<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:#000000">Hello All,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:#000000"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:#000000">Remember tomorrow's meeting starts at 7:45 pm with the Round Robin.  We will be listening to the Presidential Release Commentary on the rally against Uber and Lyft.  Here are the September minutes.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:#000000"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:#000000"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">NFBMD At Large Chapter Meeting Minutes for September 17, 2024</span><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Presidential release was played at 7:30 PM. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The meeting was started at 8:00 PM by Marguerite Woods, President. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The round robin took place. Everyone announce themselves, stated where they are in the state, and answered the question what is your favorite cocktail or summer drink?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There were approximately 25 members on the call. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Charles led David in the NFB pledge.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sharon play her trivia president release game.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sharon announced the At Large Chapter Movie fund raiser. The flyer is below: </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The NFB of Maryland At Large Chapter Presents:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> A Night at the Movies!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">All the Light We Cannot See - Episode One!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In this series, the paths of blind French teenager Marie-Laure and German soldier Werner cross in occupied France, as the two try to survive the destruction and dangers of World War II.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Following the movie, guest speaker, Joe Stretchay, an Accessibility Consultant for Film and Television, who is blind, will talk about his interesting career and lead our discussion of the movie.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> We request a donation of $12 to participate in the event, including the discussion of this movie, to benefit the At Large Chapter of the NFB of Maryland.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Date: Saturday, October 26</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Time: 7:00pm</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Place: Anywhere and Everywhere on Zoom</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Requested Donation: $12 per person.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Please register by Wednesday, October 23, so that we have time to send you the Zoom information. Be sure to include your email address when you register.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> You may donate in one of three ways:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Credit Card and PayPal*:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Visit: </span><a href="https://nfbmd.org/nightatthetheater" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(70,120,134);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">https://nfbmd.org/nightatthetheater</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">  </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> OR</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Zelle:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(70,120,134);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">President@nfbmd.org</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OR</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Check:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Payable to NFBMD At-Large Chapter</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">9013 Nelson Way</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Columbia, MD 21045</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Tonight’s guest speaker is Dezman Jackson. He is the membership chair for the NFB. He spoke about the history of the federation, how the federation is organized, what being a member means, and how you can participate. What does a member mean? Members stated what membership means to them. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sharon made a motion to contribute to the PAC plan at $5 a month. It was seconded and approved. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Please paid your 2024 Dues if you have not done already. Pay online at NFBMD.org and look for the link about paying dues or send them to Sharon. Her address is above in these minutes. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.39;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary </span></p><br><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><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>