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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><h3><span class=Heading3Char>Washington Seminar Logistics:</span><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=NotebookText>Every year the National Federation of the Blind conducts a concentrated and focused set of meetings to educate members of Congress about issues affecting blind Americans. This event is referred to as the Washington Seminar. This year’s Washington Seminar will be virtual. The Great Gathering-In will still be Monday, February 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. eastern. We urge affiliates to schedule their Congressional meetings either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, February 9, 10, or 11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=NotebookText>We will be announcing our issues sometime during the month of December and will be distributing our fact sheets in early January. We will also be conducting extensive training during that month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=NotebookText>It’s too early to begin scheduling your Congressional meetings—most offices will not want to begin scheduling meetings for 2021 until January, but affiliates should begin thinking about how they can maximize constituent participation, especially in House meetings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=NotebookText>If you have members who are uncertain who their representative is, they can look it up at <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=NotebookText>In the meantime, we still want to build cosponsor support for each of our seven bills. Doing so will help us when we restart in 2021 or may even help get them passed during one of the few remaining times Congress will be in session this year, so watch for upcoming legislative alerts.<o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>This announcement comes from President Riccobono. All presidents had a zoom meeting Sunday evening to discuss the Washington seminar being virtual this year. It could be a very positive experience with the possibility of more constituents being able to attend the meetings. Also we have a better chance of actually meeting with our representative rather than their assistants. I will be sending out more information once I receive it. </span><o:p></o:p></h2><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'>mvcmelley@gmail.com<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>