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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>Reach out to outsiders. We might get new members to the crafting group, new members to the federation and might get outsiders to buy our crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>We want to promote to the public that the blind can craft.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>When I was working, I would always craft in open areas. I got a few orders, that way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>Terry<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;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;color:windowtext;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext;mso-ligatures:none'> NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 6, 2026 4:53 PM<br><b>To:</b> Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> slery <slerythema@gmail.com><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 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<span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>On 8/6/2026 8:48 AM, Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Word says I put in headings, but I don\u2019t see them here. Gack.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tracy</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'>Annual Report for Blind Crafters Group</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'>Name of group and chair appointed by the national President:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Blind Crafters Group, Tracy Carcione group chair</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'>Shared interest or community:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The group brings together blind people interested in all kinds of crafts.</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'>Purpose:</span><o:p></o:p></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.</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'>Achievements of the past year:</span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></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.</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'>National Convention:</span><o:p></o:p></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.</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'>Major goals for the upcoming year:</span><o:p></o:p></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. </span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></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.</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'>Remarks:</span><o:p></o:p></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. </span><o:p></o:p></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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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'>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'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tracy Carcione, Blind Crafters Group leader</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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></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">NFB-Blind-Crafters@nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org">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">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-blind-crafters_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></pre></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>