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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Financial Assistance Application </span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Form <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>for the 2023 </span>State <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>Convention is now available. The deadline to submit applications is</span> September 15<span style='color:#3B3B3B'>, 2023. Please note that availability of support is lower than in previous years, and priority will be given to first-time convention attendees, students, and those with significant </span>state <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>convention responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'>In addition, the eligibility criteria now requires in addition to previous requirements:<o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'>Applicants provide proof of convention pre-registration prior to the Financial Application Deadline;<o:p></o:p></li><li style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'>Applicants procure a letter of support from their chapter president prior to the Financial Assistance Application deadline; and<o:p></o:p></li><li style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'>Applicants agree to share a hotel room if seeking lodging assistance (we no longer permit an individual to pay the other half of their room themselves to avoid having a roommate).<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Financial Assistance Application Form for Federation-hosted conferences and activities is now available. This grant is intended to assist persons interested in NFBMD with limited means to attend conventions, seminars, and affiliate events.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>Recipients of this grant must demonstrate genuine interest in, and commitment to the blind of Maryland or the potential to develop such interest and commitment. Recipients are expected to attend all sessions relative to the event for which they receive assistance. Recipients are also expected to assist with Convention and/or event activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>NFBMD expects all participants to contribute to funding to attend events and will not pay for registration fees. The Award Committee may award partial funding to assist individuals to attend seminars, conventions, or the like.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>Individuals requesting lodging financial assistance will only receive assistance for the cost of at maximum, up to half a hotel room. Such individuals will be responsible for finding their own roommates to share in the cost of hotel lodging. NFB of Maryland will not assign roommates for those receiving financial assistance. However, those who would like to share their interest in finding roommates may give consent to NFBMD for their name and contact information to be shared with others seeking roommates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>Individuals wishing to request financial assistance for the NFB </span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>of Maryland State <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>Convention in </span>Hunt Valley, Maryland <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>must submit a completed application to NFBMD President Ronza Othman by</span> September 15<span style='color:#3B3B3B'>, 2023. Individuals must also </span>obtain a letter of support from <span style='color:#3B3B3B'>their chapter president</span> and provide proof of convention pre-registration prior to September 15, 2023<span style='color:#3B3B3B'>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>To request financial assistance, individuals should use the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1N7TQx8dsUAjunS81-EGDazcj21quKo3sGccZ-tFnxhU/viewform?ts=62e742f5&edit_requested=true"><span style='color:#0071B3'>NFBMD Financial Assistance Form</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#3B3B3B'>Individuals who need assistance completing the application and sending it electronically should contact President Othman at 443-426-4110 or their chapter president.<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>Information about the State Convention, including the pre-registration portal link, is available at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfbmd.org/convention">https://nfbmd.org/convention</a><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'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>