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<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>Greetings
to all!</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>I have provided my thoughts pertaining to Jerilyn Higgins’s resignation
effective as of May 1, 2017 as a member in the National Federation of the Blind
of New Jersey.</DIV>
<DIV>It is with much regret and much happiness that I accept her resignation and
hope the members in Florida provide a home in the Florida Federation for Jerilyn
to share her knowledge.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>My comments and Jerilyn’s resignation letter follows.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We care. We share. We gro. We make a difference!</DIV>
<DIV>The words above are part of my signature block however, the words highlight
Jerilyn Higgins, a true friend to me and to all members that she introduced the
gift of the Federation.</DIV>
<DIV>Jerilyn cared when she introduced me to the Federation. I didn’t want any
part of the organization. Jerilyn was persistent by contacting me for six months
as she cared with her experience with the Federation and she knew that I needed
what the Federation offered. Thanks Jerilyn.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We shared many times via emails and phone, together at meetings, chapter
functions, editing the Sounding Board, reviewing applicants for the state
scholarships, attending national and state conventions, participating at
Washington Seminars, presentations, conferences, workshops, , the Leadership,
Education, Advocacy and Determination teen program, working together with the
Senior Community Independent Living Services program for seniors, and
working as partners with Jerilyn baking and providing me with cookies and
cheesecakes. Jerilyn, thanks for sharing.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We have grown as members, friends and colleagues as we were always willing
to take a chance to grow as individuals and as leaders in the Federation. We
grew by discussing all possibilities and outcomes, weighed the potential
outcomes and provided opportunities to our members to grow and to think outside
the box. Jerilyn, thanks for providing growth to me and many others.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We make a difference as we participated in numerous phone calls to inform
many that being part of the Federation will and has made a difference in many
lives. Jerilyn, thanks for making a difference!</DIV>
<DIV>I will express my thoughts to you from your friends and the family of
Federationists with the following words.</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks for all you have done, are doing and continue to do to change what
it means to be blind!</DIV>
<DIV>The members of the NFBNJ will be honoring you at the 41st state convention
this fall and details will be forthcoming.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jerilyn, I and all that you have touched with the gift of the Federation
will miss you in New Jersey however, you are only a phone call, email and flight
away!</DIV>
<DIV>Enjoy your time in Florida and be prepared for visitors!</DIV>
<DIV>Judy and I are checking potential dates during the winter months.</DIV>
<DIV>With Much Love and Respect,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Your old
car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your unwanted vehicle
to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or call 855 659
9314<BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">***</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Letter of resignation</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal>Dear President Ruffalo and my NFB family, <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Please accept my sincere appreciation and many thanks for all
the opportunities and challenges you have given me through the last thirty
years. It has been an honor to serve the blind community of New Jersey.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>My first encounter with the NFB was the national convention
in 1987. I traveled with three other members of the NJ affiliate to
Phoenix, Arizona. The experience was amazing. I never saw so many people who
were blind in one place. They were from all walks of life, going on their
way independently. The speeches were enlightening, encouraging, empowering and
unforgettable. Seeing so many competent blind people living a prosperous,
independent life changed the way I thought about my blindness. The
speeches were inspiring; the exhibit hall was full of all the technology and
other items of interest that you could ever imagine. That is not all; there were
tours you could take to experience the local area. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>When I returned to New Jersey, I immediately joined my local
chapter. I couldn’t keep all the new information I learned to myself, I had to
share it with other people who are blind. The positive attitudes, the fact that
it is respectable to be blind and that blindness is only a characteristic, it
does not define us. From volunteering for the first Youth Slam to working in the
NJ BELL Academy, it was all such a pleasure to be able to share the good news of
the NFB. In the last thirty years, I have held every position on the Board
except the presidency. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The best president any affiliate could have is Joseph
Ruffalo. He goes above and beyond for the blind people of New Jersey. I am
also taking credit for finding him. It took me a while to get him to
attend an NFB meeting, but when I see good potential I can't let it go. So when
I hear him asking over and over again where are my sesame cookies, or my
chocolate coconut cheesecake, I have no one but myself to blame.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I will miss co-editing the Sounding Board, chairing the
Scholarship Committee, experiences at the Washington Seminar, and the Divisions
I enjoyed so much. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>In 1999 the Central Jersey Chapter was established. We were a
small team of Federationists who reached out to Middlesex and the surrounding
counties to all people who are blind to improve our lives. There is
nothing like a chapter to learn about blind issues, problem solving, and for
sharing information and ideas. We are a family and are there to help each other.
It was my pleasure to be president since the beginning of this chapter. I
will miss everyone and wish everyone the very best!<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I will be moving to Florida, I would love to keep in touch
with everyone. My email address is: <A
href="mailto:jerilynhiggins@gmail.com">jerilynhiggins@gmail.com</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Respectfully, <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Jerilyn Higgins<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT
size=3></FONT></o:p> </P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>