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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From July 7-12, blind people from all over the United States and other countries will be at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the largest gathering of blind people in the world. For the first time in decades, our national convention will be closer to New Mexico than it has been for a long time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Since our national convention is going to be so close, we are thinking about chartering a 55-passenger bus to take Federation members, their family members, and other Federation friends to and from the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need at least 35 people to make the chartered bus worthwhile. Would you be interested? Before saying "yes," here are some things to think about.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The cost for each person to charter a bus would be anywhere from $100 to $125 for the round trip. The bus would leave Albuquerque on Sunday, July 7 (arriving in Las Vegas Sunday night) and leave Las Vegas on Saturday, July 13 (arriving in Albuquerque early Saturday night).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Compare this to the cost of a Greyhound bus or a round trip air fare, both of which are estimated to be at least $225. Then, don't forget the cost of ground transportation from the airport to the Mandalay Bay.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>People would need six nights at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. At $99 per night (plus applicable taxes), the total hotel cost comes to approximately $725. You can put as many people in the room as the hotel will allow. This can be a significant saving for each person in the room.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>In addition, registration for the convention (including the banquet) will probably cost around $100, assuming that you take advantage of online pre-registration (which runs from March 1 through May 31).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>And of course, there is the cost for food.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>These costs can be offset if you take advantage of our generous $300 stipend, available to members in good standing who meet the stipend requirements. You might also consider raising funds through your chapter to defray some of the costs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Members who have traveled to conventions with fellow Federationists in previous years know that going somewhere with a group of friends and colleagues is much more enjoyable and fun than traveling in the usual way. This is an exciting chance for blind New Mexicans to attend what promises to be a very exciting and energizing convention. If you would like to take advantage of a chartered bus to our national convention, please send an email to Albert Chavez <<span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="albertamc@comcast.net">albertamc@comcast.net</a></span>> no later than March 22 letting him know of your interest in riding a chartered bus to and from the national convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Adelmo Vigil, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>