon. For lunch you may have either Roast Beef or
Chicken Marcella and salad, potatoes, vegetable, rolls and butter, iced tea or coffee and
dessert. FRG President Terry King will
preside at the meeting following lunch. The
price of the lunch will be $5 per person, including tax and tip. Come join us. We look forward to meeting you
there. For information about that meeting or
to make reservations, write to George
Stocking, 3801 Coco Grove Avenue, Miami, FL 33133
or call George at: (305) 446-8008. The restaurant needs the number and choices of
lunch desired to prepare properly for the meeting.
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Hotel Reservation slip
Blinded Veterans Association
Plaza Ocean Club Hotel
Florida Regional Group
640 North Atlantic Avenue
State Convention
Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Name____________________________________ Telephone no.
_____________________
Street
Date of
Date of
Address______________________________________Arrival_______ depart__________
City_____________________________________________
State______Zip__________
Standard Rm $69 per day 1-4 persons____Kitchenette rm $69
per day 1-4 persons____
Complete this Reservation Slip and send it with your check in the amount of $69 plus 12.5% tax or your credit card number to the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel before April 13th to guarantee your reservation. Or call, Toll Free (800) 874-7420. Be sure to notify the hotel you will attend the BVA FRG Convention at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, to insure the low Convention rates.