<html>
<body>
<br>
Greetings, Fellow Federationists,<br>
I hope everyone is having a happy Father’s Day, whether you’re
celebrating, being celebrated, or something else. My own father insisted
that I get involved with athletics at a young age, and I spent 8 years in
wrestling as a result. I wonder if he ever thought I would parlay that
into a late-night exhibition with Carlos Servan in the middle of the
banquet room at an NFB of Nebraska convention. I’m guessing not.<br>
Even so, thanks, dad.<br>
<br>
<b>National Convention<br>
</b>Thank you to everyone who responded to the email I sent last week
asking for volunteers to work the Independence Market. I received great
responses from many of you. There are still spots available, so please
email me if you would like to work a shift or two.<br>
We have 85 Minnesotans pre-registered for the convention in Orlando,
which is fantastic! If you plan to attend, and you did not pre-register,
you will still be able to register at the convention. I encourage all of
you to consider joining us in Orlando. We’re going to have a wonderful
time.<br>
<br>
<b>State Convention<br>
</b>Though we haven't signed the catering contract yet, we are in the
hotel’s guest book in ink. Our 2018 Annual State Convention will be held
at the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn in St. Cloud Minnesota. I will send
out an email when you can begin calling to register, but in the meantime,
mark your calendars.<br>
The Kelly Inn was the site of my first convention as a Minnesotan back in
2010, and I remember having a wonderful time. I look forward to meeting
with all of you in November.<br>
<br>
<b>Member Spotlight<br>
</b>We often talk, in personal conversations and speeches, about our
federation family. We share a common bond in our fight for true equality,
and that bond is made all the stronger by the fact that we are all
volunteers. I am struck, however, by how many of you I have yet to
meet.<br>
If there is enough interest, I would like to feature a federation
member’s story each week when I send out this update. If you would like
to share your story, please email me at
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a> and tell us
all a little about yourself. The story could include where you’re from,
how long you have been a member, what you like to do for fun, what your
job is or was, or anything else you think we would like to know.<br>
To show that I’m a good sport, here’s mine:<br>
<br>
I was born in Nebraska in 1983, and I stayed there for 24 years before
hopping around the country a bit. I earned a degree in music education
from the University of Nebraska, but after finally getting to teach high
school during my ninth semester, I realized I enjoyed performing in
choirs much more than I liked teaching them. I have taught Braille in
Hawaii, sold Louis Braille commemorative coins (remember those?) while
living in Austin Texas, and taught communications at BLIND Inc. I now
work at Target as an accessibility consultant.<br>
In my spare time, I enjoy playing piano and guitar, listening to far too
many podcasts, and performing improv comedy. I have a cat named The
Cheat, and he is my buddy.<br>
<br>
If you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions you would like to
share, please don't hesitate to email or call anytime. Have a wonderful
week!<br>
<br>
Dates to keep in mind:
<ul>
<li>July 3-8: NFB National Convention in Orlando
<li>August 25: BLIND Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
<li>September 22: Annual Walk for Opportunity
<li>November 16-18: Annual state Convention in St. Cloud
</ul> <br>
Warmly,<br>
Ryan Strunk<br>
<br>
Ryan Strunk, President<br>
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org<br>
</a><a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a><br>
(612) 872-9363<br>
Live the life you Want.<br>
<br>
<div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">
<tr>
<td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank"><img src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avg.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"> </a></div></body>
</html>