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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>2026 Convention Announcement<o:p></o:p></span></b></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'>The Convention dates are Thursday, November 5, 2026, through Sunday, November 8, 2026.<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'>Ohio Affiliate, President, Richard Payne, and the Ohio Board of Directors invite you to come learn how to reach your maximum leadership potential, participate in motivational and leadership development seminars, and most of all learn about \u201cliving the life you want.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>2026 Theme:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>\u201cReflecting Our Journey, Shaping a New Vision: Empowering Members to Inspire the Future.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The 80<sup>th</sup> Ohio State convention will be held at the University of Dayton, Marriott Hotel. The address is 1414 South Patterson Blvd. Dayton Ohio 45409. You can make reservations by calling (<b>800) </b>627-7468. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group, (The National Federation of the Blind), at the time the reservation is made. The discounted room rate is $129.00, with taxes of 16.5%. The last date to reserve a room is Monday, October 5, 2026. <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'>The good news is that when you make your reservations, funds are not deducted from your credit card until you arrive at the hotel.<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'>RESERVE NOW!<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'>Note: CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Check-in time is 3:00PM and Check-out time is Noon. Late check-out requests will be reviewed based on hotel demand.<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'>Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>An indoor pool,<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(A spa tub,<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A fitness center,<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Complimentary wireless internet access,<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Gift shops/newsstands,<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>An exclusive membership club experience,<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Also, enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the coffee shop/cafe. The hotel also offers room service (during limited hours). You can quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.<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'>Not only does this hotel have great amenities, but transportation is also available within a 5-mile radius.<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'>For more information, contact. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Richard Payne, Ohio President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mobile: (937) 829-3368<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Email: Rchpay7@gmail.com<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 style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Joe Ansman via Ohio-Talk<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:45 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Ohio Announcement List <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Joe Ansman <josephpansman@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Ohio-Talk] Federation Announcements and Updates<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>President Payne,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I messed up the last email to you regarding the state convention. For some reason I appear to not be getting all of the email sent through Ohio-talk. I did not receive the email you were talking about regarding the 2026 convention. Is there any way you could forward it too me so I can make reservations for the hotel and transportation.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Ansman<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Email may be composed by dictation. Please, excuse grammar errors.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 8:20<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>AM rchpay7--- via Ohio-Talk <<a href="mailto:ohio-talk@nfbnet.org">ohio-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><p>Valentine's Day Greetings<o:p></o:p></p><p>Happy Valentine's Day to all members of the Federation. I always appreciate the special atmosphere that comes with these occasions, as it tends to foster a sense of peace among people, even if only temporarily.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Membership Portal Updates<o:p></o:p></p><p>For chapters and divisions that have not yet updated the membership portal, please make sure to complete this required task. By now, this update should already have been done.<o:p></o:p></p><p>State Board of Directors Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p>The state board of directors meeting will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Ohio Zoom room. All are invited to attend. Please be punctual so your joining does not interrupt the meeting. When you enter, you will be unmuted, but a few minutes before the meeting starts, everyone except the board of directors will be placed on mute. If you have any business that you believe the board should consider, please send it to me privately.<o:p></o:p></p><p>State Convention Information<o:p></o:p></p><p>Suzanne has sent out information regarding the state convention, which will be held in Dayton this year from November 5<sup>th</sup> to November 8<sup>th</sup>. Please begin reserving your rooms now, as early reservations can help us secure additional perks for our convention. Make sure to book your room within the block reserved for our group, which allows the hotel to count it toward our group total.<o:p></o:p></p><p>National Convention Participation<o:p></o:p></p><p>The national convention will be held in July, and it would be wonderful to see Ohio fill the rows of seats this year. I understand that many members are able to pay their own way, but some cannot. At a presidents' retreat, it was discussed that investing in getting members to the national convention is not a waste of money; instead, it creates opportunities for members to engage in settings that strengthen the Federation, transform them into leaders, and connect them with other members from around the world.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p></p><p>Until next time, take care of yourselves and let\u2019s continue to build the Federation together.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Richard Payne, President <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'>937/829/3368</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#467886'>Rchpay7@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="http://www.nfbohio.org" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#467886'>www.nfbohio.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>Ohio-Talk mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Ohio-Talk@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">Ohio-Talk@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Ohio-Talk:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/josephpansman%40gmail.com" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/josephpansman%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>