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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h2>NFB National Convention Is Coming – Registration Closes June 15!<span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I am urging you all to register for the convention by June 15, 2020 by visiting </span></b><a href="https://www.nfb.org/registration"><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://www.nfb.org/registration</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>. Registration is free! If individuals need assistance filling out the online registration form, they may contact </span></b>me, Graham Mehl at <a href="mailto:blind@trailstone.com">blind@trailstone.com</a> or 301-875-8295.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind 2020 Annual Convention will soon be upon us. Though we will have a virtual convention in that we will not be travelling to Houston, this convention promises to be the biggest and best in history. The Convention dates have changed slightly in that the Convention will last five days instead of six. The new dates are Tuesday, July 14 through Saturday, July 18, 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>NFBMD is hoping to have some in-person activities in Baltimore should public health and social distancing rules permit us to do so. We are hoping to have an in-person Caucus on Friday, July 17 and an in-person banquet on Saturday, July 18, 2020. We are also exploring other events that may take place in person. Any events that are in-person will also have a virtual component for those who cannot physically travel. We will share information about the Maryland events associated with the 2020 National Convention as we finalize them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Currently, Maryland is in second place in terms of most registrants, and we can’t let Texas (or anyone else) beat us. To that end, in order to show our appreciation for our members, friends, and supporters who register for the NFB National Convention, we will be holding a drawing if Maryland wins the attendance banner. First prize is $100, second prize is $50, and third prize is $25. We can only draw for this token of appreciation if Maryland has the highest attendance of all affiliates, and so please encourage your fellow convention attendees – or those interested in attending their first convention – to register.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The Rookie Round-Up, which will provide information for first-time Convention attendees, will be at 8:00PM on Tuesday, July 7. Those who register and indicate this is their first convention will receive information on how to join. Maryland will be holding a conference call for our members who will attend their first national convention on Thursday, July 9 at 8:00PM. We will be distributing information about this meeting in the coming weeks. First-time conventioneers should plan to attend both the Rookie Round-Up and the Maryland First-Timers Meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Graham Mehl<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>blind@trailstone.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB Central Maryland Chapter, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of Maryland Website and Technology Committee, Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>LCB graduate, 2016<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>