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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please read this information in its entirety. And please provide this information to others that may need to know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good Evening All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You are receiving this information because you have already registered to attend this year’s convention, or you are still making plans to attend the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Important: <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>We are asking everyone to registered for the convention if you are planning to attend. If you still plan to attend and you have not registered, please contact Patrice Lewis, 678-756-3757 before registering online.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Please be aware that no one will be allowed to attend the banquet without purchasing a banquet ticket. If you are wanting to attend, there is still time to purchase your ticket.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Information:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Location: Macon Marriott City Center<o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Address: </span><span style='color:#242424;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>240 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA. 31217<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dates: October 27 -29, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Registration Cost:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Registration only - $20.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Banquet only - $60.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Registration plus lunch - $40.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Registration plus banquet - $80.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Registration plus lunch and banquet - $100.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Transportation Opportunity:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter, is sponsoring a bus to Macon for the State convention. This opportunity is open to all that need transportation to the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Departing Friday, October 27, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. and departing Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>This bus is Wheelchair accessible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The bus will be leaving from the Kensington MARTA Station, located at 3465 Kensington Road, Decatur GA 30032. And returning everyone back to the station on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>**There is a deposit of $25.00 The deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable. The deposit will be due immediately.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Price: $65.00 round trip per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>One way: $35.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Children 10 and under $40.00 per person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>*Note: Please contact Vanessa Meadows with any questions or concerns or ways to pay, at 678-592-2929<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Door Price Donation:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>We are asking that any that can, please provide door prizes that can be given out as gifts during our convention this year. We are asking that these donations be in the form of cash or gift cards if possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Photo Studio:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Because this will be our fiftieth (50) state convention and we would like to make it special for all in attendance, we are offering all the opportunity to capture your state convention memory in a photo. This year we are hosting a photo studio, each picture taken will be at a cost of $5.00 per person, per photo. So, get everyone together that you would like to have included in that memory and have your picture taken. Or you may want just one of yourself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Times:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday, October 27th: 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, October 28<sup>th</sup>: 5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:#202124;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='color:windowtext'>Note: S</span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'>ince the traditional color for 50 years is gold, we are asking that for the banquet everyone dressed in the colors of either white, Gold, black or any combination of these colors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'>As a special addition to our banquet, we ask that any that wish to participate, dress up their white canes, it would take a great picture and they can decorate their cane at home and bring another cane to use and leave the decorated cane in their rooms until the banquet. We will also be giving an opportunity for you to dress up your white cane at the convention on Friday night during one of our social events.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#202124;border:solid #ECEDEF 1.0pt;padding:6.0pt;background:white;mso-ligatures:none'>Fund Raising Opportunities:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>We are asking that each chapter and division of the Georgia affiliate, provide a basket that can be auctioned off during our banquet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fifty / Fifty Drawing:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>The Georgia affiliate is sponsoring a fifty / fifty drawing during our convention this year, you do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased in advance for this drawing, please contact Nata Watkins at 770-584-3953. The price of the tickets is $5.00 per ticket.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: The total amount of the funds collected will be divided in half to create the amount of the prize<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SMART TV Drawing:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Georgia Student Division will be having a drawing, to win a SMART TV. You may purchase a ticket for $5.00 for one, or four tickets for $15.00. You must be present to win. The winner will be announced during the general session on Saturday, October 28, 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Georgia Affiliate Derby Horse Race:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The affiliate will be hosting two Georgia derby horse races this year. The first will be held on Friday, October 27<sup>th</sup>, to benefit the Georgia BELL program and the second one during the banquet on Saturday, October 28<sup>th</sup> to benefit the Georgia affiliate programs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Come one Come all and support your favorite horse. The way this works, is there are six people selected to be a horse in the race. All horses start at the starting line, then two dices are rolled, one to represent the number of the horse (one through six), and the other to represent how many steps that horse needs to take. We keep rolling the dice until one of our horses reaches the finish line. At the beginning of the race, you will be able to bet on which horse you think will win the race.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At the end of the race all of those who bet on the winning horse will split the total amount collected between themselves and the affiliate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hotel Food Option:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Macon Marriott City Center will serve breakfast and dinner in their hotel restaurant. They will not be offering any special price accommodations for us. All meals are at your own expense. Please also make note that the hotel does not serve lunch in their restaurant. They now have a Grab and Go Market, For more information about the market, please contact the hotel at 478-621-5300.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Senior Division Lunch outing:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'>You are invited to join the Senior Division for lunch on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11:45a.m. to 1:30P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#202124;mso-ligatures:none'>Location: S & S Cafeteria<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>Address: 2626 Riverside Drive, </span><em><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#5F6368;background:white;font-style:normal'>Macon</span></b></em><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>, </span><em><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#5F6368;background:white;font-style:normal'>GA </span></b></em><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>31204<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>Phone: 478-746-9406<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>Recorded </span><em><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#5F6368;background:white;font-style:normal'>Menu</span></b></em><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'> - 478-746-7944<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>The group will be leaving the restaurant at 1:30P.M. to return to the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Roboto;color:#4D5156;background:white'>Note, the lunch will be at your own expense for food and transportation to the location and back to the hotel. </span>We must have a count of all attending, we ask that you RSVP. If you require more information or if you are ready to add your name to the list, please contact Vanessa Meadows at 678-592-2929.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Macon Paratransit Info:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are eligible to ride the paratransit service, you may want to take advantage of the Macon paratransit services while you are in Macon. Please call your paratransit service where you live to verify how much time they require to fax over your proof of transit eligibility before October 20 to the Macon Paratransit. You can call the Macon Paratransit to see how far in advance the week of Friday, October 27 you can book your reservation from the hotel to the restaurant.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The information to fax your proof of eligibility to the Macon Paratransit is:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ms. June Slaughter, Paratransit Manager<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fax# 478-803-2537<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can verify and obtain further information for booking your October 27 ride below by calling:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone: (478) 803-2521.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Service hours are from 5:20 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5:20 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our friendly and knowledgeable dispatch supervisors can answer your questions and help you with your transportation needs. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by calling the number listed above (478) 803-2521.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paratransit Fares<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One Way: $2.50 || Round Trip: $5.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday convention lunch:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You still have time to purchase a boxed lunch as part of your convention registration for Saturday, October 28, 2023. By contacting Patrice Lewis, 678-756-3757 or Nata Watkins at 770-584-3953, to get your name on the list.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exhibitors:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our exhibit hours for this year’s convention will be as follows,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday, October 27<sup>th</sup>: 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, October 28<sup>th</sup>: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you will be an exhibitor for our convention this year, please make note, that all our exhibitors will need to provide all items needed to dress their tables, and any power cords. If your table needs to be near an electrical outlet, this will be on a first come first granted bases.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You may contact us with any questions that you may have.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Patrice Lewis<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>NFBGA, 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>PH: 678-756-3757<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Email: plewis@nfbga.org<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>