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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>It is okay if it is not, but I won't be in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBofSC [mailto:nfbofsc-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Elizabeth Rouse via NFBofSC<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:18 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of South Carolina Mailing List <nfbofsc@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Elizabeth Rouse <elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBofSC] Call to Action: Opinions Wanted Regarding Communities of Faith Division<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Please remember that you are welcome at tonight's meeting, beginning at 6 PM.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Elizabeth<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Wed, Feb 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM Elizabeth Rouse <<a href="mailto:elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com">elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Dear Federation family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Please note that the following message is conveyed as the opinion of a group of affiliate members who got together to have a discussion when a topic arose. These words are a culmination of ideas belonging to this group of both division members and supporters. This message does not necessarily communicate the thoughts and/or feelings of the Communities of Faith Division.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>As many of you know, the NFB of South Carolina in Communities of Faith Division was formed in January of 2022. The purpose of the division, in short, is to share information and knowledge about all faiths, including our own, and to learn by sharing our thoughts in a safe space. This purpose, as evident in the attached Constitution, has never been to sway or recruit people to other faiths, rather to create an open environment where we can ask questions of each other in an effort to increase our knowledge surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through understanding comes acceptance after all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Sadly, there have been mistruths circulated that suggest reasons other than those stated above are why this division was created. Let’s face it. The vast majority of South Carolina is of Christian faith. Sometimes it can be threatening to hear different ideas than those we are used to or most comfortable with. Open discussions give us a chance to realize how similar we truly are. Many of us in this division have enjoyed learning about topics such as the NFB Judaism Group, our division members’ personal faith journeys, our experiences in our faith communities as blind worshipers, etc. We are interested in building this division to be a great resource for all members and to gain respect for each person’s faith and their faith choices; however, we find it immensely discouraging to hear that some members of our affiliate do not seem to be willing to give our attempt at educating and learning from one another a chance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Therefore, we would like for anyone who has questions or concerns about the division as it currently exists to join us for our next meeting on February 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. (Zoom info below.) We would much rather have affiliate members join us to ask questions and get clarification than to disparage the division without first attending a meeting to see for yourself what we are all about. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Please consider yourself invited to share your thoughts and ideas, regardless of division membership status.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><h2><a name="m_6471532342092333249_m_2490003067175651">NFB of SC Zoom</a><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Passcode: 124578<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>+13017158592,,8032543777# US (Germantown)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Dial by your location<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:8.0pt'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Anna Price<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>David <span style='color:black'>Bundy</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Elizabeth Rouse<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Janice Bright<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Kristopher Crawley</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Melinda Jones</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Elizabeth Rouse<br>She/her/hers<br>Treasurer | National Association of Blind Students (NABS)<br>Co-Chair | NABS Fundraising Committee<br>Board Member | Performing Arts Division<br>Secretary/Treasurer | NFB of SC Communities of Faith Division<br><a href="mailto:Elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com" target="_blank">Elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com</a><br>(563) 210-1854<br>“If you can see yourself as an artist, and you can see that your life is your own creation, then why not create the most beautiful story for yourself?” - Miguel Ruiz<o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Elizabeth Rouse<br>She/her/hers<br>Treasurer | National Association of Blind Students (NABS)<br>Co-Chair | NABS Fundraising Committee<br>Board Member | Performing Arts Division<br>Secretary/Treasurer | NFB of SC Communities of Faith Division<br><a href="mailto:Elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com">Elizabethrouse.nfb@gmail.com</a><br>(563) 210-1854<br>“If you can see yourself as an artist, and you can see that your life is your own creation, then why not create the most beautiful story for yourself?” - Miguel Ruiz<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>