[NFBNJ] NFBNJ: Updated Items Of Interest National Convention Conference Call Tuesday June 19 at 8:00 PM
joe ruffalo
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
Sat Jun 16 14:45:54 UTC 2018
Greetings to all receiving the updated information pertaining to the
national convention in Orlando for 2018.
For those attending, please take notice to the information provided and the
info highlighting the conference call.
For those not attending, if you wish to join the call, please do so and
perhaps, you will consider in the near future.
Date: Tuesday June 19
Time: 8:00 pm
Call: 605 468 8005
Code: 460994
Thanks,
Joe
***
Convention Orlando Items Of Interest2018
Note Several days ago, Brian pasted the agenda and forwarded to all for your
reading and planning pleasure.
The table number for the affiliate location in the exhibit room is D18.
Please review the agenda prior to the call this Tuesday and hopefully you
can provide the date or dates and time or times to work the NFBNJ table.
The information for consideration is located below.
Thanks Joe
**
Greetings to all members and those all attending the national convention,
Orlando, Florida, 2018!
For those attending, please read and review the national agenda prior to the
conference call for the 78th NFB convention held fromTuesday, July 3 through
Sunday, July 8, 2018. ,
The agenda was distributed last week.
Please visit, www.nfb.org/convention.
Conference Call:
Date:Tuesday, June 19 2018
Time: 8:00 PM
Call: 605 468 8005
Code: 460994
Items of Interest:
It is my pleasure to announce that 195 The Globe, an online radio station,
has partnered with the National Federation Of The Blind to provide
convention coverage this year from Orlando Florida.
The events that 195 The Globe will be covering from convention are:
All general sessions
The board of director's meeting
The banquet
The Performing Arts Division talent show/showcase of talent Plus other
special interviews and coverage to be announced.
The announcement was officially made on The Blind Side this week. You can
hear the recording of the announcement by going to
http://www.195theglobe.com/nfb18/StreamingCoverageAnnouncement.mp3
The fact that the globe, which is always streaming 24/7, is covering the
convention this year will make it easier for you to listen to the convention
stream if you are unable to attend, since the globe is available not just
through the standard media players, but on Tunein and OOTunes. You can even
ask alexa or google to play 195 The Globe on Tunein, and that's another way
for you to listen to convention coverage too!
Please watch social media, the #nfb18 hash tag, and other lists for more
information and times for these events to be streamed during this year's
national convention.
Thanks to President Riccobono and members of the national office for giving
us this opportunity to provide top of the line coverage of this year's
convention.
If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact either David
Dunphy at ddunphy at 195theglobe.com <mailto:ddunphy at 195theglobe.com> or our
program director, and the man handling interview coverage, etc, Chris
Nusbaum at cnusbaum at 195theglobe.com <mailto:cnusbaum at 195theglobe.com> You
may also contact any member of the globe management team by calling
951-456-2324
or visiting us on the web at
http://www.195theglobe.com
Sincerely,
David Dunphy, Station Owner
195 The Globe
Welcome To The Radio Revolution
****
To all first timers and those that wish to attend, please take notice on
Rookie Roundup scheduled forTuesday, July 3. Plese check the agenda for
time and location.
****
Transportation
Access Link and Access Lynx, procedures
Other transportation opportunities.
Here is the information for the Access-Lynx in Florida.
call # 407-423-8747 for eligibility or call access-Link here in NJ and ask
them to fax your information to the Access-Lynx in Florida. there Fax # is:
407-849-6759
Hours of operation: are Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
This is for those who never registered with Florida Access-Lynx before.
If you had registered in the previous years, then chances are, you will be
using the same ID # that you used in the pass.
Just to be sure call and confirm. They will need to know the date you will
be arriving in Florida and the date you will be leaving.
Mears Motor Shuttles
Need an easy, inexpensive way to get from the airport to the hotel and back
again? Consider using a Mears Motor Shuttle. Mears is offering a discount of
$4 off the roundtrip price with the NFB Mears Shuttle coupon
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/575053-national%20fed%20of%20the%2
0blind%20mears%20coupon.pdf> . Follow the instructions on the coupon to
reserve your shuttle in advance or simply present the coupon at any of the
four Mears Motor Shuttle ticket counters located on level 1 of the Orlando
International Airport terminal. Call 800-759-5219 with questions.
Taxi:
Most major airports have taxi locations outside the departure door. Not sure
of the cost however, it will be somewhat more expensive than the other
obtions.
For those that have Uber or Lyft, this is another possibility.
In addition, GoGo Grandparents. GoGo is an automated hotline that lets
people use Uber and Lyft without needing a smartphone. Uber and Lyft are
available nationally; when you use GoGoGrandparent, we'll send you whichever
one is cheapest at the time that you make your request for a ride. Their
prices are typically up to 40 percent less than the cost of a cab.
Using GoGo is simple: callers call from a number they have registered
with us and hear a menu of options. They can press 1 for a car to be sent to
pick them up from their home, 2 for a car to be sent to pick them up where
we dropped them off last, or 0 to speak with an operator for a custom pickup
location. Once the driver arrives, they tell the driver where they want to
go. When you make a request, a car shows up at your door within fifteen
minutes, typically less. To register free of charge, please call (855)
464-6872 or visit www.gogograndparent.com/register.
****
Hotel reservations
After you have checked into your room, please call the front desk to inquire
to connect with Joe’s room. You will be leaving a voice message with your
room number and your cell number on my room’s answering machine. I hope to
have a message on my hotel voice mail highlighting some items of interest
that should be important to a smooth convention.
Note: I will not be arriving until late afternoon or early evening on
Sunday, July 1. Please place your call to my room no later than 10:00 pm. On
Sunday. If not available to leave the information, please call on Monday
morning after 10:00 am.
If you arrive after Monday, do the same as described above.
Cell Nunmbers:
To all attending the national convention, we will ask for your cell numbers
to share with all attending the convention. Brian Mackey will compile the
listing. We need your cell numbers no later than Monday, June 25. Once he
receives, he will forward to all attending the national convention
byThursday, June 28. Please provide your cell numbers as some may have
changed.
****
First Timers Guide
For all you first time convention goers and to all conventioneers, there is
now a First-Timer's Guide to the Convention of the National Federation of
the Blind. It is available in audio, and as a webpage. Both versions can be
found at https://nfb.org/convention. On the same page is other convention
information including the schedule and full agenda.
***
Important: There will be an affiliate caucus open to all on Thursday, July 5
from 5:30 to 6:50 pm in Suwannee 20 Level 2.
Bring your banquet tickets and write your name on the back as we need to
exchange for a table number.
Judy will be exchanging all banquet tickets for table assignments early on
Friday, July 6. I will explain the procedure.
****
NFBNJ Exhibit Room information and Assignments:
If you wish to review what is available for sale, all posted announcements
highlighting the exhibit room will be displayed at
https://nfb.org/convention/exhibits
This will allow for filtering based on the following categories: affiliate,
division, exhibitor, or sponsor.
Mac Biggers has provided a schedule for all to consider volunteering approx.
two hours in the exhibit room to sell producs that will benefit the state
treasury.
Please review the agenda before committing to a date and time to work the
table. The NFBNJ table number is D18.
NFBNJ 2018 National Convention Items for Sale
Item 1: NFBNJ Calendar Raffle - Purchase a date to win up to $500.00 in
Cash or National Gift Cards, 2 NFB Logo Wine Glasses and one Apple
Certified 10 foot lightning charger cable. There are 365 dates to choose
from and only one person can purchase a date. Individuals can purchase one
date for $10 or 3 dates for $25 in a raffle style drawing to win.
Item 2: Sell one for $20.00 - Apple MFI Certified] 10ft Lightning Cable,
iPhone Charger - Toughest and Durable 8pin Charging Cord White. Compatible
with all lightning devices; wall jack not included.
Item 3: Sell one for $10.00 or two for $15.00 NFB Logo Wine Glasses - 8
oz. Napa Wine Glasses; blazoned with the NFB National logo in a stunning
black silhouette packed in a sturdy cardboard box for traveling.
Item 4: Sell for $20, $30 for 2ties with Logo in Red, Cranbury, Blue and
Gray
A price list in Braille and print will be available at the exhibit table.
After you have reviewed the agenda, please contact Mac with your preferred
date and time or times prior to the conference call.
Mac can be reached at 801 916 9753 or macbiggers at yahoo.com.
During the conference call scheduled for Tuesday, June 19 at 8:00 PM, we
will review any remaining time slots. Remember: review the agenda before
confirming your time slot withMac.
The NFBNJ table number is D18.
Note: We will ask all working the table to arrive fifteen minutes prior to
the start time of your shift.
We will have a price guide in Braille and large print at the NFBNJ exhibit
table.
Important Exhibit Hall Dates:
* July 3: Exhibit hall setup noon-4:30 p.m.
Mac, if needed, several hours to setup. I usually bring the ties and place
on the chair under the table.
* July 4: Sponsor-only exhibit preview 9:00-11:00 a.m.,
exhibit hall open 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
11:00 to 12:30 pm: Joe and Judy Ruffalo
12:30 to 2:30 pm
2:30 to 5:00 pm
* July 5: Exhibit hall open 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
8:30 to 10:30 am
10:30am to 12:30 pm
12:30 to 2:30 pm
2:30 to 5:00 pm
Note: All members of the NFBNJ delegate, please attend the annual caucus
from 5:30 to 6:50 PM, Suwannee 20, Level 2
Bring your banquet tickets for exchange. Please write your names on the
ticket.
Judy will be exchanging erly on Friday, July 6 the banquet tickets for table
assignments.
* July 6: Exhibit hall open noon-1:45 p.m., 7:00-9:00 p.m.
12:00 to 1:45 pm
7:00 to 9:00 pm
* July 7: Exhibit hall open noon-1:45 p.m.,
exhibit breakdown 1:45-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
***
In addition, Mrs. Maurer is requesting volunteers to assist with the
Independence market. After reviewing the national agenda, making
arrangements to assist at the state affiliate table, please contact Mrs.
Maurer at 410 659 9314 ex. 2272 or email at pmaurer at nfb.org
****
It is recommended that you call or search on your carriers website within a
24 hour period to confirm your departure time. Judy and I check the day
before and the day of the scheduled flight.
***
Paying for hotel room at convention:
The following is from the June 2017 issue of The Braille Monitor.
How to Pay for Your Hotel Stay in Orlando
by Tony Cobb
From the Editor: For a long time Tony Cobb was a fixture in our
national convention hotel lobby, and his kindness, wisdom, and experience
helped to make the convention better for all of us. Here is a reminder we
try to run each year to prevent the heartache that comes from an overdrawn
checking account when one is not familiar with the practices of major hotel
chains. The words below come from the wisdom of those years of service, and
it is with gratitude that we reprint them:
Here is some advice about paying for your hotel stay: every year at
our national convention we have serious trouble with use of debit cards or
cash payments at hotel check-in, and, having worked to solve these problems
for years, I can tell you they can nearly ruin the convention week for those
experiencing them. Planning to attend our national convention should
therefore include thinking seriously about how to pay the hotel, and I
cannot urge you strongly enough to avoid using cash or a debit card as your
payment method. Doing so may seem convenient, but you should not do so. If
you do not have a credit card of your own to use, prevail upon a close
friend or family member to let you use one just for convention. Here's why:
If you are paying in actual currency, most hotels will want enough
cash up front at check-in to cover your room and tax charges for the entire
stay, plus a one-time advance incidentals deposit to cover meals, telephone
calls, internet service, and other things you may charge to your room. The
unused portion of the incidentals deposit may be returned at check-out or
by mail after departure. Understand, however, that, if your incidentals
charges exceed the incidentals deposit credited, you are responsible for
payment of the full balance at checkout. The total can end up being a very
large sum indeed.
If you use a debit card, however, you are really at a potentially
painful disadvantage. The hotel will put a hold on money in your bank
account linked to the debit card to cover the estimated balance of your
stay-that is, for the entire week's room and tax charges plus a one-time
incidentals deposit to cover meals, movies, and so on charged to your room.
You should be aware that the hold can therefore be a considerable amount of
money and that you will not have access to that amount for any other
purchases or payments with your card. (Hotels sometimes also put
authorizations on credit cards, by the way, but those are not often a
problem unless they exceed your card's credit limit.)
Holds can remain in effect for three to five days or even a week
after you check out. If you have pre-authorized payments from your bank
account, for example your monthly mortgage payment, or if you try to make a
purchase with your debit card and it's refused, the hold from the hotel can
cause you trouble or result in very large overdraft fees for payments you
thought you had money in your account to cover. I have seen this hit some
of our members in the form of hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees.
This means that, if you use a debit card, you would have to be
certain you have a high enough balance in your checking account when you
come to convention to cover any debit card holds. This is a perilous
practice since charges may exceed your estimate by a considerable amount.
(Some frequent travelers even open a separate checking account used only
for debits like these.) Remember, a hold is going to be placed on your
debit card regardless of how you end up paying the bill, and the hold is
not necessarily released right away, even if you pay with a credit card or
cash when you check out of the hotel.
Planning ahead in this area can ensure an untroubled week at
convention, leaving you free to enjoy fully the world's largest and most
exciting meeting of the blind. Come enjoy this fine hotel-using a credit
card, I hope.
****
Here are a few places that will deliver food or other items.
A: one is Amazon Prime now. This service is free to anyone who has a
Amazon prime account. First must down load the app called prime now.Then go
into the app and restaurants or food items that you would like to shop for.
Then once in your cart you choose the next available time to deliver. Once
you get a time and they will deliver you must pick up items from the bells
stand is usually where they deliver to. Sonia Biggers used this service last
year at convention.
B: that delivers food items not restaurants is called Instacart. This
service has three different ways of paying for the service. First one is
each time you order they will charge you a service/delivery fee. Second is a
monthly fee. where you pay so much and you can shop as much as you want with
no service/delivery fees. Third option is you pay this service once a year
and you can shop with them as much as you want with no service/delivery
fees. How this service works is you put your address or zip code of where
you are and it will tell you if it is available in that location. Currently
this service will deliver items from the following stores. BJ, Costco,
Costco business center, Petco, CVS pharmacy, Publix, Publix specialty and
Organics, Publics Liquors, Total Wine and more, Abc Fine wine and spirits,
Whole food. How to order items is you go to the app put in address or zip
code of where you are then see what store are available in that area. Then
you pick a store you want to shop from. You can only shop at one store per
order. Once you pick the store you want you click on the store and shop for
all of the items you want. When you are done shopping you check out. Once
you check out you choose what time they have available to deliver your order
to you. Then you click the submit button to order your items.
C: there are several applications that you can use to order take out food
outside of the hotel. Some of them are Uber eats, Grubhub, prime now,
DoorDash and Bite Squad.
****
Notes and Tips:
Special Note: When paying for meals in restaurants, ask if tips are
included.
To save time, when you order and wen you ar served, ask for your check and
make payment. This will save valuable time. In the past, if you received
your check when you finish your meal, it could take 20 to 30 minutes to make
payment.
If shopping at the local grocery store, bring a suitcase with wheels as if
you are walking, grocery items become quite heavy, such as water, soda and
or milk.
· If you are packing a bathing suit, also pack a large ziplock bag.
This will keep other items in your suitcase dry when traveling home.
· Bring suntan lotion. It is rumored that Florida is hot during the
summer! GRIN!
· This is a large hotel with much walking and therefore, a good pair
of walking shoes are suggested.
· In case of emergency, know where the stairs are located.
· This is your convention and make sure that you attend and
participate in what is offered and bring back to your local
chapters/divisions as we continue to build the Federation.
We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!
Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
www.carshelpingtheblind.org
or call 855 659 9314
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