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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">March2020 Minute Message </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Fellow Federationists:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">We find ourselves experiencing tremendous change due to the unprecedented challenges that have arisen from the COVID-19 crisis. We are first and foremost a family, and I, along with the leaders of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland want to share our hope that our members and supporters are staying healthy and safe. We recognize that we are living in a time of uncertainty, and for many, anxiety, and we want each of you to know you are not alone, the NFBMD is hear for you, and we’ll get through this together. I urge you all to reach out to one another to check in, provide assistance, and give whatever support you can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the NFBMD Board if you need assistance or just someone with whom to talk. Together, we will not only weather this crisis, but we will be stronger collectively and individually.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Please read below for information about news and upcoming activities. I ask you to pay particular attention to those items with an April 15, 2020 deadline.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">NFBMD Response to COVID-19</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is working to proactively respond to the COVID-19 crisis while maintaining regular operations. We are of course performing our work virtually so as to comply with Governor Hogan’s Stay-at-Home order and national social distancing guidelines. We have created a webpage to share information and resources in connection with COVID-19 that can be accessed by visiting <A HREF="http://www.nfbmd.org/covid19">http://www.nfbmd.org/covid19</A>. This page will be updated regularly. The NFB National Office has also established a web page for information about COVID-19, which can be accessed at <A HREF="https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources">https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources</A>. COVID-19 information is also available in the Breaking News section of NFB Newsline.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">NFBMD has taken the following steps to respond to the coronavirus outbreak:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">- We have established an NFBMD COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. Blind individuals and their families may request financial assistance for essentials such as groceries and medication. Anyone interested in donating to this fund may contact me for information on how to do so. Additional information about this program is available later in this newsletter.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">- We have held an affiliate-wide call on COVID-19 to share information and resources. The recording of this call is available at <A HREF="https://www.dropbox.com/s/fnuv88gqro36gp0/COVID-19%20Recording%203-25-20.mp4?dl=0">https://www.dropbox.com/s/fnuv88gqro36gp0/COVID-19%20Recording%203-25-20.mp4?dl=0</A>. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">- We are holding weekly affiliate calls on Wednesdays at 8:00PM. We are spending the first portion of each meeting sharing updated information and new resources related to COVID-19 and the remainder of the meeting as a forum for members to connect socially. To join the meeting, use one of the following methods:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">o Online direct link: <A HREF="https://zoom.us/j/6248138327">https://zoom.us/j/6248138327</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">o Meeting ID: 624 813 8327</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">o One tap mobile: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">? +16468769923,,6248138327# US (New York)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">? +13126266799,,6248138327# US (Chicago)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">o Dial by phone:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">? +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">? +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Calibri">? Meeting ID: 624 813 8327</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
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