<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Federation Members & Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope that all of you are having a good weekend and extend my best wishes for a Happy Father’s Day to all our dads out there. It’s great to take the time to let loved ones know just how special they are to us. Even for those of us whose fathers are gone, it is a special time to reflect on their role in our lives, but we need to recognize it is not a joyous time for everyone. Some people struggle on these holidays. For these members and friends, I pray for peace and comfort.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I wanted to provide an update on the happenings around the NFB of Missouri during the past few weeks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We had a wonderful time together as we gathered for our NFB of Missouri Board meeting in Farmington, MO, the first weekend in June. Thank you to Roger Crone, President, and members of the Mineral Area Chapter for making all the arrangements and for a very warm welcome.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Springfield Chapter welcomed two new members into the Federation Family at their chapter meeting last weekend. Congratulations!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As announced at our state convention, our Sports & Recreation Committee is sponsoring a float trip on September 16-18. Those who have signed up to participate should watch for an email from Amy Wilson with important details. Also, if you are not already signed up but want to participate, there may be room for a few more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are planning to attend the NFB Convention in New Orleans, please join us on a Zoom Call on Monday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m. We will meet in our affiliate Zoom Room. If you need the Zoom links, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BELL Academy will soon be here! If you know of parents of Blind Children who may be interested in enrolling their child in this year’s BELL Program, please encourage them to do so quickly. Time is running out. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, this summer I am focusing on talking with our US Congressional Delegation to gain more support for our legislative priorities. None of the Representatives or Senators from Missouri has cosponsored the Medical Devise Nonvisual Accessibility Bill. Dennis Miller, Our Legislative Director, circulated contact information and the name and bill number for our three priorities. Every member can help. Will you take the initiative to make the call or write an email? If you need more information to feel comfortable, Reach out to someone in your chapter or to me. We grow when we take new steps!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelia Wright, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Missouri<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7928 NW Milrey Drive, Kansas City, MO 64152<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>816-741-6402<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:President@nfbmo.org">President@nfbmo.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbmo.org">www.nfbmo.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>