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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1>Federation family, <o:p></o:p></h1><h1><o:p> </o:p></h1><h1>The following message is from President Riccobono. Please read on for important news and updates regarding the upcoming solar eclipse, the NFB Pledge and the 2018 NFBOK Convention. <o:p></o:p></h1><h1><o:p> </o:p></h1><h1>President’s Notebook<o:p></o:p></h1><h1>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></h1><h1>Mark A. Riccobono<o:p></o:p></h1><h1><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></h1><h1>(410) 659-9314<o:p></o:p></h1><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>This week I have been thinking a lot about how we carry out the activities of the National Federation of the Blind and what broader impact the Federation philosophy might have on society. We value equality, and we work to eliminate discrimination based on the characteristic of blindness. Although I would argue that our philosophy about the impact of emphasizing certain characteristics over others applies to many other aspects of our society. It is certainly relevant this week as the subject of race has again become a dividing factor in our society.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This week we put two messages on the rooftop sign at the National Federation of the Blind. The first is “Reject Racism,” and the second is “Stand Against Hate.” Both of these are consistent with the spirit and values we attempt to live in the Federation. The National Federation of the Blind has helped me to better relate to those whose backgrounds and experiences were different than mine. I have had the opportunity to spend time with blind people who have had no opportunities and are struggling to get by. I have spent time with blind people who have faced significant discrimination that continues to hold them back. I have spent time with blind people who think they have never experienced discrimination and they wonder what it feels like. And I have spent time with blind people who believed that they made it on their own and that the work of our movement gave them no advantage. It is the Federation that taught me to find the common bond we have in our experiences as blind people and to use that as a tool for advancing opportunities for all blind people, including myself. By seeking first to relate to others, the Federation has opened up opportunities for me to engage with outstanding people that I might have otherwise never had the chance to learn from.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we seek to carry out the work of the Federation within our great nation, I encourage us to use the learning we have gained from the Federation to teach others how they might approach building our communities in better ways. Equality is a value we hold and it is something that we understand well based on our shared experience as blind people. This week I have been asking myself how we might use that knowledge to help others recognize that same value in the space they occupy on a daily basis. As we struggle to figure out that tricky question, I would suggest that one of the best things we can do is continue to live the Federation philosophy in everything we do. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are sending the notebook on Friday so we can share with you the information about how to observe the eclipse on Monday in unique ways. Please share your accounts of experiences with the eclipse as it would make interesting content for our publications. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><h2>News:<o:p></o:p></h2><h2><o:p> </o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Solar Eclipse:<br>Next Monday, a total solar eclipse will pass across the United States. <a href="http://eclipsesoundscapes.org./">The eclipse soundscape project</a> is providing a unique opportunity to experience the eclipse nonvisually through haptic feedback using a rumble map, and through audio descriptions unlocked in real time as the eclipse moves overhead. <span style='color:black;background:white'>Due to the change in light, nocturnal animals stir into action, while diurnal animals settle. As the sun’s light re-emerges, it often triggers a “false dawn chorus,”</span> recordings of which will be gathered from across the country and shared in the wake of the eclipses passing. An accessible iPhone app is already available, and an Android app is coming soon. For those without a smartphone, MP3 files will be available from the eclipse soundscape project’s website.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Origins of the NFB Pledge:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><br>A recent request was made to the tenBroek Library staff to research how the National Federation of the Blind pledge was created. Federationists recite our pledge at every chapter meeting, state convention, and national convention. The pledge that we all know and use today came about during the 1974 NFB National convention. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan first spoke about the idea of a formal pledge to show one’s support for the organization during that year’s Presidential Report. He also hosted a special reception during that convention, complete with a receiving line including the entire NFB Executive Committee, now known as the NFB Board of Directors. Every member who walked through that receiving line received an official NFB membership card with these words printed on the back:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:1.0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i>I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>NFBOK 2018 Convention:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>The 2018 NFBOK Convention is scheduled for Thursday evening, April 12 thru Sunday morning, April 15, 2018. The 2018 convention is in Tulsa at the Doubletree Warren Place. Mark your calendars and definitely save the date! Lots more information coming your way, stay tuned! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>Have a great weekend!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>Best, <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><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<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'> <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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>