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<h1><b>Dear Fellow Federationists:</b></h1> <br><br>
It would be wonderful if every single member of the National Federation
of the Blind from across the nation could make it to every single
convention. But work obligations or other life events sometimes prevent
us from making the trip. The good news is that if you can't make it to
convention this year, there are several ways for you to participate
virtually. Read on to learn how!<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Stream the Convention</b></h2>Portions of the 2017 convention will
be streamed live over the internet. These will include the access
technology seminars scheduled for Monday, July 10; the Board of Directors
meeting beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12; all of the general
sessions; and the banquet. You can access the streaming schedule and the
links to stream in your preferred format at
<a href="https://nfb.org/convention/stream">nfb.org/convention/stream</a>
. <br><br>
Please note that you will not hear anything unless a streamed event is
happening. If you're tuning in at the right time but not hearing
anything, there may be technical difficulties. Be sure to stand by and
also to let us know about your experience.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Join Us through Social Media<br><br>
</b></h2>For more convention news when the stream isn't live, or to
interact with your fellow conventioneers while listening, be sure to
follow the #NFB17 hashtag if you're on Twitter and like the National
Federation of the Blind on Facebook. You can also reach out to us on the
Facebook page or on Twitter @NFB_voice. Use the #NFB17 hashtag to comment
on what's happening at the convention and share your experience with your
Federation family.<br><br>
We’ll also be using Facebook Live to stream certain events at the
convention. Tune in to Facebook Thursday morning, July 13, to experience
the convention opening ceremonies. The discussion portion of the Do You
Dream in Color? film screening will also be streamed on Friday evening,
July 14.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Make our Click-to-Give Campaign a Success</b></h2>This year the
convention will feature a click-to-give campaign that will help raise
funds for all of our important work. During the week of convention,
individuals identified by members will receive emails inviting them to
easily donate to the National Federation of the Blind.<br><br>
When the campaign starts we will send an email inviting all of these
individuals to share in the great things we do every day to help blind
people live the lives they want. Their gift will assist a newly blinded
person with independent travel through our Free White Cane Program, help
a child to learn to read through our Braille Reading Pals Program, assist
blind veterans to regain their independence, and so much more. Just
provide the names and email addresses of family, friends, colleagues, and
service providers who you believe will appreciate the opportunity to
support our work. They'll be able to opt out of the emails they receive;
we won't spam them. To learn more, visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/give2017">nfb.org/give2017</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in
convention events even if you can't attend in person. Consider having a
"banquet party" with friends and listen to the convention
banquet while enjoying your own formal dinner, or just ordering pizza.
Gather your fellow Federationists to watch the film <i>Do You Dream in
Color?</i>, and then stream the panel discussion happening at the
convention. Or just tune in as you're going about your other activities,
and be sure to give us a shout via social media.<br><br>
<br><br>
Happy #nfb17!<br><br>
<br><br>
Sincerely,<br><br>
<br><br>
The National federation of the Blind Communications Team<br>
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