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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>June 2018 Minute Message<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Fellow Federationists</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Orlando, Here We Come!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I hope everyone is getting ready for the National Convention, July 3-8, in Orlando. Here are some special notes concerning the participation of the Maryland affiliate. The Maryland caucus will be held on Wednesday, July 4<sup>th</sup>, at 9 pm in Suwannee Room 11. We need workers and buyers at the Maryland table in the Exhibit Hall. The table number is D5. As usual, the affiliate will sell instant lottery tickets, which gives you a chance to win from $2 to $20. Since you get your money immediately, you will be able to purchase other items at the table, such as snacks. The Maryland Association of Blind Merchants will be selling raffle tickets to a week’s trip to Las Vegas, the Baltimore Chapter will be selling water koozies and the Maryland Association of Blind Students will be selling some surprise items. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Please take time to welcome and assist the many Maryland members who will be attending convention for the first time. We want the convention experience to be a great one for all attendees. Sometimes convention can become overwhelming or stressful. If anyone becomes ill, feels anxious or frustrated, please call Ronza Othman or me. Ronza’s cell number is 708-829-0523. My cell number is 410-241-9012. The National Convention is part family reunion, part building relationships and networking and part reenergization. Let’s make the most of it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Let’s Vote</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Many thanks to everyone who made our June 14<sup>th</sup> informational protest a great success. Over 60 people attended and we had excellent social media coverage. Unfortunately, we have to put up with the loss of our secret ballot during this primary election. However, we should still exercise our right to vote. To read ballot information before casting your vote, go to the local channel of NFB Newsline. Early voting is from June 14 through June 21. Election day for the primaries will be on June 26. We will continue to demand our right to a secret ballot until it becomes a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Actions Needed</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Parents should sign up their children for one of our three BELL programs quickly. Go to: <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="https://nfb.org/bell-student-application-form">https://nfb.org/bell-student-application-form</a></span>. The staff at all three programs are busy planning activities that will be both fun and educational. Your children will gain new friends and will learn from blind adult role models. BELL is one of the most important activities of our affiliate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Tickets for the annual crab feast on August 4 are now available. The cost is $55 on or before July 28 or $60 after July 28. Place: Columbus Gardens, 4301 Klosterman Ave., Baltimore, MD (off 8400 block of Belair Rd.). Time: 6 to 11 pm. This event will benefit the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program. Enjoy all you can eat: steamed crabs, pit beef, & ham</span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'>; </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>plus a buffet of entrees including shrimp creole and mild and spicy sausage, sides, salad, cakes plus Yuengling, Bud, and Coors Light on Tap</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>as well as</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>carbonated beverages and coffee.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>You may purchase tickets online at <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="http://www.nfbmd.org">www.nfbmd.org</a></span> or from the crab feast committee. For further information contact Steve Brand at <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="mailto:steve@ayst.net">steve@ayst.net</a></span>. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Since this is the season of anniversaries, weddings and graduations, be sure to use Amazon smile and choose NFBMD for your charity when you purchase that special gift. Go to <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033">http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033</a></span>. Happy Fathers Day to all the dads!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Important Dates for 2018</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>June 23- <span style='color:black'>MABM Networking Mixer, 3pm-6pm. Flavor Restaurant, 15 East Centre Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 3-8 – NFB National Convention, Orlando, FL.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 16-27– NFB Bell Academy in Salisbury, MD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 29 – August 4 – NFB EQ for blind high school students. Go to: <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 30-August 10 – NFB Bell Academies in Baltimore and Glenn Dale, MD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>August 4 – Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>August 10-12 – Southeast Regional Seminar for Blind Students, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>October 5 – Maryland Candidates for Governor Forum on Disabilities, 1:30-3:30pm, Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>October 15 – National White Cane Awareness Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>November 9-11 – Annual State Convention, Carousel Hotel, Ocean City, MD. <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><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>