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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>Code of Conduct Within Our Affiliate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would like to say a few words regarding sexual misconduct in our affiliate. There have been incidents within our affiliate and the victims have never spoken about their experiences or have only talked to a few close friends. There has been one case where a code of conduct violation was filed. In that case I failed the individual because they felt they could not come to me with what happened to them. I never want any member to feel they cannot come to me with any complaint against another member they are uncomfortable with. It does not matter if the person is my best friend, an acquaintance or someone I barely know. I have also advised other members not to file code of conduct grievances against someone (not of a sexual misconduct kind) in hopes that the problem could be worked out within the affiliate. I was wrong to do this and apologize for interfering in people’s personal decisions. What is important is that any affiliate member feel they can come to me if they have been harassed by anyone. My role is to support affiliate members and not make decisions for them. I am no more important than any one of you, I am elected to serve you and make the best decision with the rest of the board that will benefit all members. Our conversations are confidential. I will help anyone fill out the code of conduct grievance form that needs help doing so. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>