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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Tomorrow is October 2<sup>nd</sup> and the deadline to register for our state convention. You can register two ways. Either use the word document below and email it to Lucia at <a href="mailto:llee@nfbct.org">llee@nfbct.org</a> or follow the link below to fill in the google form. If you are not registered by tomorrow you can still be part of the convention, but will not be able to actively participate in it. Please register today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt'><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyl1qybGT5xvue-d1ByILt4AVgiRPKWEQ6JorvxgErUHkFBg/viewform?usp=sf_link">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyl1qybGT5xvue-d1ByILt4AVgiRPKWEQ6JorvxgErUHkFBg/viewform?usp=sf_link</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><img border=0 width=323 height=118 style='width:3.3666in;height:1.225in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D697D7.575FD770"></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:22.0pt'>49th Annual<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:22.0pt'>State Convention<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut will hold our 49<sup>th</sup> Annual State Convention on Saturday, October 31<sup>st</sup> and Sunday November 1<sup>st</sup> virtually for the first time due to COVID-19 for everyone’s safety.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>We are happy to announce that Amy Ruell, a National Federation of the Blind Board Member, will be representing President Riccobono this year. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Saturday morning, our general session starts promptly at 9:00am. We will hear from National Representative Amy Ruell followed by a variety of inspiring speakers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>The Guide Dog Division will be held from 1:00pm-2:00pm<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>The Student Division will meet 2:00pm-5:00pm<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Our Banquet will begin at 6:00pm. Our Master of Ceremonies Deb Reed will introduce National Representative Amy Ruell who will address our convention during the banquet Saturday evening. Also, Mary Silverberg will present Academic Scholarship Awards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>There will be a pumpkin contest. Decorate, paint, or carve a pumpkin for a chance to win! First place, $75.00, Second place, $50.00 and third place, $25.00. Everyone who enters must make a video description of their pumpkin that is no longer than one minute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Sunday morning, at 9:00am we will have elections followed by our Annual Business Meeting. Elections will be held for the positions of President, 1<sup>st</sup> Vice President, 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and two Board members. We will also vote on one change to our State Constitution, this change will be in the agenda for everyone to read the day before. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>Enter to win a free convention weekend in 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>For $20.00 you could be the lucky winner of free registration and two night stay at the hotel where we will be holding our 2021 </span><b><u><span style='font-size:18.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>50<sup>th</sup> State Convention</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>. </span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>Pleaase make checks payable to NFB of CT or use PayPal Giving to enter. Checks should be mailed to; 111 Sheldon Road, Unit 420, Manchester, CT 06045<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Registration Form<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Name</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>: _Carolyn Dodd_________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Address</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>: _275 Steele Rd. Apt. A 419, West Hartford, CT 06117__________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Phone</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>: _860-236-8072___________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>E-mail</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>: <a href="mailto:_mcarolyndodd1907@gmail.com____________________________________________________">_mcarolyndodd1907@gmail.com____________________________________________________</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Indicate how many will be attending the following: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Division meetings Saturday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>_____ CT Association of Guide Dog Users; _____ CT Association of Blind Student <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>____X__ I realize registration is free this year, but I am enclosing a donation to the NFB of CT. </span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Send your check payable to the NFB of CT to: <b>NFB of CT, 111 Sheldon Road, Unit 420, Manchester, CT 06045. </b>Please make sure to use PayPal Giving if you choose to donate this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Registration deadline is October 2nd</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>. There will be no late registrations accepted this year. We will be voting by phone. This system was used at the National Convention. <b>Please make sure you have paid your dues by the time you register, or you will not be allowed to vote on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Maryanne Melley,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>