<div dir="ltr"><div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">Hello All,</div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">The next meeting of the At-Large chapter will be tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17. Our guest speakers will be Jesse and Sherry Shirek, an interesting couple who have lots to share with us about NFB and life. We will also talk about listening to the National Convention in July. See below for the May meeting minutes:</div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">NFBMD At Large
Chapter Meeting Minutes for May 20, 2025<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The Presidential Release was played at 7:30PM. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The meeting was started at 7:45PM by Marguerite Woods,
President. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The round robin took place. Everyone announced themselves, stated
where they are in the state, and answered the question, \u201cshare something that
you did independently and a skill that helps you out or that you use\u201d. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">There were approximately 20 members on the call. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Marguerite made the following announcements: <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The senior call will be on May 21<sup>st </sup>starting at
7PM.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">On June 7th starting at 1:30PM, a Discussion will take place
about having an ABLE account. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The National Convention will be held July 8th through the
13th in New Orleans. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Sharon led a discussion on the importance of independence
with the members on the call. She read some of Dr. Jernigan\u2019s speech called \u201cThe
Nature of Independence.\u201d He said that independence means \u201cchoices and the
ability to make those choices stick.\u201d <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The meeting adjourned at 9:15PM.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Respectfully Submitted by
Danielle Earl, Secretary <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<br></div><br clear="all"></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>