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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We began our 59<sup>th</sup> Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland today, and we’re off to an energetic start. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For those of you who cannot join us in person, we miss you, but fear not. You can join the excitement virtually.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Additional <a href="https://nfbmd.org/convention/virtual-viewing">virtual viewing details</a> can be found on the NFBMD web site.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can find the agenda and lots of information about the convention at <a href="https://nfbmd.org/convention">https://nfbmd.org/convention</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For your convenience, here is the schedule of events that will be streamed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday, February 14, 2025:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9 – 11 a.m.: Board Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>11 a.m. – Noon: Resolutions Committee Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Noon – 2 p.m.: Storytelling Seminar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2 – 4 p.m.: Technology Seminar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:30 – 8 p.m. Braille is Beautiful: Pizza and a Play<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, February 15, 2025<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8:30 – 11 a.m.: General Session<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2 – 5 p.m.: General Session<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7 p.m. – close: Banquet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sunday, February 16, 2025<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9 a.m. – Noon: General Session<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>*Please note all times are in Eastern Time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the options for virtual viewing:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Streaming<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>NFBMD affiliate zoom<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Alexa skill<br> <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><b>Streaming option<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Simply click this <a href="http://nfbmd.org/convention/stream">online convention stream link</a> or point your favorite web browsers at <a href="https://nfbmd.org/convention/stream">https://nfbmd.org/convention/stream</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Alexa smart device option<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The instructions are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>First time:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Alexa, Enable National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Skill<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subsequent Times:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Alexa, Play National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Zoom webinar for viewing only option<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Click on the zoom meeting ID to launch the Zoom desktop client or mobile application. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=3j1veR63Yr9IbB8Kv0xxaxMCA2tKOb.1">Join Zoom Meeting</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: <a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=3j1veR63Yr9IbB8Kv0xxaxMCA2tKOb.1">624 813 8327</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Passcode: 63263<br><br>Zoom One tap mobile<br>+13017158592,,6248138327# US (Washington DC)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Direct Dial Conference Line:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Call 339-209-4083.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Newsline:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find the stream on the Maryland information channel.<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><i>*Please note</i></b><i>, the web stream, Smart Speaker, Newsline, and Direct Dial methods of access are enabled for listening only and do not permit interactive engagement.</i><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><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>Pronouns: she, her, hers<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></div></body></html>