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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p>Hello everyone, while I try to not speak for the NAGDU board members, I think I can say with confidence that everyone is excited for convention this year. I for one wish it was taking place in person, but hopefully, that will be a reality next year. For those of you know know that I reside in Houston Texas, I'm sure you can understand when I say that I personally can't wait for convention in 2023 even more than next year. Of course, everything is subject to change. Meanwhile, I have information to share with you about this year.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>As the NFB's second virtual convention this year gets close, NAGDU is doing a few things to get ready. This email contains a few updates, and a few requests. Therefore, I ask that you read it in its entirety so that you can be as informed as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>1. Elections. Just like every year at convention, NAGDU will hold elections for a few of its board positions. NAGDU staggers the elections so that there is not an entire new board elected every two years. Instead, the positions of President, Secretary, and two board positions are elected on even years while the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, and one board position are elected on odd years. Since voting can only be done by NAGDU members, it is important that your dues are current. Becoming a NAGDU member and paying dues can be done in two ways. First, you can become a member of NAGDU directly. Second, you can become a member of your state affiliate's guide dog user division. NAGDU will honor both types of memberships. For example, states like Colorado, California, and Texas have an affiliate guide dog user division. Therefore, if you are a member of that division, you are recognized as a member of NAGDU.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>2. Paying dues. NAGDU accepts dues through PayPal, the Cash app, and Venmo. If you want to write a check, you can also pay that way. Please refer to the membership page on <a href="http://www.nagdu.org">www.nagdu.org</a> for details. If you will pay your dues to your local state guide dog user division, please talk to one of its board members for details on how you can pay your dues.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>3. Deadlines. In order to have accurate information about the members, NAGDU is requesting that if you are a board member of a guide dog user affiliate, please submit your membership roster to NAGDU no later than June 1, 2021 this year. The roster should contain the name of the person and some form of contact information such as the phone number and/or email address and the state the member is registered with. Rosters can be submitted to the NAGDU board of directors at <a href="mailto:board@nagdu.org">board@nagdu.org</a> or to the treasurer at <a href="mailto:treasurer@nagdu.org">treasurer@nagdu.org</a>. Now, if you want to pay your dues directly to NAGDU and you wish to be eligible for voting this year, we ask that your dues be paid by NAGDU's seminar day this year.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>4. NAGDU Events at Convention. This year at convention, NAGDU will host at least two events. First, we will hold our annual seminar, which will be full of information as it pertains to current and prospective guide dog users. Everyone is welcome whether you are a guide dog user, a puppy raiser, a training program, or interested in finding out more information. Second, NAGDU will hold its annual business meeting. Just like with the seminar, we will have a lot of information to share with everyone whether you are a member or not. Elections will also be held at the business meeting. Please stay tuned for other possible events that NAGDU will be holding during convention time.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>5. NAGDU Yappy Hour. As you may be aware of, NAGDU holds a social get-together called Yappy Hour every other Saturday at 3 PM Eastern. Currently, the dates planned for Yappy hour between now and convention are May 29, June 12, and June 26. After that, the next one will be after convention on July 17.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>6. NAGDU Guide Dog Matters. The NAGDU Guide Dog Matters meeting, which is normally held once per month on the third Sunday, will be different for June. Because of Father's Day, Guide Dog Matters will take place on June 13 at 3 PM Eastern time. The next one after that will take place on August 15.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>7. Board Meetings and other public meetings. NAGDU will still have its monthly board meetings and is also planning on holding at least one public event to discuss other topics of interest to the guide dog user community. We ask that you watch for announcements of these events for detailed information as it becomes available.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>8. Contacting NAGDU. You can always contact the NAGDU board of directors by emailing <a href="mailto:board@nagdu.org">board@nagdu.org</a>. You can also give us a call or send us a text at (346) 439-7444. We highly recommend subscribing to the public events calendar from your mobile device. By doing so, you can stay up-to-date with the various events that NAGDU and that other state affiliate guide dog user divisions are doing.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>As always, we look forward to hearing from you.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>-- <br>Respectfully,<br><b>Raul A. Gallegos</b> / President<br>National Association of Guide Dog Users, <i>NAGDU</i><br>346.439.7444 | <a href="mailto:rgallegos@nagdu.org">RGallegos@nagdu.org</a><br><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/nagdu.org_7eopjofhnd4968m46rcmgrck0s%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics">Subscribe to the NAGDU Public Events Calendar Here</a><br><a href="https://app.greminders.com/c/rgatechsolutions/r30/">Schedule a 30-minute Zoom meeting with me here</a><br><a href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/nagdu">Join NAGDU on Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nagdu">Follow NAGDU on Twitter</a><br><br>"Blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap." -- Dr. Kenneth Jernigan<br><br><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>