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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><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Hello, Florida Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Before I get into the details of this message, I want to thank past NFBF board member and Daytona chapter member Nancy Epps who chaired this committee last year and I have relied on her emails to gather information. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>I am so excited for the upcoming Florida 2026 State Convention. This year, I have the task of chairing the awards committee. We are seeking nominations for deserving candidates in the following four categories:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><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='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><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='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><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='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><b>Chapter or division of the Year:</b> A chapter or division that has shown great participation and worked diligently to build the federation.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'> </span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>How to Submit Nominations</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>Please submit one nominee for the categories (or category) of your choice to Sherri Brun at <a href="mailto:secretary@nfbflorida.org">secretary@nfbflorida.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p style='margin-left:.5in'>• You are welcome to submit a nomination for every category.<o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>For each submission, please include a brief, heartfelt paragraph describing why your candidate is so worthy of this recognition.<o:p></o:p></li><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><b>The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, August 19, 2026.</b><o:p></o:p></li><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>If you don't happen to have a qualified nominee for a particular category, please just let us know in your email so the committee knows you didn't simply forget!<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>Remember to include your own chapter’s or division’s accomplishments if you feel it is a worthy candidate and you can even nominate yourself for an award.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Having received one of these awards in the past, I was deeply touched and honored, and I still cherish mine to this day. Your nominations truly matter and help make this recognition so meaningful. Please help a deserving member, chapter, or division shine!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Thank you so much in advance for your participation, and a special thank you to my wonderful committee members who are serving alongside me. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Sherri Brun, Chair <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Florida 2026 Convention Awards Committee, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>And </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Secretary</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR style='font-size:11.0pt'>Email: </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:secretary@nfbflorida.org"><span lang=FR>secretary@nfbflorida.org</span></a></span><span lang=FR style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR style='font-size:11.0pt'>Phone: 407-898-6024<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>