<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:11.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One week later, if I were to ask what positive aspect of the convention momentum you’re still feeling, what might that be? Nothing would be a disappointing, but perfectly acceptable response. I hope you’ll make use of the survey to tell us about it, but I hope at my core that there is some aspect of the convention that resonated with you, some small thing you are finding ways to exercise in your daily life that helps your sense of independence feel just that much more powerful.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For everything that went well last weekend, I would love it if you would join me in warmly thanking the various individuals who made those good things possible. With the exception of the first two names, my list runs in no particular order of importance, and I apologize in advance. No matter how hard we try, inevitably someone’s name will be left off, purely by accident. Please know we are no less grateful for these unsung heroes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Normally I leave our president for last, as a kind of build-up to the biggest expression of gratitude for the person who works the hardest to make our conventions what they are. This year I’m going to call him out first, as is only fitting, because he is the first individual to jump in and help move things from ideas to activities. You can likely glance at your calendar and generally highlight the timeframes when you know you might be a little busier than usual working on behalf of the affiliate, but for our president, the end of our convention in 2024 just meant he had a couple days to catch his breath before hopping in a plane and heading off to represent the national office in Pennsylvania. There are the public obligations we know about. Then there are the countless private interactions we do not know about, and for his steadfast dedication to the organization here, and the movement at large, a big thank you to President Tracy Soforenko for everything he does on our behalf.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Over the years her own set of responsibilities has slowly but relentlessly increased. Her name finds its way into our convention blueprints more frequently each year. She is phenomenal on site. Her family’s philanthropy has been a gift to our scholarship program, and well, she puts up with Tracy. A warm thank you to Sharon Appel-Soforenko for everything she does and everywhere she advises.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you to Anil Lewis for giving of your time to help our affiliate grow. We learned from you, laughed with you, and your banquet speech was just what we needed to recharge our batteries for the mission ahead.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you to John Halverson for everything you have done for blind people in every state affiliate you have served. John was the recipient of this year’s Seville Allen Award, just one outward manifestation of gratitude of an an inner devotion to the blind and low vision people of Virginia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Michael Kitchens was my left hand in convention hospitality. He oversaw the information table, marshals, ushers, and anything having to do with creating a warm atmosphere for the convention. I’ve had the privilege of working with Michael in different capacities over the years, and I’m always proud of his work ethic and willingness to take the ball and run with it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mark Roane, as our treasurer, does a lot of work in general. Alas, he is still assisting me in winding things down with the hotel, and for the enormous work he puts forward for convention, and the amazing work he does the rest of the year, we are more grateful than words can properly convey.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you to the host chapters, Peninsula and Tide Water, for being such awesome hosts to us at this year’s convention. Under the leadership of Uricka Harrison and Stewart Prost, they leave a high bar set for next year’s host chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your first interaction with the convention likely came from word of the convention. Teisha Gillespie has done a phenomenal job as our communications chair, and during the convention her role expands to the coordination of our sponsorship program, a task she has done extremely well and which this year alone brought in more than $5,000 to support our efforts. Teisha was assisted by Marcia Harvey and Julia Ford.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A quick note on Julia: Though her original assignment was to co-facilitate our career track Friday afternoon, I somehow roped her into back filling the information table, assisting with exhibits, and later in the weekend she assisted Tracy with our Pac Plan endeavors. This is the sort of volunteer spirit that makes the convention machine run like butter. She was not the only one who raised their hand in this manner. Our guests from Alabama were outstanding, and just in case I am forgetful about others who served in such a capacity, thank you for inserting yourself exactly where you were needed without being asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce ran another smooth registration operation. If only it were about taking names, Brailling names, and preparing packets, right? A tremendous amount of work goes into managing an online and on-site registration process, and we are grateful that Jacki agreed to return in this capacity to make your first on site touch point with the convention a seamless one. Harry Staley was the architect behind the online registration form, and the rest of Jacki’s registration team included: Alli Haney, Marcia Harvey, Lois Fritz, John Halverson, Ameenah Ghoston, Belinda Vann, Joe Gatzek, Sarah Blumberg, Annie Ascher, Shannon Britt, Jenny Blinsmon, Sharon Soforenko, and Karin Jernberg.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of the Bruce family, Collin is exceptional. Among other things, if you enjoyed your lunch on Sunday, or general refreshments for different programs in the hospitality space, you have Collin to thank for driving out and picking up these supplies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ceci Martinez managed our information table in Annette Carr’s unexpected absence. She was kind, patient, and for a first timer to our convention, she represented the Virginia community as though she’d been with us for years. Ceci was assisted by Sarah Patnaude and Carissa Ammons.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you to the general session speakers and breakout presenters and facilitators for providing the substance behind this year’s convention programming. We realize you could have spent your time doing any number of things with your spare time. Instead, you blessed us with your presence, and we are all the more informed and prepared because of your generosity with your time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you successfully found your way to the general sessions, it was likely because Jenny Blinsmon and her team of marshals were around to help guide you to the right locations. Jenny is a rock star in general, perfect for the task of kindhearted greetings, and with the addition of her team, we hope you found navigation of the hotel to be that much easier. She was assisted by Nolan Wilson, Shannon Britt, Angie Gruessing, Frances Durham, Natasha More, Patrick Johnson, Annie Ascher, and Justin Solomon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once inside the general session, we hope our team of ushers made you feel welcomed and did whatever was needed to help find you a comfortable seat. Our ushers were Bonnie O’Day, Renee Valdez, Melody Roane, Angie Gruessing, and Douglas the Dog.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A lot of work goes into keeping the general session train on the tracks. Our floor managers this year were Stewart Prost and Renee Valdez. Our sergeants at arms were Michael Casey and Charles McLeod.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our lead audio technician was Jacob Ryan Ham. They did a phenomenal job running equipment in and out to the various breakout rooms and running sound for our plenary sessions and banquet. Jacob was assisted by Nikita Rozinkov at the sound table and by Tate Jordan, Michael Kitchens, and Gary Grassman on logistics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our meal function managers included Christine Grassman, Gary Grassman, Nolan Wilson, and Isaac Beavers. Thank you guys for stepping up and passing out food with precision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Transportation logistics were led by Rodney Neely and Gary More. When Amtrak made its own plans, we had nothing to fear, because the venerable team of Gary and Rodney were on the case. We are very grateful. Rounding off this dynamic team was Sean McMahon, who took lead on collecting payments.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Someone made the mistake of calling her the door prize diva. Get it straight, it’s door prize queen, and it is the Tide Water Chapter’s first lady, Deborah Prost who took it on herself to make sure you got your prizes. Thank you to her and to everyone who made contributions. Deborah was assisted, in part, by: Ashlyn Johnson and Annie Ascher.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have you ever watched a movie and thought to yourself: They are perfect for the role, and no one else could ever follow that act? Jacki Brown is our lead auctioneer. She shared the responsibility with Domonique Lawless, and between her, Sharon Soforenko, Gary Grassman, Charles Tate, and Ricki Smith, the auction team proved to be as unstoppable as ever. Thank you to their facilitation and logistics, and thank you to everyone who provided auction items. Your efforts are extremely appreciated in support of our Silver BELLS program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our first timer’s event was staffed by John Bailey, Kandace Haney, and Shara Winton.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our Virginia table was managed by Jeannette Gholson, Charles McLeod, Alan Schlank, Billie Ruth Schlank, Charles Tate, and Ricki Smith.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I think that covers it. Again, if you did not see your name collected here, please know it is an honest accident. Every convention requires a small army to pull off. This year was no exception, and we have one of the best teams to help make it all come together nicely.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You will never know how much of a privilege it has been to serve you as convention operations chair for the past eight years. It will likely rank among my most favorite responsibilities in the organization, and I am grateful to Tracy for allowing me the opportunity to grow in the role. I have no doubt Stewart Prost, my successor, will do a fantastic job in helping Tracy take the convention to new heights. As I said in Portsmouth, Stewart was my first choice. He was my only choice. Please be as kind and generous to him as you have been to me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In closing, I hope you’ve given a little thought to that one thing from convention that will keep propelling you in your personal blindness journey, whatever that looks like. Don’t let convention be a one-weekend boost. Let’s try to make it a fresh marker along the way to you living your best life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Until we meet again,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Orozco<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>