[NFBNJ] 2nd Distribution: National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 44th State Convention Business Meeting Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Thu Dec 3 09:30:23 UTC 2020

>From the Desk of Linda Melendez, President, National Federation of the Blind
of New Jersey

Submitted by Ellen Sullivan, Affiliate Secretary

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

44th State Convention Business Meeting

Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call of the Board:

National Representative:

Julie Deden, Executive Director, Colorado Center for the Blind; Vice
President, NFB Colorado

Officers:

Joe Ruffalo, President

Linda Melendez, First Vice President

Mary Jo Partyka, Second Vice President

Ellen Sullivan, Secretary

Andrew Rees, Treasurer

Board Members:

Annemarie Cooke

Linda DeBerardinis

Jane Degenshein

Mary Fernandez

Veronica Gaspa

Zoraida Krell

Also present was Ryan Stevens, Chair of the Nomination Committee and
President of the Garden State Chapter

There were approximately 82 members, guests, and participants in attendance.

2. Welcoming Remarks:

President Ruffalo welcomed all to the 44th NFBNJ State Convention Business
Meeting and said that the State Convention is the supreme legislative
authority as stated in our constitution. He said the primary purpose of
tonight's meeting is to provide an overview of 2020 Affiliate activities and
to hold our elections for Officers and Board Members whose terms were
expiring.

3. Impact of the Pandemic:

President Ruffalo said we had many things planned in 2020 that needed to be
postponed due to the pandemic. These included:

-An Afternoon of Comedy and Entertainment in March 2020

-A Leadership Meeting in Baltimore in May 2020

-In Person:

                National Convention

                Chapter Meetings

                State Convention

                BELL Academy

                Fund Raisers

                (Just to name a few!)

President Ruffalo commended the members for "re-tooling" the way things were
done in the past and for keeping our Federation moving forward and for
welcoming 35 new members.

4. Treasurer Report:

President Ruffalo provided highlights of the Affiliate Financials from
11/1/2019 through 10/31/2020.

He shared income and expenses as follows:

Ryan Stevens motioned to approve the report, and this was seconded by Mary
Fernandez. The report was approved by acclimation.

Any member wishing to have a copy of the full financial report should reach
out to Linda Melendez, President. president at nfbnj.org
<mailto:president at nfbnj.org> 

5. Ryan Stevens, Chair of the Nomination Committee presented the Election
Slate:

For President : Linda Melendez

For First Vice President: Joe Ruffalo

For Second Vice President: Mary Jo Partyka

For Secretary: Ellen Sullivan

For Treasurer: Annemarie Cooke

For Board Member 1: Evangelia (Lia) Stone  

For Board Member 2: Linda DeBerardinis 

For Board Member 3: Veronica Gaspa

National Representative Julie Deden assisted with running the election.

Julie Deden announced Linda Melendez as President and asked three times for
nominations from the floor. There were no nominations from the floor. Joe
Ruffalo motioned to approve the nomination, and this was seconded by Linda
DeBerardinis.  Linda Melendez was elected by acclamation. Linda was
congratulated by all and gave a sincere thanks to President Ruffalo for
being her mentor and thanked the membership for their support. She shared a
welcoming message.

Julie Deden announced Joe Ruffalo as First Vice President and asked three
times for nominations from the floor. There were no nominations from the
floor. Linda DeBerardinis motioned to approve the nomination, and this was
seconded by Ellen Sullivan. Joe Ruffalo was elected by acclamation.

Joe was congratulated and thanked the membership for 27 years of their
support and said, "while he is stepping down he is not stepping out".

Julie Deden announced Mary Jo Partyka as Second Vice President and asked
three times for nominations from the floor. There were no nominations from
the floor. Ryan Stevens motioned to approve the nomination, and this was
seconded by Veronica Gaspa.  Mary Jo Partyka was elected by acclamation.

Mary Jo was congratulated and thanked everyone for their support.

Julie Deden announced Ellen Sullivan as Secretary and asked three times for
nominations from the floor.

There were no nominations from the floor. Ryan Stevens motioned to approve
the nomination, and this was seconded by Veronica Gaspa. Ellen Sullivan was
elected by acclamation.

Ellen was congratulated and  thanked everyone for their support.

Julie Deden announced Annemarie Cooke as Treasurer and asked three times for
nominations from the floor. There were no nominations from the floor. Ryan
Stevens motioned to approve the nomination, and this was seconded by Ellen
Sullivan. Annemarie Cooke was elected by acclamation.

Annemarie was congratulated and  thanked everyone for their support.

Julie Deden announced Evangelia (Lia) Stone for the first Board Member and
asked three times for nominations from the floor. There were no nominations
from the floor. Joe Ruffalo motioned to approve the nomination, and this was
seconded by Zoraida Krell. Lia Stone was elected by acclamation. Lia was
congratulated and thanked everyone for their support.

Julie Deden announced Linda DeBerardinis for the second Board Member and
asked three times for nominations from the floor. There were no nominations
from the floor. Ryan Stevens motioned to approve the nomination, and this
was seconded by Jane Degenshein. Linda DeBerardinis was elected by
acclamation. Linda was congratulated and thanked everyone for their support.

Julie Deden announced Veronica Gaspa for the third Board Member. She asked
if there were any nominations from the floor and Mary Fernandez nominated
Melissa Lomax. Melissa accepted the nomination. Julie Deden asked twice if
there were any more nominations from the floor and none were indicated.
Ryan Stevens motioned to close the election, and this was seconded by Joe
Ruffalo.

Melissa provided members with her background and NFB accomplishments. Vee
was invited to do the same. Linda Melendez instructed the membership on the
voting procedure. Members were allowed two minutes to vote and Ryan Stevens
served as timekeeper. Ryan Stevens reported the results of the election and
Vee Gaspa was re-elected for a two year term to the Board. Melissa was
thanked for her willingness to serve the NFBNJ.

President Ruffalo congratulated all those who served on the NFBNJ Board with
a special thanks to Andrew Rees, Treasurer. He said the New Board will
become effective on Saturday, November 21 at the close of the Banquet.

6. Committee Reports:

The following members provided updates  and plans for 2020 for the following
committees and initiatives:

Adoptive Adaptive Equipment: Joe Ruffalo

Donations are made of equipment, emails are forwarded, the potential
recipient contacts the donor to arrange pickup of the equipment.

GreenDrop: Linda DeBerardinis

An opportunity to donate slightly used or new household goods.

Linda noted that last year NFBNJ GreenDrop earned $40,139 by October 31st;
this year we have done an even better job! Even with the downtime for the
COVID-19 pandemic, we are ahead of last year by $6 thousand, or 14%. All
monies go to National to support their programs.

Vehicle Donation: Andrew Rees

 An opportunity to donate vehicles in the name of the NFBNJ.

Membership: Linda Melendez

Meeting, greeting. and growing the Federation.

Communications: Annemarie Cooke

To assist with press releases, public service announcements, reviewing the
state website, etc.

Fund Raising: Ellen Sullivan

To promote fundraising opportunities for the affiliate, to assist
chapters/divisions and to research grants.

Social Media: Zoraida Krell

To establish a presence on social media and to promote the NFB and the NFBNJ
brand.

Resolutions: Ryan Stevens

To review potential policy statements for the affiliate and to assist
National in communicating legislative issues affecting the blind so they may
have their voices heard in Congress.

Sounding Board: President Ruffalo reviewed the purposes, goals and
objectives of the semi-annual publication, spring and fall that highlights
personal stories, educational, motivational, and inspirational
possibilities. He stated that after 15 years Kathy Gabry has retired as
editor and we need to find a new member to serve here.

Pre Authorized Contributions: PAC: Mac Biggers

An opportunity to support the Federation with a monthly gift as little as $5
per month.

White Cane: Anne Marie Harris and Jane Degenshein

Each month, contact is made with all white cane recipients inviting them to
consider reviewing  the philosophy of the Federation with hopes they will
join.

Town Hall Meetings: Linda Melendez

Periodically, we will conduct town hall calls with timely subjects and all
are invited.

New Jersey Transit:

Linda Melendez has scheduled  a Town Hall Meeting with New Jersey on
Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m.  All are invited to attend. Details will
be forthcoming. 

7. Closing Comments:

Julie Deden, National Representative  congratulated all for the election
results and said she is thoroughly enjoying the convention.

President Ruffalo reminded folks that we will start our General Session
promptly at 9:00 am Saturday morning and a copy of the day's agenda will be
sent out tonight.

8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Ellen Sullivan, Secretary and reviewed by

President Linda Melendez and First Vice President, Joe Ruffalo

NFBNJ

(Thank you Joe Ruffalo for your assistance!)

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