<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:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" 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=Windows-1252">
<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;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.msonormal0, li.msonormal0, div.msonormal0
{mso-style-name:msonormal;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.emailquote, li.emailquote, div.emailquote
{mso-style-name:emailquote;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:1.0pt;
border:none;
padding:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@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="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Great update Mr. President! Two thumbs up!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gathering was really a blast, full of great activities and friendship/sisterhood/brotherhood!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, It was really a clear active picture of our famous and great quote, “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>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s exactly what I have personally experienced and lived this past long weekend in Columbus. Thank you so much for helping me see, feel and practice that!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a great day y’all.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><a name="_Hlk5112577"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">Ali Benmerzouga<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio - Cleveland Chapter, Board Member,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">Chair of Cleveland Chapter Legislative Committee,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">Cell Phone - 440-590-0315.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"></span>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">Please Visit and like our Chapter’s Facebook Page:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">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. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk5112577">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, April 13, 2019 11:24 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List' <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Richard Payne <rchpay7@gmail.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Ohio-talk] Buckeye update<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk6045818"></a>Buckeye update <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">April 13, 2019<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<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.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Alexa tells me that at the time I am writing this to you it is around 5:30 AM and around 66 degrees. This is a great time of the year when spring really stick’s it’s head out. This is also a great season because it seems to change
attitudes and put most people in a good mood.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week end during the Bell academy training, I was reminded of just how important the National Federation of the blind is to the lives of young kids and how good positive adult roll models play a real part in making a difference. I
would like to take the time to thank Eric and all the volunteers for the dedication shown to Bell and the kids so far.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> The board of directors meeting started on Sunday morning . While several members of the board were not able to attend, it was a very good meeting. I will send more information from that meeting at some point soon. We decided to
assist with some limited funds to help members to attend the national convention. We also lifted the charter for the Butler county chapter. We will do our best to stimulate new growth in that area soon.
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> We are also concerned about the health of the Student Division. Suzanne turner has agreed to help build the division, between now and the convention. and this is a welcome addition to the many things that she does for the NFB.
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> We have a solid board of directors, and I want to thank them for their hard work in putting together a fantastic weekend of training and fellowship. We can all be proud of our accomplishments during the weekend.
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> President Riccobono and two members from our national staff delivered inspiring and informative presentations as part of our leadership training on Sunday afternoon. Current and future leaders were actively involved in the training,
and it was very up-lifting.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> The federation family worked hard, and part of the weekend was for us to get to know each other better with so many new people. We shared several meals together and I noticed new friendships and collaborations going on. I<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"> can not leave out the Columbus seminar thanks to Mike and Sheri for the work that it took to put this together. By now you know that the parental rights bill has been introduced. Representative Richard Brown was a hit and really
gave us the momentum to prepare for the visit that we had on Tuesday morning. Lisa worm from DRO also was very uplifting with her pointers about how to testify at a hearing. We had a great gathering in dinner and then went over the information for the next
day. <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">The next morning the group prepared to load several methods of transportation and were on the road to represent the blind of Ohio.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We now have a bill number for our parental rights legislation. This is the same legislation that passed the house unanimously last year. This is a new General Assembly. And We cannot rest on our past. accomplishments. Make your Representative
aware of this bill. Ask him or her to cosponsor H. B. No. 188 GA 133 Prohibit blindness from denying or limiting care of minor Rep. Crawley Rep. Cross as Introduced<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Link to Bill 188 info: <a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-188">
<span style="color:#0563C1">https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-188</span></a> <<a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-188"><span style="color:#0563C1">https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-188</span></a>><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Chapters should talk about the issues that we have worked on so hard and find ways to get more involved in working on the local state and national level.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">While there is so much to cover time requires me to jump to the next project or on-going ones. Let’s go build the federation.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Richard Payne, President</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">937-396-5573or 937/829/3368</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com">Rchpay7@gmail.com</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">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. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>