Performers at Osaka's Big Stage - Deafblind International

DbI News and MembershipFinancial sponsorship toattend a DbI EventBernadette Kappen – Vice President DbIThe purpose of DbI is to bringtogether professionals,researchers, families,individuals who are deafblind andadministrators to raise awarenessof deafblindness. Central to ourwork is providing informationto staff working in the field ofdeafblindness. With adequateinformation it is possible to developservices that enable an individual tohave a good quality of life.One activity that assists inpromoting the purpose of DbI issponsorship at regional and worldconferences. Attending an eventis often one of the highlightsin a person’s career. DbI eventsencourage learning and they alsoprovide an environment wherepeople can come together andfreely exchange ideas. It is a placewhere everyone is focused on theneeds of children and adults whoare deafblind.Each year the DbI budget setsaside money for individuals toattend an event. While these fundsare limited, we do want to offersome help. Individuals receivingfinancial sponsorship must beable to demonstrate how theirparticipation in a DbI event and theknowledge acquired at an event willbe related to the DbI Strategic Plan.The goals of the StrategicPlan are:1. DbI will develop an enhancedorganizational capacity to meetthe needs of people who aredeafblind.2. DbI will influence thedevelopment of services forthe benefit of people who aredeafblind and their familiesaround the world.3. DbI will encourageimprovements in practice andcreation of new knowledgeby facilitating improvedcommunication and networking.Since the funds for sponsorshipsare limited it will be the applicant’sresponsibility to indicate how theywill get additional support from localresources. DbI will not be able to fullyfund individuals to attend events.If you are a DbI member andneed financial support you canfind the application for requestingsupport on the DbI website –www.deafblindinternational.org.An application for support shouldbe sent to the DbI Secretariatsecretariat@deafblindinternational.org a minimum of 5 months priorto the event. Completion of theform does not guarantee financialsupport but will be reviewed by theSponsorship Committee in a formalprocess.The World Conference is inSao Paulo, Brazil in September2011. Applications for financialsupport to attend this eventmust be received by April 1,2011.DbI Leadership nominations for the nextfour years terminating soon!Second notices went out fromthe Nominations Committeeannouncing the final call fornominations for President, VicePresident(S) and Board membersto lead DbI through the period thefour year period, 2011-2015.Nominations close on January31, 2011 for the offices of thePresident, the two Vice Presidentsand up to 35 seats on the Board,formerly called the Council. Upto 15 seats are available forappointment to large corporatemembers and up to 20 seats forsmall corporates.Once the nomination process incomplete, all members who havea right to cast a vote will receiveinformation on the voting process.An electronic system of voting willtake place from March throughJune, 2011. To enable corporatemembers to participate in this vote,their membership must be paid byFebruary 28, 2011.The results of the electronicvoting of officers and Boardmembers will be ratified at theGeneral Meeting in Sao PauloBrazil, during the XV DbI WorldConference, in September 2011.Check out the DbI website(www.deafblindinternational.org) for additional details onthe nomination process for thenew DbI leadership. The websitecontains the descriptions andexpectations of the variouspositions as well as the appropriatenomination forms. Any furtherquestions may be put to KnutJohansen (knut.johansen@signo.no) Chair of the NominationCommittee.Jan u a r y – Ju n e 2011 • DbI Review • 71