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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>The next meeting of the NFBMD At-Large Chapter will be on Tuesday September 15. As usual, the national president’s message begins at 7:30 and the meeting will be from 8 to 9pm. We will be discussing our exciting concert entitled Jamming with the At-Large Chapter: Music from Chuck Barry to the Present. It will include pop rock, country, Christian rock, jazz, and more. We will also discuss the upcoming state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For your convenience, the call in number is 605-313-4818. The access code is 720125. Please read the August Minutes below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At Large Chapter Meeting Minutes for August 18, 2020<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Presidential release was started at 7:31 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>There were approximately 20 Members on the call <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Round Robin took place where everyone announced themselves and told one thing that stood out to them about national convention <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marguerite lead the members in the NFB pledge <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFB of Maryland State Convention will be held November 6<sup>th</sup> through 8<sup>th</sup> and will be held virtually. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Host chapters will be the At Large, Cumberland, and TLC.<o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Convention pre-registration is now open and closes on October 16, 2020. Pre-registration is $20 per adult and free for kids. Registration after October 16, 2020 is $25 per adult and free for kids. You may not be eligible for door prizes, voting, and other convention aspects if you register after October 16<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Hard copy registration forms will be in your mailbox soon or visit </span><span style='color:black'><a href="about:blank"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>http://nfbmd.org/convention</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'> to register.</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>This year, our National Representative will be Pam Allen, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana, Chairman and First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors, and Executive Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Give 10<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>For every $10 you give enters you into a drawling to win a trip for two for the 2021 cruise. This drawling begins August 15, 2020 goes until November1, 2020. The drawling will be drawn on November 7<sup>th</sup> during the banquet. <span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Daniel is working on receiving a White Cane Awareness <span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B;background:white'>proclamation</span> from Washington County. He reported that the county was excited and happy to present to us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Voting Information (the following information written below is directly from Ronza’s Minute Message that she sent out in early August)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Maryland plans to significantly reduce it is in-person early voting centers and same-day voting sites. As a result, individuals should plan to ensure access to a voting location. NFBMD encourages those who are able and who are not in high-risk categories to vote in person if possible. To find a list of voting locations, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website at: </span><span style='color:black'><a href="about:blank"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://elections.maryland.gov/</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>As a result of previous litigation that NFBMD undertook, Maryland is required to offer an accessible absentee voting system. This enables the blind to gain access to an accessible computer-based ballot using their assistive technology. The voter marks the ballot using the voter’s computer and then prints, signs, and mails in the ballot. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>As of May 8, 2020, Maryland no longer uses the term Absentee Voting and instead uses the phrases “Mail-in Voting” and “Mail-in Ballots.” To submit a request for a Mail-in Ballot, visit: </span><span style='color:black'><a href="about:blank"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>. You will have the option to choose to have a paper ballot mailed to you or the link to an electronic ballot emailed to you. You will need to know the number on your Maryland State ID to request a Mail-in Ballot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>NFBMD urges everyone eligible to vote to do so. Individuals not yet registered to vote may do so online by visiting: </span><a href="about:blank"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1</span></a><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>. Early voting runs from October 26 through November 2, 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blind Cruising (the following information written below is directly from Ronza’s Minute Message that she sent out in early August)<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will be hosting a cruise fundraiser from September 19, 2021 to September 26, 2021. The affiliate will receive a portion of the cost of each cabin that is booked. All are welcome, including members of the NFBMD, other affiliates, families, colleagues, and friends. For additional information or to reserve your cabin, please contact <b>our travel agent, Cindy Kiper at </b></span><a href="about:blank"><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt'>kkiper@cruisesinc.com</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'> <span lang=EN>or 813-418-0647.</span></span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='color:#333333'> </span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Details are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Ship: Carnival Pride<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Date: September 19 – September 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Port of Departure: Baltimore, Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Number of nights: 7<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Ports visited: Grand Turk, Turks, and Caicos; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; and Freeport, Bahamas<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Key Dates:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- First deposit due: Until All Cabins Booked or December 31, 2020 (whichever is earlier) = $25 per person<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- Second deposit due: April 15, 2021 - $250 per person plus full names of sailors<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- Final payment due: June 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Types and prices of cabins (this is a per person price based on double occupancy and includes cabin fee, port charges, and taxes); we have a limited number of cabins, so prices may change once our block is filled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- Balcony cabin (extended balcony) = $958.64 per person<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- Balcony cabin (standard balcony) = from $935.64 to $946.64 per person<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- interior cabin = From $727.64 to $737.64 per person<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>- if anyone needs an Ocean View or triple or quad cabin, they should let us know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Note: Cabin types are going first come first serve, so please email to inquire about availability.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>We hope you will join us in 2021 on this incredible trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectively Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary <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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>