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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>Happy New Year,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need you in Richmond. We have exciting legislation but the General Assembly needs to know that blind people care and are willing to show up and advocate for our needs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie has effectively outlined the details below but now the call to action is on you. January 16 is so close and we need to schedule appointments in advance. As a result, we need to know if you are coming.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=A><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'>Are you joining us? Let bonnie know right away so she can get you onto a team. We are building out the set of team assignments next week and we really need to know. Please include your address so we can make certain you get to meet with your legislators in Richmond. Please email Bonnie and carbon copy your chapter president.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraph><a href="mailto:Bonoday@gmail.com">Bonoday@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph> <o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=A><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'>Book your hotel room – Just because the Virginia affiliate is reimbursing shared hotel stays, it is on you to book your room. We looked at the room block and observe that many who have communicated you are attending have not yet booked a room. Others told me they might attend and have not booked a room. Unless Joe is booking your room for a Project RISE event, it is on you to book your own room. Get those reservations booked at the Delta. If you need a roommate, please reach out to Domonique Lawless by 12/31 as indicated below.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><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></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFBV-Announce <nfbv-announce-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>jackibruce6--- via NFBV-Announce<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, November 10, 2022 9:24 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFBV Announce <nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBV-Announce] Democracy in Action: Join us for Richmond Seminar - January 16-17<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>From Bonnie O’Day, NFB of Virginia General Assembly Legislative Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:bonnoday@gmail.com">bonnoday@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please join us for Richmond Seminar to ensure our voice is heard in the Virginia General Assembly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Whether you have attended many Richmond Seminars, or this will be your first one, we strongly encourage you to attend and participate in representative democracy in action. We are planning for an exclusively in-person Richmond Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>When: <o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>Monday, January 16, Martin Luther King Day. We will hold an important NFBV Board Meeting to discuss legislative issues and get organized. On Tuesday, January 17, we will meet with our Senators and Delegates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>How it Works: <o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>Please attend the NFBV Board Meeting on Monday to learn about the issues. Plan to stay overnight at the Delta Marriott Richmond on Monday night and enjoy an evening of conviviality with your NFBV family. You will be assigned a team to meet with legislators on Tuesday, sharing our issues and answering the questions of legislators and their staff. The affiliate will reimburse transportation and hotel expenses. The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia can reimburse these expenses through the generosity of the many donors to the Charlie Brown Memorial Fund. We are grateful for these contributions which honor Charlie’s commitment to ensuring we all have a voice in advocacy for the rights of blind people in Virginia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>Where it All Happens: <o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>Our board meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM Monday afternoon, January 16 at the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Campus, 395 Azalea Avenue, Richmond. We will meet in the Library & Resource Center (LRC) or perhaps in the gymnasium if construction has started at the LRC building. Lunch will be available at the cafeteria on the premises prior to the meeting. On Monday night, we will stay at the Delta Hotel by Marriott, 555 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>On Tuesday morning, we will be going to the offices of the General Assembly in the Pocahontas Building. Our meetings are typically between 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Your team will likely have 10 appointments during this brief time window. Your team leader will facilitate the process, but everyone will play a role on the team. By Noon, we are gathering back up to return home. It is quick, exciting, and the legislators and their staff are happy we came to speak with them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We look forward to reconnecting in person while being mindful of and compliant with all visiting requirements observed at Marriott properties, the DBVI campus, and the capitol.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>The Issues:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>The issues we will bring to Richmond are still under consideration but will most likely include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'>Improving the accessibility of technology used by K-12 students, college students, state employees, and users of Virginia government resources<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'>Expanding resources for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We will present the final list of issues and fact sheets at the board meeting on Monday, January 16. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>What You Need to Do:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>We have bills being drafted that will need co-sponsors. Chapter Presidents should contact their General Assembly members in their local offices before the end of the year. All Chapter members are encouraged to participate in these meetings. A meeting with our elected legislators in their home districts will go a long way in establishing the recognition that is needed for our visit to Richmond. If you need assistance identifying your delegate, need help in setting up a meeting, or do secure a meeting and need additional information about our issues, please contact me, Bonnie O'Day (my contact information is below.).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Let your chapter president know you will be attending the Richmond Seminar, but also copy Bonnie. Chapter presidents will arrange cost effective transportation for their chapter members. Individuals are expected to share hotel rooms and must obtain hotel reservations themselves at the NFB of Virginia rate, which is $145 per night plus taxes. We reimburse based on having two people share a room, so we ask you to plan for a roommate. If you need assistance finding a roommate, please call/text Domonique Lawless: (615) 904-4225, no later than Saturday, December 31 to allow matches to make their reservation by the hotel deadline of January 5. You can also email Domonique but please put Richmond Seminar Roommate request in the subject line and email her at: <a href="mailto:dlawless86@gmail.com">dlawless86@gmail.com</a><span class=MsoHyperlink>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You may choose to reserve a room by yourself, but as has always been the case, the affiliate will reimburse only 50% of the room reservation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please make your own reservation on-line at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Richmond Downtown at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1667932048046&key=GRP&app=resvlink">https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1667932048046&key=GRP&app=resvlink</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You may make your reservations at any time, but they must be made by January 5. If you have problems making reservations or have any other issues with the hotel, please contact our Operations Coordinator, Joe Orozco via email at <a href="mailto:jsorozco@gmail.com">jsorozco@gmail.com</a>. A form requesting reimbursement for transportation and your hotel stay is attached to this email, or can be downloaded from the affiliate site: <a href="https://nfbv.org/treasurer">https://nfbv.org/treasurer</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Chapter presidents must provide an initial list of the names of the individuals planning to attend from their chapter to Bonnie O'Day by Tuesday January 3 at 5 PM and additional names as they are known so we can establish and update teams in advance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, if you are interested in being a team leader, please reach out to Bonnie O'Day directly and provide your full name, city or county of residence, email address, and phone number. If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie O'Day at 703 965-2501 or email her at <a href="mailto:bonnoday@gmail.com">bonnoday@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I look forward to seeing you in Richmond!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie O’Day<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of Virginia General Assembly Legislative Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>