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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Greetings,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention location, dates and theme</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Access Link<span class=gmaildefault>Information </span></span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>National Rep</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Pre-Registration</span></span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Hotel Reservation</span><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>s</span></span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Agenda Details</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention Daily Outline</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Meal Options</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><o:p> </o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention dates to keep in mind</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>To view our convention webpage, use the link below:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention">State Convention | National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention Location, Dates and Theme:</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>The hotel is accessible by NJ Transit Access Link and close to the NJT Metro<span class=gmaildefault> </span>Park Rail Station.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Access Link</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>thr</span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>National Rep</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>-</span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>related bills</span><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> and share with elected representatives about us!</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention#meet-national-rep">Click here to read his bio.</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Pre-Registration</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>the</span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> daily convention outline and an opportunity to review meal options before completing the form.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Hotel Reservations</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Agenda Details</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>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-NEWSLINEŽ too!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention Daily Outline</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>To view the convention daily outline please click on the link below;</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Meal Options</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Please consider reviewing all meal options before filling out your pre-registration form by clicking on the link below. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/meal-options">https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/meal-options</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Convention Dates to Keep in Mind</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>October 7 7 PM Affiliate Convention Meeting</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>October 23, 24, 25 & 26 NJFBNJ Convention </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>