[NFBNJ] Week of October 8, 2022 President Melendez State Convention News and Updates

Thu Oct 6 00:25:39 UTC 2022

Greetings all,

As we get ready for our first in-person state convention in three years I
wanted this weekly email to share new information, updates and provide a
review. Included in this email are the following :

   - 46th Annual State Convention Location
   - Hotel Rates & Reservations
   - Delta by Marriott's Standard Policies
   - Extremely limited hotel restaurant food options, hours of operation
   and service
   - Membership & Friendship Appreciation Pizza Party, Sponsored by the
   National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
   - Pre-Registration
   - Pre-Registration Meals & Pricing
   - SSP, Personal Assistants or One-on-One Volunteer process
   - Volunteers Needed
   - Early electronic release of agenda
   - Convention Rookie Round-Up

*Special Note *The code to reserve your hotel room is National Federation
or NFBNJ. Also, the deadline to reserve your hotel room has been extended
to October 16. An electronic version of the agenda will be released early
next week.

Please share far and wide as all are invited to attend the annual state
convention!

For the most up-to-date convention information visit our website at
www.nfbnj.org

Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
president at nfbnj.org
www.nfbnj.org
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238

To schedule a 30-minute appointment with me click on the link below
https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min

46th Annual State Convention Location

We are pleased to announce our 46th Annual State Convention; A’nit No
Stopping Us Now We’re on the Move will be held from Thursday, November 10
through Sunday, November 13 at the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Woodbridge.
Address is 515 US Highway 1 South Iselin, NJ 08830. This location is Access
Link Accessible.
Hotel Rates & Reservations

The Delta by Marriott Hotel Woodbridge is accepting room reservations for
the State Convention until October 16. To make your reservation 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, please dial 800-468-3571 and use the group name of
National Federation or NFBNJ. The best time to call is during regular
business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The 2022 room rate is $124 a night. Hotel room rates are subject to
applicable state and local taxes, which at present is 6.625% and will be in
effect at the time of check-out. The room rate includes bagged continental
breakfasts for each night (2 per room).

Our block of rooms is available until October 16, and any remaining rooms
will become available to the public. You will need a credit card to secure
your reservation, there will be no charge to your card until you arrive at
the hotel. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible
rooms and if needed, make it known when you are making your room
reservation.

*Special Note: *Again, the code to reserve your room is National Federation
or NFBNJ. Also, the deadline has been extended to October 16.

*Note*: After October 16 if you cannot attend and you have made hotel
reservations, don’t call the hotel to cancel. Please call Linda Melendez at
732-421-7063. Linda usually has a waiting list to review as many learn
about the State Convention after October 16.
Delta by Marriott's Standard Policies

Additional hold of $100.00 for each night.  This charge is a hold on either
a credit card or debit card whichever is provided during check-in at the
hotel. This hold is for any additional charges other than room and tax.
Examples would be any movies rented in the hotel room, use of a hotel phone
for long distance calls, gift shop or restaurant purchases charged to the
hotel room.  If there are no additional charges with the exception of the
room and tax for the hotel room the hold will be released within 5 business
days.

Standard cancellation policy with no penalty is 48 hours prior to arrival.
Extremely limited hotel restaurant food options, hours of operation and
service

I would highly recommend purchasing the boxed lunches for $20 and dinners
on Friday and Saturday for $50 during the pre-registration process. I had a
lunch time meeting at the hotel this week and was forced to buy a snack and
beverage that cost $7.
Membership & Friendship Appreciation Pizza Party, Sponsored by the National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

Conventioneers are invited to join us on Thursday, November 10 at 5:30 PM
for an appreciation pizza party; details will be in the agenda.
Pre-Registration

The pre-registration rate has remained at $25 and closes on Thursday,
October 20, no exceptions! The hotel needs food numbers, and the
pre-registration packet process works like an assembly line and accepting
late registration makes it difficult. Thank you for your patience and
understanding. To register please click on the link below
https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/registration
Pre-Registration Meals & Pricing

The following meals can be selected during pre-registration. Again, please
note the hotel restaurant has limited food selections, service hours and
employees. All prices are set by the hotel.

*Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday $20 Boxed Lunch Choices *Tuna Salad with
Lettuce & Tomato
Grilled Vegetable
Turkey & Cheese with Lettuce & Tomato
Salad

*$50 Friday Federation Membership Reunion Dinner choices *Chicken Parmesan
Salmon with Mango Salsa
Skirt Steak with Red Wine Mushroom Reduction
Vegetarian Meal
Kosher Meal

*$50 Saturday Banquet Dinner choices Chicken Marsala  *Salmon with Lemon
Butter Sauce
Flank Steak Bordelaise
Vegetarian Meal
Kosher Meal
SSP’s, Personal Assistant or One-On-One Volunteer

If you need a dedicated volunteer or have an SSP they can attend the
convention for free. All volunteers are required to submit a volunteer form
by clicking on the link below. Our convention has been classified as a
community event and SSP hours will not be deducted from your monthly
allotment. All volunteers are required to follow our Covid Protocols.

https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/volunteer-registration
Volunteers Needed

Do you know someone looking for a short-term event in which to serve the
community and share with them about volunteering during our convention?
Perhaps you have colleagues, students, from your place of worship or others
in your circle of acquaintances who are seeking professional development or
community service hours.

Qualifications to volunteer at our convention? You must be 18 years old,
have time available from Nov. 10 to the 13th, background checks a plus. So
are a sense of humor and a desire to be helpful. Shifts have been split
into three-hour segments. Additional information is available by calling
Linda Melendez at 732-421-7063. To volunteer they are required to complete
the registration form below and required to follow our Covid Protocols.
https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/volunteer-registration
Convention Agenda

Shortly, we will be releasing an electronic version of the agenda while we
are formatting for brailling and large print  printing.
Convention Rookie Round-Up

Conventioneers are invited to join us on Wednesday, November 2 at 7 PM0 to
learn more about the convention followed by a Q&A session. Stay tuned for
participation details.
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