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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of SC owns and operates Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center. Below is a link to read more about Rocky Bottom and to make a reservation for a mountain retreat!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://rockybottomofsc.com/">Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please join the National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book at any of the below links!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina/">National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/Computer-Science-Technology-Division-of-the-NFB-of-SC-343263089815304/">Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/RockyBottomofSC/">Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/Scabs1944/?refid=46&__xts__%5B0%5D=12.%7B%22unit_id_click_type%22%3A%22graph_search_results_item_tapped%22%2C%22click_type%22%3A%22result%22%2C%22module_id%22%3A1%2C%22result_id%22%3A103680927718372%2C%22session_id%22%3A%22dde06b014c19c1fa49889d82a62edcda%22%2C%22module_role%22%3A%22ENTITY_PAGES%22%2C%22unit_id%22%3A%22browse_rl%3Aaed5eb18-5eed-4148-8ec7-5150ce26bf7b%22%2C%22browse_result_type%22%3A%22browse_type_page%22%2C%22unit_id_result_id%22%3A103680927718372%2C%22module_result_position%22%3A0%7D">South Carolina Association of Blind Students</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/375092969314880?_rdr">South Carolina Parents of Blind Children</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind <IOF@nfb.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 16, 2021 8:16 AM<br><b>To:</b> SHANNON & STEVE COOK household <cookcafe@sc.rr.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Imagineering Our Future: Will You Continue to Build the Federation?<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:#FEFFFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:#FEFFFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:18.75pt 18.75pt 18.75pt 18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22564&qid=5888796"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=450 height=164 style='width:4.6875in;height:1.7083in' id="_x0000_i1039" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-nfb-logo%281%29.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind Logo - Go to NFB.org"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><h1>IMAGINEERING OUR FUTURE<o:p></o:p></h1><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;border-color:initial'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2>Message from our President<o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=240 height=120 style='width:2.5in;height:1.25in' id="_x0000_i1038" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-mar-conv%2021.jpg" alt="Mark Riccobono standing at a podium with the NFB flag and American flag behind him"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>When I see us come together to do the business of this membership organization and to spread our positive philosophy I am awed and humbled. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22565&qid=5888796"><span style='color:#002F6D'>President Riccobono reflects on the 2021 National Convention</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2>Invaluable Convention Connections<o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=240 height=120 style='width:2.5in;height:1.25in' id="_x0000_i1037" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-conv-youth-track-fun-activity.jpg" alt="A group of blind students gather to chat at the national convention"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>“As an artist struggling to compete in a world dominated by non-disabled individuals, I often feel alone and directionless. Before convention, I didn’t know any other blind people." <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22566&qid=5888796"><span style='color:#002F6D'>Hear from one of the six thousand attendees</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2>Latest News at the NFB<o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=240 height=120 style='width:2.5in;height:1.25in' id="_x0000_i1036" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-conv-a-member-claps-and-smiles-at-gen-session.jpg" alt="A NFB member standing and clapping at the NFB convention"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Celebrating outstanding blind students, Maryland taking steps to advance equal rights for blind voters, Curative making scheduling COVID tests and vaccinations accessible, wrapping up NFB BELL®. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22567&qid=5888796"><span style='color:#002F6D'>Read more news</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2>Take Action This Month<o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=240 height=120 style='width:2.5in;height:1.25in' id="_x0000_i1035" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-conv-exhibit-hall.jpg" alt="Two blind women inspecting a tactile printer"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Read the latest issue of the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Braille Monitor</span></em>, check out the convention highlights, and share our career opportunities. More <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22568&qid=5888796"><span style='color:#002F6D'>ways you can get involved this month</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2>Important Dates<o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=240 height=120 style='width:2.5in;height:1.25in' id="_x0000_i1034" src="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/iof-braille-book-fair.jpg" alt="A young blind girl reading a Braille book"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Don’t miss our live Presidential Releases this fall, Accessibility Boutiques, and other upcoming events. Add these <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22569&qid=5888796"><span style='color:#002F6D'>dates to your calendar</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><div><p><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22565&qid=5888796"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#002F6D'>Read the complete issue online</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines blind people or their future. Every day we raise the expectations of and for blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. We can live the lives we want; blindness is not what holds us back. Please join us in our work by becoming a member, attending an event, sharing this newsletter, or supporting our programs.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22570&qid=5888796"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1033" 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href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22575&qid=5888796"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=17492&qid=5888796&h=0a2e6a1e11eb077a" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=17492&qid=5888796&h=0a2e6a1e11eb077a" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt Out</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22576&qid=5888796" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign Up for Our E-newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells St.</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/msv5/images/spacer.gif" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/open?qid=5888796" /><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>