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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Good morning,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">I am reaching out to request that, by December 21, you email me off-list to let me know if you are interested in chairing or serving on the 2026 state committees. Some of you have already notified me, but before the committees are officially established, I wanted to remind everyone and offer the opportunity to participate.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">If you would like to be considered, please email me at rchpay7@gmail.com with your request.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Once again, happy holidays!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio’s 2026 Committee</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">’s.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The following outlines the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio’s (NFBO) committee</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">’s</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> for 2026, along with each committee’s specific responsibilities and areas of focus.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">1. Awards Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Awards Committee is tasked with overseeing the entire awards process. The committee provides information and feedback as needed, ensuring transparency and fairness. Members are responsible for exercising reasonable judgment regarding the selection and distribution of NFBO awards.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">2. Constitution Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Constitution Committee ensures that all NFBO constitutions align with both state and national constitutions. This alignment is evaluated both philosophically and rhetorically, maintaining consistency and adherence to organizational values and guidelines.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">3. Resolutions Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">This committee is responsible for managing the submission process for resolutions. It also drafts and distributes resolutions that are clearly articulated and philosophically sound, ensuring that the organization’s positions are effectively communicated.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">4. Deaf-Blind Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Deaf-Blind Committee provides support and information to individuals within this unique community. The committee serves as a vehicle for fostering positive relationships and ensuring the inclusion and representation of deaf-blind individuals within NFBO.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">5. Fundraising and Financing the Movement Committee (including PAC)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">This committee’s focus is to raise awareness among members about organizational fundraising opportunities. The committee also implements strategies to increase participation, ensuring the financial sustainability of NFBO initiatives and programs.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">6. Legislative Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Legislative Committee works to enhance the organization’s visibility and effectiveness within the state legislature. The committee continues to support NFBO’s advocacy efforts in Washington throughout the year, contributing to the advancement of legislative priorities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">7. Membership Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">This committee is responsible for recruiting and retaining NFBO members. The committee develops and implements effective strategies to revitalize the organization’s chapters and divisions, supporting growth and engagement across Ohio.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">8. Communication Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Communication Committee supports the state president by ensuring that content on both the Newsline service and the organization’s website is current and relevant. The committee actively promotes and advertises Newsline to broaden its reach and enhance its impact.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Content Development and Branding: Members develop a variety of content and recommend creative strategies to strengthen NFBO branding. Responsibilities include researching target audience preferences, monitoring current trends, and producing engaging written, visual, and video materials. The committee also designs posts that attract attention and generate interest in key issues.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Social Media Engagement and Oversight: Committee members stay informed about changes across social media platforms to maximize outreach. They train organizational leaders in effective, cohesive use of social media and oversee account management.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Required Skills: All members must be proficient computer users to successfully fulfill committee responsibilities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">9. Scholarship Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Scholarship Committee manages the affiliate scholarship program. It also develops and implements strategies to increase program visibility and participation, ensuring that opportunities are widely accessible to eligible individuals.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">10. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">This committee provides education, training, guidance, and advocacy related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It addresses the diverse needs of the community, including intersectionality of ability, age, religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">11. Employment Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Employment Committee informs the president about relevant policies, legislation, strategies, and initiatives, highlighting why NFBO should engage in efforts to improve employment opportunities for blind individuals statewide and beyond. The committee addresses accessible technology, socialization skills, resume writing, career exploration, and prepares employers for interviewing and hiring blind candidates. It also prepares members for participation in national and career fairs, educates on networking, interviewing, advocacy for reasonable accommodations, rehabilitation services, and other vital resources essential for career success and retention.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">12. Randolph-Sheppard Committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">This committee collaborates with the National Association of Blind Merchants and the Ohio Vendors Representative Committee to maximize opportunities within Ohio’s Business Enterprise Program. The committee advocates for blind licensees and prospective licensees, keeps the NFB of Ohio Board informed about program developments, and sponsors ongoing training and education on entrepreneurship and other topics relevant to blind vendors.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<BR>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="http://www.nfbohio.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">www.nfbohio.org</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</FONT></SPAN></P>
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