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</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 Missouri Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once upon a time, there were certain months during the year where the pace slowed down a little but that seems to be just a memory now. I hope that each of our chapters and divisions are already planning an upcoming event that will help blind persons in your community and/or help build the Federation. Please share with us what projects you are working on and remember the groundwork and actual event make for excellent articles in our Blind Missourian. Pictures are also welcomed by our Webpage Administrator. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last weekend our Mission BEAM Team presented a workshop for ages 14-21 called “Show Me the Money” in Kansas City. Thank you to Jenny Carmack, our Mission BEAM Coordinator, and our volunteers: Stephanie McDowell, Daniel Garcia, and Randy Carmack for your presentation of the workshop content and the opportunities provided to participants. Meanwhile, the Mission BEAM Committee is already looking ahead to what’s next. .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you attended your last local chapter meeting, you would recall that our State Ways and Means Chair, Jeff Giffen, spoke briefly about giving our longstanding King & Queen Contest a facelift to give it a fresh look. This competition between our chapters and divisions is intended to be a fun and friendly competition to motivate us to work together to fund the programs that we as an affiliate have decided are important to the growth of the affiliate and for the blind people with whom we want to impact. Jeff conveyed that we are particularly interested in finding a new name for the contest that more truly reflects our chapter representatives in the contest. Please send in your suggestions to Jeff Giffen or your representative on the Ways & Means Committee. Jeff’s email address is: <u><span style='color:#0563C1'> <a href="mailto:jeff.giffen@yahoo.com">jeff.giffen@yahoo.com</a>. Even if you mentioned your idea to him, sending it to him in writing is most helpful. The Ways & Means Committee will be meeting in about two weeks to review all of the submissions and agree on what their recommendation(s) to the affiliate board will be on October 1<sup>st</sup>; so, please do not delay sending your ideas. </span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>October 1<sup>st</sup> is the date for our fall board meeting which will be held in Columbia, MO. That day will also kick-off Blind Equality Achievement Month. Amy Wilson has volunteered to coordinate the planning and preparation for our 2022 Blind Equality Awareness Month. I am asking our Communication Team to be a part of the Blind Equality Achievement Month. Think of it as a celebration of our accomplishments and an opportunity to share these accomplishments with everyone. The planning of any celebration begins long before the event(s;) the time is now and Amy plans to hold the first meeting right away. Ideas and help will be needed from all our chapters, divisions, and members .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are announcing our 2023 Scholarship Program in just a few days to allow more time to distribute the news of this opportunity to more students. Please help us get out the word to every high school and college in Missouri. If you know students who will be enrolled in a postsecondary school in the fall of 2023, please share the announcement with them. You may be their only link. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The latest edition of the Blind Missourian will be in your mailbox in just a few days. You won’t want to miss it! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As you can see, there are many opportunities for members to participate in the work of the NFB of Missouri. If you are not currently serving on a committee and/or project, I invite you to let me know where you would like to serve. There is always a need for volunteers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have a great week!<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 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kansas City, MO 64152<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>816-679-5258<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='color:#0563C1'><a href="mailto:Sbwright95@gmail.com">Sbwright95@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='color:#0563C1'><a href="http://www.nfbmo.org">www.nfbmo.org</a></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind and our Missouri Affiliate 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></div></body></html>