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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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3 style='margin-left:.25in'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Washington Seminar Training:</span></b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>There will be four training sessions in the weeks leading up to Washington Seminar. They will be held every Thursday in January beginning on January 7. The agenda for each meeting is listed below. The core Washington Seminar issues will be announced at this first meeting. We will be distributing the Zoom information this week. You do not necessarily need to attend all four meetings. For example, the last meeting will consist of Zoom training and, as such, you may only want to send the folks who will be acting as Zoom moderators at your meetings. Additionally, if you would like us to provide specific training for your affiliate, please let John Paré (<a href="mailto:jpare@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>jpare@nfb.org</span></a>) know. <a name="_Hlk59451878">We are happy to provide more detailed training or to participate in mock meetings. </a>Remember that the Great Gathering-In will be Monday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m. eastern. There will also be a final training on the issues that same day from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. eastern. All National Federation of the Blind members are urged to attend both of these meetings.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Virtual Training Schedule:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Issue announcement and review: all state presidents and legislative directors – Thursday, January 7, 8:00 p.m. eastern</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meeting appointments and appointment tool: people making appointments – Thursday, January 14, 8:00 p.m. eastern</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Final issue review and mock meeting: all state presidents and meeting leaders – Thursday, January 21, 8:00 p.m. eastern</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Zoom training: all Zoom moderators – Thursday, January 28, 8:00 p.m. eastern</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style='margin-left:.25in'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar on Sale <br> in Honor of 2021 World Braille Day:</span></b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>During the week of January 4-8 only, the National Federation of the Blind Independence Market will be offering special pricing for the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. This commemorative coin was issued by the United States Mint in 2009 to honor the two hundredth anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. The US Mint issues only two commemorative silver dollars each year, so it is truly special that our incredible advocacy led to the recognition of Louis Braille’s contribution to the literacy of blind people in this way. During this week, the price of this collector’s coin will be $50.00 plus shipping and handling. To make a purchase or for further questions, please contact the NFB Independence Market by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or by email at <a href="mailto:independencemarket@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>independencemarket@nfb.org</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></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'>mvcmelley@gmail.com<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>