<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:106%;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:16.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><img width=594 height=252 style='width:6.1916in;height:2.625in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D8EE0A.8AE1FF20" alt="Text
Description automatically generated with medium confidence"></span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>2022 51<sup>st</sup> Annual State Convention<br>November 4, 5, and 6, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><br> Sheraton Hartford South<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>100 Capital Boulevard<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Rocky Hill, CT 06067<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><a name="_Hlk114734125"><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>D</span></u></b></a><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>oor Prizes:</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Door prizes will be awarded throughout the convention. To be eligible, you must be registered and in the conference room when your name is drawn. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>50/50 raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day and the winner will be announced at the end of the Banquet. Basket raffles are back this year! Be prepared to buy tickets to try and win your favorite chapter basket.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Guide Dog relief area</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>: As you leave the conference room turn right. At the end of the hall take another right and then a quick left. Continue straight to the exit doors. Walk down the sidewalk until you come to a set of three stairs. At the bottom of the stairs there is grass on both sides for relieving. PLEASE pick up after your dog and deposit the waste in the trash receptacle back at the doors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>We would like to thank our generous sponsors:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Platinum Sponsor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><img width=357 height=156 style='width:3.7166in;height:1.625in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D8EE0A.8AE1FF20" alt="18-oakhill logo"></span></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><br></span></b><a href="http://www.oakhillct.org"><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>www.oakhillct.org</span></b></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:windowtext;mso-style-textoutline-type:solid;mso-style-textoutline-fill-color:black;mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha:100.0%;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth:.75pt;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap:round;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join:bevel;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit:0%;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash:solid;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align:center;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound:simple;text-decoration:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:windowtext;mso-style-textoutline-type:solid;mso-style-textoutline-fill-color:black;mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha:100.0%;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth:.75pt;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap:round;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join:bevel;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit:0%;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash:solid;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align:center;mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound:simple;text-decoration:none'>Gold Sponsor: Youthful Images </span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Silver Sponsor: Retina Consultants, PC<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><br><u>National Representative</u>:</span></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:black'> Ron Brown, 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President,</span></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'> National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>President</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>: Maryanne Melley<br>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="http://www.nfbCT.org"><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:black'>www.nfbct.org</span></b></a><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Facebook</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>: National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Friday, November 4<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Dinner and entertainment in Salon II starting at 6:00p.m. <a name="_Hlk114734324">Please feel free to join in with Judy Potter, Jim Cronin and our National Representative for an evening of entertainment. Also bring your extra cash for Jailhouse Karaoke. For $1.00 or any amount you want, put someone in “jail”. That person has to either sing a song or pay at least $1.00 to get out of “jail.” Have fun putting people on the spot! Also, there will be a cash bar available.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>In Salon I the Vendor Fair will be happening from 7:00p.m. through 11:00p.m. Take your time to visit our vendors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk85539479"><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Saturday, November 5<sup>th</sup>, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Connecticut Association of Blind Students Meeting: 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. Rocky Hill Room<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Connecticut Association of Guide Dog Users Meeting 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. Rocky Hill Room<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>7:00a.m.- 9:00a.m. Continental Breakfast, Nutmeg Ballroom (This is not the hotel breakfast)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>9:00a.m. - Call to order<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539479'></span><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Invocation – Father Ed Pryzgocki - Holy Apostle Church <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk85699502"><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>9:05a.m. - Pledge of Allegiance, NFB Pledge<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>9:10a.m. – I would like to thank our donation mailers: Charlie Rival, Pam Taylor, Glenn Miller, Rich Ireland, George Reed, Cheri Duquette, Carol Lemieux, and Karime Pimental. Without their hard work we would not be in the strong financial position we are in today.<span style='letter-spacing:-.15pt'> Today let us have a moment of silence for two members that passed away this year, they are Marcia Baran and Jackie Billey. Carolyn Dodd wrote an article for the Braille Monitor regarding Jackie Billey, and she would like to read it for us now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>Change to our State Constitution</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>CURRENT wording.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>Article IV: LOCAL CHAPTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>Paragraph two regarding dues now reads “At the same time, each local Treasurer shall forward to the State Treasurer its dues in the amount of $3.00 for each member of the chapter.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NEW Wording. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Article IV: LOCAL CHAPTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Paragraph two regarding dues change to “At the same time, each local Treasurer shall forward to the state Treasurer its dues in the amount of $5.00 for each member of the Chapter.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85699502'></span><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk85539540"></a><a name="_Hlk81925481"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>9:20a.m. – Melissa Thompson - Nominating Committee Report<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>9:25a.m. – </span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Ron Brown - 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>, National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>9:55a.m. – Elizabeth Rouse - Treasurer, National Association of Blind Students (NABS) -Update from the National Student Division<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>10:10a.m. - Hear from our Scholarship Finalists:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>10:20a.m. – Maryanne Melley – President’s Report<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>10:30a.m. – Fit Break<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>10:45a.m. - Father Ed Przygocki – Holy Apostle Church, Outreach with Blind Children in Peru</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>11:00a.m. – Congressman John B. Larson, representing Connecticut’s 1<sup>st</sup> District<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>11:45p.m. – Matt Geeza – LBPH <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Break for lunch<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81925481'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1:00p.m.- </span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Amy Porter - Commissioner Connecticut Department of Aging and Disabilities, DORS</span></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1:15p.m. – Justin Salisbury – Explaining Blind Rehabilitation to Health Professionals using their Language</span></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1:30p.m. – Marilyn Davidson – VisionCam, Distributor of OrCam<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1:45 – Diane Weaver Dunne, CRIS Radio<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2:00p.m.- Fit Break</span></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2:15p.m.- Andy Bernstein - Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2:30p.m. – Todd Sweet - Hartford Braillers Hockey Team<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2:45p.m. - Shonda Rosetta – My Experiences Working for Amazon<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2:50p.m. – Steve Famiglietti - What’s New with NEAT<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3:05p.m. Jennifer Harnish - Carroll Center for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3:20p.m. – Noreen Grice - NFBCT BELL Academy<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539540'></span><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> One Minute Message<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m. Break<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a name="_Hlk85539571"><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>6:00 p.m. Banquet Dinner</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'> - Nutmeg Ballroom<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Invocation: Reverend Harold Williston - Crossroads Community Cathedral <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Master of Ceremonies: Deb Reed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Keynote Address - </span></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:black'>Ron Brown, 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President,</span></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'> National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Thank you to our BELL Academy Volunteers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Presentation of 2022 Scholarships:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Beth Rival, Mary Silverberg, and Nathanael Wales<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Scholarship Finalists:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Lizzy Cappelli<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Isabel Rosario<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Yew Siang Cheong<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Lydia Randall<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Scholarships:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>C. Rodney Demarest Memorial Scholarship<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Doris Higley Memorial Scholarship<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Zukowski Family Foundation Scholarship<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Brian Cummins Memorial Scholarship<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please join our students in the Rocky Hill Room for card playing and relaxation. The room will be open through midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Thank you for being here tonight for our 51<sup>st</sup> annual banquet!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a name="_Hlk85539785"><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Sunday, November 6, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></a></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539785'><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539785'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>7:00a.m.-9:00a.m. Breakfast, Nutmeg Ballroom<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539785'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539785'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>9:00a.m. Call to order: Business Meeting <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk85539785'></span><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Roll Call<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB Pledge<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Recommended changes to Constitution<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>CURRENT wording:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>Article IV: LOCAL CHAPTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.15pt'>Paragraph two regarding dues now reads “At the same time, each local Treasurer shall forward to the State Treasurer its dues in the amount of $3.00 for each member of the chapter.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NEW Wording. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Article IV: LOCAL CHAPTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Paragraph two regarding dues change too “At the same time, each local Treasurer shall forward to the state Treasurer its dues in the amount of $5.00 for each member of the Chapter.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Vote on Constitution changes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Reports:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Reading of 2021 Business Meeting Minutes, Vote on Acceptance: Joe Kolczynski<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Treasurers Report: Nathanael Wales, vote on report.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>ABPVI (Advisory Board Persons with Visual Impairments): Beth Rival<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SRC (State Rehabilitation Council): Deb Reed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>BCAC (Bureau Consumer Advocacy Committee): Korrine Herlth<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>PAC (Pre Authorized Contribution) Plan: Len Schlenk<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Federationist: Brianna Rigsbee<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>New Business:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Washington Seminar Appointments: Volunteer/Volunteers Needed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Washington Seminar: Vote on Subsidy amount <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Donation Mailings: Two more volunteers needed. Should we go to a mail merge format where everything is typed or keep requests handwritten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Committee for new location for our 2023 State Convention needed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFBCT Technology Grant: should we increase amount by adding funds from affiliate? More advertising is needed. All members on the committee should receive applicant emails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Credit Card Payments: How would we go about receiving this form of payment? Your input is needed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Creating a support group for partners of blind members: Richard Ireland<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>January Board meeting, where and when?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Chapter News<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Elections; Ron Brown, Moderator<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Any member nominated from the floor should have already agreed to serve prior to this convention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Nominees from the committee and from the floor will have one minute to state why they feel the affiliate should vote for them. The one-minute time will be strictly enforced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk114825366"><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Elections: Results will be given to our national representative Ron Brown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Each member that has paid dues for 2022 will receive eight index cards, one for each election. If you wish to vote for a person nominated from the floor you will tear off one corner of the card for that person. If you wish to vote for the person nominated by the committee, leave the card whole. If two people are nominated from the floor, you will tear one corner to vote for the first person and two corners to vote for the second person, still leaving your card whole to vote for who was nominated by the committee. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This is much more efficient than handing out slate and styluses, pens, different colored cards, Brailling and writing down votes, and having them counted by two people. It was suggested to me by John Pare last year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Positions up for election:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2<sup>Nd</sup> Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Treasurer<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Board Member<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Board Member<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Board Member – One Year Term<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk114825366'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meeting adjourned</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>