<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 dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span id="m_6439330022023367282m_-828434562943786528m_-8089860596313128811gmail-docs-internal-guid-14a26966-7fff-893f-fed1-66942dcc6183"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:20pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 6pt"><span style="font-weight:normal" id="m_6439330022023367282gmail-docs-internal-guid-62d750a6-7fff-eb36-858e-89b40f4a2461"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Greetings all,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:14pt 0pt 6pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Apologies for the length of this email. I felt it was best to send one long email rather than multiple emails. Included in this email aer the following:</font></span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:14pt 0pt 0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Affiliate Business</font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Chapter Business News</font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">2025 Convention Reminders </font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 6pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Additional Reminders </font></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Warmly,</span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Linda Melendez, President</span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">National Federation of the Blind of NJ </span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">908-590-1747</span><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">president@nfbnj.org</span></a></font></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Affiliate Business</font></span></p><ol style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We have changed the name of the Legislation Committee aka Washington Seminar Team to the </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Congressional Committee</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> Chaired by Ryan Stevens. Each chapter will continue to have a member on this committee.</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We have established the Chapter State Legislative Committee to be chaired by Nancy </span><span style="color:rgb(32,33,36);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Starzynski. This committee will also have a chapter member appointed to the committee. Stay tuned for additional information during your chapter meetings.</span><span style="color:rgb(32,33,36);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Blind Professionals Group chaired by  Bree Douglas, VP Northeast Chapter. Their first meeting will be held on the affiliate zoom platform Wednesday, June 11 at 8 PM. Meeting and participation details will be available through our on-line calendar and via email.</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Our team is excited to announce that our Website Photo Gallery is now live with Alt Text for each picture. 2024 State Convention pictures are available for viewing. Stay tuned for additional photos to be uploaded. Our photo gallery can be found from our website <a href="http://www.nfbnj.org" target="_blank">www.nfbnj.org</a> under About Us or by clicking on the link below;</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/gallery" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">http://www.nfbnj.org/gallery</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></a></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Shortly ,I will be appointing chapter social media liaisons from our Leadership Seminar to work closely with Jason Resnick, Social Media Coordinator to increase chapter news and posts. Stay tuned for appointments and the Social Media process.</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Mac Biggers, Jason Resnick and myself have put together Chapter Fundraising TookKits. These toolkits will ensure proper NFBNJ Branding, accept donations or purchases through chapter  PayPal through a QR code and much much more. This toolkit will be given to chapter presidents at our in-person meeting. Toolkit pictures and descriptions will be shared  towards the end of May.</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p></li></ol><ol style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" start="7"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The affiliate is moving away from mailing checks and using Direct Deposit. The goal is to easily reconcile our account on a monthly basis,  no longer waiting for checks to clear, mailing them and lost checks. Individuals receiving affiliate approved expenses will be required to fill out the ACH and upload a voided check to our secure dropbox account.. </font></span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Chapter  Business News</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">For branding and succession planning we have standardized chapter contact information and will provide  a fundraising toolkit to chapter presidents.This process included:</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br><br></span></font></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="http://NFBNJ.ORG" target="_blank">NFBNJ.ORG</a> Chapter email address</font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Chapter Google Voice number</font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Business Cards</font></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Chapter fundraising toolkit including fundraising QR codes for donations and much much more!</font></span></p></li></ul><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">2025 Convention Reminders</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 49th Annual State Convention. Theme is Live the Life You Want; Becoming a Champion. This year we will be hosting at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, formerly known as the Hilton located at 20 Wood Avenue South Iselin, NJ 08830. The hotel is accessible by NJ Transit Access Link.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">They  are now accepting room reservations for the State Convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, dial (732) 494-6200 and use the group name of National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The 2025 room rate is $119 a night for up to four occupants in a room per night. Hotel room rates are subject to 6.625% New Jersey State tax, 5.0% Occupancy tax and 3.0% Municipal tax. All taxes are subject to change without prior notice, and will be in effect at the time of check-out.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">For those considering arriving early, there is a limited number of available guest rooms as another group will be occupying most of the hotel on Wednesday, October 23 The Hotel will be releasing any remaining rooms in  our block of rooms on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5 PM so make your reservation quickly. You will need a credit card to secure your reservation, There will be no charge to your card until you arrive at the hotel. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms and if needed, make it known when you are making your room reservation.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">State convention Pre-Registration will be open in the middle of July (after the National Convention) and will close on Friday, October 10; stay tuned for additional information and pre-registration form.</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"></span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Additional Reminders:</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Please follow, like and share our facebook page to hear about the National Federation of the Blind of NJ  News, Events and an assortment of posts.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</font></span></a></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Please access our affiliate website on-line calendar for affiliate, committee and group meetings.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://nfbnj.org/events-calendar" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Events Calendar | National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</font></span></a></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><br></span></h1></span></div><span id="m_6439330022023367282m_-828434562943786528m_-8089860596313128811gmail-docs-internal-guid-2102e269-7fff-a4ad-23ef-1600e65a58d3"></span></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>
</div>