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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">Hi everyone,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for your patience as my health has not been what I’d hoped these last few weeks. I nonetheless look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Saturday, August 10, at the DoubleTree Saint Paul East for our in-person board meeting from 10am to 2pm. Lunch will be served around 11:30am for those who have purchased it in advance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">If you’re joining us in person, please plan to arrive at <span class="GramE">the<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>DoubleTree</span> Saint Paul East (2201 Burns Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55119) between 9:30 and 10. If you need to reach one of us tomorrow, please call Tara Coyne at (678) 697-2989.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">For those who wish to take an on-demand, complimentary shuttle from the Union Depot Light Rail station, please call the hotel front desk (651) 731-2220 upon your arrival. I encourage you to plan to arrive early, as the hotel shuttle serves many guests with one vehicle. The hotel is also a quick Uber or Lyft ride from the station.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">We are honored to host Tracy Soforenko who serves both as president of our Virginia affiliate and as a member of the national Board of Directors. As many of you know, Tracy was the president of my first NFB chapter, and the one who tapped me to serve as its treasurer seventeen years ago. Tracy has served the Federation in many capacities, from mentor to national committee chairperson, and he’s led many ambitious projects. The Virginia affiliate has hosted its own Chapter Leadership Institute, a mentorship program for transition-aged students funded by the Commonwealth’s blindness agency, and a senior empowerment program that’s reached more than five dozen people in just a few years. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Tracy knows what it takes to put membership development in hyper-drive, and I’m excited for us to learn from the work he’s done. If you’re able, I encourage you to read <a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/leadership/board-directors/tracy-soforenko">Tracy’s bio</a> before the meeting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to Tracy’s presentation, we’ll have an update from BLIND, Inc., discuss an amendment to our state bylaws, and hear updates from our committees who have been planning events like our Walk for Opportunity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">If you’re joining us by Zoom, here is the connection information:</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98114196649?pwd=eHFsN0wrMm0xOVY3TlRVRjBhdm90dz09">Join Zoom Meeting</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Phone: (646) 931-3860 </p><p class="MsoNormal">Meeting ID: 981 1419 6649</p><p class="MsoNormal">Passcode: 894589</p><p class="MsoNormal">One tap mobile: +16469313860,,98114196649# US or +13017158592,,98114196649# US (Washington DC)</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">See you soon!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes">Corbb</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes">Corbb O'Connor (he/him), President</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes">National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes"><a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a> | (612) 872-9353</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></body></html>