<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt">Are
you looking for a short-term event in which to serve your community? Or perhaps
you have colleagues, students or others in your circle of acquaintances who are
seeking professional development or community service hours.</span><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">If
so, the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey has just the opportunity
for volunteering. Our 46<sup>th</sup> annual state convention is set for No.
10-13 at the Delta by Marriott Hotel in the Iselin section of Woodbridge. This
will be our first in-person convention since 2019. We’ve held our convention at
this hotel previously but some of us may be a little rusty using our
independent travel skills to get to the various meeting spaces and the exhibit hall.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Your
main function as a volunteer will be to guide after inquiring whether the
person in question needs or wants assistance. You also might be escorting
conventioneers to the lobby elevator but that’s as far as you’ll go together –
your guide services end at the elevator, not at an individual’s hotel room. All
participants (including volunteers (must show proof of a negative COVID test
within 72 hours of arrival at the hotel. Additionally, to keep everyone as safe
and healthy as possible, all are asked to wear an N95 or similar mask that
snuggly covers your mouth and nose, masks will also be provided.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On
the day or days, you volunteer, we invite you to a pizza lunch at 11:45. We
will be offering plain, veggie, vegan and gluten free options during the
volunteer registration process. Since the pandemic, the hotel has limited
restaurant service and we are not permitted to bring in food or drink from
outside the hotel.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Put
aside your possible feelings of unease; we’ll be providing a brief training over
Zoom in advance of the convention. We’d appreciate your signing up for at least
one three-hour shift. <span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt">The
NFBNJ is one of 52 state (as well as DC and Puerto Rico) affiliates of the
National Federation of the Blind. We’re the blind, speaking for ourselves, in
this country’s largest volunteer membership advocacy organization. Every day,
with love, hope and determination. We raise expectations of our blindness
community so we all can </span>lives<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt"> the life we want.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Qualifications
to volunteer at our convention? You must be 18 years old, have time available
from Nov. 10 to the 13<sup>th</sup>, background checks a plus. So are a sense
of humor and a desire to be helpful. Additional information is available by
calling Linda Melendez. To volunteer please complete the registration form
below<br>
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/volunteer-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/volunteer-registration</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We
look forward to meeting you at our convention!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Warmly,<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Linda
Melendez, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind of NJ <br>
<br>
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