<div dir="ltr"><div><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">Greetings National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFB NJ) Family and Friends:<br></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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.</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">Here are the reasons to join our NJ affiliate:</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="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;</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="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;</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="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;</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="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.</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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:</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>The right to vote at state and national conventions and any other time as necessary;</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>The opportunity to be appointed to head a committee or group; </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">·<span style="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;</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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.</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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.</font></span></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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.</font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a href="https://nfbnj.org/chapters/affiliate/membership-form" style="color:rgb(66,133,244)" target="_blank">https://nfbnj.org/chapters/affiliate/membership-form</a></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">To join a local chapter to work with members from your area please click on the link below.</font></span></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/become-a-member/" style="color:rgb(66,133,244)" target="_blank">Become A Member – National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (nfbnj.org)</a></span></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">To learn more about us please visit our website at <br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(66,133,244)" target="_blank">www.nfbnj.org</a></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Warmly,</span><br></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">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" style="color:rgb(66,133,244)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a></span><br><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(66,133,244)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a></span></font></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"></p><p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system,"helvetica neue";word-spacing:1px;margin-bottom:0in"><b style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style=""> </font></b></p></div>
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