<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"></font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:transparent">Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Good People Across </span><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:transparent">Federation Land!</b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Let it be proclaimed from chapter to chapter, from affiliate to
affiliate, and throughout all of <b>Federation Land</b> that a grand and
historic gathering soon approacheth!</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey proudly summoneth
one and all to our <b>50th Annual State Convention</b>, a golden celebration of
fellowship, progress, advocacy, strength, and the boundless possibilities that
lie before us.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Our Theme:</b><br>
<b>\u201cLive the Life You Want \u2014 Stronger Together: 50 Years of <br></b></font><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:transparent">Progress and
Possibilities\u201d</b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">For fifty years, we have marched together, raised expectations, broken
barriers, built champions, and transformed dreams into deeds. Now, as we mark
this mighty milestone, we call upon Federationists, families, friends,
supporters, and allies from near and far to gather with us and help write the
next chapter of our story.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark Thy Calendars!</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Wednesday, October 21 through Sunday, October 25, 2026<br></font></b><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:transparent">Tropicana Atlantic City</b><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">
2831 Boardwalk<br>
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Within these halls shall be found fellowship, learning, celebration,
advocacy, inspiration, and the joyful reunion of old friends and new.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">But hark! There is yet more news to proclaim.</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">A <b>distinguished Federation leader whose strength, vision, and
unwavering commitment have helped advance our movement</b> shall journey unto
the Garden State to stand with us as we celebrate this historic milestone.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Who might this remarkable leader be?</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Read onward, dear friends, for the proclamation is not yet complete!</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">We are delighted and honored to announce that <b>Mark A. Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind</b>, will join us for our
50th Annual State Convention!</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">President Riccobono brings to our celebration <b>strong leadership, lived experience, and a steadfast belief in the
capacity of blind people to live the lives we want.</b> His presence will add
special meaning to this golden anniversary as we honor fifty years of progress
and look boldly toward the possibilities yet to come.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">So polish thy traveling shoes, prepare thy calendars, gather thy
Federation spirit, and spread these glad tidings throughout </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Federation Land!</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Fifty years of history.<br>
Fifty years of progress.<br>
Fifty years of strength.<br>
One Federation family.<br>
And a future filled with possibilit</font></b><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">ies<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">!</span></span><font style="">.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Come celebrate with us as we continue to <b>live the lives we want</b> and
demonstrate that we are indeed <b>stronger together</b>.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Until then, let the proclamation ring throughout <b>Federation Land</b>:</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey\u2019s 50th Annual State
Convention is coming to Atlantic City!</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">And mark this next proclamation well: <b>next week, look
for hotel reservation information and the official convention pre-registration
form.</b> The gates to registration shall soon be opened, so watch thy inbox
and prepare to secure thy place at this historic 50th anniversary celebration!</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">We eagerly await the gathering of our Federation family!</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">And as this proclamation draweth to a close, we invite all across
Federation Land to read more about the life, service, and leadership of
President Mark A. Riccobono. His biography is pasted below and is also attached
as a Word document for your convenience.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">****</span></font></p>
<h1 style="margin:10pt 0in 5pt;break-after:avoid;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark A.
Riccobono<br>
President, National Federation of the Blind</font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mark Riccobono was diagnosed with glaucoma and aniridia
at age five. Nonetheless, Mark attended public schools, graduating with honors
while active in debate and track.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark earned a
bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. He became a member of its Iron Cross honor society and was
the founding president of the Wisconsin Association of Blind Students. During
senior year, Mark was elected president of the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) of Wisconsin. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">After
graduation, Mark joined the Sears executive trainee program, and spent his free
time advocating for the blind. Then he was appointed to the Wisconsin State
Superintendent\u2019s Blind and Visual Impairment Education Council and made the
first director of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, an
agency responsible for statewide services to blind children. Afterward he took
a position in Baltimore with the NFB and earned a Master of Science in
Educational Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Professional Studies in
Business and Education. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark served
as the executive director of the NFB Jernigan Institute\u2014the only research and
training institute developed and directed by the blind. In 2010-2011, Mark
served as an appointed member of the Federal Commission on Accessible
Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education. And in January 2011
at the Daytona International Speedway, Mark navigated a car equipped with
nonvisual technology for 1.5 miles, demonstrating the first time a blind
individual has driven a street vehicle in public without the assistance of a
sighted person. In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed member of the Federal
Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary
Education. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On July 5,
2014, the National Federation of the Blind elected Mark to serve as its
president. The election took place at the national convention of the National
Federation of the Blind, held in Orlando, Florida. He has been re-elected by
the membership every two years since that time. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark and his
wife, Melissa, live in Baltimore, Maryland, with their three children.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,112,192)"><br clear="all" style="break-before:page">
</span></b>
</font><h1 style="margin:10pt 0in 5pt;break-after:avoid;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark A.
Riccobono<br>
President National Federation of the Blind</font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mark Riccobono was diagnosed with glaucoma and aniridia
at age five. Nonetheless, Mark attended public schools, graduating with honors
while active in debate and track.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark earned a
bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. He became a member of its Iron Cross honor society and was
the founding president of the Wisconsin Association of Blind Students. During
senior year, Mark was elected president of the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) of Wisconsin. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">After
graduation, Mark joined the Sears executive trainee program, and spent his free
time advocating for the blind. Then he was appointed to the Wisconsin State
Superintendent\u2019s Blind and Visual Impairment Education Council and made the
first director of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, an
agency responsible for statewide services to blind children. Afterward he took
a position in Baltimore with the NFB and earned a Master of Science in
Educational Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Professional Studies in
Business and Education. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark served
as the executive director of the NFB Jernigan Institute\u2014the only research and
training institute developed and directed by the blind. In 2010-2011, Mark
served as an appointed member of the Federal Commission on Accessible
Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education. And in January 2011
at the Daytona International Speedway, Mark navigated a car equipped with
nonvisual technology for 1.5 miles, demonstrating the first time a blind
individual has driven a street vehicle in public without the assistance of a
sighted person. In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed member of the Federal
Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary
Education. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On July 5,
2014, the National Federation of the Blind elected Mark to serve as its
president. The election took place at the national convention of the National
Federation of the Blind, held in Orlando, Florida. He has been re-elected by
the membership every two years since that time. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 6pt;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark and his
wife, Melissa, live in Baltimore, Maryland, with their three children.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p><br></div>