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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 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'><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. 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 half a hotel room. Such individuals will be responsible for finding their own roommate 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 a roommate 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'><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 of Maryland State Convention in Baltimore must submit a completed application to NFBMD President Ronza Othman by September 30, 2021. Submissions may be sent electronically to <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org"><span style='color:#0071B3'>President@nfbmd.org</span></a>. 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>The application is attached to this email and may be found at <a href="https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance">https://nfbmd.org/financialassistance</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>