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<DIV><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Special Note: I learned that fellow
national
board member and President of the Washington D.C. affiliate , Shawn Callaway
is
assigned as the national representative for the state
convention.</FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">I have provided his biography after the state
convention
updates.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Greetings to all!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">With slightly over three <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>months from the gavel striking<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to begin the 43<SUP>rd</SUP> state
convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New jersey, I wanted
to
provide the following email highlighting important information for your
consideration.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">As of this writing, 110 rooms have been
reserved.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Remember, last year the room block was sold out
prior to
the room reservation contracted date.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Don’t hesitate, make your room reservations as soon
as
possible.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Note: I will provide a monthly update pertaining to
items of interest as we need you to consider attending and making a
difference
to raise expectations to live the life we want by transforming dreams into
reality!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Warmly,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Joe </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">****</FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 43rd
ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">November 7th through 10th, 2019</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Theme: Live The Life You Want; We Got
This</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The 43rd Annual State Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey will be held at: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Delta By Marriott formerly known as the Renaissance
Woodbridge Hotel</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">515 US Highway 1 South</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Iselin, New Jersey 08830</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Access Link accessible</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Cross street: Gill Lane</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">For those arriving via Access Link, please reserve
your
trip with the address provided and use Woodbridge as the city.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">If traveling via train, the station nearest the
hotel is
Metro Park.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">. The hotel provides a shuttle from 7:00 am to 11:00
pm.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The address to use for those driving is 4 Gill Lane.
It
is a bank that is across the street from the hotel.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
is
proud to have our<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Northern
Chapter,
Senior Division, and Technology Division as hosts of this year's
convention.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend
the
43rd annual state convention of the NFBNJ. Get Involved, stay involved, Make
a
Difference!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Please share with others, all are
welcome!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Room Reservations</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The Delta By Marriott, formerly known as the
Renaissance
Woodbridge Hotel, is now accepting room reservations for the state
convention.
To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please dial
732-634-3600
and use the group code of National Federation of the Blind/NFB 2019. The
best
time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2019
room
rates are $115 a night. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and
local taxes, which at present is 14.625% and will be in effect at the time
of
check-out. Breakfast Buffet included in rate for up to two guests per room
for
each night of lodging.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">For early arrivals, there are a number of rooms
reserved
for Wednesday, November 6th. Don't hesitate, please make your room
reservations
as soon as possible. Currently 110 <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>rooms in our block have been
reserved!
Our block of rooms are available until October 18th, then they are released
to
the general public. In years past, the block sells out prior to the
deadline, so
please don't hesitate!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">When making hotel room reservations,you need to
secure
via credit card.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">There will be no charge to your card until you
arrive at
the hotel.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Refrigerators will be available in all sleeping
rooms
this year. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible
rooms and if needed, don't hesitate, make it known when you are making your
room
reservation.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">With this said, if you are thinking about attending,
if
you are somewhat positive that you will attend, not quite sure you will
attend
and to those that know that they will attend, PLEASE make your hotel
reservations as soon as possible.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Note: if you can not attend and you have made hotel
reservations, don't call the hotel to cancel. Please call Joe Ruffalo at
973-743-0075. Joe usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about
the
state convention after the date of October 18th. if the block is not sold
out,
the remainder of rooms will be released to the public. In years past, the
block
sells out</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">prior to the deadline and therefore, Please, don't
hesitate!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">I’m proud to announce, national board member and
President of the Washington D.C. affiliate, Shawn Callaway has been assigned
as
the national representative.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>His
biography is provided.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Shawn Callaway </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Shawn Callaway was born in Washington, DC and grew
up in
Prince George’s County, Maryland. When he was a sophomore at South Carolina
State University, a classmate was playing with a gun and accidentally shot
Shawn
in the temple. The accident resulted in the detachment of his optic nerves,
which caused total blindness. Shawn returned to the DC area and received
blindness training at the Workforce Technology Center in Baltimore. He
credits a
blind man named Lou Smith with providing his training and being an early
mentor.
He also credits his parents for encouraging him throughout his transition to
life as a successful blind person.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">After his rehabilitation training, Shawn earned his
associate’s degree in psychology from Essex Community College in 1995, his
bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in 1997, and then his
master's
in social work from Catholic University of America in 2000. He began his
professional career working with the homeless at Catholic Charities, and
then
went on to counsel children in the Washington, DC public schools system for
the
city's Department of Behavioral Health. He now works as a program specialist
for
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, specifically in
programs of the Administration on Community Living and the Administration on
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In 2005, he married Latonya
Rollins
of Cleveland, Ohio.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Shawn had heard of the National Federation of the
Blind
in the mid-1990s but was initially convinced by a friend that the
organization
was too radical for him. In retrospect, he believes he was given bad
information
and wishes that he had become a Federationist earlier. After being invited
to a
chapter meeting by Linda Black-White, Shawn finally joined in the spring of
2009. He found himself leading the Washington, DC affiliate
<https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates/district-columbia><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>when longtime leader Don Galloway
died
in 2011.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Shawn already had confidence in most of his
blindness
skills when he joined the National Federation of the Blind, but he says that
he
was still apprehensive about becoming a parent. The opportunity to observe
and
talk to blind parents like Mark and Melissa Riccobono and Tracy Soforenco,
as
well as a DC Federationist named Vicky Smith,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>gave him confidence that he could be
a
successful blind parent. He is now the proud father of his daughter Camille
who
was born in 2014.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Shawn also credits participation in the NFB with
opening
up other leadership and community involvement opportunities for him. He has
served on the boards of the DC Center for Independent Living and the
Columbia
Lighthouse for the Blind and has chaired the DC rehabilitation council. He
currently co-hosts a community radio program called Open Our Eyes on two
local
stations. In addition, Shawn serves as the President of the DC Friends of
the
Talking Book and Braille Library and is a member of the DC Blind Bowlers
Association. Shawn says, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the
NFB
Board of Directors, both to give back to the organization as a whole and
because
so many past and present board members like Fred Schroeder, Anil Lewis
<https://nfb.org/about-us/leadership/executive-team/anil-lewis> , Dr.
Joanne Wilson, Sam Gleese, Pam Allen
<https://nfb.org/about-us/leadership/board-directors/pam-allen> , and
Ever
Lee Hairston
<https://nfb.org/about-us/leadership/board-directors/ever-lee-hairston><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>have inspired and mentored
me.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
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