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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>Happy Fall Y’all!! There are many events and action items in this email, please read and act on all items in which you are able. We have a busy and wonderful Fall and winter ahead of us!!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This Sunday, October 8 beginning at 9AM , we will be holding our annual David Ticchi Cambridge Chapter Walk. We will have delicious baked goodies available and other information, along with our friendship, fresh air and wellness all at your disposal. Please bring your water bottles to get the water provided to us from the Cambridge water department, while we are walking around and visiting the beautiful Fresh Pond Reservoir. The address is 250 Fresh Pond Parkway in Cambridge. Afterwards there will be two or three groups of people getting together and having lunch. We would love for you to join us in this, as well! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Also all of our chapter meetings are soon. The Cambridge meeting is being held via Zoom on this Monday, October 9at 6pm. The at-Large chapter meeting also via Zoom is on Tuesday October 10 at 7PM. The Parents division meeting is on Thursday, October 12 at 6PM via zoom. Our Greater Springfield chapter will be holding there hybrid chapter meeting on Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30PM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Another wonderful thing happening this Sunday October in the Western part of the state is a NFB craft fair in Chicopee at the Moose lodge located at 244 Fuller road. The craft fair will be taking place between the hours of 10am until 3PM. If you are in the Chicopee area and will not be attending our walk, please drop in and support the Greater Springfield’s Craft Fair. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> Your Convention committee is already hard at work, planning the NFB of Massachusetts 71<sup>st</sup> annual convention to be held in Salem from March 15-17, 2024. Please begin thinking about what you and your chapter will offer up as a door prize for this year's state convention. Get your creative juices flowing by bringing up the topic of door prizes at your next chapter or division meeting. Don't be surprised if members of our convention committee drop by your meeting to get your chapter hyped about contributing to the friendly competition, and fun that comes with active participation in this year's convention - all of which would not be possible without your collaboration and creativity! Massachusetts - or regionally-themed door prizes are encouraged, but not required. Carol Maurice is our door prize chair this year! Please contact Carol or myself if you have any questions about the door prizes. Carol can be reached at <a href="mailto:camaurice@comcast.net">camaurice@comcast.net</a> or 413-331-8239!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The next state Board meeting will be held on Tuesday November 7 at 7pm. The Cambridge chapter will be holding their annual Holiday party and December chapter meeting at John Brewers Tavern in Waltham on Monday December 11 at 6PM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our Washington Seminar will be <span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Lato",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Monday, January 29 through Thursday, February 1, 2024. Please contact your representatives now to ask them about </span>RIN 1190-AA79, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities. I sent a different email regarding this matter, earlier today. Please see that email for more information.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In addition, please start thinking about resolutions and/or presentations you would like to propose and/or see at your next state convention. And remember we are always looking for fantastic auction items. We will be having exciting news about our next auction coming soon! Have a terrific Fall!! I hope every one of you can make one of our two amazing events this Sunday!! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Keep Shining and keep being the amazing person that you are!! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>With love, hope and determination, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>