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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Greetings fellow Federation members, </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You are all invited to the first in a limited number of very special conference calls, tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15, at 8:00 PM Eastern time. The reason for these calls is to gather your memories, impressions, and accounts of the accomplishments and happenings of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. Please read on. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind of Florida was founded almost 50 years ago. If you have been a member of the NFBF for any length of time at all, you know that the organization has a long and eventful history, and that the organization celebrates that history. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>We want to preserve our history for the years and decades to come. But, to do that, this history must first be captured and recorded and displayed for all to see. This is a project to which we can all contribute. And, I think it will be a lot of fun or everyone involved. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind of Florida was founded in 1970. That means, when we all attend the 2020 NFBF State Convention, the affiliate will be 50 years old. Think of it – fifty years of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. A lot of people have been involved with our organization through all of those years. Some of them have passed on. But many of us are still here and we all have stories to tell. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>NFBF President Denise Valkema has tasked me with creating a presentation of or NFBF history for our 50th annual convention in 2020. This is an exciting project, but I cannot do it alone. I will need your help. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I believe that the model that best suits the preservation of our story is the oral history. Our project will mostly be in written form, but we may include audio and video recordings. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>What I am asking you to do is to call in tomorrow night and contribute your memories, your stories, and your accounts of the NFBF. Think back to your experiences with the organization. Don’t worry if you can’t think of anything in particular, listening to the recollections of others will help to spark your own memories. Don’t worry if you can’t pinpoint where or when the event took place. Others on the call may be able to help with placing your memories in time and location. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>To make this even more fun and exciting, there will be a drawing from among the names of everyone who participates and five winners will each receive a $10.00 Amazon gift card! The drawing will take place at the upcoming NFBF State Convention, but you need not be present to win. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Here is the information you will need to call in:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at 8:00 PM. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Phone: 712-775-7031<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Code: 938047311#<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If using a smartphone, just tap this shortcut: 712-775-7031,,938047311#<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>This call will be recorded. If the line is busy, please keep trying until you get in. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If you have any questions, please write to me at </span><a href="mailto:history@nfbflorida.org"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:#1155CC'>history@nfbflorida.org</span></a><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> or </span><a href="mailto:danjhicks@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:#1155CC'>danjhicks@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> with the word “History” in the subject line. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I look forward to speaking with all of you and I look forward to your memories and ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dan Hicks</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>NFBF 2020 History Project Chairperson</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>