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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Virginia Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are thrilled to announce that National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono has agreed to come to our August 17 meeting at the Westin Tysons Corner. All members are welcome to come to the lunch and meeting to meet President Riccobono and engage in an exciting program. We expect there will be significant time for questions and we hope you can help us learn and grow together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition to an interactive membership seminar with president Riccobono, the second focus of the board meeting will be plans for our 2019 NFB of Virginia convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Plans are coming together fast but we wanted to share information as things are being finalized. Since August 17 is exactly one month away, we will need you to act fast to tell us you are coming and make your reservation for the luncheon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, August 17<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Luncheon Meeting Featuring President Riccobono at Noon<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Membership Seminar and Board of Directors Meeting from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapters may wish to make this a chapter excursion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Since the luncheon meeting starts at Noon, we assume many of you can come on Saturday morning. However, we recognize that some people would prefer to stay overnight and we have established a negotiated room block for both Friday and Saturday evenings. It is essential to meet our room block commitment so please use the room block for your reservation. You will need to make reservations very quickly to meet our cutoff date so start considering your plans now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Very shortly, we will provide details on making a lunch reservation and about how to make hotel reservations in our negotiated room block at $89 + tax per night.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We believe that individuals could take the early Amtrak from Norfolk/Alexandria on Saturday morning and arrive with sufficient time to attend the lunch and return on the train on Saturday afternoon/evening.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>During Saturday morning, President Riccobono will be meeting with participants in the Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute and students attending the Southeast Regional Student Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Between all parties including the students from around the Southeast region, we anticipate over 100 people at the luncheon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are truly excited that President Riccobono is joining us and we hope you can make plans to be in attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please start thinking about your questions and we will outline a means to capture questions so President Riccobono is prepared.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have questions for me, please do not hesitate to ask.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>