<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Hello, Florida Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">The Florida 2025 State Convention is coming up fast! The Convention Awards Committee is seeking nominations for deserving candidates in the following four categories:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: ArialMT; margin-top: 0in;"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b>Member of the Year:</b> An exceptional long-term member who has shown great leadership.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b>Rising Star:</b> A new member who has jumped into chapter tasks and done a great job.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b>Blind at Heart:</b> A sighted person who works tirelessly for the organization and has a deep understanding of what it means to be blind.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b>Chapter of the Year:</b> A chapter that has shown great participation and worked diligently to build the federation.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b>How to Submit Nominations<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: ArialMT; margin-top: 0in;"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Please submit one nominee for the categories (or category) of your choice to Nancy Epps at <a href="mailto:nancyepps@cfl.rr.com" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">nancyepps@cfl.rr.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">For each submission, include a brief paragraph describing why the candidate is worthy.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">The deadline for all submissions is <b>September 12</b>. This is extremely important!! <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">If you do not have a qualified nominee for a category, please state this in your reply so the committee knows you did not forget. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Remember to include your own chapter's accomplishments if you feel it is a worthy candidate.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Your input is essential, as the committee depends on your nominations! Looking forward to hearing from you,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Nancy Epps, Chair <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">Florida 2025 Convention Awards Committee</p></body></html>