<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4">Greetings all,</font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">To help stay connected with our National Office and with

the work of our organization I am sharing some of President Riccobono's weekly

notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind.<span></span></font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:115%">Warmly,<br>

Linda Melendez, President<br>

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>

732-421-7063<br>

Email: </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">president@nfbnj.org</span></a><span style="line-height:115%"><span></span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="m_-3918590843127836222_OLE_LINK9">President’s

Notebook</a><br>

National Federation of the Blind<br>

Mark A. Riccobono<br>

410-659-9314<br>

<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(54,95,145);text-decoration-line:none">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><span></span></font></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear Federation Family,<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Eckhart Tolle

says, "Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make

the Now the primary focus of your life." Meanwhile, Will Rogers is

credited as saying, “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” This is my

way of sharing that it is convention time, and that needs to be our focus for

the next three weeks. Yes, it would be great if you could help the movement get

those last few members of Congress on A.T.A.A. Of course, we need you to get a

few more families connected with our 2021 NFB BELL Academy. No doubt that we

want our legislative agenda in the local affiliate to move forward. However if

you, as our main affiliate or national division leader, can only do one thing

in the next three weeks it should be convention, convention, convention.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Having said

that, I will save my writing for the Presidential Report. As a reminder, I urge

you and your delegation to support the SAFE Fund resolution offered by the NFB

Board of Directors. <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Critical Actions:</b><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>The

2021 National Convention Agenda Is Available Now:</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The

agenda of the 2021 National Federation of the Blind National Convention is

available in several formats, including HTML, ePub, Word, BRF, and on

NFB-NEWSLINE. Please review and share with members who may not have received

the email. The formats can be found at <a href="https://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/convention</a>.

Here is quick access to the HTML version: <a href="https://nfb.org/2021-national-convention-agenda" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/2021-national-convention-agenda</a>.

Please note: the <span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">2021 National Convention Agenda in Spanish is

coming soon!</span><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>News:</b><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Accessing

the National Convention Agenda on NFB-NEWSLINE:</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The

following are the instructions for accessing the national convention agenda on

NFB-NEWSLINE:</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Using the telephone-access method, press 5 on the Main Menu for

Newspapers in Different </span>State<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> and then choose 5 again for National Meetings of

Interest to the Print-Disabled. From there, you can press 2 for the NFB 2021

Convention Agenda. If you want to email any of the articles to your inbox,

simply press Pound 9.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">To read the agenda on WEB NEWS ON DEMAND, select PUBLICATIONS

ORGANIZED BY STATE, and then select the category NATIONAL MEETINGS OF INTEREST

TO THE PRINT-DISABLED and select the NFB 2021 Convention Agenda.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">To read the agenda using NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile for iOS, open the

app and navigate to the INFORMATION SOURCES page. From there, select ALL

PUBLICATIONS, and search NFB 2021 Convention Agenda.</span></li></ul><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></b></p>Box

Office Open to Purchase Tickets for One Voice #NFB21 Concert:</b><br><p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The

National Federation of the Blind and our Performing Arts Division are hosting a

fundraiser concert on July 6, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. during the 2021 National

Convention. T<span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">ickets are $20 for a household and can be purchased online or

by calling the Independence Market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216. </span><u><span style="color:blue;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=460" target="_blank">Purchase

your tickets now</a></span></u><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">! Get </span><a href="https://youtu.be/YzwjTGgMlag" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">a sneak peek at the performances</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>#NFB21

Career Fair and Career Track Events—Pre-Registration Required:</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">If you are looking for a job, please consider attending the

National Federation of the Blind Career Fair and Career Track Events, hosted by

the Employment Committee. There are several opportunities to learn how to

prepare for an interview and a chance to meet with employers.</span> <span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Registration

will close at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 26. Sorry, no last-minute walk-ins!

Learn more about the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2021-nfb-career-fair-and-career-track-events" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">career fair and events</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>2021

Braille Independence Market Catalogs Now Available!</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The

Braille and print catalogs for the Independence Market are available today. You

can request one by either calling the Independence Market or sending an email

to <a href="mailto:Independencemarket@nfb.org" target="_blank">Independencemarket@nfb.org</a>.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>June

Open-House Gathering Call for Non-Members:</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The

National Federation of the Blind invites blind people to learn more about being

a member and the benefits of membership on June 30, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. via

Zoom. Take advantage of this opportunity to hear from active members and

leaders on the myths and uncertainties of the Federation. Register for the <a href="https://nfb.org/form/open-house-gathering-call-regist" target="_blank">June

Open-House Gathering Call.</a><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Upcoming

Event: Gaming for Everyone Boutique:  </b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On

Tuesday, June 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern, the National Federation of

the Blind, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, is

hosting a boutique discussing the many games accessible to the blind. Whether

for PC, mobile phones, or gaming consoles, there are many games that the blind

can play. Register today at <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration</a>.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Access

Technology Affordability Act:</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Our

advocacy continues to pay off! Last week we gained nine new cosponsors in the

House. They were:<span></span></font></p>