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I have not read others comments yet, but do we want to limit our
reach to only people that are already in the federation? Or could
this be a way to let more people know about the work of the
federation?<br>
Cindy<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 8/6/2026 8:48 AM, Tracy Carcione via
NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Here is the
annual report I\u2019ve prepared, as requested by President
Riccobono. I intend to send it to his office tomorrow
morning. Feel free to make comments before then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Word says I
put in headings, but I don\u2019t see them here. Gack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Tracy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Annual
Report for Blind Crafters Group<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Name of
group and chair appointed by the national President:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Blind
Crafters Group, Tracy Carcione group chair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Shared
interest or community:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The group
brings together blind people interested in all kinds of
crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Purpose:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">NFB\u2019s Blind
Crafters group connects blind crafters of all experience
levels, from beginner to advanced, with support, resources,
and techniques to assist in creating useful, practical, and
beautiful crafts. The group is intended to connect blind
crafters within the Federation community and to motivate
advancements in the broader movement. By raising
expectations, blind people can learn and teach skills and
express creativity to create artistry and develop talents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Achievements
of the past year:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Some group
members spoke to their local NFB chapters, state
conventions, or seniors\u2019 groups about the Crafters Group,
letting people know that blindness is not an impediment to
crafting. Some people joined our group after these talks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We\u2019ve had
some classes and a knit-along, and we\u2019ve revived our regular
chats. More people are engaged in our activities, and
people who never taught a class for us before have led
classes and are willing to lead more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Members
regularly share blindness techniques related to crafting and
help each other learn new skills.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Members have
also taught me how to host a Zoom meeting and create a
recording.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">National
Convention:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
We did not have a meeting at our national convention, but 6
or 7 members attended and had an informal get-together over
dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Major goals
for the upcoming year:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">For the
upcoming year, I hope to continue our growth and get more
people engaged in making things happen. We\u2019ll have more
classes, and continue the chats on various topics. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Some of our
members are interested in creating small businesses selling
their craftwork, and we hope to create a chat series
detailing accessible online selling and payment options.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We also want
to explore crafts people are interested in but most don\u2019t
have much experience with, such as machine sewing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We want to
increase our outreach to the larger NFB, encouraging members
to ask for time to make presentations to their chapters,
affiliates, or other groups.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Remarks:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
As part of the national board\u2019s outreach to groups, I was
contacted by the president of the NFB of Alabama. I found
our conversation very helpful and used her suggestions to
increase engagement in the crafters group. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Most of our
interaction is through our listserve, which is the most
active listserve I\u2019m on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I believe
our group remains viable. I believe that expressing
creativity is empowering. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I want to
increase member engagement, and would welcome ideas on how
that can be done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Tracy
Carcione, Blind Crafters Group leader<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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