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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I am going to write about my experience about the Ohio state convention in Lake Side, OH. It is all positive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I arrived at the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Friday morning began with the Ohio board meeting followed by lunch. There were presentations in the afternoon. That evening I went to the hospitality room and talked with our national representative, Pam Allen and her husband, Roland. I forgot about time and was late getting to the Community Service Division meeting but did arrive. The At-Large chapter was supposed to have our meeting after that but we did not have a quorum so we just had a general discussion. That was my Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Saturday began with a general session and one of the best presentations I have ever heard at a state convention was given by our own Arlie Ray. I was laughing so hard tears were running down my face. It was a comedy show without having to pay admission. He should give a Ted Talk with that presentation. Great job Arlie!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>That afternoon I ran the Senior Division membership meeting as the president. We had a fabulous presentation by Priscilla from Passing On. She talked about our need to grieve and how people can put us down for our grief. We may be doing some work with this organization in the future so stay tuned. We held elections and the same board was reelected.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I had to work at a booth so I did not get to visit the other vendors but it sure sounded like people were having a good time. I hope the vendors had a lot of visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>That evening was the banquet which is always one of my favorite parts of the convention. Pam Allen, our national rep. gave a wonderful presentation. Due to circumstances I had to leave after her talk but I know the rest of the evening went well. I missed the “not so silent auction” which I hated to miss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sunday morning was the last general session that I was unable to attend. The board members were up for election. I chose to leave the board at this time but I have loved my time on the board and I plan to remain active in the Ohio NFB. Congratulations to all of the people who were elected to serve on the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>That concludes my thoughts on the NFB Ohio 2025 convention. Please consider attending next year. I know you won’t regret it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marianne Denning <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>