[Njabs-talk] NJABS Teleconference Minutes

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

NjABS Teleconference began at 8:13pm on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Joe Ruffalo, our affiliate president was one of our guest speakers. From the Cherry Hill Chapter, Ed Godfrey and Linda Debeardinis were present on the call as well as Jerilyn Higgins who is the president of the Central Jersey Chapter and Dan Faccini who is president of the Northeast Chapter. Alicia shared with us the fundraising activities that her and Melissa Herf are doing for Camp Marcella. Blind kids can still go to Camp Marcella and the cut-off age is now 17. Phil is back as the director. Email addresses and fax numbers for applications will soon follow. So spread the word that Camp Marcella will go on this summer but the Easter Seals are running it. You can also apply to be a counselor but you have to work all camp sessions. Alicia will post more info about Camp Marcella and the benefit concert that will be going on in Southern NJ. 

Joe Ruffalo discussed how important it is to apply for an NFB scholarship for graduating high school seniors, college students, and graduate school students. Don't leave any piece of info out of your application packet or else your packet gets put in Pile B and it is harder at that point to get your packet in Pile A. Remember that the essay you write is imperative. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2009. If you apply for a scholarship, you will have a phone interview with Joe Ruffalo and then he writes a letter. 

Finally, our other guest speaker Mr. Anil Lewis, NFB Scholarship Chairperson joined us on the call from the airplane. So better late than never. He highlighted a couple of things. Don't become discouraged if you don't win, keep on applying because your name is now in the system. You do not have to be a member of the NFB to win a scholarship. As a scholarship winner, not only do you win but you gain a network of blind professionals, Affiliate action has a host of activities such as seminars throughout the year, etc. 

Louis Braille Commemorative Coin launches March 26, 2009. It marks the 200th birthday of the man who gave us Braille. An event will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza in Clark, NJ from 11am-1pm. Congressman, state senators, and the governor have been invited. A proclamation will be read in print and in Braille by various individuals. Everyone is invited, blind and sighted. Tables will be set up with individuals using a slate and stylist and paper and pencil, Braille writers and typewriters, Braille Note and laptops, and individuals reading twin vision books. Sorted breads and coffee will be served. Hopefully all members of the NJABS list serve and division will be able to attend for this very important event. Please R.S.V.P as soon as you can so an estimate of how many people are going to go can be calculated. Save the date: Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11am-1pm. 

Members present: 

Evelyn Valdez-president 

Jessica Skinnell-board member 

Casey-board member 

Paul Grenier-board member 

Greg-secretary/treasurer 

Ben Vercelone 

Rania Ismail 

Christina Mitchell 

Melissa Casiano 

Danny Romero 

Alicia 

Missy Lomax 

Angel Reyes 

Ishaan "Henry" 

Connor Mullin 

Jason Capati 

Jeremy Capati 

Sarah Weinstein 



Respectfully Submitted, 

Ms. Valdez