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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Financial Assistance Application Form for Federation-hosted conferences and activities is now available. This grant is intended to assist persons interested in NFBMD with limited means to attend conventions, seminars, and affiliate events.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Recipients of this grant must demonstrate genuine interest in, and commitment to the blind of Maryland or the potential to develop such interest and commitment. Recipients are expected to attend all sessions relative to the event for which they receive assistance. Recipients are also expected to assist with Convention and/or event activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>NFBMD expects all participants to contribute to funding to attend events and will not pay for registration fees. The Award Committee may award partial funding to assist individuals to attend seminars, conventions, or the like.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Individuals requesting lodging financial assistance will only receive assistance for the cost of half a hotel room. Such individuals will be responsible for finding their own roommate to share in the cost of hotel lodging. NFB of Maryland will not assign roommates for those receiving financial assistance. However, those who would like to share their interest in finding a roommate may give consent to NFBMD for their name and contact information to be shared with others seeking roommates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p>Those receiving financial assistance directly from their local chapter are not eligible for financial assistance from the state affiliate.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Individuals wishing to request financial assistance for the NFB </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National <span style='color:#333333'>Convention in</span> New Orleans<span style='color:#333333'>, </span>Louisiana <span style='color:#333333'>must submit a completed application to NFBMD President Ronza Othman by </span>April <span style='color:#333333'>15, 202</span>5<span style='color:#333333'>. Individuals must also provide a letter of support from th</span>e<span style='color:#333333'> </span>president of their local chapter<span style='color:#333333'>. Individuals must also show proof of pre-registration for the </span>National <span style='color:#333333'>Convention in order to be eligible for financial assistance. Individuals may pre-register at <a href="https://nfb.org/convention">https://nfb.org/convention</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>Please note that financial support is limited to:<o:p></o:p></p><ol start=1 type=1><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>New members and prospective members of the NFB (those who have been involved for less than a year);<o:p></o:p></li><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Students; and<o:p></o:p></li><li style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Active members who have attended at least five meetings of their local chapter in the last year (division meetings do not count).<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As funding is limited, priority will be given to first-time attendees, students, and those with significant and demonstrated leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>To request financial assistance, individuals should use the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1N7TQx8dsUAjunS81-EGDazcj21quKo3sGccZ-tFnxhU/viewform?ts=62e742f5&edit_requested=true"><span style='color:#0782C1'>NFBMD Financial Assistance Form</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Individuals who need assistance completing the application and sending it electronically should contact President Othman at 443-426-4110 or their chapter president.<o:p></o:p></span></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>