<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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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 New Year! The first meeting of the year for the At-Large Chapter will be on Tuesday, January 21. The National President’s message begins at 7:30, followed by the meeting from 8 – 9 pm. We will discuss topics that people want to know about for the coming year, upcoming events and more. Remember, the call in number is 605-313-4818. The access code is 720125. We had an informative meeting in December. Read the minutes below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At large Chapter Meeting Minutes for December 17, 2019. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The presidential release was played at 7:30 PM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was started at 8:00 PM by Marguerite Woods, President.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Approximately 15 members on the call. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFB pledge was recited by the members .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tonight’s guest speaker was Lloyd Rasmussen who is an electrical engineer at the National Library Service for the Blind. He discussed how to use BARD. He was involved with developing the digital player, the format used on the cartridges, and the Apps on the phones and PC.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The members discussed favorite holiday books: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Gift of the Magi - <a href="https://nlsbard.loc.gov/nlsbardprod/download/detail/srch/DB08921"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Best short stories of O. Henry DB08921</span></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>,</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Christmas Train by David <span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>Baldacci </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>DB55045,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans <span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>DB43556,</span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#006600'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Maryland collection. <span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Each year 3000 audio books are recorded or bought and 450 Braille books are embossed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The library is able to get commercial books from Audible and Amazon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ronza spoke about the cruise that the Maryland affiliated is doing for a fund raiser. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon asked for everyone who has not paid dues to send it to her. Her address is listed below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Sharon </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>Maneki<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>9013 Nelson Way<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Columbia </span><span style='color:black'>MD </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>21045.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dues are $5.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully 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, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><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>