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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will be holding an NFB of Maryland Board Meeting and the second of two state convention planning retreats on October 24, 2026. This second meeting will be in person at the Doubletree in Pikesville, which is our 2027 state convention hotel; the first convention planning retreat, which will take place September 26, 2026, will be virtual. Please save both dates. We will take a tour of the convention hotel in the morning. We will also hold small group discussions to fine-tune various aspects of the convention. As a result, we hope as many people as possible will come to this meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is the relevant information about the October 24 in person meeting:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Date: October 24, 2026<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Location: Doubletree Baltimore North Hotel, 1726 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All are welcome, but chapter and division presidents and committee chairs should definitely plan to attend as well as those responsible for meetings, workshops, or other convention aspects/logistics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lunch will be available for purchase for $30. A limited number of sleeping rooms is also available for the nights of October 23 and 24 at the convention rate of $109 plus tax. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are requesting that folks RSVP by October 3, 2026. Please email <a href="mailto:Convention@nfbmd.org">Convention@nfbmd.org</a> with the following information:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Name of attendees<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Whether you need lodging at the hotel (we will work with you to make your sleeping room reservations, but you will need a credit card to secure your room)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Whether you will buy lunch<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Whether you need a vegetarian meal (the non-vegetarian meal will be chicken)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Whether you have any dietary restrictions<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Whether you need any reasonable accommodations for the meeting<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>We ask that you pre-pay for your meal by October 3, 2026. You can use the following methods:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Zelle: <a href="mailto:Payments@nfbmd.org">Payments@nfbmd.org</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>PayPal: nfbmd.org and use the Donate button (please add $2 if using this method for credit card processing fees)<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Physical check: NFBMD, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite N1, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Cash: You may pay via cash at a local chapter meeting or other activity to Ronza Othman, Debbie Brown, Bre Brown, or Leah Mattern<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Those outside of the Baltimore area who are interested in shared transportation should reach out to their local chapter president, and arrangements may be possible with sufficient demand. We are not offering shared transportation for those within the Baltimore area. However, our convention hotel is accessible to MTA Mobility and fixed bus routes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>For questions, please reach out to me directly at <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org">President@nfbmd.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Ronza<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>R<a name="WinZmBookmark_z24EE8">onza Othman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.<o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=3j1veR63Yr9IbB8Kv0xxaxMCA2tKOb.1&omn=97093137207<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Meeting ID: 624 813 8327<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Passcode: 63263<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>---<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>+13126266799,,6248138327# US (Chicago)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>+13092053325,,6248138327# US<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>---<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Join by SIP<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>• 6248138327@zoomcrc.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Passcode: 63263<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>Join instructions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:WinZmBookmark_z24EE8'>https://nfb-org.zoom.us/meetings/97093137207/invitations?signature=nZY-xlnYk_otIjq8m1kSAwuWCeyteuu3CRkFnSdNN_s</span><a name=WinZmBookmarkEnd></a><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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Ronza Othman, </b>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Need to meet with me? <a href="https://calendly.com/president-nfbmd/30min"><span style='color:blue'>Please use this link to schedule through Calendly</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations 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></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>