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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>The NFB 2022 National Convention will take place from July 5 – 10, 2022 in New Orleans Louisiana. We are very excited to pass the convention hosting torch to the Louisiana affiliate. The convention will take place at the New Orleans Marriott, and you may make your reservation by calling </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;background:white'>800-654-3990. The overflow hotel is the Sheraton New Orleans, and the Exhibit Hall will be located here. To reserve a room at the overflow hotel, call 855-516-1090. The rooming rate is $109 per night plus tax at both hotels. Preregistration for the convention will open on March 1 and will close May 31, 2022. </span><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>First time national convention attendees may apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship, which is a grant the NFB provides to people who have not attended a national convention in person previously. The deadline is April 15, 2022. Visit this link for more information on how to apply. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> <span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Those from Maryland who are seeking financial assistance should speak with their chapter president to find out what assistance their local chapter may have available. The affiliate’s Financial Assistance Application Form is now live and must be submitted by March 31, 2022. It can be found at </span><a href="http://www.nfbmd.org/financialassistance"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>http://www.nfbmd.org/financialassistance</span></a><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>. Please note that though the Financial Assistance Committee will give due consideration to every application, the affiliate has limited resources and is unable to grant every request. For questions about the Financial Assistance Application Program, please reach out to your chapter president or me at </span><a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>President@nfbmd.org</span></a><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>