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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Federation family, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please see the below message from Julie A. McGinnity, President of the Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Affiliate Presidents,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My name is Julie McGinnity, and I currently serve as the president of the National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division. You may remember me as a scholarship winner (2011, 2013) or as the singer of the National Anthem at the national convention last year. At present, I am interning at our national office. But today I reach out to you as the president of a division that needs support. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division has great potential. We have a unique perspective from which we can build the federation. Like all divisions, we engage members who may not otherwise consider joining the federation. For example, we provide blind stage performers with mentors and foster opportunities for blind sound engineers to learn about accessible recording studio technologies. In addition, our voices could lead the charge or start the applause when blind characters appear in the newest feature films and prime time television shows. I believe that this division could evolve into a resource for affiliate presidents, fellow divisions, and others in the federation. After all, this organization is full of talent. Listen to the Rhythm of the Movement cd if you don’t believe me. The Performing Arts Division could be a home and a network for those who wish to develop their talents. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The paragraph above only outlines a few of the potential avenues for the Performing Arts division. It is up to the membership to decide how we reach out to blind performers and use our skills to build the federation. So I write this message not only to spread awareness of the division but also with the hope of gaining representation from more of our affiliates. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We would like to invite affiliates to point potential leaders or interested members towards the Performing Arts Division. Our board is eager to grow this division, which stands ready to be a resource for anyone involved in the performing arts. Anyone who may have an interest in our work or has ideas is invited to contact me at the info in my signature. You may also reach the entire board of the division by sending an email to <a href="mailto:nfbpad@gmail.com">nfbpad@gmail.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing many of you at convention! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours in the movement, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Julie A. McGinnity <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind Summer Intern<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>200 East Wells Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:jmcginnity@nfb.org">jmcginnity@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Office: 410-659-9314 Ex. 2525 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have interest in the Performing Arts, I encourage you to become involved in this division. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeannie <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Jeannie M. Massay, M.A., LPC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>330 W. Gray Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Suite 415<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Norman, OK 73069 <a href="mailto:jmassay1@cox.net">jmassay1@cox.net</a> <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'>Fax: 405-310-4686 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>