<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">Hi,</div><div dir="ltr">I enjoyed Richard’s post. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Solidarity forever,</div><div dir="ltr">Pat</div><div dir="ltr"><br>On Sep 1, 2019, at 9:00 AM, Dave Bertsch via Akron-Talk <<a href="mailto:akron-talk@nfbnet.org">akron-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<div><font color="#1F497D">State president Richard Payne sent a message to Ohio Talk, here it is:</font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#777777"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="text-transform:uppercase;">“</span><span style="text-transform:uppercase;">Obstacles are Opportunities</span><span style="text-transform:uppercase;">” The </span><font color="black"><span style="text-transform:uppercase;">NFB
is an instrument of change!</span></font></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dear Ohio Affiliate, Happy Labor Day weekend,</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><b>Labor Day</b>, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the <b>labor</b> movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The work
that we do every day as Federation members mirror this picture. We are a very important part of society, and whatever we have decided to do can only be rewarded by reflecting on all of the work that thousands of Federation members contributed, who came before
us. <font color="black">Dr. King said that no work is insignificant </font><font color="black">.</font><font color="black"> </font><font color="black">All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance, and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
Relax,</font><font color="#555555"> unwind and let Labor Day remind you of the real reason you’re resting!</font></span></font></div>
<div><font color="#222222"> </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Last week, I was invited to the Cleveland chapter’s Town Hall, which was a very inspiring and informative event. We were introduced to several new community networks and OOD recognized
the Ohio Affiliate as a significant and an important partner. I can remember not very long ago; that OOD and NFBO could not find a way to communicate effectively where all parties could assist in the best interest of blind Ohioans. However, we have now come
to an understanding that a culture change was necessary for all involved. This is why a solid commitment from OOD and the NFB has finally come into fruition.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">It is my pleasure to announce that, Alex French has been selected as the first member approved to attend one of our NFB training centers, funded by OOD. This is a direct result of
the work of several Ohio Federation members. Though, this process will still need fine tuning, however it is very clear that OOD is willing to make every effort to work with the Ohio Affiliate. Thus, this remarkable action is a tremendous and a positive change.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Additionally, the Ohio Affiliate is drafting a proposal that will offer training for OOD staff to learn about “<font color="black">The Etiquette of Mentorship for the blind.”.</font>
This is another historical and remarkable opportunity that we hope to implement in the near future.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Moreover, I want to inform you that a meeting with The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in Cleveland was productive. Discuss were significant concerns regarding rood dispatchers,
long hold times and passenger safety. This meeting was industrious and helped to create a dialogue to work out some of the problems that Cleveland has had for a few years. There are major changes within RTA including a new CEO who has not transitioned to Cleveland
as of yet. Many of the top leaders are acting and will resume to their former positions when the CEO comes in September. Therefore, Cleveland should slowly see changes for the better. Consequently, as the President of the Affiliate, I will monitor the situation
with the support from the National Office.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Finally, I would like to encourage all of you to start getting ready for the convention and if you have not figured out a way to be more involved, please reach out to Sheri Albers
or other leaders in the Ohio Affiliate.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Things to remember:</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">1: The cut off day to reserve your room at the DoubleTree Hotel is October 11th, 2019.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">2: The convention will be held on November 1st, 2nd and 3rd.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">3: The cost for Preregistration for the Convention is $15.00 and the Pre-Banquet cost is $40.00.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">4: The cost for Registration for the Convention is $15.00 and the cost for the Banquet is $40.00This will increase by $5.00 each at the hotel.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">5: Chapters and Divisions should be submitting their Gavel Reports by October 1, 2019, and if you need help, reach out to <font color="black">Heather Leiterman at </font><a href="mailto:Hdleiterman74@yahoo.com"><font color="#0563C1"><u>Hdleiterman74@yahoo.com</u></font></a><font color="black">.</font></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">6: October is meet the blind month and all of us should be planning to do something in the community to promote the national federation of the blind.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">7: September 23, 2019 will be the date for the next NFBO Board of Director’s meeting.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I am Sure that several other items can be covered, but keep watching Ohio talks and tell other Chapter members to join the watch as well.</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#222222"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Please enjoy yourselves and let’s keep building the federation!</span></font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="font-size:18pt;">Richard Payne, President</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="font-size:18pt;">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="font-size:18pt;">937-396-5573 or 937/829/3368</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com">Rchpay7@gmail.com</a></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="font-size:18pt;">The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations
create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span></font></div>
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</div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>Akron-Talk mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:Akron-Talk@nfbnet.org">Akron-Talk@nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/akron-talk_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/akron-talk_nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Akron-Talk:</span><br><span><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/akron-talk_nfbnet.org/patrinkle%40icloud.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/akron-talk_nfbnet.org/patrinkle%40icloud.com</a></span><br></div></blockquote></body></html>