<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><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><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><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Melissa Riccobono via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 2, 2025 3:50 PM<br><b>To:</b> state-affiliate-leadership-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> melissaariccobono@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Parent Leadership Program<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yes, it’s that time again. The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children would like to invite current or potential parent leaders to participate in our Parent Leadership Program for 2025. This program is for parents of blind children; the parent can be blind or sighted. Couples are welcome. From February 1-3, program participants are taught about the National Federation of the Blind, and begin the process of learning how to become better advocates and how to begin or revitalize state Parent of Blind Children divisions or groups. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Parents will be expected to travel to Baltimore on Friday, January 31, 2025. If this is not possible, they will need to arrive on February 1, no later than noon. They will stay in a hotel in Baltimore, and receive training at the Jernigan Institute. On February 3, they will travel to Washington DC in order to participate in legislative training, as well as the Great Gathering In. They are strongly encouraged to remain in DC with their state affiliate and attend legislative appointments during Washington Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NOPBC will pay for all travel, the hotel in Baltimore, (they will need to have a roommate unless they are willing to pay for half of their room cost) and transportation to DC. Parents will be responsible for arranging a hotel room in DC either on their own, or with their affiliate. Of course, if they are having trouble with this, we will help them to the best of our ability, but we cannot reimburse hotel rooms in DC. We hope affiliates might be able to help them with these costs, as they will be helping to advocate on Capital Hill. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Parents will also be expected to attend Zoom meetings throughout the year, and encouraged to attend the NFB National Convention in order to reconnect and continue their training.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have perspective parents you believe would be a good fit for this program, please let me know as soon as possible. I can be reached at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-803-0266,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com">MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am also happy to answer any questions you might have about this program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can reach out to me with the name and contact information for the parent, or you can talk to the parent first, explain the program, and have them get in touch with me directly if they are interested. If you give a parent my information, please let me know so I can be expecting their call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you in advance for helping the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (and your state affiliate) continue to grow!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa Riccobono<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>