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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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hey NFB Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please read below and register for our May 13<sup>th</sup> Board of Directors Meeting. Today is the last day to lock in your hotel room rate at the discounted price.<o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>All are welcome to join us for our National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Spring Board of Directors meeting in Falls Church Virginia on Saturday, May 13 at the Westin Tysons Corner.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>The board meeting is open to all and will include some special programming in conjunction with a weekend retreat for our pre-employment transition service (Project RISE) participants.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>This message is not intended for our Project RISE participants. If you are a Project RISE participant, please look for separate instructions from the Project RISE coordinators. Do not use this registration form.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'><o:p> </o:p></span></h2><h2 align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center;background:white'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Information in Brief</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='margin:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'>We will have the first of 2 regional membership sessions 10:00 AM to Noon. We’ve heard requests to provide more information about what it means to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the NFB of Virginia. We are happy to have a forum to ask questions and learn more.<o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><span style='color:black'>at Noon, we will run the Federation Philosophy Fest lunch where we will have an interactive discussion of our positive philosophy led by Federation leader Joanne Wilson. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>The NFBV Board Meeting will be from 1:00 PM - 4 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Location: Westin Tysons Corner<br>Birches Room<br>7801 Leesburg Pike<br>Falls Church, VA 22043</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Optional Room Rates: If you wish to stay on Friday night or Saturday night at the Westin Tysons Corner at our negotiated rate, we can offer hotel rooms through the NFB of Virginia. The fully loaded cost for each room night is $125.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Use the registration form below to indicate your room reservation)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Box Lunch Fee: $15</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Guest room and box lunch payments will be collected outside of the Birches room between 11 AM and 1 PM.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Deadline for Guest Room Reservation: Friday, April 28 at 5 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Deadline for Box Lunch Request: Friday, May 5 at 5 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Questions? Please contact Tracy Soforenko: 202-285-4595, or <a href="mailto:tracy.soforenko@gmail.com"><span style='color:#1A7DEF'>tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a>.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Friday, May 12</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'><br>In addition to the project RISE programming on Friday evening, we are working to plan a hands-on program and discussion for the Virginia Association of Parents of Blind Children. More details to follow.<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Saturday, May 13</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:43.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Federation “Shark Tank” - Starting at 10:45 AM, to assist our Project RISE participants in honing their marketing & communications skills, our Project RISE participants will be presenting their pitch for a new product or service. A set of Federation leaders will be tasked with serving as virtual investors in these student ideas. We anticipate a fun and engaging opportunity to observe our students as they pitch the possible.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:43.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia board of directors meeting - from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will hold our board meeting which is open to all. During the meeting, we will be sharing exciting updates about our work together, providing details for our upcoming national & state conventions, and discussing some changes that will impact our chapters and divisions. These meetings are fast paced and engaging, and all are welcome. Since it is a board meeting, there may be a few votes that are limited to voting board delegates, but these are generally limited to just a few topics.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:43.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Please join us for this philosophy lunchtime discussion from 12Noon to 1:00 PM. A subsidized box lunch is available for those who register in advance and pay for their lunch on site. While the costs for a boxed lunch from the hotel has increased, we will be charging $15 for a boxed lunch. This is a significant subsidy to our members. While we will have a means to take credit cards, we strongly encourage you to bring $15 in cash to expedite the payment process.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Hotel Lodging</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='margin:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'><br>For affiliate members interested, the affiliate has reserved a block of rooms at the Westin Tysons Corner. The block is primarily for Project RISE but recognizing others may want to travel from other parts of the state, we have created a little space for affiliate members interested in coming early or leaving a little later to enjoy the capitol region during the warmer weather. The room block is active from Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Room rates are $109, plus taxes and fees which equates to $125 per night and includes complimentary overnight self parking.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Please do not contact the hotel for room reservations. Please use the registration form below to indicate your interest in a guest room by Friday, April 28 at 5 PM. Payments for your room will be collected on Saturday, May 13 between 11 AM and 1 PM outside of the Birches room.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>Your interest in a guest room is taken on good faith. You will be required to pay the affiliate the cost of your room. In the event of a cancellation, you are held to the same cancellation policy observed by the Westin property.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#424242'>We're excited to see you! Please access the web form to lock in your spot at what promises to be an excellent way to break from the routine!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfbv.org/spring">https://nfbv.org/spring</a><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> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RISE/Silver Bells Outreach Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="tel:(757)291-1789" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>tel:(757)291-1789</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbv.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Follow us on Twitter @NFBVirginia<br>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Live the life you want.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'>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</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>