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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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am hopeful that this message finds you and yours happy, healthy and warm! The temperature has significantly cooled down over the last few days and it is certainly beginning to feel like Winter will soon be upon us. However, the work of the National Federation of the Blind never ceases. Dates for the 2017 Oklahoma National Federation of the Blind Affiliate Convention have been set for April 7-9 in Oklahoma City. Details regarding convention registration and hotel reservation are coming shortly!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have a wonderful remainder of 2016!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please read on for information from President Riccobono.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm wishes and regards, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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>Dear Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is a lot of speculation about what is going to happen with the incoming administration in Washington, DC. It is worth noting that the Federation continues to seek proactive policy changes in Washington rather than simply react to the political winds of the moment. Of course, changes in government always cause us to take a step back and retool our strategy to make sure we can get the maximum advantage for blind people. Furthermore, we are lining up some potential priorities that will take advantage of where we anticipate Congress and our new president focusing their energy. As we plan for our 2017 Washington Seminar, I encourage each of us to stay focused on building relationships with our elected leaders. Remember that no member of Congress knows more about blindness and the true barriers that stand in our way than the members of the National Federation of the Blind. This is our time to move our<o:p></o:p></p><h2><o:p> </o:p></h2><h2>News:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Welcome New Members into the Family: <br>This week we are rolling out a new program to welcome new members into the Federation, as well as to collect their contact information. Starting with those members that have joined since July, and then continuing monthly moving forward, affiliate and chapter presidents (or their designees) should enter new members' contact information into the form located at <a href="https://nfb.org/new-member-form">https://nfb.org/new-member-form</a>. In addition to contact information, we will need to know if the new member has a cane or would like one, what his or her preferred method of receiving materials is, and what chapter the new member is joining. Once the form has been submitted, the new member will begin receiving a series of welcome letters from leaders across the Federation, including two letters from me. Affiliate presidents will receive a new member list monthly to facilitate follow up with new members. Your help is very much appreciated as we endeavor to collect information and assist you in engaging the new members' involvement in our family.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Ready to Slam That!?:<br>The 2017 NFB Youth Slam, a weeklong program for blind students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, will be held July 23-29, 2017, at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Applications for the program are now available online for <a href="https://nfb.org/youth-slam-student-application">students</a> and <a href="https://nfb.org/youth-slam-volunteer-application">adult volunteers</a>. For more details, visit <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam">http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'>Holiday Schedule:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>The national office will be closed Monday, December 26, and Friday, December 30, for Christmas and New Year's respectively. The Independence Market will be closed the entire week of December 26-30, and will reopen on Monday, January 2.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Washington Seminar:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><br>The Holiday Inn Capitol is accepting reservations for the 2017 Washington Seminar, which will occur from January 30–February 2. Please call (877) 572-6951 or go to <a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">https://nfb.org/washington-seminar</a> to make your reservations using booking code F7B.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'>The rates are $188 a night for a room accommodating up to four persons, and the applicable tax is 14.5 percent. These rates are good for check in as early as January 29 and check out by February 3. While the reservation deadline is December 28, I urge you to take care of this now before the holidays get too busy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>*(*If you are planning on attending the upcoming Washington Seminar at the end of January and plan on doing so as a member of the Oklahoma delegation,please let your affiliate President know! We want to make sure that everyone has the schedule for our meetings with our members on the Hill. Send me an e-mail or give me a call at the information below!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><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'>Live the life you want!<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 you want.!. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>