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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good Evening Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is a reply that John Berggren sent to a message on the NFB conventions list setting the record straight about our upcoming national convention as it stands now. This information was reiterated on tonight’s leadership call. Please reach out if there are any questions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Scott Van Gorp, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br>Phone: 515-720-5282<br></span><a href="mailto:svangorp@nfbi.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Email</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbi.org/"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Website</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br></span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823082570/posts"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Facebook</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br></span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Twitter</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br>Live the life you want.<br></span></i><br>The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Good morning Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I want to thank Ms. Luther for expressing the concerns that I'm certain many of us are feeling. The daily headlines are filled with constantly changing news about the spread of the Coronavirus and the work being done to contain and minimize its impact. Here is what I can tell you about national convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>As of right now with July still several months away, we remain committed to holding convention in Houston as scheduled. I have been speaking with the folks at the Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the staff at the Hilton Americas hotel on a weekly basis to get their feedback. President Riccobono is evaluating the circumstances on an ongoing basis with the leadership of our organization. Our National Convention is our most important event of the year, but of course the health and safety of our membership is of the utmost concern. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>An increasing number of state governors across the country, Texas included, have issued executive orders closing non-essential businesses and encouraging residents to limit their travel. Many states have also deployed their national guards to assist with the COVID-19 response at hospitals and testing centers. If these strategies are successful in "flattening the curve," we may find that the environment across the country becomes more hospitable to holding our convention as scheduled.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I can assure you that should National Convention take place this July the hotel will be fully staffed and ready to host us with a level of service that is consistent with our expectations. We are planning for an outstanding convention and intend to deliver exactly that.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I do expect that before this week is out our online registration form will be back up and running. The hiccups we initially encountered with our new web platform appear to have been ironed out. Stay tuned for confirmation that registration is indeed again available. Please also make your hotel reservations with the confidence that, should convention dates change in any way, we will ensure that room deposits can be fully refunded.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The landscape is changing every day. The National Federation of the Blind will remain flexible and respond to these changes in ways that make sense for our organization and our fellow members. Continue to look for updates on our website, our email lists, and through social media.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>John<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>John Berggren<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Executive Director, Operations<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>(410) 659-9314, extension 2329 | <a href="mailto:jberggren@nfb.org">jberggren@nfb.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>