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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=my-2>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>From time to time, it becomes apparent that the Virginia affiliate has cultivated enough leadership potential to warrant leadership development training. This keeps our chapter and division boards, and various committees, alive with new perspectives and fresh ideas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>In mid-November 2025, President Soforenko proposed a new iteration of the Chapter Leadership Institute (CLI) via email to the members of the Virginia affiliate’s board of directors. I introduced the motion. Sandy Halverson seconded the motion, and the proposal received nearly unanimous approval by the November 30 deadline to move forward with a budget of $7,500 for the program, running from January to December in 2026. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>Recommendations for the program were made by members of the virginia Affiliate Board of Directors during the month of November. Past participants in prior Virginia Affiliate leadership development programs were ineligible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2> Interviews were conducted in December.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>The following individuals have been selected for the 2026 Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute cohort:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><ol start=1 type=1><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Rachelle Buenaventura - Chesapeake Bay<o:p></o:p></li><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Chris Christie - Fairfax<o:p></o:p></li><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Jahmil Garrett-Bey Greater Alexandria and VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS<o:p></o:p></li><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Kandace Haney - Greater Loudoun<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=my-2 style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Mario Ibrahim - Greater Alexandria and VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS<o:p></o:p></p><ol start=6 type=1><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Chris Infante - Richmond<o:p></o:p></li><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>LaQuon Johnson - Tidewater<o:p></o:p></li><li class=my-2 style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Charles McLeod - Greater Williamsburg<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>Congratulations to the outstanding members selected for the new cohort of the CLI!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>Through this program, the NFB of Virginia is investing in building the skills, relationships, and confidence that emerging leaders need to serve effectively at the state and local levels. Participants will engage in meaningful learning, real-world projects, and mentoring designed to deepen their understanding of the Federation philosophy and translate it into action. By doing so, we are preparing leaders who will carry forward our work to expand opportunity, raise expectations, and change what it means to be blind in the commonwealth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=my-2><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=my-2>We are grateful to the affiliate board for investing in the future strength of our organization through this program to develop and empower new leaders. We are building a stronger, more dynamic Federation that will continue to transform lives for years to come.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I look forward to working alongside you in shaping and refining this new generation of leaders!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Very grateful,<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>CLI Coordinator, First Vice President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>