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I mage of Dragonfly

                                                                             MARCH/APRIL, 2019

 FEBRUARY  CALENDAR
28-Mall walk with Delta Gamma, 6:00 pm
  
MARCH CALENDAR
1-General Meeting, 6:00 pm Buckley's; membership forms due 
  2-Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast, 8:00-10:00 am; Bravo's
6-Delta Gamma percentage night, Moe's on Cumberland, 5:00-10:00 pm
10-Tandem biking and walking, 2:00-4:00 pm, Cherokee Blvd; RSVP to Sue
12-Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
14- Mall walk with Delta Gamma, 6:00 pm West Town
28-Walk with Delta Gamma, 5:30 pm, Buckley's, followed by general meeting, 6:00 pm
18-22 UT and Knox County Spring Break
31-Marathon event, details to come
TBA-Student Meeting

APRIL CALENDAR
5- General Meeting
9-Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
13-Picnic/beeping kickball/tandem biking; Safety City Field, TBA
18-Student Meeting, 6:00 pm; Buckley's
27-UT Sports Fest & Wellness Expo, 12:00-4:00 pm; Christenberry Elementary



Freedom to Fly Blog
WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?
We have two blogs for your reading pleasure. The first, by VIBES member Owen, offers a whimsical insite into a common quandary faced by most blind persons; when to reveal to new acquaintances, that you do not meet face-to-face, that you are blind. The second is a group of useful tips for parents and students in preparing for an IEP meeting. Please share your comments.

THE REALLY BLIND DATE
A number of us have had a "blind date" in the traditional meaning, but for Owen, his dates literally have a "blind date".  Read Blog

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL IEP MEETING
How do you prepare for the annual IEP meeting as a parent and as a student?  These tips might help you get the most out of your meeting.  Read Blog

COMMENTS
We would like to hear from you. Add your comments at  http://club-vibes.org/blog/

SUBSCRIBE
To guarantee that you do not miss any of our blogs, you can subscribe to them on our website,  http://club-vibes.org/blog/

NEWS
NEW POINT SYSTEM BEGINS
Participation is a key element for members to maximize the benefits offered by Club VIBES. To help encourage participation, members will now earn points for which they will be rewarded with the opportunity to attend special activities or even trips. Members must earn a specified number of points between June and May to enjoy the rewards. Examples of how points can be earned are; sending an RSVP for an event that they attend, bringing snacks to share, taking meeting notes, writing newsletter article or blog, helping with updates to the calendar and Facebook page, planning social events, among others listed on the points handout that each member received.  

SINGO
by Mike Milley
Several of us gathered at Tennessee Tap House earlier this month for a cool musical game called Singo. After enjoying dinner together, we played the game which was similar to bingo except with song titles instead of letters and numbers. The host of the game played a series of song clips and if those songs were on your SINGO sheet, you would mark it. The series of clips continued until somebody got a SINGO. Thanks to the volunteers that helped us mark our sheets. The thing that made the game most fun was everyone singing along to the songs they knew. Both Jacoby and I ended up focusing less on our cards and more on belting out song after song at the top of our lungs. I am a
Photo: Singo players


huge 80's music fan so, of course, I was excited to sing along with those songs. At the end of the night, Sarah Holloway and Dan Davis ended up going home with a prize.

It was an entertaining musical outing for all. We hope to find more places around Knoxville hosting this new and exciting musical spin on the traditional game of Bingo.





CONGRATULATIONS SARAH
VIBES member, Sarah, will be presented with the "Imagine the Possibilities" award by Goodwill Industries at the annual awards breakfast on April 17. Sarah, a graduate of UT, is currently working at the Ben Atchley Veterans Home and in May will begin studying at Lincoln Memorial University to become  a Physician's Assistant.

SUPPORT THE LIONS CLUB
Photo: Lions Club Logo

The Lions Club has been a good supporter of Club VIBES.  They also provide eye exams and glasses for those in need.  One of their biggest fundraisers is the pancake breakfasts that are held in the spring and fall.  Let's help the Lions Club by attending the pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 2 at Bravo's on Kingston Pike from 8:00-10:00 am.  





TANDEMS FOR SALE                                                                           
Club VIBES has two tandems for sale. Both  bikes are in good  condition would would provide an opportunity for their new owner to go tandem bicycling   whenever they "feel the urge". Contact Sue for details.  
Photo: tandem bicycle


PLANS UNDERWAY FOR APRIL EVENT
We are planning to welcome spring on April 13 at 11:30 with a day at Safety City to honor our volunteers, play beeping kickball, ride tandem bicycles, and appease our appetites with a picnic. We will show appreciation for our volunteers and announce the volunteer of the year for 2018.  Watch for more details next month.


ATTENTION TANDEM PILOTS
We will need pilots for our first tandem ride on Cherokee Blvd on March 10 from 2:00-4:00 pm.  We also need pilots for our April 13 picnic starting at 11:30. Let Sue know if you are available for these dates.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Club VIBES has been invited to work one of the rest stops on the Cherohala Challenge bike ride on June 8 in Tellico Plains.  This is a well known ride with partici[ants coming from all over the US.  It is 115 miles and goes from Tellico Plains, over the Dragon and loops back to Tellico plains.  We will need VIBES members to help set up on June 7th and more volunteers to occupy the booth on June 8th. This will be a good opportunity to earn points. We will have more information next month.

UT SPORTS FEST AND WELLNESS EXPO
Vol Leaders are UT Athletes enrolled in a year-long program that aims to " engage students in experiential and service-learning activities, both locally and abroad, that provide them with unique opportunities to learn, lead, and empower underserved populations through sport". They are getting hands-on experience through the Sports and Wellness Expo in which they plan and lead a variety of sporting activities. In addition, volunteer piIots are bringing tandem bicycles and will be giving rides to the students. The expo will be held at Christenberry Elementary School on April 27 from 12:00-4:00 pm.

SPOTLIGHT
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Dawn Conley, a parent of one of our members, has joined Club VIBES board. Here is some information about her in her own words.
"I am originally from Kenner, Louisiana.  I have a B.S. in middle grades education from the University of West Georgia. We moved to Knoxville 6 years ago, from Georgia, where I used to teach 6th grade math and science.  I am currently helping my husband run his business. I am married and have two children. My daughter, a member of Club VIBES, was born prematurely and has ROP and Glaucoma, with only light perception in one eye.  We have been involved with Club Vibes for almost 3 years now." 

Tammy Fugatt, has been a dedicated VIBES volunteer for nine years. She is willing to do whatever is needed including running errands, providing transportation, and helping out at events. Here is Tammy's story of her years with Club VIBES. "  I'm from Daytona Beach Fla and I am an avid Lady Vols Basketball fan even though this hasn't been their best season! I have a B.S. degree in Therapeutic Recreation and worked with children for over 32 years.
I've been with Club Vibes going on 9 years. I got involved in Club Vibes as a parent when my daughter Mckenzie suffered a traumatic brain injury while snowboarding. Mckenzie recovered her vision and is now a sophomore at TN Wesleyan.  
I have remained active in Club Vibes through volunteering at rides, events and out of town experiences. I really enjoy getting to know people and enjoy helping when I can." 
I also work part-time and enjoy doing things with my 6 grandchildren. 

MEMBERS CORNER
CLUB VIBES STUDENT MEETING
The Club VIBES student meeting was held on January 17 with eight members present. Pros and cons were discussed about two navigation tools, CyberEyez and AIRA. Members received information about the Microsoft Ninja Boot camp for students with.  We also talked about other possible upcoming events such as the Butterfly Walk in August to support Children's Hospital and an outdoor exploration and hiking adventure sometime this summer.  Don't forget to walk with Delta Gamma at West Town on March  14 and 28 at 6:00 pm.
 
CLUB VIBES GENERAL MEETING
Twenty VIBES members met on Feb 1. Visitors were a team of engineering students from UT who are developing a smartphone case that will possibly attach to a cane, allowing the user hands-free operation while traveling.  The team was interested in input from potential users and will return to VIBES when they develop a prototype. Other business discussed included asking m embers to think about two things for the March meeting. First is to plan a two minute overview of their favorite app for the round table discussion and second is to think of internal and external goals for VIBES to carry out in 2019-2020. Sue passed out a handout and explained the new point system. Members will be required to earn 15 points by May 15 to participate in trips and other special events. Opportunities to earn points were explained and members must earn 6 of their 15 points by attending meetings.  Members must email their points each month. Some members mentioned new resources with plans for more discussion next month. The general meeting is on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting will be on March 1 at 6:00 pm at the Buckley's. Thanks to Gracie for her excellent meeting notes. 

SAVE JUNE 1
We will be holding our Big Ridge event on June 1 with pontoon boats and water fun. Mark your calendar and watch for more details.

FUNDRAISING
VIBES MEMBERS TAKING OVER FUNDRAISING
Our membership is making plans for fundraisers which will take place in the near future. They have some creative and fun ideas which will be announced soon.  Check your next newsletter for details.

MOES PERCENTAGE NIGHT
Delta Gamma is a huge supporter of Club VIBES. They raise money and volunteer many hours that helps us a great deal. We can show our appreciation and help Delta Gamma by attending their Moes Percentage night on Wednesday, March 6 from 5:00-10:00 pm at the Moes on Cumberland. DG gets a percentage of the sales between those hours. Escape a night in the kitchen and help Delta Gamma (and Club VIBES).
TECH NEWS
THE DOT WATCH

PHOTO: THE DOT WATCH
The Dot is a Braille smart watch for Braille readers who want a quiet and private device. It has four braille cells that can serve as a watch, answer your phone, display notifications, and perform most other functions of a smartphone via the four-cell braille display.  It is also very stylish.  It sells for $399.  For complete information,  click here.

PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR 2018-19
PLATINUM- Delta Gamma Fraternity and Nalls Sherbakoff
GOLD-Group One Mediation Training Inc.
SILVER-Smoky Mountain Wheelmen
BRONZE-Blount County Eye Center and West Knox Lion's Club

  THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS  FOR 2018-19


       PLATINUM                        GOLD                                  SILVER                                 BRONZE
                                     
     Delta Gamma                Group One                       Smoky Mountain                       Blount County
        Fraternity           Mediation Training Inc               Wheelman                                Eye Center


                                                                                                                     Nalls Sherbakoff                                                                                                           West Knox                                                                                                                                                        Lion's Club
    Li                                                                                                                         Lion's 

                                                                                                                           L  Lion's C;ub