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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1>The Vigilant - October 2019<o:p></o:p></h1><h1><o:p> </o:p></h1><h2>Joe Orozco, Editor<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>From the President’s Desk<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The flurry of activity across the affiliate can only mean we are deep into state convention planning. Thanks to the generous support from members from all chapters, those plans are nearly final, and I am truly pleased with an agenda I believe you will find invigorating.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By now everyone should have seen the special flyers targeting key highlights for Seniors, Students, Parents, and working age adults. There will literally be something for everyone, but to make it truly special, you need to join us and invite some friends to come with you. We need you to help encourage others to participate in this year’s convention. The programming will be thought-provoking, but your presence will make it memorable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Membership Coins<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At our 2019 National Federation of the Blind of Virginia convention, we will be distributing membership coins to the individuals who are on the membership list. We need to ensure that people who joined chapters in the past 6 months are not forgotten. Chapters should work with Sandy Halverson to get updated information into our New Member Form. Coins will be distributed on Friday and we will do a special event on Saturday morning to recognize our members. The membership coins are provided free to our members and are a symbol of our efforts to come together to advance our cause for freedom and independence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sandy can be reached via email at: sjh300@outlook.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Special Dietary Requests for Banquet<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of Sandy, she is also our point person for special dietary requests for the state banquet. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free requests will be accommodated. Kosher meals should be shipped to the hotel to the attention of the guest. Please notify Sandy no later than Friday, October 25 if your needs fall into the other categories.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Membership Coin Holders On Sale at convention<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have received many questions about the special NFB of Virginia Membership Coin Holders. These coin holders turn your membership coin into a pendent or key chain so you can display it proudly. The custom made, stainless steel coin holders will be available for sale for $20 at the convention. We believe we have sufficient coin holders to cover demand. However, if you would like to reserve a coin holder in advance of convention, please contact Chris Walker to reserve your coin holder.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Walker can be reached via email at: chrisvinson1@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: coin holders can be purchased with cash or check. We cannot accept credit cards for the purchase of a coin holder.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Convention Financial Assistance<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State convention runs from Friday morning of November 1 through Sunday at noon on November 3. As such, some people will choose to arrive on Thursday evening. The state convention is far and away one of our key annual highlights in the affiliate, but it also means the event needs to be properly budgeted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Every year the affiliate president receives a few requests for convention assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules in place to help clarify expectations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email. Your request should factor in the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. What are my total expected costs?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please take into account travel, lodging, meals, a banquet ticket, and convention registration. I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to the Renaissance Portsmouth. You need to do the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and you don’t want to miss it. Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate requests posted to our announce list starting soon. Brittany Ingram has agreed to help with connecting people with roommates. She can be reached at: <a href="mailto:brittany.e.crone@gmail.com">brittany.e.crone@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. What can I afford myself?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>No one will be going to convention for free. You will need to provide some of the funding for convention. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a significant contribution to your convention expenses. You should be factoring in this expense into your budget.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. What is my chapter contributing?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your chapter is a resource for financial assistance. Please do not come to the Virginia Affiliate requesting financial assistance if you have not asked your local chapter first. I will be following up with chapter presidents to understand how you are contributing at the chapter level to programming and fundraising.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. How much are you requesting from the affiliate <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance. Mark Roane will provide funding at convention but you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. It is not Mark’s job to hunt you down at convention and it is not Mark’s job to provide you funds as you walk into the hotel. However, Mark will gladly sell you some Virginia Peanuts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of selling, fundraising is the means through which we have the resources to provide financial assistance. When I talk to your chapter president, I am checking to determine if you are engaged in the chapter and affiliate fundraising. We will certainly be selling items at the convention (coin holders, peanuts, etc.) and you will be expected to help with that activity if you receive financial assistance. We will need marshals and other volunteers across the convention. We will ask you to assist. You should be hustling throughout convention and afterward back in Virginia to help sell our products to fund our movement. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are asking that requests are submitted no later than October 7, 2019. You should be planning in advance, booking your hotel room and taking advantage of the early registration pricing. Remember, all the information you need about the hotel, registration and other essential details are on the convention landing page: nfbv.org/convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We want everyone to join us in Portsmouth and we hope this guidance clarifies the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address them. My email is tracy.soforenko@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Project RISE Growing Statewide <o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am truly thrilled by the success we continue to experience with Project RISE. We had 17 students at our Northern Virginia kickoff event in September. The students ended the session by joining Federationists from across Virginia, Maryland, and DC at a DC Area-wide chapter event at National Harbor. We have 26 students signed up for the program and the program is still growing. Our students are having a remarkable experience, and they are sharing the program with their friends. Expect to see many of these students at our state convention. If you know students between the ages of 14-21, have them check out our web site: NFBV.org/rise, or contact the coordinators at rise@nfbv.org.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please note that in order to fully participate at the Project RISE specific programming at the state convention, we need students to apply to the program in early October. Details on applying online can be found at the web site listed above.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Virginia Affiliate Audit committee<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the following individuals have agreed to serve as the 2019 Virginia Affiliate Audit Committee:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Sean McMahon, Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jacki Brown<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Harold Wilson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Why do we volunteer so much of our time to this movement? Maybe it’s because of the vast number of people we would have never met had we never joined the organization, people who in some cases become lifelong friends. Maybe it’s because we understand that for every blind person we see confidently heading off to work in the morning, there are too many blind people who are still struggling to be given that first chance. Maybe it’s because someone gave, us, a chance, and the organization provides the best vehicle to give back. Whatever the reason, I am so blessed to be among you, a warm and vibrant group who has played a significant role in shaping me into the person I am today. You make the hard work fulfilling. You make it exciting. You make it worth it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours in service,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>This Month’s Words of Inspiration<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='line-height:140%'><em><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>“Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don’t listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won’t tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff.”</span></em><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'> – Catherine M. Wallace<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>The Chapter Leadership Institute 2019-2020<o:p></o:p></h2><h2>By Domonique Lawless and Joe Orozco<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How would you feel if you had applied for a leadership program, only to be told at the interview point blank that the coordinators aren’t sure if you have what it takes to make it through the year?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How would you feel if your application stirred enough uncertainty to require a second telephone call?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How would you feel if these interviews were used as a means to scrutinize and interrogate some of your personal challenges?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Would you still be interested in being considered for the program?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We love our Chapter Leadership Institute participants. We believe in them and are fiercely protective of them, and if we are a little hard on them, it is only because we want them to dig deep and discover that sturdy stuff we know they are all made of in order that they might propel their local chapters to new heights of success. And, well, as we told them in their acceptance letters earlier this evening, we now have almost a year under our belts, which makes us a little smarter about pushing them out of their comfort zones in new and creative ways.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Without further delay, please join us in congratulating next year’s class in the Chapter Leadership Institute.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h3>2019-2020 Class Roster<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Renee Valdez: Greater Alexandria Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Christine Grassman: Potomac Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Brittany Ingram: Fredericksburg chapter <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Oscar Montiel : Prince William Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Lois Fritz: Peninsula Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jennifer Rae Blinsmon: Tidewater chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Patrick Johnson: At Large Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Annie Ascher: Chesapeake Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Annette Carr: Fairfax Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Michael Kitchens: Tidewater Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jimmy Morris: Richmond Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Naim Abu-El Hawa: Potomac Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Bobbie (Roberta) Cohen : Fairfax Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jacki Bruce: Greater Williamsburg Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jessica Reed: Fredericksburg Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>Learning To Lead One Step At A Time<o:p></o:p></h2><h2>By Brittany Ingram<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The journey that has brought me to this point in my life, where i am furiously trying to balance family, personal health, and volunteer responsibilities has been a long and tiresome road. i have been asked to share some of my journey with you and I hope I can do my story justice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At first glance, I am not an image of perfect leadership. I never dreamed of really taking the world by storm or making a career out of activism. I am quiet, reserved, introverted, a reader, and a thinker. I enjoy a simple lifestyle that includes good homemade meals and playing with my baby. So when I received a phone call that would up root my quiet little world, I was you could say, blind-sighted. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have been a member of the National Federation of the Blind since I was nine years old. I lost my sight when I was five and was told when I was six that I was broken. My blindness is due to childhood abuse which resulted in Steven Johnson Syndrome. After being placed in foster care I was told that because my eyes were damaged my family did not want me. Of course this was completely absurd and my grandmother was quick to gain custody of both me and my little brother; but the words calling me unwanted and broken have never really left me. And they were quite believable until my grandmother decided to expose me to the organization where blind and broken are as opposite as earth and sky. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I remember all the events of my years with the organization running through my mind when the president of the Historic Fredericksburg chapter called me in July of 2018. My daughter was about nine months old and since she had been born I had only gone to one monthly meeting and had not even thought to pay my yearly dues. For all intents and purposes i was inactive and focusing on learning to parent as a blind mother. So I was shocked to say the least when I was asked to participate in the Virginia Chapter Leadership Program. I immediately thought I was the wrong person for the job. I was not an example of strong blind independence and I had a baby girl who was starting to show signs of needing additional attention and care. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yet, I thought of how much smaller and disinterested the chapter had seemed the last time I had been there and I started to feel both sadness and resolve building up. For reasons I did not fully comprehend, they wanted me to represent the Fredericksburg chapter in this leadership thing. I sighed and agreed just so long as it did not interfere with my parenting duties. I made it clear that as much as I loved and believed in the NFB, my daughter came first. And so i was in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have been on a roller coaster ride this past year. I started out with very little confidence, ability, or even conviction. Doubts, second guesses, and fear of imperfection and useless contributions have plagued my heart and mind for months. But something strange and unexpected has also been coming over me; and it all started in December when a project was sent out for the Leadership members to complete in preparation for our first gathering in January. It was a personality quiz that highlighted your strengths, preferences, and overall character. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I was once again taken by surprise. Here was something that told me what I was good at. Organization, communication, and staying focused. I felt like I was looking into the mirror for the first time. And as time passed, I began to recognize those and other skills coming forward. I noticed how certain traits translated beyond my leadership role and into my role as wife and mother, friend and sister, and how it began to shape my daily priorities. I was curious and when that happens there is only one result; I go diving into books and research everything I can get my hands on. How could I utilize these traits and skills into my leadership role to their most productive uses? What really defines leadership and do I have all the qualifications? Is there a way to use my shortcomings and weaknesses as effectively as I use my strengths and talents? The answers were right there if I could only find them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is what I have learned so far. I will probably never stop discovering new philosophies, debatable definitions, and opinionated preferences when it comes to leadership. But, between the conversations with the other participants, all the books and resource materials, and my own revelations; I also am beginning to understand who I am and how I personally portray the image of a leader. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everything in life is about balancing priorities, knowing yourself well enough to know when to draw the line in the sand, and not wish any tie on what you are not fully passionate about. This past year I have not only made some great friends through this program, but I have discovered who I really am, the kind of person I want to model for my daughter, and the kind of partner I hope to be for my husband. Doubt and fear are still a daily obstacle for me, but I am learning to work with them and use them to my advantage; as reasons for doing instead of reasons for running. I still have a lot to learn, a lot to improve on, but leadership is no different than any other goal in life; I just have to slow down, breathe deeply, and take the journey one step at a time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>NFB Pledge<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I pledge to participate actively in the effort 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>