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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>March 2019 Minute Message <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Spring has arrived, and it is a season of planting seeds so that flowers and gardens may grow as the year progresses. We in the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland have been very busy with a myriad of projects and initiatives, and we are using every extra minute of daylight Spring has given us to help our members and Maryland’s blind live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Yanking the Weeds of Voter Segregation and Planting the Seeds of Equality in Annapolis</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>In March, NFBMD attended numerous hearings related to desegregation in voting and regulating e-scooters. We need assistance Monday evening, April 1 and Wednesday through Friday, April 3 – 5. If you are available to go to Annapolis on any of those days, please contact Sharon Maneki at </span><a href="mailto:NFBMD@earthlink.net"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>NFBMD@earthlink.net</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>. If you recall, this year, our legislative priorities include: ending segregation in voting and restoring the secret ballot to disabled voters by ensuring a single voting system for all; establishing regulations for electronic/Dockless scooters; and protecting the $250,000 appropriation in the Governor’s budget for the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce. You may read the fact sheets about each issue by visiting </span><a href="https://nfbmd.org/legislative/2019"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfbmd.org/legislative/2019</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'> or on the Information Channel on Newsline. Thank you to those of you who have written letters to your Senators and Delegates on our issues; we need you to make one last push toward getting the legislation advanced as the Maryland General Assembly winds down its legislative session on April 8. Thus, we are asking you to email and call your representatives. For specific information about to whom to write and how to contact them, please visit </span><a href="http://www.nfbmd.org/node/297"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>http://www.nfbmd.org/node/297</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Digging Out Discrimination in the Entertainment Industry: Time for a Protest<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>The CW television network, which is affiliated with CBS, plans to launch a television series called <i>in The Dark</i> that features a blind character who is not played by a blind actor. We issued a strong <a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them">statement</a> urging the cancellation of the series and reached out to all of the executives affiliated with the show. We have received a response but have yet to secure a meeting prior to the planned April 4 debut. We now need to follow up with action. We cannot allow Hollywood to define us any longer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the National Federation of the Blind will be holding a protest in New York concerning the use of sighted actors to portray blind characters in the entertainment industry. The Maryland affiliate will be participating in the protest, and we need to know who will be able to attend. We will be providing transportation and leaving from the National Center in Baltimore at 5:30AM and returning at about 6:00PM. If you are able to attend, please contact Ronza Othman at <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org">President@nfbmd.org</a> or by calling 443-426-4110. The blind belong at the center of our own stories, playing blind characters and taking our place on screen along-side our sighted colleagues.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Growing the Movement Through Food and Auction<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Get ready for a nice evening out. Join us on April 6 from 5 to 9 pm for our Bid-for-Opportunity dinner and auction to benefit the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program and NFBMD youth activities. The event will take place at the VFW Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD 20746. For more information email Debbie Brown at </span><a href="mailto:deborahb14@verizon.net"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>deborahb14@verizon.net</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'> or Michelle Clark at </span><a href="mailto:mcikeyc@aol.com"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>mcikeyc@aol.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>. There will be transportation from the NFB National Center in Baltimore for those who need it; please contact Ronza Othman at <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org">President@nfbmd.org</a> or at 443-426-4110. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Planting the Seeds of Networking: Elevate Your Business – and Support Our Merchants!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.0pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F1F1F'>Come join the NFB of Maryland’s Merchant’s Division for an afternoon of fun, great food, delicious cocktails, business connections, 50/50 raffle & more on Saturday, June 13, 3:00 – 6:00 at a Spring Networking Mixer at Flavor Restaurant, 15 East Center Street, Baltimore, MD. Please RSVP to Melba Taylor at </span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#674EA7'><a href="mailto:m.taylor@EncoreAssoc.com">m.taylor@EncoreAssoc.com</a>.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.0pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Growing the Movement Through the NFBMD Scholarship Program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland administers a scholarship program for post-secondary students. The deadline to apply for an NFBMD Scholarship is April 15, 2019. Each year, the NFB of Maryland awards the John T. McCraw Scholarship to two students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500 each. NFBMD may award a third scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and community involvement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on April 15, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>To be eligible, applicants must:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Be legally blind in both eyes;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Be a legal resident of Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at a school in Maryland;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program in the Fall of 2019; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7 through 12, 2019 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland from November 8 – 10, 2019 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>To apply:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Submit an application using the online application system at </span></b><a href="http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply"><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>; or<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level2 lfo7;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: </span></b><a href="http://nfbmd.org/scholarship"><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>http://nfbmd.org/scholarship</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:.75in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Growing the Movement Through Fun Raffles</span></b><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>The NFBMD spring raffle is underway. During the month of May, you have the opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday. Purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for $5. You will be the only one who has this number. If you want to buy or sell tickets, please contact Melissa Riccobono at </span><a href="mailto:MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Growing the Movement Through Song <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Join us on May 5, 2019 for a Recital and Sing-A-Long, benefiting NFBBELL Academy at the Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230, featuring Melissa Riccobono. Advanced tickets cost $10. Tickets will be $15 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Melissa Riccobono at <a href="mailto:MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com">MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com</a> or Ronza Othman at <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org">President@nfbmd.org</a>. </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F1F1F'>Enjoying the Fruits of Our Labor: Membership</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F1F1F'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F1F1F'>In the coming months, each local chapter will be holding a Membership Ceremony for existing members. It is at this chapter meeting that members will receive their long-awaited and eagerly anticipated NFB Membership Coins – and other surprises. For questions about the specific date and time of a particular chapter’s membership ceremony, please contact your chapter president. </span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>The Movement in Splendor: National Convention<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>You will not want to miss the 2019 National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7-12. Save money and pre-register today! Pre-registration closes on May 31 at midnight. You may <a href="https://convention.nfb.org/" target="_blank">pre-register and purchase a banquet ticket online</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Planting the Seeds of Equality in RideShare Programs: NFB RideShare Testing Program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>We still need your help. If you use a service animal or are accompanying someone who does, please fill out a short form about your experience each time you use Uber or Lyft. In Maryland, we have to complete a certain number of surveys each year. You can submit a survey for every trip you took, so please look back at your ride history and do this if you haven’t already done so. Please go to </span><a href="https://nfb.org/rideshare-test"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>https://nfb.org/rideshare-test</span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'> or use the NFB Connect app (instructions below) to complete the survey. Please give us information about both good and bad experiences. Spread the word, we need information from every blind person whether they are a member of NFB or not. Ashley Alvey is the Maryland coordinator for this program. If you have questions email her at ashleyalvey1994@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.2in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>NFB Connect App instructions for Rideshare Survey<o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>On the top left corner of the screen, you will find a button that says, Menu button. Double tap Menu.</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>After double tapping on menu, at the top left corner of the screen, you will see Home.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Swipe to the right once and you will see Fast Facts. Double tap Fast Facts.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>You will swipe right until you see, Rideshare Survey. Double tap Rideshare Survey.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Lastly, swipe to the right. When you see First Name, this is where the form begins and this is where you put in the information for the survey.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Important Dates for 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>April 6 – Bid for Opportunity at </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>VFW Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>April 13 – MABM Networking Mixer at </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Flavor Restaurant, 15 East Center Street, Baltimore, MD </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>April 15th – Deadline for NFBMD Scholarship Applications.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>May 5 - </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Recital and Sing-A-Long, benefiting NFB BELL Academy, Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>June 1 – Board of Directors Meeting; Columbia, Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>June 16 – 22 – NFB EQ, Baltimore, MD<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>July 7-12th – NFB National Convention Las Vegas, NV.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>July 22 – August 2 – NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, MD<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>July 29 – August 9 – NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore and Glendale, MD<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>August 17th – Annual Crab Feast - </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville, MD 21234</span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo10;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>November 8-10 – Annual State Convention – Crown Plaza Baltimore Downtown<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><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> <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>