<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><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>I write to you today with humility, gratitude, and a deep commitment to the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. As our state convention approaches, I am seeking the position of <b>First Vice President</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am not seeking this position simply because I want another title. I am seeking it because I believe in this organization, I believe in our members, and I have the experience, commitment, and leadership skills necessary to help move our affiliate forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My Federation journey has given me the opportunity to serve in many different capacities. I have served as a <b>President, First Vice President, and board member for 11 years</b> within the affiliate. I have also served as <b>Fundraising Chair, Resolution Chair, Scholarship Chair, and Nominating Chair</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Each of these positions has taught me something different about leadership. More importantly, they have taught me that leadership in the Federation is not about one person. It is about bringing people together, listening to our members, developing new leaders, and making sure that every blind person has an opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One of the many accomplishments I am particularly proud of is helping to rebuild our Student Division alongside then-board member <b>Camille Tate, who now serves as our affiliate president</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I understand how important our students are to the future of this organization. They are not simply the next generation of Federationists; <b>they are leaders right now</b>. When we invest in our students, we invest in the future of our movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have also had the privilege of mentoring many members who are now leaders in their own right within the Federation. Seeing those individuals grow, develop their confidence, and step into leadership roles has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Federation journey.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have also had the privilege of hosting leadership training seminars and helping chapters that were struggling to rebuild and get back on their feet. Those experiences reinforced something I have always believed: <b>when a chapter needs help, we don't walk away from it. We step in, we listen, we work together, and we help rebuild.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Today, I continue that work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I currently serve as the affiliate's <b>Pre-Authorized Plan Chair and Membership Coordinator</b>. These positions have given me an even greater appreciation for the importance of membership and the financial strength of our organization.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need strong chapters, engaged members, and leaders who are willing to reach beyond what we have always done. We need to bring new members into the Federation, give them a reason to stay, and help them discover their own ability to make a difference.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If elected First Vice President, I will work closely with our president and the affiliate leadership to <b>build membership, strengthen our chapters, develop new leaders, and move the National Federation of the Blind of Florida forward through the programs and opportunities of our national organization</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But our work does not stop with programs and membership numbers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We must continue to <b>advocate for our rights as blind individuals</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We must continue challenging low expectations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We must continue fighting discrimination in employment, education, transportation, technology, and every other area of life where blind people are told that we cannot fully participate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And we must make sure that blind Floridians know that they do not have to accept the limitations that society places upon us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Federation has taught me that blindness does not define our potential. Together, we can change what it means to be blind, not only for ourselves, but for those who will come after us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My experience has prepared me for this responsibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I know what it means to lead a chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I know what it means to serve on an affiliate board.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I know what it means to chair a committee and bring people together to accomplish a common goal.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I know what it means to rebuild when things aren't working.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And I know that sometimes leadership means stepping forward, while at other times it means making sure someone else has the opportunity to step forward. <b>Most importantly, I know that we accomplish more when we work together. </b>As your First Vice President, I will bring energy, experience, accountability, and a willingness to do the work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will listen to our members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will support our chapters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will help develop new leaders.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will work to expand our membership.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as we continue the fight for equality, opportunity, and independence for blind people throughout Florida.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am not promising that every challenge will be easy. I am promising that <b>I will show up, roll up my sleeves, and do the work.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our affiliate has an incredible history, but <b>our best days are still ahead of us. </b>There are blind people in Florida who have not yet found the Federation. There are chapters waiting to become stronger. There are students waiting to discover their leadership potential. There are families who need to hear our message. And there are barriers that still need to be broken.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>I am ready to help us do that work.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I respectfully ask for your support, your confidence, and your vote for <b>First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let us build our membership.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let us strengthen our chapters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let us develop our leaders.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let us expand our reach.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And, most importantly, let us continue to fight together for the <b>full equality, opportunity, and independence of blind people</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Together, we can move the National Federation of the Blind of Florida forward.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you, Federation family, for allowing me to serve. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve you again as your <b>First Vice President</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With gratitude,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Jorge Hernandez, President <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miami-Dade Chapter<br>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Let’s go build the National Federation of the Blind of Florida </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>