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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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>You’re Invited to the 2025 NFB of Massachusetts State Convention!</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>We are thrilled to invite you to the <b>2025 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Massachusetts State Convention</b>, <b>Chasing Your Dreams and Living Courageously</b>, taking place from <b>March 14th to March 16th, 2025</b> at the <b>Sheraton Hotel</b> in <b>Springfield, MA</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>This exciting event will feature a variety of dynamic programs, including:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>A Welcome Reception</b> hosted by our Student Division, packed with surprises<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Accessible Sports like Blind Tennis</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Tactile art opportunities</b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]> <b>Children’s Activities</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Innovative ways to grieve and accept loss</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Emergency Preparedness</b> sessions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>How to Avoid becoming a victim of scams and identity theft</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Legislative Updates</b> and advocacy efforts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Ground-breaking Technology</b> demos<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Networking opportunities and so much more!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>Throughout the weekend, you’ll have the chance to connect with others, learn about the NFB of Massachusetts, discover new resources, and gain valuable insights into current priorities within the blind community. Plus, we will be awarding <b>four scholarships</b> at our Saturday evening banquet!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>Important Details:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>Convention Registration</b><br>All participants must be registered to attend the state convention. The <b>registration fee is $100</b>, which includes five meals. You’ll also have the option to choose your <b>Saturday lunch</b> and <b>Banquet Meal</b> preferences. All other meals will be served buffet-style, with a variety of delicious choices to suit all tastes.<br>If you’re attending for just <b>Saturday</b>, you can select a <b>day pass</b> with lunch or a <b>day pass with lunch and banquet</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>Register now</b>: <a href="https://nfbma.org/state-convention/registration">Convention Registration</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>Hotel Booking</b><br>This year’s room rate at the <b>Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel</b> is <b>$139 per night plus tax</b>. Rooms must be reserved by <b>February 5, 2025</b>.<br>To book, please call the hotel directly at <b>1-413-781-1010</b> and mention the <b>NFB of Massachusetts Convention</b> to secure our special rate. Note: Online reservations will not guarantee this rate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Scholarships</b><br>Are you a blind or low-vision college student? We’re offering <b>four scholarships</b> to be awarded at our Saturday evening banquet. Applications are due by <b>February 15, 2025</b>. You can find the application form <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnPuVIutta_h38GnT7t-TqdUuAoPWoqfTZN7Ja2Ijdg226Q/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnPuVIutta_h38GnT7t-TqdUuAoPWoqfTZN7Ja2Ijdg226Q/viewform</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>. For questions about scholarships, please contact <b>Kyra Sweeney</b> at <b><a href="mailto:kyra.sweeney94@gmail.com">kyra.sweeney94@gmail.com</a></b> or <b>310-430-3817</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><b>Event Location and Travel</b><br>The convention will take place at the <b>Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel</b>, located at <b>One Monarch Place, Springfield, MA</b>. You can easily reach the hotel via <b>Lyft, Uber, train, bus, or plane</b>.<br>The closest airport is <b>Bradley International Airport (BDL)</b> in <b>Windsor Locks, CT</b>, just 14 miles from Springfield. Alternatively, you can fly into <b>Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)</b>, 94 miles away, and take a train, bus, or rideshare to Springfield.<br>If you're traveling by train or bus from within Massachusetts, several routes are available to Springfield. For assistance with travel plans, please contact <b>Mika Pyyhkala</b> at <b>617-308-1114</b>. In addition, your convention committee is working on procuring a van or bus which would be able to get many of us there together. . Stay tuned for more information about this possibility. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>If you have any questions about the convention (other than scholarships or travel), please reach out to <b>President Shara Winton</b> at <b>617-600-8130</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 NFB of Massachusetts State Convention—<b>Chasing Your Dreams and Living Courageously</b>!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/">www.nfbma.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com">sharawinton@gmail.com</a><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>