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<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>I have pasted several items of interest to share with our
membership.</DIV>
<DIV>I have offered my comments after each item.</DIV>
<DIV>Please read and share.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </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">Raising
Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</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>
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<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>**</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>President’s Notebook</DIV>
<DIV>National Federation of the Blind</DIV>
<DIV>Mark A. Riccobono</DIV>
<DIV>officeofthepresident@nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org></DIV>
<DIV>410-659-9314</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Dear Fellow Federationists,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>The year has started off with a flurry of activity in the National
Federation of the Blind. As many of you spin up after the holidays, I want
to
again remind you about the deadline this week for membership lists. This is
going to make a huge difference in managing membership data going forward.
If
you have any trouble with the spreadsheet, please be sure to reach out to
Julie
McGinnity here at the office.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you to each of you who participated in our youth outreach call
last
week. Attached is the summer programs PDF that we mentioned on the call.
Please
promote the great opportunities offered through our organization as a way to
increase engagement in our organization and to help us raise expectations
for
the next generation.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>I offer my comments: We will distribute via
our
distribution list and will post the flyer highlighted above on the state
website.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I am eagerly anticipating our 2019 Washington Seminar where we will
once
again bring our expertise to the members of the United States Congress.
These
relationships are critically important to our work and I hope that your
delegation is ready to take the Hill in late January.</DIV>
<DIV>Warmest regards from a snowy Baltimore. I am off to visit our Louisiana
Center for the Blind today to experience firsthand the great work that is
being
done in our programs.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: The NFBNJ has a delegation of
fifteen
members, that will deliver and present the issues to New Jersey’s
Congressional
Representatives.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Critical Actions This Week:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Deadline for Submitting Membership Lists:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>As I mention above, tomorrow is the deadline to submit your membership
lists to Julie McGinnity. Her email address is
jmcginnity@nfb.org<mailto:jmcginnity@nfb.org>.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: Thanks to all chapters/divisions
that
provided information to Ellen Sullivan. We are missing a chapter and a
division, please contact Ellen at 302 333 8146 or email, <A
href="mailto:ems553@comcast.net">ems553@comcast.net</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>News:</DIV>
<DIV>Presidential Release:</DIV>
<DIV>The January release has been posted to <A
href="https://nfb.org/presidential-releases-en/presidential-release-479-english-january-2019">https://nfb.org/presidential-releases-en/presidential-release-479-english-january-2019</A>.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: Usually, a few days after the post,
the
monthly release can be located on Newsline.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Congressional Reception:</DIV>
<DIV>Our reception will take place Tuesday, January 29, from 5:00-6:30 p.m.,
at
the Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol Congressional Ballroom. Note that this is
a
different time and location than were originally announced.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: we could have several NFBNJ
participants attend.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Washington Seminar Dream Makers’ Circle Table:</DIV>
<DIV>As leaders in the National Federation of the Blind, I know that you
lead
best by example. In order to ask those who are not members to support us, it
is
crucial that we support the NFB by joining our Dream Makers’ Circle. This is
especially true of our leaders. Joining our Dream Makers’ Circle Legacy
Society
is easier than you think. You can give exact amounts or percentages and, of
course, you can do so after taking care of your loved ones. Come find out
how.
Please find time to stop by the lobby and talk with Patti Chang about your
options. Let’s go build the Federation by joining in the Circle.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: To all NFBNJ participants, please
visit
with Patti to gain the valuable information.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Future Reflections Options:</DIV>
<DIV>You can read the current issue of Future Reflections online at <A
href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr37/4/fr3704tc.htm">https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr37/4/fr3704tc.htm</A>.
If you want to receive Future Reflections via email each month, visit <A
href="http://nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html">http://nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html</A>
to sign up. Also audio files are available on our website or as podcasts
through
the iTunes store, or you can subscribe to our RSS feed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: Along with the Braille Monitor,
Future
reflections is a must read. The publication is produced
quarterly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Summer Opportunity for Teens:</DIV>
<DIV>Explore and connect this summer, June 16-22, 2019. Join the National
Federation of the Blind at our NFB Engineering Quotient (EQ) program. NFB EQ
is
a week-long adventure into engineering and problem-solving. No specific
level of
engineering experience required. Engage in activities designed to strengthen
knowledge and grow interests. Connect with the twenty-nine other teen
participants while also exploring the local community and participating in
various recreational activities. Enriched experiences. New friendships. More
independence. Apply for NFB EQ now.www.blindscience.org/nfbeq<<A
href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq</A>>.
Have questions? Email STEM@nfb.org<A
href="mailto:STEM@nfb.orgmailto:STEM@nfb.org">mailto:STEM@nfb.orgmailto:STEM@nfb.org</A>.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: Please share this information with
students, parents, teachers. Please post to social media.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Brian will have on the state
website.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Reminders:</DIV>
<DIV>National Convention Hotel Block is Open:</DIV>
<DIV>We are excited to be hosting our convention at the beautiful Mandalay
Bay
Resort and Casino. As is the case every year, we have once again arranged
for
exceptional room rates. Unlike in years past, the same enviable rate of $99
per
night applies to singles and doubles as well as triples and quads. Hotel and
sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25 percent, respectively. The resort fee
(normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention attendees. However,
fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and fitness center
access
may apply.</DIV>
<DIV>To make reservations for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at
877-632-7800. The hotel will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate
for
each room and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a
credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a
reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, half of the deposit will be
returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Comments: A good number of membership have
reserved hotel rooms, don’t hesitate!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Dates to Keep in Mind:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> * January 28, 2019: Great Gathering-In; Washington
Seminar<<A
href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">https://nfb.org/washington-seminar</A>>
begins</DIV>
<DIV> * March 28-29, 2019: Jacobus tenBroek Law
Symposium<<A
href="https://nfb.org/law-symposium">https://nfb.org/law-symposium</A>></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>· March 31, 2019: NFB
scholarship application<<A
href="https://nfb.org/scholarships">https://nfb.org/scholarships</A>>
deadline</DIV>
<DIV>· April 15, 2019: Dr.
Jacob
Bolotin Award<<A
href="https://nfb.org/programs/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards">https://nfb.org/programs/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards</A>>
application deadline</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> * June 16-22, 2019: NFB EQ<<A
href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq</A>>,
Baltimore, Maryland</DIV>
<DIV> * July 7-12, 2019: NFB National Convention<<A
href="https://nfb.org/convention/2019">https://nfb.org/convention/2019</A>>,
Las Vegas, Nevada</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark A. Riccobono, President</DIV>
<DIV>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</DIV>
<DIV>(410) 659-9314 |
officeofthepresident@nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>[National Federation of the Blind]<<A
href="https://nfb.org/">https://nfb.org/</A>></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
[Facebook] <<A
href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</A>>
[Twitter] <<A
href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice</A>>
[Youtube] <<A
href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind</A>></DIV></DIV>
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