<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Greetings all,</span><br></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Now that our convention is over, I want to thank all those who, despite some challenges, helped to make our convention a success!</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Let me start with a big shout out to Jacki Bruce who was in charge of convention registration. Jacki started setting up our registration system with the support of Joe Orosco and Harry Staley. She and her team processed registrations of what is the largest number of registrants for an NFB of Virginia convention, with about 275 people registered. Her team included Colin Bruce, Karen Brown, Nancy Issa (new attendee), Mike and Dana Lengyel,Marcia Harvey, and Annie Ascher. Jackie and her team made picking up registration materials easy. Without Jacki's hard work, people would not have been registered and able to get what they needed to participate in our convention. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Laquan Johnson was in charge of marshalls/talking signs. Among those who were marshals/talking signs were Christopher Walker, Julia Ford, Jamil Garrett-Bey, Lilly Holmes, Lynne Wnuk, Chris Christie, Carrington Coles, Justin Chan, and Neel Sheth. There may be others who stepped in when needed. You know who you are and you have my thanks!</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Michael Kitchens was in charge of our Information Table. Assisting him at the table were Sue Povinelli, Annie Ascher, Nancy Yaeger, and Deborah Prost. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">There are people who worked mostly behind the scenes but without whom the convention would not function well. Jade Ham who was in charge of all things audio made sure that we could hear what was going on and that our virtual participants could feel a part of our convention. Renee Valdez was our floor manager for all three General Sessions. She made sure everyone was ready when their time came to participate in the sessions. John Bailey served as Sergeant at Arms. Keith and Chris Windimeyer were there to help as needed. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large"><b>A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO BRITTNY SAVAGE! </b>Brittany took on the responsibility of managing our first ever buffet breakfast line which operated before each of our general sessions. Brittany told me that she enjoyed doing it, viewing this as a teaching moment showing our members how to access a buffet. Assisting in our breakfast line was Missy Bellamy, Julia Ford, Knadace Hamey and his sister Kelly, Annie and her daughter Joanne Ascher, Ryan Clark, and Isilah Dean. Bonnie O'day and Sarah Blumberg served box lunches on Friday and Saturday. Kris Foley, Samit Sharma, Elmer and Rachelle <span class="" id=":1rz.9" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Boniventura</span> took tickets at our Thursday night dinners. Speaking of our Thursday night dinners, I want to thank Neel Sheth and Rachael <span class="" id=":1rz.10" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Schrieman</span> for hosting great programs. Jacki and Colin Bruce took tickets and checked people in for our banquet on Saturday. <span class="" id=":1rz.11" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Bommie</span> O'Day, Mike and Dana <span class="" id=":1rz.12" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Lengyl</span>, Patrick Johnson and <span class="" id=":1rz.13" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Dianne</span> Bibb, and Aaron and Jennifer Schuh. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">I want to thank Jeremy Grandstaff and his team for recruiting and organizing our sponsors and exhibitors. Renee Valdez, Jackie Brown, Dominique Lawless who organized and conducted our Action Auction. Sharon <span class="" id=":1rz.14" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Sorforenko</span> handled credit card transactions and checked people out.They were assisted by Suzie Karansky, Amber Ford, David Kirby and Rachael Schreiman. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">A special thank you to the members of the <span class="" id=":1rz.15" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">Loundon</span> County Chapter for hosting us. Friday night hospitality event was great! The opening ceremonies went off without a hitch, and everybody enjoyed the door prizes. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">I want to make my final shoutouts to our affiliate President, Tracy Soforenko. I worked on the logistics, he put the program together and helped me deal with issues that came up. I also want to thank my wife Deborah for her support, patience, and understanding when I got all sorts of phone calls and needed to devote time and energy to this convention. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Lastly, I want to thank all of you who attended our convention; for your patience and understanding when some of you <span class="" id=":1rz.16" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="">had</span> to move to other hotels, pizza was late, and other issues that came up. I also thank all of you for working together to make this a truly great convention! Since there are so many people involved, I apologize if I have forgotten to mention anyone. As you can see, it takes a village to run and NFB convention. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="">Warm Regards</div></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Stewart Prost<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">, Convention Operations Chair</span></b></font><div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" size="4">Phone: <a href="tel:(757)%20572-6891" value="+17575726891" target="_blank">757-572-6891</a></font></div><div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" size="4">Fax: <a href="tel:(757)%20210-7504" value="+17572107504" target="_blank">757-210-7504</a></font></div><div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" size="4">Email: <a href="mailto:sprost82@gmail.com" target="_blank">sprost82@gmail.com</a></font></div></div></div></div>
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