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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear NFBN Blind division<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I think that from time to time we need to sample how other Senior divisions are running their division. Here are the minutes from the New Jersey Senior division: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText>**Below is the text of a message sent to me from Joe Ruffalo, New Jersey Affiliate President – it is from the president of the New Jersey Senior division:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Subject: Minutes from our state convention meeting and agenda for our first <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>conference call slated for Monday, January 13 at 8 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Hello All Seniors<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I am looking forward to working together with all of you to have a fun,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>enjoyable and productive 2014!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Our first conference call is slated for this upcoming Monday, January 13 at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>8 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The conference number:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1 712 432 0180<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>and the code:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>460994#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>As per usual, a link to get you all in the mood:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PENJxl-THS8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PENJxl-THS8</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>***<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Minutes from our state convention meeting on Friday, November 8, 2013<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The meeting was called to order by President, Jane Degenshein at 4:34 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1 Year review Accomplishments<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A White cane List Committee started<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jane thanked the white cane committee for their diligence in making the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>monthly calls and sharing division/chapter information and resources.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Les Cameron, Angela Perone and Kathy Rawa phoned those non-braille readers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Mary Jo Partyka, Rebecca Bryant, and Sharon Alfonso phoned those on this<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>list that were braille readers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A super job!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>B. Possibilities Fair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Wonderful turnout as shared the space with the exhibitors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jane thanked all who participated either behind the scenes or manning the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>tables.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>ADL, Braille, Crafts, Technology.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Awesome Event.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A special thank you to Caryn FitzPatrick who was approached by an older<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>woman in need of a wheelchair.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Caryn took it upon herself to push her around in the exhibit hall so she<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>could partake in the possibilities fair and the exhibitors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>BTW That person is now a member of our senior division!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>C Caring Card Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We began this and need all to assist.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>When you know of a member in need of a card either for some good news or for<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>health reasons, kindly let<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Linda Mackey know at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:Snowwhite014@gmail.com">Snowwhite014@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A card or email will be sent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If we don't know, the card/email won't go.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>D Digital Book Player<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We had 4 book club conference calls this year<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The most incredible one was this summer when Jane contacted the New York<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Times bestselling author, Rita Lakin who participated as a surprise to those<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>on our senior book club call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Her book series: Getting Old is Murder was discussed and Rita was answering<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>all questions asked from our members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>She had never heard her books and after listening to the digital player she<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>commented that the written word never sounded better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Our mission was to get her a digital player of her own so Jane contacted her<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>library in California and one was sent off to her.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Then we sent her a flash cartridge filled with her series of seven books on<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>BTW Rita Lakin is on our senior division list and receives all of our<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>emails.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Woo Hoo<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>2 Secretary's Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Minutes were approved from our October conference call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>3 Treasurer's Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We had 43 members for 2013 and the total in our account was $507.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After presenting Joe Ruffalo with a check in the amount of $100. for<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>scholarship, our ending balance was $407.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>4 Dues for 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Thanks to Lydia Keller who collected those that had their dues ready!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you did not pay for 2014, kindly send a check in the amount of $5.00to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jane Degenshein<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>14 Elmwood Avenue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>West Orange, NJ 07052<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please make check payable to NFBNJ<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>in the memo: senior division dues 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>4 Elections for 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A special thank you to Linda Mackey for chairing the nominating committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>with committee members Marie Sawyer and Jerry Fontenelli.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Joe Ruffalo then conducted the elections<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>All officers were elected unanimously unopposed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Slate:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President Jane Degenshein<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>First Vice President Lydia Jane Keller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Second Vice President Janet Jones<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Secretary Rebecca Bryant<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Treasurer Joe Braz<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>***<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Agenda for our first conference call Monday, January 13, 2014 at 8 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1 Roll Call/Attendance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>2 Secretary's Report: Rebecca Bryant<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>3 Treasurer's Report: Joe Braz<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>4 Updates<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A After the Holiday Party/Green Drop: Joe Ruffalo<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>B Dusty's Law Vinnie Chaney<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>C White Cane List continues?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>D First Timers Scholarship for Orlando.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>E Caring Card Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Anyone in need?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>F Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>5 Book Club Conference Call<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Propose Monday, January 20 at 2 PM due to those participating in the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Book of choice as taken from the BARD site:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>For your eyes only DB 44417<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>York, Rebecca. Reading time: 7 hours, 35 minutes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Read by Ilona Dulaski.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Romantic suspense fiction<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jenny Larkin lost her sight in a car accident in high school. She blames<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>herself, though no one else does. Ben Brisco has always loved Jenny, yet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>never expressed it. Their feelings come to the surface when Jenny becomes a<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>possible witness in her best friend's murder.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>6 Old/New Business: All<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>7 Round the Phone: All<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>8 Adjournment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Keep Smiling,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Janie Degenshein<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Access Tech Consultant<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Facilitator of ECHO<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>(Eyes Closed Hearts Open)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Senior Division<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org">www.carshelpingtheblind.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>or call 855 659 9314<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Co-host of OTBS On The Bright Side<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.thruoureyes.org/brightside.html">www.thruoureyes.org/brightside.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:jdegen16@comcast.net">jdegen16@comcast.net</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Robert Leslie Newman</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Personal Website-</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.thoughtprovoker.info/"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.thoughtprovoker.info</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>NFB Writers' Division, President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Division Website-<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>http://writers.nfb.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chair, NFB Communications Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nebraska Senior Division, vice President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>