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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>In the past few weeks we have been monitoring guidance from legislators in Richmond. Though there is competing guidance by individual office for in person appointments, all delegates and senators are holding appointments virtually; therefore, our Legislative Committee decided our advocacy could best be met by holding all our Richmond visits via Zoom on Tuesday, January 18. Pivoting to this format will simplify team assignments, which allows our team leaders to secure appointments more easily between constituents and their representatives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFBV board of directors meeting on Monday, January 17 will also be held over Zoom. The details for this will be distributed separately.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Project RISE and Chapter leadership Institute activities will be conducted in person with strict protocols for participation. Directions for these select groups will be provided directly by their respective program coordinators.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For everyone else, here are the necessary details:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'>First, hotel Rooms. If you made a reservation at the Delta Hotel, please cancel this reservation no later than 24 hours before your original arrival date without penalty. The affiliate is not responsible for reimbursing any charges resulting from failures to cancel these reservations. You can cancel your reservation by calling: 804-788-0900.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'>Second, we welcome everyone to attend our board meeting on Monday, January 17 at 1 PM to learn about our issues. This week, the Legislative Committee will connect everyone who signed up for Richmond Seminar to a virtual team. Our Team Leaders will start reaching out to legislators to book virtual appointments.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'>Lastly, if you still want to participate and have not told Stewart Prost, please reach out to Stewart <a href="mailto:sprost82@gmail.com">sprost82@gmail.com</a> with your name and address by Monday, January 10.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast>We are very excited about our legislative priorities and believe these changes will allow us to be at our most effective. Though meeting virtually was not our original plan, and we are disappointed to have to make these last minute adjustments, we are confident these changes will create the most optimal opportunities for everyone involved. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.<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"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></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>