[NFBNJ] Welcome to Day 1 of the 44th State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

Wed Nov 18 01:19:33 UTC 2020

>From the desk of Linda Melendez, First Vice President  and Chair of
Convention Activities, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

Submitted by Ellen Sullivan, Affiliate Secretary

Greetings all,

        I hope you are very excited to join us on our first day of the 44th
State Convention of the NFBNJ.  On Wednesday, November 18, 2020 our
Divisions, Committees and At Large Chapter meet. Time, Zoom, and conference
call details are included below. We begin promptly at 1:00 p.m.

Thank you for joining us and for your support. All are welcome!

Warmly,

Linda Melendez
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

First Vice President,
Chair, Convention Activities

732-421-7063
 <mailto:lindamelendez220 at gmail.com> lindamelendez220 at gmail.com

The 44th Annual State Convention
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT-
We Care. We Share. We Grow. We make a difference!

Anywhere and Everywhere

Wednesday, November 18 through Saturday November 21, 2020

Joseph Ruffalo, President

973 743 0075

 <mailto:nfbnj1 at verizon.net> nfbnj1 at verizon.net

Linda Melendez, Chair of State Convention Activities
732 421 7063
 <mailto:lindamelendez220 at gmail.com> lindamelendez220 at gmail.com 

 <http://www.nfbnj.org/> www.nfbnj.org

 <http://www.blindchildren.org/> www.blindchildren.org

Who We Are & What We Do

The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of
and for the blind in the US, is made up of blind/visually impaired people of
all ages, and their families and friends. We help newly blind people adjust
to vision loss, assist parents and teachers of blind children, and promote
the full participation and integration of blind people in our communities.
Our activities include:

. Assisting blind persons in acquiring the skills of independence and
developing confidence in themselves
. Supporting parents and teachers of blind children with information,
mentoring, role modeling, information, and training
. Preparing blind students for careers and self-sufficiency through
mentoring, training, and academic scholarships
. Encouraging blind seniors to continue to live active and meaningful lives
. Advocating for policies that eliminate discrimination, promote civil
rights, and guarantee equal access to high quality educational and
rehabilitation programs

. Sponsoring information campaigns and legislative action at the state and
national levels 
. Educating the public through community activities and publications 

Spotlight on NFB of New Jersey

Since 1976, the National Federation of the Blind of NJ, an affiliate of the
National Federation of the Blind, has been providing invaluable information
and resources to blind/visually impaired people throughout the state. Our
members work together for a brighter tomorrow by raising expectations for
blind people everywhere so that blind persons can live the life they want.
Our seven chapters meet monthly; our five divisions hold events at various
times throughout the year. For more information on the affiliate, chapters,
divisions, committees, programs, and projects, visit
<http://www.nfbnj.org/> www.nfbnj.org. Please join us- we would welcome your
participation.

Live the Life You Want

The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love, hope, and
determination, we transform dreams into reality. 

The National Federation of the Blind Pledge

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Integrity and Respect

To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the
convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for
everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in
which participants from diverse backgrounds may learn, network, and share
with each other in an environment of mutual respect. Thank you for doing
your part to contribute to our community and the high expectations we strive
to maintain.

Please visit the following link for the code of conduct
 <http://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct>
www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct

All state convention activities will be held at Eastern Standard Time via
the Zoom platform unless otherwise indicated. And we will be recording the
convention.

Convention Zoom participation details
Join Zoom Meeting
 <https://zoom.us/j/6477660103?pwd=Qkw0RGxYdGc5TjVBdVZmUnFYYnlCQT09>
https://zoom.us/j/6477660103?pwd=Qkw0RGxYdGc5TjVBdVZmUnFYYnlCQT09

Meeting ID: 647 766 0103
Passcode: 460 994

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,6477660103# US (New York)
+13017158592,,6477660103# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 647 766 0103
Passcode: 460 994

Instructions for listening on an Echo device
Wake word Alexa: call 646 876 9923
Just like calling on the phone, you will hear "welcome to Zoom."
Meeting ID when prompted, then say wake word Alexa: Press 647 766 0103 pound
sign
Then say Alexa Press pound to enter the meeting

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

For divisions and At Large Chapter Meetings see Zoom participation details
above
For committee meetings participation instructions are included.

1:00 to 1:50 P.M.-Seniors Division Business Meeting Jane Degenshein,
President. We will review the year, outline 2021 and our guest speaker will
be, Ruth Sager, President of the National Association of Senior Blind who
discuss the successful virtual senior retreat.

To subscribe to our NFBNJ Senior Division list serve, click on the link
below:
 <https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbnj-seniors_nfbnet.org>
https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbnj-seniors_nfbnet.org

To subscribe to our National division list serve, click on the link below:
 <https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-seniors_nfbnet.org>
https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-seniors_nfbnet.org

2:00 to 2:50 P.M.-Technology Division Business Meeting 
Jane Degenshein, President, 
Join us as we review the successes of 2020 and look ahead to our involvement
in 2021. Our guest speaker, Eileen Levin, Accessible Tester for Verizon will
share her thoughts on teaching others technology under the Verizon volunteer
pilot project.

To subscribe to our NFBNJ tech div list serve, click on the link below:
 <http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/njtechdiv_nfbnet.org>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/njtechdiv_nfbnet.org

3:00 to 3:50 P.M.-Sports and Recreation Business Meeting
Linda Melendez, President
Join us as we review past and present activities, challenges and events.
Bring your ideas as we plan for 2021. Jessica Beecham, President National
Sports and Recreation Division and First Vice President NFB of Colorado will
be our guest speaker. Also presenting is 2020 NFBNJ Scholarship winner
Veronica Stocker about being a Yoga Instructor and offering a Zoom Yoga
class on Friday, November 20 from 5:30 to 6:15 P.M.; all are invited!

To learn about our National Sports and Recreation Division
visit
 <http://www.nfbsportsandrec.org/> http://www.nfbsportsandrec.org

To join our National Sports and Recreation Division Listserv visit
 <http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org

Find our Facebook Group by searching National Sports and Recreation Division

4:00 pm At Large Chapter Meeting
Joseph Ruffalo, President
The meeting will highlight the past year, plans for 2021 and the importance
to stay involved and raising expectations.

7:00 P.M.-Braille Committee Business Meeting
Mary Jo Partyka, Chair
Call: 515 604 9570
Code: 612 068 followed by the pound sign
We will discuss Braille mentoring, the Braille Challenge, BELL In-home
Edition, and Brailing cards for the 2021 state convention. Our next steps
will consist of determining the goals for this committee which we will
discuss during our January 2021 meeting. You will also learn about the
Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest.

Sandy Halverson, Past President of the National Association to Promote the
Use of Braille, will provide additional information to promote Braille
literacy. Hear from the winners of the Braille Challenge for 2020 Kaleigh
Brendle and Madeline Mau.

Our Braille committee website is 
 <https://www.nfbnj.org/projects/braille-committee/>
https://www.nfbnj.org/projects/braille-committee/ 

 <https://www.nfbnj.org/projects/braille-committee/>
https://www.nfbnj.org/projects/braille-committee/

Our national website is
 <mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org 

7:50 P.M.-Guide Dog Committee Business Meeting
Dan Facchini, Chair
Topic: Guide dog navigation during COVID-19

Time: Nov 18, 2020 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting

 <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87877243174>
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87877243174

Meeting ID: 878 7724 3174

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,87877243174# US (New York)

+13017158592,,87877243174# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 878 7724 3174

An overview of 2020 and plans for 2021. Raul Gallegos, newly elected
President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, NAGDU, will
provide an overview of the national prospective and how all are invited to
participate. Have you ever wondered how the current pandemic has impacted
guide-dog navigation? The National Federation of the Blind's New Jersey
Guide-dog committee cordially invites you to join us at the state
convention's Zoom segment entitled, Guiding through a Pandemic. Come join
current guide-dog handlers as we discuss some of the concerns and challenges
that Covid19 has posed to the guide-dog community. Additionally, we will be
joined by Glenn Hoagland, President of the Seeing Eye. Glenn will walk us
through some of the modifications employed by the organization as it
continues to fulfill its crucial mission.

New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users visit 
 <mailto:njagdu at nfbnet.org> njagdu at nfbnet.org

National Guide visit 
 <http://www.nagdu.org/> http://www.nagdu.org/

8:30 P.M.-Diabetes Committee Business Meeting
Ed Godfrey, Chair
Dial: 605 468 8005
Password: 460 994

An overview of 2020 and future plans for 2021. Jean Brown, First
Vice-President Diabetes Action Network, (DAN) will provide info highlighting
the overview of the purposes, goals and objectives of the national division.
She will be talking about DAN what it is, how to join and various
accessibility products like the Abbott FreeStyle Libre and accessible
glucose meters.

Jocelyn Santiago, a registered nurse and a member of our committee. 

WHAT??? I am at risk of developing Diabetes?? Why? And how is that
possible?? About 88 million adult Americans have prediabetes, that is more
than 1 in 3, of those with prediabetes, 84% don't know they have it!!
Prediabetes is a serious health condition that will put you at risk of
developing Type 2 Diabetes ,heart disease and other harmful conditions
relating to diabetes complications . so what are you waiting for? Come and
join the Diabetes Committee to learn more about Pre-diabetes and how we can
avoid from getting this preventable and absolutely reversible condition. She
will give you valuable information that will also provide an overview about
managing diabetes during this Holliday season.

New Jersey listserv:
 <https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nj-diabetes-division_nfbnet.org>
https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nj-diabetes-division_nfbnet.org

National Diabetic Action Network (DAN) listserv:
 <https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org>
https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org

Special Announcements

Meet our National Rep Julie Deden
I am honored to be the national representative at our New Jersey convention,
and I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible in our new
virtual space. I have always been blind but truly did not feel good about
being a blind person until I became involved in the National Federation of
the blind at age 18. Even when I joined the NFB it took a few years for me
to feel proud of being a blind person. The National Federation of the Blind
has given me the opportunity to participate in so many activities where I
have met positive blind role models who have taken their time to mentor me.

I have lived in Colorado for most of my life. Diane and Ray McGeorge are two
of the first people I met through the NFB. They spent so much time with me
teaching me about life and the NFB. Today, Diane serves as the chair of the
Colorado Center Board of Directors and is still teaching me. She is not only
a mentor but is like my mom as I feel that I grew up with her influence. 

I have a master's degree in counseling psychology from Lesley University and
always knew from a young age that I wanted to work with people. I enjoyed
working as a rehabilitation counselor for 14 years, because I had an
opportunity to provide support and mentor my clients. In 1997 I left the
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to work at the Colorado
Center for the Blind. Once again, Diane mentored me to prepare me to become
the director of the center in March of 1999. 

I have held countless offices in the NFB. I currently serve as Second Vice
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado. I am humbled
to be the Vice President of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and
Adults. 

I am married to Dan Burke and have a grown-up son named Robert. Every day is
a gift and I wonder what I may learn from the day! I treasure my involvement
in the NFB and know that we can do anything, with love hope and
determination. 

National Scholarship Program-Call for Applications Started November 1

Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more than $120,000
to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional
aspirations. The scholarship program is our commitment to academic
excellence and leadership among blind students, and each winner is awarded
on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The
application process opened November 1. Review the scholarship application
checklist and the scholarship program FAQs. Share this opportunity that
invests in the future of blind people. To learn about the eligibility and 

requirements of the 2021 scholarship program visit

<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-p
rogram>
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-pr
ogram 

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest

Join the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults and the National
Federation of the Blind in this upcoming contest to promote Braille. K-12
students and adults learning Braille across the U.S. compete to read the
most Braille pages, going against other participants in similar contest
categories for seven weeks. What books are on your reading list?

Encourage more Braille. Improve reading skills. Win prizes.
Registration is opened on November 1. Learn more about the
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18832&qid=4372187>
Braille Readers Are Leaders contest 

NFB T-Shirts for Sale

Maybe some of your chapter members are new, maybe some members haven't yet
purchased one for their wardrobe, and maybe some members and non members are
looking for a spare.

They are heather red with white print. The top left on the front has our
logo and in 2 lines beneath, The National Federation of the Blind. The back
in 2 lines says, Live the Life You Want and are available in sizes small,
medium, large, and X Large;. Prices are $18. If interested contact Anne
Marie Harris at  <mailto:lovey1160 at gmail.com> lovey1160 at gmail.com or 856 589
8747.

PRE-AUTHORIZED CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM (PAC Plan)

We encourage all members and conventioneers to join the PAC Plan. This plan
raises funds for the National Federation of the Blind by automatically
debiting your checking account or charging your credit/debit card the
specified monthly amount you designate; as little as $5 a month. Individuals
already enrolled are encouraged to raise their monthly contributions.

To arrange for PAC Plan contributions go to  <http://nfb.org/pac>
nfb.org/pac and fill out the form. The National Center will call you to take
payment information. You can also call 877 635 2711 or email
<mailto:pac at nfb.org> pac at nfb.org to enroll.

The National Center will contact individuals for financial and banking
information following the convention. For additional assistance contact Mac
Biggers, NFBNJ PAC Plan Coordinator at 801 916 9753 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey thanks the following
sponsor and vendors for their continued support with raising expectations to
live the life we want.

Sponsor:

T-Mobile Accessibility
Hannah DeFelice
Blind/Low Vision Customer Relationship Manager
513-501-5459
 <mailto:Hannah.defelice at t-mobile.com> Hannah.defelice at t-mobile.com
 <https://www.sprintrelay.com/> https://www.sprintrelay.com/

3D PhotoWorks
John Olson, Co founder
124 Hudson Avenue
Chatham, New York 12037
518 392 8161
 <mailto:john at 3dphotoworks.com> john at 3dphotoworks.com
 <http://www.3dphotoworks.com/> www.3dphotoworks.com

Vendors:

C-TECH
Chuck Cohen, President
2 N. William St.
Pearl River, NY 10965
845 735 7907
 <mailto:chuck at magnifyit.com> chuck at magnifyit.com
 <http://www.ctechlowvision.com/> www.ctechlowvision.com

Independence Science
Jasodhara Bhattacharya
Director of Strategic Global Projects
3000 Kent Ave
Suite 1303
West Lafayette, IN 47906
866 862 9665
 <mailto:jas at independencescience.com> jas at independencescience.com
 <http://independencescience.com/> http://independencescience.com

OrCam
Eve Posner/Get OrCam
25 Luth Terrace
West Orange, NJ  07052
973 820 5090
 <mailto:Eve at Amit-Group.com> Eve at Amit-Group.com
 <http://www.getorcam.com/> www.getOrCam.com

SW Unlimited, LLC
Sherlock Washington, President
81 Ortley Court
Matawan, New Jersey 07747
732 290 1677
 <mailto:sherlock at swunlimited.com> sherlock at swunlimited.com

We are grateful to those who contributed time, effort and suggestions to
care, share, and grow as we continue to make a difference by raising
expectations to live the life we want!

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