<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Greetings <span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">National Federation of the Blind of New
Jersey (</span>NFB NJ) Family and
Friends:<br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">As you likely know, there have been some changes in membership structure
in recent months. This letter addresses reasons why you should consider joining
our affiliate at an annual dues of $10.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Here are the reasons to join our NJ affiliate:<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>You were
a member of what was the At-Large chapter which no longer exists as part of our
reorganization;<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>Perhaps
because of transportation or other issues, you choose not to join one of our
six chapters which tend to be based on geography;<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>You had
been a dues-paying member to one of our divisions (e.g., Seniors, Students and
Technology). All our former divisions are now committees which do not charge
dues nor elect officers and requires affiliate or chapter membership to become a
member;<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>To
become a member of a group(s) (e.g., Braille, Diabetic, Deafblind and others) and
requires affiliate or chapter membership to become a member.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Perhaps the most important reason to join the NFBNJ is that you become
a member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the affiliate with all
its privileges and responsibilities. These include:<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>The
right to vote at state and national conventions and any other time as
necessary;<span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>The
opportunity to be appointed to head a committee or group; <span></span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>The
chance to take on a major role in one or more of the affiliate’s projects or
programs;<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">And the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself with the
ability to take collective action. The NFB NJ, established in 1976, is
comprised of blind New Jerseyans speaking for us.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We are one of 52 affiliates of the NFB. We know that
blindness is not the characteristic that defines us or our future. Every day,
we raise expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between us and our dreams. Our mission is to advocate locally, state
by state and federally for the equality, opportunities and securities for the
blind. We can only do this individually by becoming members and doing the work collectively
that is needed to change what it means to be blind. Remember blindness is not
what holds us back.<span></span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Please consider joining the largest and most influential blindness
organization in New Jersey. Click below to submit your NFBNJ Membership form
and pay your dues via PayPal or by check or money order.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a href="https://nfbnj.org/chapters/affiliate/membership-form" target="_blank">https://nfbnj.org/chapters/affiliate/membership-form</a>
<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">To join a local chapter to work with members from your
area please click on the link below.<span></span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/become-a-member/" target="_blank">Become A Member – National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (nfbnj.org)</a></span><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">To learn more about us please visit our website at <br>
<a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" target="_blank">www.nfbnj.org</a> <span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Warmly,</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Linda Melendez, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>
<span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">908-590-1747</span><br>
<span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a></span><br>
<span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a></span><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>