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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Federation Community,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I\u2019m writing to let you know that we are canceling the board meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, August 29.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Several of our committees are still working on recommendations that will come before the board. Rather than meet before that work is ready, I think it makes sense to give them the time they need so the board can have a more complete and informed discussion.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In the meantime, there\u2019s a lot happening across the NFB of Minnesota, so I wanted to share a few updates.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>State convention is coming!<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our state convention will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, and conclude around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, at the DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave., St. Paul, MN 55119.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please book your hotel room now. You can call the hotel at (651) 731-2220 or <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/mspstdt-nfb-d6752c33-f812-47aa-b52f-91debbcbef11/">reserve your convention hotel room online</a>. The reservation page defaults to a Friday-through-Sunday stay, but rooms are also available beginning Thursday night if you\u2019d like to arrive early.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>More convention details are coming soon, but plans are already taking shape. The student division is putting together a star-studded seminar featuring artificial intelligence, we\u2019ll have an escape room, and Dr. Mika Baugh from Indiana will host a sexual health fair. Dr. Baugh spoke at our convention a couple of years ago, and Minnesota will be the first state affiliate to host a local version of the sexual health fair offered at our national convention.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Metro Chapter is also working on an activity for Friday evening, and of course we\u2019ll have our auction and plenty more throughout the weekend.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We are also in the process of appointing our Resolutions Committee. Resolutions are formal statements adopted by our convention that express the policy and priorities of the NFB of Minnesota. They can address legislation, accessibility, education, transportation, technology, organizational policy, or other issues affecting blind Minnesotans.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I\u2019d especially like to hear your ideas about resolutions we should bring before the convention this year. I\u2019ve already heard some discussion about possible resolutions addressing the accessible ballot system used in Ramsey County, the inability to add stops when using paratransit, and concerns about technology being used in state government. If you\u2019d like to help develop one of these ideas, or if you have another issue you think we should address, please let me know. We need as much input as possible.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Advocacy and legislative work<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please save the date for our next Day at the Capitol: Wednesday, January 20. This will be an in-person event, and our room at the Capitol is already reserved.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our Government Affairs Committee is leading our legislative and policy work as we prepare for the coming session. This summer, we had a productive meeting with Representative Kim Hicks about our proposed legislation to improve how reading media are assessed for blind and low-vision K-12 students. Stay tuned for more on that effort.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We have also been invited to participate in the third annual summit of the Governor\u2019s Advisory Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles. Corbb is representing us on a state advisory group examining artificial intelligence in Minnesota through Minnesota Management and Budget\u2019s long-range planning work.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Two members of our Government Affairs Committee also continue to represent us on the Secretary of State\u2019s advisory group, which has been focused on the accessibility of our recent and upcoming state elections.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our federal advocacy continues as well. Representatives Pete Stauber, Kelly Morrison, and Ilhan Omar are now supporting the Access Technology Affordability Act, and we continue working to build support for federal web accessibility legislation.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There has also been encouraging movement on return-to-work policy. H.R. 8884, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, passed the House in July. The bill would restore Social Security\u2019s authority to conduct demonstration projects testing ways to reduce barriers for disability beneficiaries who want to return to work. That authority could help create the opportunity to test ideas like those contained in the Blind Americans Return to Work Act.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Other affiliate updates<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our NFB-BELL Academy concluded with four students this summer. The Youth Programs Committee is now developing recommendations for what the program could look like next year.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The board of the Minnesota Center for the Blind, formerly BLIND, Inc., voted to dissolve the organization and transfer its assets to the NFB of Minnesota. Ownership of the contents of its St. Paul storage unit has now transferred to us, and we have taken over the rent. After convention, we\u2019ll begin working in earnest to reduce the inventory and consolidate our storage.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Planning is underway for this year\u2019s Walk for Opportunity, which will be a 5K around Lake of the Isles. We\u2019re also planning new long-sleeve shirts with broader NFB of Minnesota branding so they can be worn well beyond the walk. Jennifer sent additional details last night.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Steve Jacobson is leading a committee reviewing and updating our affiliate policies. Among the topics already under discussion is a policy governing exhibitors at our state convention.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The At-Large Chapter is preparing a Double Good popcorn fundraiser. Chris Murphy will have a link to share soon.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Metro Chapter continues working to improve Braille on Audible Pedestrian Signals throughout the Twin Cities area.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We also continue our work to strengthen membership development throughout Minnesota. We promoted our employment opportunity at the National Convention Career Fair, and there will be more to share as we finalize the job description and begin seeking qualified applicants around the country.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Finally, the board will need to meet before state convention to approve our IRS Form 990. I\u2019ll send that meeting date once we have it scheduled.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There\u2019s a tremendous amount of work happening throughout our affiliate, and I\u2019m grateful to everyone who is helping move it forward. I\u2019m also certain I\u2019ve forgotten something. If there\u2019s an update from your chapter, division, or committee that should be included in an upcoming announcement, please send it my way.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For now, please remember that there will be no board meeting tomorrow, August 29, and get your convention hotel room reserved if you haven\u2019t already. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing many of you Halloween weekend.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corbb</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a> | (612) 872-9363</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>