MAB - Roe River Chapter
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The Roe River Chapter of the Montana Association for the Blind, located in Great Falls, serves as a hub of community, support, and empowerment for individuals with vision loss. As a newly established chapter, our mission is to foster independence and enhance the quality of life for blind and visually impaired residents in Great Falls and surrounding areas.
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Become a Member Today!
Becoming a member of the Roe River Chapter in Great Falls means joining a supportive and welcoming community of blind and low vision individuals who learn, share, and grow together. Members have access to Braille Buddies classes for learning and practicing braille, Chapter Chatter for staying connected and sharing updates, and opportunities for meaningful community engagement. Whether you are newly blind, have low vision, or have been part of the community for years, the Roe River Chapter offers a friendly space to connect with others, build skills, and be part of a group that truly understands and supports one another.
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New! Braille Buddies - Braille Learning and Support Group
The New Braille Buddies program from the Roe River Chapter is a welcoming peer-support initiative designed to encourage and support new braille readers as they build confidence and skills. Whether someone is just beginning to explore braille or returning to it after vision changes, participants are paired with experienced braille users who offer guidance, practice, and encouragement in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. Support is available either in person or over Zoom, making the program accessible to members across the region. More than just learning dots and patterns, New Braille Buddies fosters connection, independence, and a shared sense of progress within the blind and low vision community.
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Summer Orientation Program
The Summer Orientation Program is a hands-on, immersive experience that helps blind and low vision students build confidence, independence, and practical skills they can carry into everyday life. Because the program takes place right in our own backyard, the Roe River Chapter plays an active role in supporting students beyond the classroom. Chapter members help coordinate and host activities during students’ downtime, giving them opportunities to relax, socialize, and explore the community in a meaningful way. From bowling nights and casual dinners to nature hikes and local outings, these activities reinforce orientation and mobility skills while also creating space for connection, fun, and a sense of belonging. Through this support, the Roe River Chapter helps ensure the Summer Orientation Program is not only educational, but welcoming, engaging, and rooted in real community life.
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Monthly Chapter Meetings
The Roe River Chapter meets on the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM, providing members with a welcoming space to connect, share updates, and engage in meaningful discussion. Meetings focus on chapter business, upcoming events, advocacy issues, and resources relevant to blind and low vision individuals in the Great Falls area, while also offering time for conversation, mutual support, and community building among members and guests.
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Contact the Roe River Chapter
The Roe River Chapter welcomes questions, ideas, and involvement from anyone interested in learning more about our work. The easiest way to get in touch is by email, where a chapter officer can respond and help connect you with meetings, programs, or volunteer opportunities. You may also reach out during our regular chapter meetings, which are open and welcoming to members and guests alike. We’re always glad to hear from community members and fellow Montanans who want to get involved or learn more about the chapter.
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Make a Donation
Donations to the MAB Roe River Chapter are guided by the unwritten but deeply valued principle of Treasure, Talent, and Time. We understand that everyone gives in different ways, and all forms of support are meaningful to our chapter. Financial contributions help us fund programs, events, and outreach that directly benefit blind and low vision individuals in our community. Equally important are donations of talent—sharing skills, knowledge, or professional expertise—and time, whether through volunteering at events, helping with planning, or simply showing up to support one another. This approach also shapes how we request support for chapter activities and events, ensuring that giving is accessible, respectful, and inclusive for everyone who wants to be involved.
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Most Recent RRC Updates
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December 13, 2025 - Meeting Minutes
The December 13, 2025 Roe River Chapter meeting was held on Zoom, with members present approving the previous meeting’s minutes and the treasurer’s report. Financial discussion included a suggestion to explore a short-term silver investment to benefit the Summer Orientation Program, which will be researched further. Most of the meeting focused on convention planning, including confirming a keynote speaker with a signed contract, outlining additional potential speakers, panels, and workshops, and approving related expenses and raffle plans. The group reviewed the convention schedule, venue details at the Holiday Inn, food plans, and registration fee goals, along with pursuing grant and seed funding options to support costs. Updates were also shared from the board regarding legislative matters, upcoming bylaw revisions, and staffing needs for the Summer Orientation Program, before the meeting was adjourned.
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October 11, 2025 - Meeting Minutes
The October 11, 2025 Roe River Chapter meeting was called to order around 11:00 AM, with members attending in person and via Zoom, during which the previous month’s minutes and the treasurer’s report were reviewed and approved. Old business focused heavily on planning for the upcoming convention, including confirmation of the Holiday Inn as the venue due to its accessible, first-floor meeting spaces, discussion of lodging costs, registration fees, and providing Zoom access for the business meeting. Additional convention planning covered potential keynote and guest speakers, breakout sessions for caregivers and spouses, recording sessions for later viewing, accessibility support for silent and live auctions, and multiple fundraising ideas such as sponsorships and program advertising. The group also discussed speaker options, settling on the idea of several speakers and panels, and agreed on a convention theme centered on “Connection,” with a working title of “The Great Falls Connection, Connecting with the World.” New business included planning outreach for upcoming community events in November and December, updates related to Chapter Chatter, and the meeting adjourned around 12:30 PM.
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September 20, 2025 - Meeting Minutes
ceremony involving the Little Shell Tribe. Additional topics included brochure and resource packet planning with a local focus, upcoming White Cane Day and Disability Awareness Month activities in October, outreach and media engagement ideas, and coordination with community partners, before the meeting was adjourned.
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