<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><br><br><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br><b>Date:</b> December 16, 2019 at 8:37:03 PM EST<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> <b>[Ohio-Talk] Happy Holidays to All,</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><span>Happy Holidays to All,</span><br><span></span><br><span>It is the time of the season for giving, sharing and good will! Just a</span><br><span>smile, or a hug or even, a gift will do too!</span><br><span></span><br><span>. I also can feel the change in the year the weather has dropped, and the</span><br><span>season is changing quickly . I can remember the older people saying that the</span><br><span>cold weather was coming they could feel it in their bones. This has become</span><br><span>more and more of a reality as we've transitioned into winter. This morning,</span><br><span>I have about 2 inches of snow to create a snow man. Don't worry, it is just</span><br><span>a thought! </span><br><span></span><br><span>Ohio, I thought that I would provide you with some final updates prior to</span><br><span>the ending of 2019and the coming of 2020; which is the year of "Blind</span><br><span>Wisdom". If you have not read the December issue of the Presidential</span><br><span>Release, do so and learn more about President, Mark Riccobono's stance on</span><br><span>his vision for the upcoming year.</span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>A few weeks ago, Suzanne and I had an opportunity to tour the beautiful park</span><br><span>in hotel in Toledo Ohio. though this hotel seems very welcoming, there are</span><br><span>several ADA regulations that are not in place and quite frankly alarming.</span><br><span>Although, I have told members who have inquired about the location of the</span><br><span>2020 Ohio State Convention, that a decision would be forth coming in two</span><br><span>weeks. Well, I've looked at a few locations and several benefits that are</span><br><span>good for our group; including room rates. We have enjoyed less than $100 in</span><br><span>room rates for several years and we must understand that the day will come</span><br><span>when this no longer exist. While I began some time ago seeking for the best</span><br><span>hotel to accommodate our convention, a few concerns with hotels that we have</span><br><span>enjoyed a great relationship with has changed. So, it has convinced me not</span><br><span>to rush a decision on a location at this time. Moreover, I have been</span><br><span>fortunate to negotiate with hotels to include free meeting spaces and a</span><br><span>breakfast buffet for two years. Those amenities itself would make a large</span><br><span>difference in the final decision on the location. Please be patient as I</span><br><span>continue to research. </span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>The Cleveland and the Greater Cuyahoga County chapters held a meeting in</span><br><span>Partnership with the City of Cleveland Planning Commission on this past</span><br><span>Thursday at Cleveland City Hall. several of us were on hand to learn and</span><br><span>provide our professional assistance on the Dockless Scooters and E-Bikes</span><br><span>Safety Regulations. NFBO has a resolution that we adopted at the 2019 state</span><br><span>convention and all our chapters should be meeting with their prospective</span><br><span>city government to assure that the federations input is herd. When we vote</span><br><span>to decide the policy of the federation, it becomes part of the agenda for</span><br><span>our affiliate. I am encouraging all Ohio President's to review National and</span><br><span>State resolutions with your members. </span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>The Columbus chapter invited Suzanne and I to attend their monthly meeting.</span><br><span>The dialogue on building membership and community engagement was inspiring.</span><br><span>We recognize that all chapters have often a decline in membership when it</span><br><span>comes to growth, but working together, we can find ways to build the</span><br><span>federation. We all must make a serious effort in the next year to grow the</span><br><span>organization. if we do nothing to increase the membership, we will not be</span><br><span>filling one of the true missions of the NFB.</span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>Eric and I have been working together to finalize plans for the Washington</span><br><span>seminar. So. if you see or hear from this group let them know that you</span><br><span>appreciate their work and commitment.</span><br><span>Those who were selected are:</span><br><span>Richard Payne</span><br><span>Eric Duffy</span><br><span>Wilbert Turner</span><br><span>Brandon Khounesombat </span><br><span>Al Eli</span><br><span>Kinshuk Tella</span><br><span>Barbra Pierce</span><br><span>Theresa McKenney </span><br><span>Andra Stover</span><br><span>Mariann Dinning</span><br><span>Lyka Crebimlo</span><br><span>The Ohio Affiliate highly encourages chapters and individuals to make</span><br><span>contributions to the Washington and Columbus seminars that helps to fund the</span><br><span>organization's activities in D.C. and Columbus.</span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>I am sure by the time that you see this email Chapters will have conducted</span><br><span>several holidays celebrations. I attended the Cleveland chapter party. It</span><br><span>was well attended, and the spirit was very festive. Then, I made my way back</span><br><span>to Dayton to attend our chapter celebration. We also had a great end of the</span><br><span>year celebration with several members in attendance, along with friends and</span><br><span>family. The Springfield Chapter had three of their members that</span><br><span>participated, including their Chapter president, Debby Baker. Plus, I</span><br><span>encourage, all to invite your leadership to neighboring area meetings and</span><br><span>celebrations. This helps to build trust and camaraderie. </span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>Finally, in an effort to be transparent and develop a stronger connection</span><br><span>with and between the Ohio Presidents, I have implemented "The Chapter</span><br><span>Presidents Conference Call". This meeting will be held each month to develop</span><br><span>a rapport, voice concerns, promote successes and important information that</span><br><span>will foster a positive relationship and interaction with all involved.</span><br><span></span><br><span>///</span><br><span></span><br><span>Whether , you are a new member or a seasoned federationist, have a wonderful</span><br><span>and safe Holiday! See you in 2020!</span><br><span></span><br><span></span><br><span></span><br><span></span><br><span>Richard Payne, President</span><br><span>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</span><br><span>937/829/3368</span><br><span>Rchpay7@gmail.com</span><br><span>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the</span><br><span>characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the</span><br><span>expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles</span><br><span>between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;</span><br><span>blindness is not what holds you back</span><br><span></span><br><span></span><br><div><winmail.dat></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>Ohio-Talk mailing list</span><br><span>Ohio-Talk@nfbnet.org</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org</span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Ohio-Talk:</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/smturner.234%40gmail.com</span><br></div></blockquote></body></html>