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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Happy President’s Day! The next meeting of the At-Large Chapter will be tomorrow, Tuesday, February 20. The National President’s Message starts at 7:30 pm and the meeting will be from 8:00 – 9:00 pm. We will have a special guest, Peggy Chong, who will tell us about famous blind people in history. I am sure that all of us will learn some new information. Please spread the word, we would like to have a good turnout for our special guest. For your convenience, the call-in number is 641-715-3272. The access code is 720125. Please read the January minutes below. Look forward to talking to you tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB At Large Chapter Meeting Minutes January 16, 2018 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Presidential Release started at 7:36 PM <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was started at 8 PM by Margarete Woods, President <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>24 members were in attendance <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pay dues as soon as you can. They are $5. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Use pay pal or send to Sharon Maneki by check or cash <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9013 Nelson Way <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Columbia MD, <span style='color:#1F497D'>21045</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dues paid gives you access to the local chapter, state affiliate, and national. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Maryland state affiliate is holding their spring raffle. Each ticket is $5. Contact Melissa Ricobono to purchase or sell tickets. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Legislation that the NFB of Maryland is working on:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. To restore the secret ballot to disabled voters<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. Establish a remote access information service for deaf-blind individuals<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. Strengthen enforcement of accessibility procurement requirements <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. Protect the $250,000 appropriation in the Governor’s budget for the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce. </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon read an article out of the November edition of the Braille Monitor entitled Sharper Elbows Sharper Thoughts <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Then the group discussed it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Submitted by Danielle Earl <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'>Sharon Maneki, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>