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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:red'>Happy Holidays!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Season’s Greetings, Federation family, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>I hope this finds you and yours happy and healthy as we move through the holiday season. I wish for you, your friends and family, that this time of year create happy memories that will last a lifetime regardless of what holiday you choose, or not, to celebrate. Thank you for living the lives that you want and, by doing, so demonstrating that blindness does not hold you back. The work that we do together and the lives that we individually lead are and will continue making a difference in the lives of blind people across the state of Oklahoma. Our work will continue in forward momentum with growth in new chapters, strength in existing chapters and in raising expectations of ourselves, each other and those that we meet along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President Riccobono sends his warm wishes in the following message:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This week's video is my thank you to everyone for their support in 2015 and season's greetings from the Federation. <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>It can be viewed at </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hZoUOnT0hU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hZoUOnT0hU</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we approach the Christmas holiday, I want to extend my warmest wishes for you and your family. It is truly a blessing to be able to serve with each of you and to help make the difference we make together. I am grateful for what the Federation has done and continues to do in my life. Here’s hoping that each of you have lots of time with family and friends during this special time of year and that all who are traveling encounter no problems.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>You may recognize the voice of the person who says, “Every day we raise expectations…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>I appreciate your continued support as President of the Affiliate and as I navigate my new role as Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind. We have tremendous Affiliate and National Boards with Federationists who put their hearts and souls as well as countless volunteer hours into the work that they do for all blind people. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>**A Note about our Annual NFBOK State Convention**<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Our affiliate convention will be held in Tulsa beginning Thursday evening, March 31<sup>st</sup> thru Sunday, April 3<sup>rd</sup>. It will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown. In the week or so to come, there will be a link that will direct you to reserve your rooms. Chapter and Division Presidents, please let me know if you want to request time and space for special meetings. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>More details and registration information will be made available in the coming weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Happy holidays and hope for a great start to the beginning of the new year!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Warmly, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Jeannie M. Massay, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>National Federation of theBlind <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>505 Baker Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Norman, OK 73072<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Phone: 405-600-0695<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><a href="mailto:Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org">Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise expectations of the blind because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds you back. You can live the life youw ant.!. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>“Whatever you dare to dream, begin.” – Goethe <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>