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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><a name="_Hlk122518116"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ohio, Members and Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am so thankful this year for you! The work that you have done in the year 2022 is just momentous! From the Capitol Chapters monthly radio programming, to our strong relationship with OOD, to increasing the affiliate’s treasury during the state convention, to attending the national convention, and to giving sheets and blankets to the homeless shelter in Cleveland along with, Moving the Parental Rights Bill along, which is now passed by the governor. You should be very proud of the work that you have done last year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am also very thankful for believing in the organization. Our philosophy states that, “</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>The Federation philosophy provides an overall framework for thinking about blindness, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. However, it is not intended to be rigid or dogmatic., Blind people are individuals, and we may disagree on any number of things, including how to handle a given situation as blind people. What our philosophy does do is give us a positive way of thinking about our blindness, rather than the negative ways in which we have often been conditioned to think about it by society. Given proper training and opportunity, blind people can and do live the lives we want. It is respectable to be blind, and, with the right tools and techniques, blindness may be reduced to the level of a nuisance or inconvenience. To combat the low expectations, misconceptions, and stereotypes that are the true barriers to achieving our dreams, the blind have organized for the same reasons other minorities have—to make positive social change through collective action”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Remember we lifted a toast to Donny Boggs who graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind? This was a great accomplishment for him, his family and the Ohio Affiliate. Also, we congratulated Dr. Carolyn Peters and Kathy Legg who became Presidents of their respective chapters, Miami Valley and Akron.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Remember we lost a great leader in Scott LaBarre? Please continue to pray for his family. Also, Kiana Hill passed away and keep her family in your prayers as well. Scott LaBarre booming and influential voice will be definitely missed at the annual conventions. But also he will be missed on the floor of Congress, as well as across the world. Kiana Hill was a quiet but dynamite individual. She really cared about people and made a difference in the community and the Akron Chapter. Please pray for peace for their families.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Members, Time is very short! We must band together, work together, learn together and serve together. We have work to do and no one has time to waste! We must do the work of the Federation in 2023 to our best abilities! I know that our Affiliate President, Richard Payne has great things coming in the works for us. He is definitely where he should be, and that is at the helm! He has kept us together and moving forward! We need you, so do not go anywhere! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Do you hear what I hear? These are the words that I know in my heart and I hope in yours, that blind people are calling for us, needing us, looking for us! Do you hear what I hear? We must move our Ohio Affiliate a little higher in service, commitment, dedication and togetherness in 2023! Do you hear what I hear? The work that we do is not going unnoticed! We, the Ohio affiliate is one of the premier states in this organization that has done good works! Do you hear what I hear? Our blind children need our advocacy, direction and the BELL Program to be re-implemented in 2023! Do you hear what I hear? Our students who need us to take a stand and join them in ensuring that they have everything they need in order to achieve their goals of graduating And entering into the world capable, successful and with great potential! Do you hear what I hear? We must honor our seniors, celebrate our achievements and prepare for the future! Do you hear what I hear? The Board of Directors of Ohio must move together, strong, powerful, and with direction! Do you hear what I hear? Our Chapters must increase membership, raise expectations of blind people, fundraise to help those in the community and educate new members on the philosophy of the organization! Do you hear what I hear? We must give to the organization’s framework promoting the programs and services through the PAC Plan, that allows members to give regularly and automatically less than $5 on a monthly basis. Do you hear what I hear? We must promote peace, love and joy throughout the year of 2023! Do you hear what I hear? Everyone is needed to do the work of the organization. So, let’s get to work!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk122518116'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I want to take time to thank you again for the work that you have done in 2022! Thank you, thank you and thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div></body></html>