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<TITLE> [Ohio-Talk] Happy Labor Day!</TITLE>
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<P DIR=LTR ALIGN=CENTER><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#777777" FACE="Arial">“</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#777777" FACE="Arial">Obstacles are Opportunities</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#777777" FACE="Arial">” The</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"> <FONT FACE="Arial">NFB is an instrument of change!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR ALIGN=CENTER><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial">Dear Ohio Affiliate, Happy Labor Day weekend,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><B><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Labor Day</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><B><SPAN LANG="en"> <FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">labor</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial"> movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The work that we do every day as Federation members mirror this picture. We are a very important part of society, and whatever we have decided to do can only be rewarded by reflecting on all of the work that thousands of Federation members contributed, who came before us.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial">Dr. King said that no work is insignificant </FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial">.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial"></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial">All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance, and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Relax,</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#555555" FACE="Arial"> unwind and let Labor Day remind you of the real reason you’re resting!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Last week, I was invited to the Cleveland chapter’s Town Hall, which was a very inspiring and informative event. We were introduced to several new community networks and OOD recognized the Ohio Affiliate as a significant and an important partner. I can remember not very long ago; that OOD and NFBO could not find a way to communicate effectively where all parties could assist in the best interest of blind Ohioans. However, we have now come to an understanding that a culture change was necessary for all involved. This is why a solid commitment from OOD and the NFB has finally come into fruition. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">It is my pleasure to announce that, Alex French has been selected as the first member approved to attend one of our NFB training centers, funded by OOD. This is a direct result of the work of several Ohio Federation members. Though, this process will still need fine tuning, however it is very clear that OOD is willing to make every effort to work with the Ohio Affiliate. Thus, this remarkable action is a tremendous and a positive change. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Additionally, the Ohio Affiliate is drafting a proposal that will offer training for OOD staff to learn about “</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Arial">The Etiquette of Mentorship for the blind.”.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial"> This is another historical and remarkable opportunity that we hope to implement in the near future.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Moreover, I want to inform you that a meeting with The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in Cleveland was productive. Discuss were significant concerns regarding rood dispatchers, long hold times and passenger safety. This meeting was industrious and helped to create a dialogue to work out some of the problems that Cleveland has had for a few years. There are major changes within RTA including a new CEO who has not transitioned to Cleveland as of yet. Many of the top leaders are acting and will resume to their former positions when the CEO comes in September. Therefore, Cleveland should slowly see changes for the better. Consequently, as the President of the Affiliate, I will monitor the situation with the support from the National Office. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Finally, I would like to encourage all of you to start getting ready for the convention and if you have not figured out a way to be more involved, please reach out to Sheri Albers or other leaders in the Ohio Affiliate.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Things to remember: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">1: The cut off day to reserve your room at the DoubleTree Hotel is October 11</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en"><SUP><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">th, 2019.</FONT></SUP></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><SUP><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">2: The convention will be held on November 1st, 2nd and 3rd.</FONT></SUP></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial"> 3: The cost for Preregistration for the Convention is $15.00 and the Pre-Banquet cost is $40.00.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">4: The cost for Registration for the Convention is $15.00 and the cost for the Banquet is $40.00This will increase by $5.00 each at the hotel.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">5: Chapters and Divisions should be submitting their Gavel Reports by October 1, 2019, and if you need help, reach out to</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Arial">Heather Leiterman at</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Hdleiterman74@yahoo.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#0563C1" FACE="Arial">Hdleiterman74@yahoo.com</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Arial">.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial"> 6: October is meet the blind month and all of us should be planning to do something in the community to promote the national federation of the blind. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">7: September 23, 2019 will be the date for the next NFBO Board of Director’s meeting.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">I am Shure that several other items can be covered, but keep watching Ohio talks and tell other Chapter members to join the watch as well. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en"><FONT COLOR="#222222" FACE="Arial">Please enjoy yourselves and let’s keep building the federation!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=5 FACE="Arial">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=5 FACE="Arial">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=5 FACE="Arial">937-396-5573 or 937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#0563C1" SIZE=5 FACE="Arial">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=5 FACE="Arial">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</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
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