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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>Due to circumstances completely out of our control, we must have a short window to register for convention. The deadline is October 7<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><h1 align=center style='margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>You Are Cordially Invited to Attend</span><o:p></o:p></h1><h1 align=center style='margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>The 66<sup>th</sup> Convention of the National Federation of the Blind</span><o:p></o:p></h1><h1 align=center style='margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>of New York State</span><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=xmsonormal align=center style='margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:center;line-height:115%'><b><i><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:115%'>“Blind SWAG”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>The National Federation of the Blind of New York State will hold its sixty-sixth annual convention in Buffalo, from October 21-23, 2022. Please join us as we strive to build a network of expertise and encouragement among blind New Yorkers and work together to make a positive difference in the lives of blind people across New York State.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Who Are We?</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>The NFB of NYS is an organization of blind and low vision New Yorkers who believe that, with the appropriate training, attitude, and opportunities, blind people can live the lives we want. NFB of NYS brings blind people together to support and learn from one another and to celebrate our achievements as we work together to improve the lives of the blind of New York.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Our Convention Agenda</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>It is our pleasure to welcome Norma Crosby, Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind,</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Lato",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> Texas</span><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'> Affiliate President, and member of the National Board of Directors. We will be privileged to hear her share information about the ongoing work of the Federation nationwide.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>The theme of this year’s convention will be <i>“Blind SWAG”. </i>Our speakers and panel discussions will highlight ideas and tools that will allow us to “Live the Lives We Want” as individuals and as an organization. We hope everyone will come away from the Convention feeling refreshed and motivated to take the next steps on our personal journeys and to advance the work of the Federation in each of our communities.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>From Sunday, October 17, through Wednesday, October 19, our divisions and committees will meet in the evenings via Zoom in order to discuss issues pertinent to seniors, students, diabetics, blind parents, guide dog users, and more. These meetings are interactive and open to all convention attendees, so please join us!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>On Friday, we will host a town-hall style meeting with Julie Hovey, Associate Commissioner of the New York State Commission for the Blind. Everyone is also welcome to attend our board meeting where, among other things, the winners of our 2022 NFB of NYS scholarships will introduce themselves.<span style='color:black'> We are also planning an O & M Checkup. You will have an opportunity to take a walk with an Orientation and Mobility Instructor to get tips, have your mobility questions answered, and hopefully correct any unproductive O&M habits you may have developed.</span> <span style='color:black'>Convention attendees are encouraged to join our exhibitor showcase where the latest technology will be discussed and information pertinent to our community will be shared by our sponsors. Join us to support those who support us!</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>All day Saturday the general sessions of the convention will provide us with the opportunity to hear presentations on topics that are important to blind people across New York and the nation.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>The excitement will continue during our Saturday Evening banquet, with an address by our keynote speaker Norma Crosby, along with raffles and door prize giveaways. The banquet will come to a dramatic close with the presentation of our 2022 NFB of NYS scholarships and affiliate award presentations.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>On Sunday morning we will hold our annual business meeting to chart our course for the coming year. We will also consider the resolutions that the Convention deems vital for our future as we review and update our organization’s policy goals. We will hear Chapter and Division reports from around the State.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:1.0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>We will then return to our daily routines, revitalized and ready to live the lives we want, and to share our experiences and learning with other blind members of our communities.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>COVID Procedures</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>The health and safety of our members and visitors is of deepest importance to the National Federation of the Blind of New York State. Please see below for a detailed outline of our health and safety procedures for this year’s convention. While we acknowledge that in many venues Covid protocols have been relaxed over the past few months, we know that as an organization we have a significant incidence of members with intersecting health conditions that may cause them to be more at risk in a crowded convention setting. Participants in our in-person convention must agree to comply with the below-stated health and safety procedures upon registration. Those who would prefer not to abide by these safety protocols are welcome to join us for the streamed content from our convention, and for some limited interactive hybrid participation opportunities. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>We recommend that all those planning to travel to the in-person convention secure and take a Covid test within 48 hours before leaving home to travel to Buffalo. In the event of a positive test, please do not come to the convention in person. Instead, contact the affiliate president, Mike Robinson, at (716-222-3632), so that your registration can be modified to a hybrid registration. Those with Covid are welcome to attend our convention virtually via the hybrid and streaming option.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>All those attending the convention in person will be required to take an on-site Covid test and to be masked at all times unless actively eating, drinking, or presenting. On-site Covid testing will be administered by a nurse on Thursday, October 20 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and Friday October 21<sup>st</sup>from 7:00 am until 10:00 am. Please see the agenda for the on-site testing location. If arriving after 10:00 am Friday, please find a member of the executive board for instructions on how to get tested. Those testing negative on-site will be given a wristband which must be worn at ALL convention functions. There will be affiliate members checking for wrist bands throughout the weekend. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>Those testing positive on-site will not receive a wristband and will be advised to return to their hotel room immediately so as to protect the health of others. Those finding themselves in this situation will not be allowed to participate in convention events in person, again, for the safety of others, but will be welcome to attend virtually from their hotel room. Again, we urge everyone to test before leaving home, to lessen the possibility of traveling while already infected with Covid. The NFB of NYS will not be responsible for any costs incurred as a result of a positive on-site Covid test.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>As noted above, all in-person participants are required to properly wear a mask at all times unless eating, drinking, or presenting. Masks will not be provided, so all attendees are encouraged to bring an adequate supply for the weekend.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%;color:black'>Working together we can keep each other safe, and we thank all in-person registrants and attendees in advance for their cooperation.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2 align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Registration</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>Registration for this year’s convention can be made through the NFB of NYS office, by visiting </span><a href="http://www.nfbny.org/conventions/register"><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>nfbny.org</span></a><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'> and completing our online registration form, or by filling out the attached registration form and returning it to the affiliate office. This year’s registration is $15.00. Registration will entitle you to chances for our door prizes, allow for timely updates of convention announcements, and will help offset the costs of the convention. We also are offering a virtual component to our conference this year. You may register in the same manner as above and the registration fee will be the same. You will be able to participate in discussions and be eligible for door prizes.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>Using the same registration form, you will also be able to purchase your tickets for a group of drawings. Each drawing will be for a chance to win one of our many gift card prizes. Every ticket you buy for $10 (or 3/$25) gives you one chance for each of at least 8 drawings. That’s 8 chances, or more, to win with each $10 ticket!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>Please call the office at 716-222-3632 with any questions regarding this year’s convention.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>Our convention is shaping up to be a tremendous event. Join us to share in the excitement! I look forward to seeing everyone there.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-left:1.0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>Mike Robinson</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-left:1.0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;line-height:115%'>President, NFB of New York State</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Big Caslon"'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal style='margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:115%'> <span style='line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>