<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Friday, November 12,
2021–Morning General Session<span></span></font></h1></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Join Zoom Meeting<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Meeting ID: 647 766 0103<br>
Passcode: 460994<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">8:30
AM–Traditional Pre-Convention Music<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">9:00
AM–Welcome, Call to Order<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez, President, National Federation of the
Blind of New Jersey<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">9:05
AM–Opening Ceremonies<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:115%">Jane Degenshein, President, Senior and Technology
Divisions <br>
Pledge of Allegiance<br>
The National Federation of the Blind Pledge:<br>
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of
the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to
support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.<br>
Invocation—Jane Degenshein, Member, Temple Ner Tamid<br>
Moment of Silence for members, family and friends who have passed away<br>
Honoring Veterans—Joseph Ruffalo, US Army Veteran<span class="gmail_default">V</span></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">etran<span class="gmail_default"> R</span></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">adio <span class="gmail_default">O</span>operator for the <span class="gmail_default">F</span>first <span class="gmail_default">C</span>cavalry <span class="gmail_default">D</span>division</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span class="gmail_default"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">awarded the bronze star</span></span>; immediate past president,
NFBNJ; current 1st Vice President, NFBNJ; President, NFBNJ At-Large Chapter <br>
God Bless America—Vocal rendition by Mary Fernandez, Member, NFBNJ Board of
Directors<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">9:20
AM–Introduction of Our Scholarship Class of 2021<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Lia Stone, Chair,
Scholarship Committee; Member, NFBNJ Board of Directors <span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">9:30
AM–Presidential Report<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez, President,
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">10:00
AM–National Representative’s Report: We Are More than the Sum of One<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Patti Chang,
Esq., Director of Outreach, National Federation of the Blind<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span><span style="line-height:115%">10:30 AM–</span></span><span style="line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">NFB Advocates
for Equality, Opportunity and Security for the Blind<span></span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">John Pare, <span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Executive
Director, Advocacy and Policy,</span> NFB <span></span></font></span></p>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">10:55
AM–Together We Make a Difference!<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Dr. Elisa Neira, Deputy Commissioner, NJ Department of
Human Services; Dr. Bernice Davis, Executive Director, NJ Commission for the
Blind and Visually Impaired; C. Pat McKenna, Assistant Division Director,
NJCBVI; Dr. Michelle Whitmore, Acting Assistant Division Director, NJCBVI
discuss our looking forward together to continuing services, programs, and
interactions in the coming year.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">11:40
AM –NFBNJ Sounding Board Update<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Annemarie Cooke, Chair, Sounding Board Editorial
Committee<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">11:45
AM–NFB PAC Plan <span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Mac Biggers, Chair, PAC Plan Committee. Hear how your
monthly contribution to the Preauthorized Contribution Plan, no matter the
size, helps grow the programs and projects of the NFB.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">11:50
AM–Announcements<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez,
President, NFBNJ<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">12:00
PM–Adjourn</font></span></h2>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">1:00
PM–Afternoon Announcements<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez,
President, NFBNJ <span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">1:10
PM–New Jersey State Library – Talking Book & Braille Center<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Adam Szczepaniak, Director, Talking Book
& Braille Center; Deputy State Librarian, New Jersey State Library, will
highlight the past year’s accomplishments (yes, even in a pandemic!) and <span style="color:black">share plans for next year.</span><span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">1:20
PM–Hadley: Personalized Learning Opportunities for Empowerment<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Marc Arneson, Director of
Community Engagement, Hadley, brings us the latest on how Hadley helps blind
and visually impaired people thrive at home, at work, and in the community.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">1:35
PM–Seedlings: From Seed to Harvest<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Learn about Seedlings and their programs
including children’s books in Braille and print together.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">1:50
PM–Accessible Voting<span style="background:yellow"><span></span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Mary Ciccone, Esq., Director of Policy,
Disability Rights New Jersey. Find out how accessible voting went during the
2021 election season and hear plans for moving forward.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">2:10
PM–The Blind History Lady<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Peggy Chong, the Blind History Lady, will share some
little-known lore about blind New Jerseyans of the past<b>.</b><span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">2:30
PM–NFBNJ Northeast Chapter Raising Expectations<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Zoraida Krell, Member, NFBNJ Board; Vice President, Northeast
Chapter; and<br>
Northeast chapter members Alice Bogoshian, Cynthia
DeJulia and Nagui Khouzam will
discuss going outside of their comfort zone!</span><span style="line-height:115%"> <span></span></span></font></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">3:05
PM–Fit Break; sponsored by the NFBNJ Sports and Recreation Division<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">It’s likely you’ve been sitting for a while today so
stand up and get the blood flowing again in those quads and glutes! <span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">3:15
PM–Working Together for the Rights of the Blind<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Ryan Stevens, Legislative Director, NFBNJ; the Honorable
Yvonne Lopez, New Jersey Assemblywoman, 19th Legislative District. Our
legislative director will again welcome our affiliate’s long-time champion for
the rights of parents who are blind or have other disabilities to provide an
update on our parental rights legislation NJ:A5517 and its continued importance
in our civil rights efforts.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">3:35
PM–Joe Jeopardy! <span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p>
<h2><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">3:55
PM–Reaching the Public: NFB Communications and Social Media<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span><span style="line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Danielle </span></span><span style="line-height:115%;color:rgb(32,33,36);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">McCann, </span><span style="line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Social Media Coordinator, NFB<span></span></span></font></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">4:05
PM–The Braille Challenge<span style="background:yellow"><span></span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Monique Coleman, Ph.D., President, VISTAS Educational
Partners, will provide an overview of recent competitions and the coming 2022 Braille
Challenge.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">4:20
PM –The Braille Enrichment Learning & Literacy (BELL) Academy: Still Successful in the Virtual Version<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda
Melendez, President, NFBNJ, and Mary Jo Partyka, Coordinator, NFBNJ BELL
Academy, along with BELL Academy team members and BELL students and parents.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">4:45
PM–Announcements<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-top:0in;break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez,
President, NFBNJ<span></span></font></span></h2>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">5:00
PM–Adjourn<span></span></font></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:10pt 0in 0.0001pt"><span><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">5:30 to 6:45 PM–Entertainment<span></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Can you name a song that has the word, “love” in the
lyrics? How about “baby” or “man?” Can you sing? If you can, then this event is
for you! In each round, three teams will be given a word by the judges and will
have time to come up with as many songs that contain this word. Then, the
sing-down begins as teams sing a portion of their songs until only one team
remains with ideas. The team with the most round victories wins! Audience
members are strongly encouraged to attend and enjoy the music and help judge
for accuracy of the songs!<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="break-after:auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">7:00
PM–Business Meeting of the NFBNJ 2021 Convention<span></span></font></span></h2>
<div><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">This meeting is
perhaps the most important one of the NFBNJ affiliate. All are welcome. NFBNJ
President Linda Melendez will provide an overview of the past years activities
and plans for the future. Chapter reports will be given and elections to the
affiliate board will be held.</font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><br></span></font><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span></span></span></font></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>