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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Ohio Members,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I want to encourage each of you to consider the following.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you have first-time attendees or new members in your chapter, let's work together to get them to our 80th State Convention in Dayton, Ohio. This convention could be the opportunity they need to begin their journey toward “living the lives they want”.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Cleveland already has a charter bus reserved and ready to go. If you know of a member who wants to attend but is struggling with transportation, please reach out to me. We should do everything we can to help.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>This is the reason we raise funds.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>While we certainly enjoy using our treasury for fellowship activities such as picnics and social events, we should also use those funds to help members access programs and services that can truly change their lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you are in Northeast Ohio and have a first-time attendee or new member who has expressed interest in attending the convention but has limited transportation or financial resources, please contact me. Together, we can ensure these individuals have the opportunity to participate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>For the rest of the state, I encourage chapters to work together by combining resources, sharing fundraising efforts, and supporting one another in getting members to the Marriott for convention. As some of our programs, services, and protections continue to face challenges in 2026, it is more important than ever that we come together as an organization and invest in our members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Attached are flyers that you can share with anyone interested in riding the charter bus to the convention. Please distribute them widely. Reach out to colleges, rehabilitation counselors, community organizations, and other networks to let them know about this opportunity. If they know blind students, clients, family members, or others who could benefit from attending, encourage them to learn more by visiting our website and joining us for what promises to be an inspiring and life-changing convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for your partnership and your commitment to making this convention accessible to as many people as possible. Together, we can make a difference!<span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Share the below and attached flyer!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Join Cleveland as we have room for you, you and you to travel with us to the 2026 80<sup>th</sup> NFB of Ohio State Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Convention dates:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thursday, November 5, 2026, through Sunday, November 8, 2026.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“Reflecting Our Journey, Shaping a New Vision: Empowering Members to Inspire the Future.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We will reside at the University of Dayton Marriott Hotel,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>1414 S. Patterson Road, Dayton, Ohio 45409<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Reserve your room at (800) 627-7468.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Bring your relatives, friends and those who have concerns for the blind of Ohio, seniors, Social Workers, Teachers and others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='text-align:center;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The bus will leave Thursday, November 5, 2026 from McDonald’s Restaurant, 3050 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Boarding will begin at 7:00 A.M., and departure will be at 7:30 A.M.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='text-align:center;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In addition, the bus will stop in Akron, Ohio to pick-up our fellow members around 8:30 A.M, at McDonald’s Restaurant, located at 1720 W. Exchanged Street, Akron, Ohio 44313.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='text-align:center;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>And, if there are any members in Columbus, you are also welcome to journey with us!<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>On Sunday, November 8, 2026 after reflecting Our journey, shaping a new vision and members have been transformed, the bus will depart the hotel at 1:00 headed back to our final destination of Cleveland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The cost for a round-trip seat is $120.00 per person. However, to secure/reserve that seat is a “nonrefundable” cost of $30.00 due by March 21, 2026. All funds are due by September 21, 2026.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Payments:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>* Mail: If you are paying by check or money order, send funds to,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Attention Natassha Ricks<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cleveland Chapter, 6980 Ladd Ln.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Maple Heights, Ohio 44137<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Add in the memo: “Name, Dayton Trip”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please make checks or money orders to: Cleveland Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>* By Zelle:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:NFB.CLE.Treasurer@gmail.com">NFB.CLE.Treasurer@gmail.com</a> and add 50 cents for a processing fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>* The Cleveland Chapter meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Note: Installments are also encouraged to assist with securing your transportation to Dayton.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please contact Treasurer Natassha to notify her of your designated payment at<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(216) 376-9863.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Chacity Gilliam, Vice president at (216) 644-4374<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>