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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;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>How can we get more members, if we just stay with in the NFB?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>We would get more NFB members, maybe, but that is not expanding the group, much or expanding the NFB, either!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>If seniors newly blind, new they could craft, they might join us and also join the NFB!<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'>Terry<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 <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, August 7, 2026 7:23 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'>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On 8/7/2026 3:01 PM, 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;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Cindy, this is good, and I like it, but I\u2019m not sure. </span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'> </span><o:p></o:p></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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Tracy</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><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 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 href="mailto:nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org"><nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org></a><br><b>Cc:</b> slery <a href="mailto:slerythema@gmail.com"><slerythema@gmail.com></a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Annual report</span><o:p></o:p></p></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">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><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><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">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><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">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> <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">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><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>