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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><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>From:</b> Michael Powell <mpowell7583@yahoo.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 29, 2020 1:10 PM<br><b>To:</b> ceo@simmonsbosscreations.com; 'Katie Hurst' <hookedonfaith05@gmail.com>; 'Posont, Donna' <donnabutterfly50@gmail.com>; 'Derek Moore' <moorederek@yahoo.com>; 'David Robinson' <drob1946@gmail.com>; 'B Merk-Adam' <bmerkadam@gmail.com>; 'M' <mforest@comcast.net>; 'Martha Moore' <marthaamoore@yahoo.com>; 'Mary Ann Robinson' <brightsmile1953@comcast.net>; 'Stephen Handschu' <stephenhandschu@gmail.com>; 'Haley Dare' <haley.dare@yahoo.com>; 'Lydia Schuck' <lschuck51@gmail.com>; 'Love, Pat (MDE-Contractor)' <lovep@michigan.gov>; 'Rachel Pavone' <rachelpavone@yahoo.com>; balfourr@michigan.gov; 'Robinson, William (LEO)' <RobinsonW7@michigan.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> message to all state leaders<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello to all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is a message I sent to our state board and am sending to all state leaders. If you have received this it is because I consider you a good ambassador who can promote either the mission, projects, and the activities of the federation. Through your work or involvement you have access to many contacts and, with your help, we can get word of our national convention to all we know who could benefit from it or would want to participate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings to board members and chapter and division leaders of the NFB of Michigan.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As many of you know the recent measures around Covid-19 will call upon us to make adjustments to events we are having throughout the summer as we start getting back to functioning in public again with guidelines in place for social distancing and living with the “new normal.” Many of you have seen a number of virtual events over the past few months and we of the NFB of Michigan need to continue to do our part. First, our June state board meeting, originally scheduled to be the first weekend of June in Kalamazoo, will be a Zoom meeting held Saturday, June 13, 2020, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM or later if we need. Details will be coming soon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You may also know that our national presidential releases have been live and virtual the past two months and will be the same in June.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind has always been the largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world. The fact that this year’s national convention will be a virtual event, that can be heard and seen through on line and computer access, will allow all of us to participate free of charge, without having to make travel and hotel arrangements. As we always actively promote the annual convention, when those of us who are planning to go prepare to attend in person, I am asking that all chapter and division leaders let every member of your chapter and division know about this virtual event so they can plan to attend this convention with their families and friends. We also need to get the word out since this kind of event gives us the opportunity to reach out to blind people and families who may not yet know the federation. Seeing and hearing the federation in action can help them come to know what we believe and promote about the blind and our ability to live the lives we want. This will also be an excellent opportunity for parents of blind children and members of other divisions to take part in our national seminars and meetings, perhaps for the first time. This will all be taking place the week of Tuesday, July 14 through Saturday, July 18.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am attaching the convention tool kit that was sent to me and I ask that our communications people along with our state, division and local leaders, get this information out on Facebook and all social media networks and outlets. At our state convention last year in Grand Rapids we pledged to get around sixty people to come to Houston,Texas that was to be the site of our national convention this year. Getting there definitely would have involved some cost. As this is now an event that all can attend free of charge, and since we have over 200 members there is no reason why we can’t have most or all of us there in attendance to participate in a national event of this size that will have the capacity to reach the widest possible audience and truly make a difference in the lives of the blind throughout the nation and the world. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As of May 22 we show 33 registered. This indicates we still have a way to go. Registration is open to all and provisions are planned for those of us who do not have access to computer technology or on line access. Any one of us who have access to a computer can help to register those who fit into this group. When you provide their contact information indicate they have no email. This will give convention planners an idea of how many will need alternative arrangements so we all can be accommodated. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To register for the convention go to nfb.org/convention. Once you are registered you will begin receiving updates on the arrangements , be eligible for door prizes and notification of any other announcements and attractions. All who plan to participate in this year’s convention must be registered by June 15, 2020. In the days ahead I will be contacting you to see how you are doing and offer any help I can give you. So let’s begin the push for the NFB of Michigan and get ourselves and others registered for this celebration of our 80th year as a national organization which continues to be the largest organization of blind people anywhere in the world. Please make sure to remember that we are invited and encouraged to make donations to help with the costs associated with hosting an event of this kind. This also includes door prizes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep a lookout for details and call in instructions concerning our state board meeting, Saturday, June 13, 2020. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remember that I am here for you as we are all here for each other. That is what makes the NFB what it is.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Michael Powell, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Michigan<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(586)754-1325<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Mpowell7583@yahoo.com">Mpowell7583@yahoo.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>