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Okay, if groups are only allowed to stay inside of NFB, then your
first draft of attracting only NFB members works. My original
interpretation was that we were to contribute to the mission of NFB
and I thought bringing outsiders into the organization was
contributing. Thanks for clarifying that for me.<br>
Cindy<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 8/7/2026 3:01 PM, Tracy Carcione via
NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:<br>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Cindy,
this is good, and I like it, but I\u2019m not sure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">As
I understand it, President Riccobono cares most how groups
fit into the broader NFB and build up the organization. He
doesn\u2019t want groups off in their own little world. That\u2019s
why we put in the part about working within the NFB. I\u2019m
not sure we should take it out altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">I
can hold off until Monday to send the report in, so we have
some time to mull it over.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Tracy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div
style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">
NFB-Blind-Crafters
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org"><nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org></a> <b>On
Behalf Of </b>slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, August 7, 2026 12:12 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org"><nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> slery <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:slerythema@gmail.com"><slerythema@gmail.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Annual report<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">I don't think
we want to actually say inside and outside. Perhaps something
more like this:<br>
<br>
<span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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, <a
name="_Hlk236983294" moz-do-not-send="true">practical, and
beautiful crafts. By raising expectations, blind people
can learn and teach skills and express creativity to
create artistry and develop talents that will share the
philosophy of the Federation to live the lives we want.<br>
<br>
You don't want to alienate newcomers to the group by
creating a separation between someone that is already a
federationist and someone that is just looking for
crafters but might decide to become a federationist after
they meet and get to know people in the group.<br>
<br>
Cindy</a></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294">On
8/7/2026 8:27 AM, Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The
\u201cwithin the Federation\u201d bit is part of our purpose
statement, which is on the NFB website.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">If
people want, I can change it in the report to say:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The
group is intended to connect blind crafters both inside
and outside the Federation community and to motivate
advancements in the broader movement. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Is
that OK?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Changing
it on the website is more complicated. I guess we
should have written it differently when we changed from
being a division to being a group, but there it is.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">I\u2019ll
paste the whole thing in again below my signature. It\u2019s
part of this message, not an attachment.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Tracy</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Annual
Report for Blind Crafters Group</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Name
of group and chair appointed by the national President:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Blind
Crafters Group, Tracy Carcione group chair</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Shared
interest or community:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The
group brings together blind people interested in all
kinds of crafts.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Purpose:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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 both inside and
outside 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.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk236983294"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Achie</span></span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">vements
of the past year:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Members
regularly share blindness techniques related to crafting
and help each other learn new skills.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Members
have also taught me how to host a Zoom meeting and create
a recording.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">National
Convention:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
We did not have a meeting at our national convention, but
6 or 7 members attended and had an informal get-together
over dinner.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Major
goals for the upcoming year:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We
also want to explore crafts people are interested in but
most don\u2019t have much experience with, such as machine
sewing.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Remarks:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Most
of our interaction is through our listserve, which is the
most active listserve I\u2019m on. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">I
believe our group remains viable. I believe that
expressing creativity is empowering. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">I
want to increase member engagement, and would welcome
ideas on how that can be done. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Tracy
Carcione, Blind Crafters Group leader</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">667
Chestnut Avenue, Teaneck, NJ, 07666</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">201-907-0894</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a
href="mailto:carcione@access.net" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">carcione@access.net</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>NFB-Blind-Crafters mailing list<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre><a href="mailto:NFB-Blind-Crafters@nfbnet.org"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">NFB-Blind-Crafters@nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre><a
href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Blind-Crafters:<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre><a
href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40gmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></pre>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset class="moz-mime-attachment-header"></fieldset>
<pre wrap="" class="moz-quote-pre">_______________________________________________
NFB-Blind-Crafters mailing list
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:NFB-Blind-Crafters@nfbnet.org">NFB-Blind-Crafters@nfbnet.org</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org</a>
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Blind-Crafters:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40gmail.com</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
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