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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We’re extending the deadline by 24 hours! If you are interested in coordinating a possible NFB-BELL Academy next summer in Minnesota, please submit your letter of interest today.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In case you missed it, here’s what I sent a couple of weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>At our next board <span class=spelle>meting</span>, I plan to bring forward a discussion about hosting an NFB BELL Academy in 2024. The National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (NFB BELL) Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want through instruction in literary braille, cane travel, and activities of daily living. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>In addition to our financial position, the board will need to consider whom is qualified and interested to lead the program. At the end of this message, I’ve included an outline of the coordinator’s responsibilities. After reading that list, if you are interested, please submit a letter of interest to the board by <u>Wednesday, November 29.</u> At this time, the board has not decided whether the coordinator will be compensated financially, so – in your letter – please indicate whether you have a perspective on this question.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We look forward to hearing from you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corbb<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a> | (612) 872-9363<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;font-weight:normal'>Description of Coordinator Responsibilities for the NFB BELL® Academy<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (NFB BELL) Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want. The Minnesota affiliate seeks a coordinator to facilitate the planning and execution of a one-to-two week program to serve Minnesota students in the summer of 2024.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A successful program necessitates the involvement of many volunteers, so the coordinator will need to recruit and oversee a team of individuals to accomplish the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Work with the affiliate president and board to determine the dates of the academy<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Secure a location where the academy will be held (such as a school, community center, or other venue)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Recruit volunteers for the academy, and determine where their skills are best suited (Some volunteers will be less comfortable working with students but are eager to help with putting together materials or getting things <span class=spelle>Brailled</span> before the beginning of the academy, while others will want to work directly with students)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Submit volunteers’ information to the Jernigan Institute staff to complete a background check<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Coordinate fundraising and grant writing projects to help fund the NFB BELL Academy in Minnesota<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Advertise the NFB BELL Academy within Minnesota and recruit students<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Connect with families who are interested in the NFB BELL Academy (such as answer questions about what the program involves, and help families understand the value their student will get from attending)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Work with the lead teacher to select lessons from the NFB BELL curriculum, and ensure necessary materials are purchased and available for students<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Facilitate transportation and meals for students during the program<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Plan parent engagement that will take place during the NFB BELL Academy<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Provide logistical support to the lead teacher during the Academy<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.65pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Complete a final report (which is critical to the Federation’s continuation of the NFB BELL Academy, as it helps us learn what is going well and what we need to improve for the future) <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A coordinator is crucial to insuring the success of the NFB BELL Academy, and this person has the opportunity to shape many young, blind children’s understanding of their blindness and future potential.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At our next meeting, the Board of Directors will consider whether Minnesota is in a position to run this intensive program. A key factor in that decision will be whether the affiliate has an individual who is interested and qualified to lead the initiative.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are interested in this role, please submit a letter of interest addressed to the Board of Directors via e-mail to <a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org"><span style='color:#954F72'>president@nfbmn.org</span></a> no later than <u>today, 2023</u>. At this time, the board has not decided whether the coordinator will be compensated financially, so – in your letter – please indicate whether you have a perspective on this question.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>