<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Greetings,</font></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">It\u2019s that time of the year to learn about and prepare for
our annual state convention. The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. It is
the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind
community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our
leadership and establishing each year\u2019s organizational policies and priorities.<span></span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">For your convenience and reference, I have gathered our
convention information as of this writing. For easy navigation I have used
headers and attached a word file. Included in this email are the following:<span></span></font></p>
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<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention
location, dates and theme<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Access Link<span class="gmail_default">Information </span><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default"></span>National Rep</font></li><li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default">Pre-Registration</span></font></li><li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default"></span>Hotel Reservation<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">s</span><br></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Agenda Details<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention
Daily Outline<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Meal Options<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention
dates to keep in mind<span></span></font></li>
</ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">To view our convention webpage, use the link below:<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention">State Convention
| National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</a><span></span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Warmly,<br>
Linda Melendez, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind of NJ<br>
908-590-1747<br>
<a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><span></span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">NFBNJ Calendar: <a href="https://nfbnj.org/events-calendar" target="_blank">Events Calendar |
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</a><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank"><br>
<br>
</a><i>Facebook: </i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" target="_blank"><i>https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</i></a><br>
<br>
To Set up a 30-minute meeting about the National Federation of the Blind of Nj
please click on the link below<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min</a> <span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention Location, Dates and Theme:<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The 49th Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the
Blind of New Jersey will be held at:<br>
APA Hotel Woodbridge, formerly known as the Hilton<br>
120 Wood Avenue South<br>
Iselin, NJ 08830<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The hotel is accessible by NJ Transit Access Link and close to the NJT
Metro<span class="gmail_default"> </span>Park Rail Station.<span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Access Link<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>The hotel is Access Link accessible. However, please keep in mind
Access Link destinations are in effect. Please check with them to see if your location
has service. Many counties have limited Saturday availability and no Sunday service,
which means Access Link, th<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">thr</span>ough the reservation option is not available. In
most cases the AL Ricers Choice program will work, however, they only cover $30 of the cost.<span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Rep<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>We are proud to announce that John Pare, Executive Director
of Advocacy & Policy at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute, will be serving as the national rep for this year's convention. He
will be working with the affiliate to strengthen our Congressional platform (Federal)
and assisting us in establishing a State Legislation platform to pass blindness<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">-</span>related bills<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> and share with elected representatives about us!</span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention#meet-national-rep">Click here to
read his bio.</a><span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Pre-Registration<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>Pre-Registration will open later this week. Be on the
lookout for this email with details and link. To better help you, I have
included <span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">the</span> daily convention outline and an opportunity to review meal options before
completing the form.<span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Hotel Reservations<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The APA Hotel Woodbridge is 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. 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. For those
who consider arriving early, there is a limited number of available guest rooms
as another group will be occupying most of the hotel on Wednesday, October 22.
The Hotel will be releasing 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.<span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Agenda Details<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the
state website in mid to late September. Yes, the agenda will be available on
NFB-NEWSLINE® too!<span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention Daily Outline<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">To view the convention daily outline please click on the link
below;<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/daily-outline">2025 NFB of NJ
Convention Outline | National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</a><span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Meal Options<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>Please consider reviewing all meal options before filling out your pre-registration form by clicking on the link below. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/meal-options">https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/meal-options</a><span></span></font></p>
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<h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Convention Dates to Keep in Mind<span></span></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">October 7 7 PM Affiliate Convention Meeting<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">October 23, 24, 25 & 26 NJFBNJ Convention <span></span></font></p>
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