<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Freestyle Script";
panose-1:3 8 4 2 3 2 5 11 4 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear Greater Berks Chapter Family,<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'>I hope this message finds you well and feeling energized as we continue the important work of building the Federation right here in our local community.<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'>As we look ahead to our next chapter meeting on Saturday, June 21, 2025, I’m inviting each of you to accept a fun and meaningful challenge:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to learn the NFB Pledge by heart and come ready to recite it together at the meeting.<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'>The NFB Pledge is more than just words—it’s a powerful affirmation of who we are and what we stand for as members of the National Federation of the Blind. It reflects our deep commitment to achieving equality, expanding opportunity, and securing independence so that every blind person can live the life you want. Whether we are mentoring new members, advocating for policy change, educating the public, or building community through our chapter work, this pledge reminds us that we are part of a movement—one that grows stronger each time we speak, act, and stand together.<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'>At the heart of our Federation’s spirit is the belief that we care, we share, we grow, we make a difference. This simple phrase embodies our dedication to supporting one another, exchanging knowledge and experience, growing as individuals and as a community, and creating lasting change in the lives of blind people everywhere. Learning and reciting this pledge is a meaningful way to bring those values to life in our chapter and beyond.<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'>This pledge is traditionally spoken during the opening session of both our national and state conventions, and by learning it, we’ll be able to begin our own chapter meetings with the same powerful statement of unity and purpose. Reciting the pledge at the start of each meeting will help us build a stronger sense of identity, pride, and connection within our chapter and reinforce the mission we all share.<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'>Here is the full text of the pledge:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>to support the policies and programs of the Federation;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and to abide by its constitution.<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'>Let’s rise to the challenge and come prepared on June 21 to recite the pledge—boldly, confidently, and with pride in the movement we are all helping to build. No disguises, no explosions—just the power of our collective voice and our unwavering commitment to changing what it means to be blind.<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'>And if you’re not able to fully memorize the pledge by the meeting—no hard feelings. This challenge is about participation and spirit, not perfection. Whether you recite it from memory or read along with the group, what matters most is that you show up and join in.<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'>Together, we will continue to build the Federation—one member, one meeting, one mission at a time—empowering everyone to truly live the life you want. I’m proud to be part of this journey with each of you and excited to see the impact we make when we stand united.<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'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script";mso-ligatures:none'>Brian A. Mackey<br></span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><br>Brian A. Mackey<br>President, National Federation of the Blind of PA Greater Berks Chapter<br>Webmaster, National Federation of the Blind Multiple State Affiliates<br>Board Member & Webmaster, Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association<br>609-680-8488<br></span><a href="mailto:Bmackey88@gmail.com"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>Bmackey88@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><br><br><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>“We Care! We Share! We Grow! We Make A Difference!”<br> <i>-Joseph Ruffalo, Jr. (July 6, 1949 – May 3, 2022)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>