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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It’s that time again—time to make new friends, strengthen existing relationships, learn about the latest in the field of blindness, and—most importantly—get energized and empowered to carry on the work of our Federation so that the dreams of all blind people can be transformed into reality. It’s time for the 51<sup>st</sup> annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, which will kick off a week from tomorrow at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson! If you are a blind student, a parent of a blind student, or someone who is interested in learning how students can achieve success in all aspects of life, I am once again excited to announce that the Maryland Association of Blind Students has something for you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We cordially invite you to join us on Friday, November 10 from 3:30-6:30 PM in the Grayson Room for our annual seminar and business meeting. This year we have put together a program of fun and dynamic speakers who will inform us about the wealth of resources available to Maryland’s blind students, give us helpful tips on how to succeed in school and life, and share with us their inspiring stories. As always, we will have the opportunity to learn about what MDABS has been up to in the past year and choose who some of our leaders will be for the next two years. Oh yes, and lest we forget, we’ll have pizza! Please see the agenda which is attached and pasted below this email for a complete listing of our program items. We also have plans for some other events throughout the weekend as well as a really cool raffle, but you’ll have to come to the meeting to learn more!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once again, we’re offering you a chance to preregister for the meeting so you don’t have to worry about waiting in that long line at the door. All you have to do is fill out the form found here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePSUo6urMNyc3O1y6w68HvZY8GiC_e-ge9e3dgNxHqaq2ppw/viewform?c=0&w=1">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePSUo6urMNyc3O1y6w68HvZY8GiC_e-ge9e3dgNxHqaq2ppw/viewform?c=0&w=1</a>. Then, come by the registration table between 3:00 and 3:30, hand your $5 dues to our illustrious Treasurer, and walk in. We look forward to seeing you on November 10 as we learn and laugh together!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>See you in Towson,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Nusbaum, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maryland Association of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Maryland Association of Blind Students, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Presents:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Acing the Tests of School, Work and Life<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Annual Business Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday, November 10, 2017, 3:00-6:30 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Grayson Room<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:00: Registration ($5 dues)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:30: Call to Order and Opening Announcements<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Nusbaum, President, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Taneytown, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:35: The Power of Mentoring: Helping Students Grow in the Federation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon Maneki, President, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Columbia, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:40: Introducing the Scholarship Class of 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jesse Hartle, Chairman, NFBMD Scholarship Committee; Lutherville, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:50: Finding Financial Security: How the State Can Help<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lori Markland, Community Relations Administrator, Maryland ABLE Program, Maryland 529; Baltimore, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4:10: Questions and Discussion<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4:20: Acing Our Classes: It All Starts with a Textbook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Beckett, Director, Accessible Textbook Program, Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Baltimore, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4:30: Bringing Home the Bacon: Acing the Tests of Life, Federation Style<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everette Bacon, President, National Federation of the Blind of Utah; Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind; Salt Lake City, UT<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4:50: Acing the Tests of Today, Embracing the Promise of Tomorrow: A Report from MDABS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Nusbaum, President, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Taneytown, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5:05: Slaying the Giant: Acing Your Papers Efficiently and Accessibly<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Moderator: Ellana Crew, Vice President, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Baltimore, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Panelists: Meaghan Roper, Associate, Earl Center for Learning Innovation; Treasurer, Massachusetts Association of Blind Students; Boston, MA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Arielle Silverman, Consultant, Disability Wisdom Consulting; Past President, National Association of Blind Students; Silver Spring, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brian Keseling, Student, Carroll Community College; President, Greater Carroll County Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; Westminster, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5:30: Pizza Break<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5:50: Acing the Tests of Leadership: Reflections from a Longtime Student Leader<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nathan Clark, Secretary, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Hanover, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:00: Acing the Tests of the Study Abroad Experience: Reflections on an Exciting Journey<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Emma Mitchell, Student, George Washington University; Washington, DC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:10: Secretary’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nathan Clark, Secretary, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Hanover, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:15: Treasurer’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Erin Daring, Treasurer, Maryland Association of Blind Students; Silver Spring, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:20: Elections<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:30: Adjourn<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Notes:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Immediately following the meeting, join us in Warfields for “Pizza and a Play!” Come support your Braille is Beautiful Players, including MDABS leaders Chris Nusbaum and Sharon Kim, as they present to you a comedic take on the traditional Thanksgiving festivities. Though we will have already had our pizza at the meeting, you won’t want to miss this year’s play; it’s sure to be great fun!<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Remember to join us Saturday afternoon between general sessions for a lunch at the mall just for you! Get to know our leaders in a relaxed and informal setting, and ask any questions you may have about how you can get involved in the work of MDABS. If you want to go but were not included in the headcount taken at the beginning of the meeting, please text Chris Nusbaum at (443) 547-2409.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Connect with us on social media! Like MDABS on Facebook at facebook.com/mdabs.federation and follow @MDABS_NFB on Twitter. Also, tell your friends about how much fun your having at the MDABS meeting by using the hashtag #MDABS17, and throughout the convention by using #NFBMD17.<o:p></o:p></li></ol></div></body></html>