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<DIV> Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I wanted to share several items of interest from President Riccobono’s
Notebook for the week of June 1, 2020.</DIV>
<DIV>I provided my comments after each item of interest.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Keep well. Keep safe. Keep believing!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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>Raising Expectations to Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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> </DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Note that we have just two
more
weeks to get members to register for convention. I thought I would share
with
you the registration stats as of last Thursday. Which affiliate will have
the
largest delegation? Will we break the attendance record? You all will answer
these questions through your work in the next two weeks. More registration
information is below. For now, here are the stats:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: "></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: ">Total
number of convention registrants – 2,473</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: ">Top ten
states with registration numbers:</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">1.
Maryland – 202 </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">2.
Texas – 184 </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">3.
California - 137</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">4.
Ohio - 128</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">5.
Colorado - 102</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">6.
South Carolina - 93</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">7.
Virginia - 86</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">8.
New Jersey - 85</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">9.
Louisiana - 82</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">10.
Florida – 82</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR:
">Comments:
Shortly, I will receive a list of those that registered. We will reach
those that have not registered and inquire if they need any
assistance.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: ">Special
Note: The national convention is open to all members and non
members.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: "></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: ">Thanks
for
your continued leadership and your outstanding work to connect and protect
the
blind of this nation. See below regarding some great victories from the past
week.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<H2 style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Critical Actions:</FONT></H2>
<H3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE:
12pt">Complete
and Share the NFB-NEWSLINE<SUP>®</SUP> Survey by June 10:</FONT></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">As you know, we are
deeply
committed to delivering critical resources, information, and support to all
blind Americans. As part of our continued effort to provide valuable
programs
and services, we are partnering with Deloitte, a third-party consulting
firm, to
better understand how media is consumed and how to optimize the NFB-NEWSLINE
service. In order to capture a wide range of opinions and perspectives from
our
members, I ask that you distribute the survey link below to your members and
encourage their participation. The survey should take roughly ten minutes to
complete and will be open through June 10. To complete this survey via
telephone, call one of our consultants, Sophie Lehrenbaum, between the hours
of
1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. eastern from Tuesday through Thursday. She can be
reached at 202-365-7605. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Please access the
survey
using the following link: <A style='href: "http://sgiz.mobi/s3/nfbnewsline"'
href="http://sgiz.mobi/s3/nfbnewsline"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://sgiz.mobi/s3/nfbnewsline</FONT></A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char><B>Comments: An opportunity for your voices to be
heard.</B></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char><STRONG></STRONG></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B>National
Convention—Two
Weeks Left to Register: </B><BR>National Federation of the Blind
members are requested and non-members are invited to register at no cost for
the
national convention, July 14 through July 18. Registration gives access to
exclusive offers, convention announcements, door prizes, and other exciting
content. The deadline to register is June 15. <A
style='href: "https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>Learn more and register for the national convention
today</FONT></A>. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char><B></B></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char><B>Other Options for Convention
Registration:<BR></B></SPAN>Affiliates should be reaching out to members who
may
not have the means to register for convention. Some affiliates and chapters
have
asked about members who don’t have the means to register online. We
appreciate
that those who have asked have not used an affiliate or chapter president’s
email address. This is the right approach as our system may end up
overwriting
or confusing individual records in our Connections database. There is an
accessible fillable PDF on the convention page that can be completed on a
computer and emailed to the Jernigan Institute. It doesn’t require an email
address. Of course, the PDF can also be printed and mailed in through the
postal
service. If this is not a convenient option, affiliates could also opt to
send
us a spreadsheet with attendees’ information included. The spreadsheet is
attached to this notebook, but you could also contact Susan Skaarer (<A
style='href: "mailto:sskaarer@nfb.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>sskaarer@nfb.org</FONT></A>) if you’d like to receive a copy
of
the spreadsheet.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Comments: I will discuss with
the
outreach committee.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=Heading3Char><B>Convention Door Prizes:<BR></B></SPAN>The National
Federation of the Blind is excited to continue our tradition of door prizes
during the national convention in July. All affiliates and divisions who
wish to
make door prize donations can do so in two ways. Organizations and groups
that
want to donate products like Louisiana spices, Iowa scissors, or Wisconsin
cheese curds (yes, please), please send an email to <A
style='href: "mailto:FSteam@NFB.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>FSteam@NFB.org</FONT></A> with a description of the prize(s),
quantity being donated, and the name and contact information of the person
in
the affiliate or division who is responsible for providing the prize. To
reduce
shipping expenses, we will provide affiliates and divisions the winners’
information describing where prizes are to be sent. Affiliates and divisions
will send product prizes directly to the winners.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Organizations and
groups
that want to donate cash prizes, please send an email to <A
style='href: "mailto:FSteam@NFB.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>FSteam@NFB.org</FONT></A> with the amount of the funds you are
sending for the door prize and the exact name of the organization or group
donating the prize. A check payable to “National Federation of the Blind”
should
be sent to NFB, ATTN: Conv – FS, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Please note in the memo on the check that it is for “Door Prize(s).” The
national organization has controls in place and a relationship with a
company to
issue gift cards. Winners’ names will be collected during the convention and
a
list of winners, with addresses, will be provided to the company to process
and
mail Visa gift cards directly to the winners.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Comments: If any questions,
please contact me at 973 743 0075 or email, <A
href="mailto:nfbnj1@verizon.net">nfbnj1@verizon.net</A> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<H2 style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">News:</FONT></H2>
<H3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">June
Presidential Release Reminder:</FONT></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">The <A
style='href:
"https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=392"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>June Presidential Release</FONT></A> of the National
Federation of
the Blind will be delivered on Thursday, June 4, 2020. After the remarks,
there
is opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance to <A
style='href: "mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>cdanielsen@nfb.org</FONT></A> and put PR495 in the subject
line,
or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Comments: Please
consider
joining the call.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Details will be
forthcoming. Watch your in box.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> </P>
<H3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></FONT></B> </H3>
<H3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Open-House Gathering—Calls for Prospective
Members:</FONT></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Share this event
information with contacts who are interested in the National Federation of
the
Blind but are not members yet: On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.
eastern, the National Federation of the Blind is hosting another call for
blind
people to learn more about the benefits of membership. Take advantage of
this
opportunity to hear from active members and leaders on the myths and
uncertainties of the Federation. Sign up by emailing <A
style='href: "mailto:membership@nfb.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>membership@nfb.org</FONT></A> or calling 410-659-9314,
extension
2509. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Comments: I did forward this
morning, check your in box.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<H3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
2019
Annual Report Is Available:</FONT></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Every year the
National
Federation of the Blind's annual report highlights progress made, milestones
achieved, and powerful stories told by blind people living the lives they
want.
<A
style='href:
"https://www.nfb.org/about-us/annual-report-and-financials/2019-annual-report"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>Review our 2019 Annual Report</FONT></A>. None of these
achievements would be possible without you, our members, partners, and
supporters. Thank you for continuing to build the Federation. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Comments: If interested,
check it
out.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Dates to Keep in Mind:</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 1-12: NFB BELL<SUP>®</SUP> In-Home
Edition </P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 4: Presidential Release Live</P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 10: Membership Open House</P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 14: National Leadership Call during
#COVID19</P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 22-July 3: NFB BELL<SUP>®</SUP>
In-Home
Edition<B></B></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>July 27-August 7: NFB BELL<SUP>®</SUP>
In-Home Edition</P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l3 level1
lfo7"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT face=Symbol><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">·</FONT></FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT face="Times New
Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>July 14-18: <A
style='href: "https://www.nfb.org/convention"'><FONT color=#0000ff>NFB
National
Convention</FONT></A>, Everywhere</P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1
lfo4"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore"><FONT
face=Symbol>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt">
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar
Great
Gathering-In</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ">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.<SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: "></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mark A. Riccobono,
President</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">200 East Wells Street,
Baltimore,
MD 21230</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">(410) 659-9314 | <A
style='href: "mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>officeofthepresident@nfb.org</FONT></A> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A
style='href: "https://nfb.org/"'><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: ; COLOR:
"><IMG
id=_x0000_i1028 border=0 alt="National Federation of the Blind"
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" width=210
height=76></SPAN></A><SPAN style="COLOR: "></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">
<A style='href:
"http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"'><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: ; COLOR: "><IMG id=_x0000_i1027 border=0
alt=Facebook
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A> <A
style='href: "https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"'><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: ; COLOR: "><IMG id=_x0000_i1026 border=0 alt=Twitter
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A> <A
style='href: "https://wwwyoutube.com/NationsBlind"'><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: ; COLOR: "><IMG id=_x0000_i1025 border=0 alt=Youtube
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The National Federation of
the
Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and
dreams
of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live
the
lives they want. </P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>