<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000">Hello All,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000">The next meeting of the At-Large Chapter will be tonight, March 21st. The National President's message begins at 7:30 followed by the meeting from 8-9 pm. We will have a special guest speaker, Denise Avant who is a National Board Member and Chairman of the National Membership Committee. Denise has had an interesting career as a lawyer. The call-in number is 339-209-4083. See you tonight! Below are the minutes.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000">NFBMD At Large
Chapter Meeting Minutes for February 21, 2023 <span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">The Presidential release was played at 7:30 PM. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">The meeting was started at 8:00 PM by Marguerite Woods,
President <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Round robin took place. Everyone announced themselves,
stated where they are located in the state, and answered the question do you
like to travel.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Approximately 25 members on the call. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Sharon gave an update on the Issues that the NFBMD are
trying to get passed in Annapolis. She asked everyone to either call or send
letters to their representatives. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Marguerite and Sharon talked about Washington seminar
especially the Great Gathering Inn.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span> </span>Marguerite announced the chapter’s next Fundraiser: <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><i><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland At-Large Chapter invites you to
join us as we listen to an audio described presentation of the classic:<span></span></span></i></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 1.5in;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A Patch of Blue<span></span> starring the
famous Sydney Poitier<span></span></span></i> <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Participate in our
thoughtful discussion of love,<span></span> relationships, and
blindness.<span></span></span> <span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br></span></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 1.5in;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Date:<span> </span>Saturday,
April 1, 2023<span></span><br></span></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 1.5in;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Time:<span> </span>6:30
pm <span></span><br></span></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 1.5in;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Place:<span> </span>Anywhere
and everywhere on Zoom<span></span><br></span></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 112.5pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Donation:<span> </span>$15 which also gives you one entry in a
drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card<span></span></span><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 112.5pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Go to NFBMD.org/patchofblue and click the donate<span></span> button or send a check to:<span></span></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 112.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><i><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Sharon Maneki, 9013 Nelson Way, Columbia,
MD<span> </span>21045<span></span></span></i></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 112.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>For questions, email:<span> </span></span></b><a style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mwoods719@gmail.com</span></b></a><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span></span></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 112.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-align:left"><font size="4"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span> </span>Marguerite announced that the State affiliate will be doing
a popcorn fundraiser a few weeks prior to the At Large chapter’s fundraiser. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Sharon shared that Dee became a life-time member of the
chapter. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4">Sharon read highlights from an article titled <span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Touring and
Facilities </span> <span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">by Ramona Walhof</span>
in the February 2023 Braille monitor. Afterwards, members shared stories about
traveling and their experiences.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span> </span>The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="4"><span> </span>Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary </font><span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday 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.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div></div>