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<div align="center"> <br>
The 35<sup>th</sup> Annual State Convention<br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>
</b><i>Celebrating 20 Years of Parents of Blind Children<br>
</i> <br>
<img src="cid:.0" width=127 height=127 alt="Whosit logo"><br>
<br>
<b>MAKE A DIFFERENCE<br>
</b> <br>
Crowne Plaza Hotel<br>
36 Valley Rd., Clark, NJ 07066<br>
November 11, 12, 13, 2011<br>
Joseph Ruffalo, President<br>
973-743-0075<br>
nfbnj@yahoo.com<br>
<sup> <br>
</sup> <br>
<a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfbnj.org<br>
</a><a href="http://www.blindchildren.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.blindchildren.org<br>
</a><a href="http://www.thruoureyes.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.thruoureyes.org<br>
</a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center">Convention activities will be broadcast live in audio
and video<br>
</div>
<br>
<b>Friday, November 11<br>
</b>Live Reporting: 1:00 – 3:00 pm <br>
WCTC Radio NJ Today <br>
Listen on 1450 AM or
<a href="http://www.wctcam.com/" eudora="autourl">www.wctcam.com<br>
</a><b> <br>
Saturday, November 12 <br>
</b>Program:
9:00 am to 12:00 pm <br>
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm<br>
Banquet: 8:30 pm.
to conclusion <br>
<div align="center"> Listen or watch live at
<a href="http://www.thruoureyes.org">www.thruoureyes.org</a> <br>
Smartphone or JAWS access at
<a href="http://m.thruoureyes.org">http://m.thruoureyes.org</a>
<br>
Also broadcasting on Twitter, Facebook, uStream.tv, Justin.tv, and
blogtalkradio.com<br>
<br>
<br>
<a name="OLE_LINK4"></a>The National Federation of the Blind is<br>
changing what it means to be blind.<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
Mission Statement<br>
</b></div>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is an organization where the blind
and interested sighted persons can come together to plan and carry out
programs to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide a means
of collective action for parents of blind children; to promote the
vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to achieve the
integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the
sighted; and to take action which will improve the overall condition and
standard of living of the blind. The Federation works toward the
removal of legal, economic, and social barriers to full participation by
blind people in all aspects of community life. The National
Federation of the Blind is an organization of the blind speaking for
themselves.<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b> <br>
The National Federation of the Blind Pledge<br>
</b> <br>
</div>
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National
Federation of the Blind<br>
to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support
the programs and policies of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.<br>
<div align="center"> <br>
<b>Spotlight on NFB of NJ<br>
<br>
</b></div>
Established in
1976, the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is an affiliate
of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
organization of and for the blind/visually impaired in the United
States. Our eight chapters and eight divisions provide invaluable
information and resources to blind/visually impaired people throughout
the state. Chapters meet monthly; divisions hold events at various
times throughout the year. Why not join a divisionthe Association
to Promote the Use of Braille, Diabetes, Guide Dog Users, Merchants,
Parents of Blind Children, Students, Seniors, and Technology. We
would welcome your participation.<br>
Tune into Thru Our
Eyes, our internet audio and video program featuring issues and
information pertaining to blindness at
<a href="http://www.thruoureyes.org/">www.thruoureyes.org</a>. For
state, chapter, division, and committee news, visit our website
<a href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</a>. <br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>Subscribe to the <i>Sounding Board<br>
</i></b></div>
<br>
Get our state newsletter, the <i>Sounding Board, </i>conveniently
delivered to your email inbox. To subscribe, send a message with
the words <i>subscribe Sounding Board</i> in the subject line to
<a href="mailto:beatrice.oliveti@gmail.com">beatrice.oliveti@gmail.com</a>
. You can access the audio version of the <i>Sounding Board</i> at
<a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfbnj.org</a>,
<a href="http://www.thruoureyes.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.thruoureyes.org</a>, and on Newsline.<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>Funding Our Movement<br>
</b></div>
<br>
Donations to the National Federation of the Blind of NJ are tax
deductible. Mark <br>
a special date in honor of or in memory of a loved one with a gift to the
NFB of NJ.<br><br>
<div align="center">Platinum Sponsor of the 2011 State Convention<br>
<b>ADVANCED DIABETIC SOLUTIONS, Lawrenceville, GA <br>
</div>
<i>Contact information for speakers can be found on the last page of the
agenda.<br>
</i> <br>
<br>
FRIDAY, NOV. 11, 2011<br>
<br>
MAKE A DIFFERENCE SEMINARGrand Ballroom<br>
<br>
9:00 am–6:00 pmRegistration Open<br>
</b>MAKE A DIFFERENCE<b> </b>Seminar/Convention registration: $15<br>
Box lunch can be purchased in Grand Ballroom: $13<br>
<br>
<b>9:00 am–6:00 pm Exhibit Hall OpenWashington Room<br>
<br>
10:00–11:30
am
Looking Good Without Looking WorkshopAdams Room<br>
</b>
Fashion, beauty, and personal style for men, women, and teens.<br>
Johanna Baccan, Makeup Diva<br>
<b> <br>
12:00 pm</b> <b>Welcome to the MAKE A DIFFERENCE Seminar!Grand
Ballroom<br>
</b>Joseph Ruffalo, President, NFB of NJ; National Board Member, NFB;
Program Manager, Puerto Rican Assoc. for Human Development, Inc.<br>
<br>
<b>12:10 pm How YOU Can Make a Difference<br>
</b>Ever Lee Hairston, National Board Member; VP, NFB of California <b>
<br>
<br>
12:20 pm Advanced Diabetic Solutions, Convention Platinum
Sponsor<br>
</b>
Edward “EJ” McKenna, Account Manager, ADS<br>
<b> <br>
12:45–2:45 pm Technology: How? What? Why?<br>
</b>Michele Chaney, President, Technology Division <br>
Find out about the BookSense, Victor Reader, iPhone, and apps that blind
people are using every day, such as EyeNote, LookTell Money Reader,
AroundMe, vizwiz, & more.<br>
<br>
<b>1:00–4:00
pm
POSSIBILITIES SeminarJefferson Room <br>
</b>Carol Castellano, Pres, Parents of Blind Children-NJ<br>
Topics include Braille, mobility, brand-new technology, education, the
role of the Commission, advocacy, social skill, music <br>
<b>
<br>
3:00–4:00 pm</b> <b>Diabetes Division Workshop &
MeetingGrand Ballroom<br>
</b>
Vincent Chaney, President, Diabetes Division<br>
<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
<br>
4:00–4:45 pm Division Meetings<br>
<br>
Merchants DivisionJefferson Room<br>
</b>Anna DeSantis, President<br>
<br>
<b>NJ Association to Promote the Use of BrailleMadison Room<br>
</b>Mary Jo Partyka, President<br>
<b>
<br>
Student DivisionAdams Room<br>
</b>Evelyn Valdez, President<br>
<b>
<br>
Seniors DivisionGrand Ballroom<br>
</b>Jane Degenshein, Chairperson<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>PLEASE RETURN TO THE GRAND BALLROOM AFTER DIVISION
MEETINGS<br>
</div>
<br>
4:50 pm Wrap-Up and Door Prizes<br>
</b>Joe Ruffalo, Pres., NFB of NJ<br>
<b> <br>
5:00–6:00 pm Visit the Vendors in the Exhibit
AreaWashington Room<br>
Registration Open<br>
</b> <br>
<b>7:00
pm
Resolutions Committee MeetingJefferson <br>
</b>Mary Jo Partyka, Chair<br>
All are welcome.<br>
<b> <br>
8:00–11:00 pm Talent Showcase, Music and Dancing, Special
Activities,
Horse Racing, and much moreGrand Ballroom<br>
</b>Hosted by Parents of Blind Children-NJ and NFB of NJ<br>
<b>
</b>Jane Degenshein & Holly Miller,
Hosts<b>
<br>
</b>
Cash Bar<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</b>Vendors will be available in the <b>Exhibit HallWashington Room</b>
<br>
at the following
times:<br>
<br>
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00
pm<br>
Saturday 7:45 am – 8:45 am<br>
12:00 pm – 1:45 pm<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
NOTE:</b> Breakfast will be served from 6:45 – 8:30 am on Saturday
morning in the <b>Jefferson Room</b> for those registered in the
hotel. Bring your breakfast coupon.<br>
<br><br>
<b>SATURDAY, NOV. 12, 2011<br>
</b><i>Note:</i> We will be audio and video recording and broadcasting
the Convention.<br>
<br>
<b>6:45–8:30 am Breakfast for those registered in the hotel
Jefferson
Room
</b> Bring your coupon!<br>
<b> <br>
7:00–8:30 am NJ Assoc. of Guide Dog Users Division
Breakfast
Meeting
Adams Room; </b>Vincent Chaney, President; Special
Guest
Assemblyman Robert Schroeder<br>
<b> <br>
7:45 am Registration and Exhibit Hall Open<br>
</b> <br>
<b>8:45 am Child Care Opens<br>
<br>
9:00 am Welcome, Call to Order<br>
</b>
Joseph Ruffalo, President, NFB of NJ<br>
Annmarie Cooke, Member, At-Large Chapter <br>
<br>
<b>9:10 am Invocation<br>
</b>Carl & Mindy Jacobson<br>
<br>
<b>9:15 am Opening Ceremonies <br>
</b>
Host Division, Parents of Blind Children-NJ; Carol Castellano,
President<br>
<br>
<b>9:25 am Introduction of Scholarship Class of
2011<br>
</b>
Jerilyn Higgins, Chair <br>
<br>
<b>9:30 am Presidential Report<br>
</b>
Joseph Ruffalo, President, NFB of NJ<br>
<br>
<b>10:00 am National Update: Working Together to Make a Difference
<br>
</b>
Ever Lee Hairston, National Board Member; VP, NFB of California <b> <br>
</b> <br>
<b>10:40 am Library Update: Is Outspoken Speaking?<br>
</b>
Adam Szczepaniak, Director, NJ Talking Book & Braille Center<br>
<br>
<b>11:00 am Possibilities<br>
</b>
Carol Castellano, President, Parents of Blind Children-NJ
<br>
<br>
<b>11:20 am Imagination Fund <br>
</b>Evelyn Valdez, Chair; Evelyn Valdez, Jerilyn Higgins, Joe
Ruffalo<br>
<b>
</b>
<br>
<b>11:40 am The PAC Plan<br>
</b>Ryan Stevens, Chair <br>
<b> <br>
11:50 am Platinum Sponsor: Advanced Diabetic Solutions<br>
</b>Edward “EJ” McKenna, Regional Representative, ADS<br>
<b> <br>
12:00 pm Adjourn<br>
<br>
<br>
12:00–2:00 pm LunchReminder: You must have a lunch ticket.<br>
Network with Vendors<br>
<br>
1:00-1:45 pm Technology Division MeetingAdams
Room<br>
</b>Michele Chaney, President<br>
<b> <br>
1:00–1:45 pm POBC-NJ MeetingGrand Ballroom<br>
</b>Carol Castellano, President, POBC-NJ<br>
Ever Lee Hairston, NFB National Representative<b> <br>
</b> <br>
<b>1:45
pm
Child Care Reopens<br>
</b><i> <br>
Note:</i> We will be audio and video recording and broadcasting the
Convention.<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
AFTERNOON SESSION<br>
2:00 pm Call to Order<br>
<br>
2:05 pm</b> <b>A Teacher Takes a Hand, Opens a Mind,
Touches a Heart<br>
</b>
Agnes Allen, Emily Fusco, Granddaughter, Holly Westefeld<br>
<b> <br>
2:30 pm</b> <b>POBC-NJ: Helping Families & Kids for
20 Years!<br>
</b>
Carol Castellano, President, POBC-NJ; Barbara
Cheadle,
President Emerita, National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children;
Holly Miller, Board Member, POBC-NJ, NOPBC<br>
<b>
<br>
3:00 pm The Governor Speaks Up on Behalf of the
Blind<br>
</b>
David Paterson, former Governor, NY; host, WOR Radio<br>
<b> <br>
3:30 pm Adventures on the Quad <br>
</b>
Shafeka Hashash, Mark Colasurdo, Students, NFB
Scholarship
Recipients<br>
<b> <br>
3:50 pm Colorado Center for the Blind: Opportunities
for Youth & Adults<br>
</b>
Wayne Marshall, Counselor, CCB; Steve Patton, Cane Travel
Instructor,
CCB; Melissa Lomax, Jeremy Capati, Students<br>
<b> <br>
4:10 pm We Rode into
History</b> <br>
Joe Ruffalo, President, NFB of NJ; Hank Miller, Brian
Woolbert,
Students<br>
<b>
<br>
4:25 pm Senior Possibilities <br>
</b>
Joe Ruffalo, Pres., NFB of NJ; Jane Degenshein, Senior
Division;
Tyrone Mance, Member<br>
<br>
<b>4:40 pm NFB of NJ Past, Present, Future<br>
</b>
Sharon Maneki, NFB of MD; Rick Fox, NFB of NJ; Evelyn
Valdez,
Student Division<br>
<br>
<b>4:55 pm Announcements<br>
<br>
5:00 pm Adjourn<br>
</b> <br>
<b>6:45–11:00 pm BanquetGrand Ballroom<br>
</b><i>Note:</i> We will be audio and video recording and broadcasting
parts of the Banquet.<br>
<br>
<b>Master of Ceremonies</b>Nicky Gacos <br>
<br>
<b>Invocation</b>Jerry
Moreno<br>
<br>
<b>Banquet</b>
<b>Address</b>– Ever Lee Hairston, NFB National Representative<br>
<br>
<b>Presentation</b> <b>of</b> <b>Scholarships</b>Jerilyn Higgins,
Scholarship Chair<br>
NFBNJ Scholarships<br>
Rose and Joseph Ruffalo, Sr. Scholarship Announcement<br>
<br>
<b>Auction<br>
</b> <br>
<b> <br>
SUNDAY, NOV. 13, 2011<br>
</b>Morning Devotions will be held from 7<b>–</b>7:30 am on Sunday in the
Adams Room.<br>
<br>
<b>7:45 am BreakfastGrand Ballroom</b>Bring
your breakfast coupon.<br>
<b> <br>
9:00 am–12:00 pm Program and Business
MeetingGrand Ballroom<br>
<br>
Invocation</b>, Rebecca Irvin<br>
<b>
Roll Call of Chapters and Divisions<br>
</b>
<b>Leadership/Building MembershipSeminar</b>Kathy Rawa, Lydia
Keller,
Jane Degenshein<br>
<b>
Funding Our Movement</b>Joe Ruffalo, Lynn
Reynolds<b>
<br>
</b>
<b>Resolutions</b>Mary Jo Partyka, Chair<br>
<b>Legislative Action</b>Lynn Reynolds, Legislative. Coord., NFB of
NJ<br>
<b>The Importance of Public Relations</b>Ever Lee Hairston, Tara
Carty,
Rick Fox<br>
<b>Committee Reports<br>
</b>
<b>Elections<br>
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>
</b> <br><br>
<b>Officers<br>
</b> <br>
President – Joseph Ruffalo<br>
1<sup>st</sup> Vice President – Jerilyn Higgins<br>
2<sup>nd</sup> Vice President – Mary Jo Partyka <br>
Secretary – Beatrice Oliveti<br>
Treasurer – Tom Ferry<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Board Members <br>
</b>Dan Facchini<br>
Lynn Reynolds<br>
Ryan Stevens <br>
Evelyn Valdez<br>
Linda DeBerardinis<br>
Michele Chaney<br>
<br><br>
<b>Chapters and Divisions<br>
</b>At Large
Chapter
Joe
Ruffalo
973-743-0075<br>
Capitol
Chapter
Mary Jo
Partyka
609-888-5459<br>
Central
Chapter
Jerilyn
Higgins
973-239-8874<br>
Cumberland/Salem
Chapter Ann
Jordan
856-696-3905<br>
Garden State
Chapter
Ed
Godfrey
856-848-6372<br>
Northeast
Chapter
Dan
Facchini
201-906-8655<br>
Northern
Chapter
Rebecca
Irvin
973-732-6559<br>
Ocean County
Chapter
Michael
Halm
732-370-1797<br>
Diabetes
Division
Vincent
Chaney
732-251-8650<br>
Merchants
Division
Anna
DeSantis
732-462-4604<br>
Parents of Blind
Children-NJ Carol
Castellano
973-377-0976<br>
NJ Assoc. of Blind
Students Evelyn
Valdez
908-803-4891<br>
NJ Assoc. to Promote
Braille
Mary Jo
Partyka
609-888-5459<br>
NJ Assoc. of Guide Dog Users Vincent
Chaney
732-251-8650<br>
Senior
Division
Jane Degenshein
973-736-5785<br>
Technology
Division
Michele
Chaney
732-251-8650<br>
<div align="center"> <br><br>
<br>
</div>
<b><a name="a"></a>NFB National Divisions<br>
</b>For a list of national divisions and committees, please visit
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</a>.<br><br>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center">Blindness can be reduced to a physical nuisance once
the blind person <br>
learns and uses the proper techniques and skills of blindness.<br>
<br>
<br>
Our thanks to the NFB of NJ Northeast Chapter’s Thru Our Eyes, the <br>
WTOE radio network, and WCTC for broadcasting the Convention.<br>
Thru Our Eyes is sponsored by a grant from the NFB Imagination Fund.<br>
<br>
We thank Carol Castellano, Michele Chaney, and Jerilyn Higgins <br>
for their help on this agenda.<br><br>
<b>Exhibitors<br>
</b></div>
<br><br>
<b> <br>
PLATINUM SPONSOR<br>
</b> <br>
<b>Advanced Diabetic Solutions <br>
</b>Edward “EJ” McKenna <br>
1576 Atkinson Rd.<br>
Laurenceville, GA 30043<br>
888-377-6382<br>
emckenna@advanceddiabeticsolutions.net<br>
<br>
<b>BRONZE SPONSORS<br>
<br>
ABI See Inc.<br>
</b>Ilana Voleman<br>
20 Main Street <br>
Suite G2<br>
Acton, MA <br>
978-635-0202 x15<br>
ilana@abisee.com<br>
<br>
<b>C-Tech <br>
</b>Chuck Cohen<br>
2 N Williams St. <br>
Pearl River, NY 10965<br>
800-228-7798<br><br>
<b>DeWitt & Associates<br>
</b>Rick Fox<br>
700 Godwin Ave<br>
Midland Park, NJ 07432<br>
201-447-6500 <br>
rick@4dewitt.com<br>
<br>
<b>The Seeing Eye Inc. <br>
</b>Pat McKenna, Esq.<br>
Outreach Specialist<br>
973-539-4425 x 1777<br>
pmckenna@seeingeye.org<br>
<br>
<b> <br>
<br>
CONVENTION SUPPORTERS<br>
<br>
HIP <br>
</b>Susan Vanino<br>
131 Main Street<br>
Suit 120<br>
Hackensack, NJ 07601<br>
201-996-9100<br>
<b> <br>
NJ Commission for the Blind & VI</b> <br>
Pamela Gaston<br>
153 Halsey Street 6th Floor<br>
PO Box 47017<br>
Newark, NJ 07101<br>
973-648-3333<br>
pamela.gaston@dhs.state.nj.us<br>
<br>
<b>NJ Talking Book & Braille Center</b> <br>
Adam Szczepaniak<br>
2300 Stuyvesant Ave <br>
Trenton, NJ 08618<br>
800-792-8322<br>
aszczepaniak@njstatelib.org<br><br>
<b>Safeguard Marketing <br>
</b>Charles Solomon <br>
P.O. Box 541<br>
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010<br>
201-840-5443<br>
sageco@earthlink.net<br>
<br>
<b>SW Unlimited, LLC <br>
</b>Sherlock Washington <br>
81 Ortley Ct.<br>
Matawan, NJ 07747<br>
732-290-1677 <br>
sherlock@swunlimited.com<br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>Contact Information<br>
<br>
</div>
Johanna Baccan
</b>
201-934-6937
24kjo@optonline.net<br>
<b>Tara
Carty
</b>
973-650-4438
sugarfreet@gmail.com<br>
<b>Carol Castellano
</b>
973-377-0976
blindchildren@verizon.net<b> <br>
Michele Chaney
</b>
732-251-8650
msc732@optonline.net<br>
<b>Vincent Chaney
</b>
732-251-8650
vgc732@optonline.net<br>
<b>Barbara Cheadle
</b>410-747-3472<b>
</b>BACheadle@msn.com<br>
<b>Jane Degenshein</b>
973-736-5785
jdegen16@comcast.net<br>
<b>Rick
Fox</b>
201-447-6500
rick@4dewittassociates.net<br>
<b>Ever Lee Hairston
</b>
323-654-2975
ever.hairston@gmail.com<br>
<b>Jerilyn
Higgins
</b>
973-239-8874
jdhiggins3@verizon.net<br>
<b>Rebecca
Irvin</b>
973-732-6559
rirvin14@optonline.net<br>
<b>Lydia
Keller
</b>
856-696-3518
ljkfly1950@verizon.net<br>
<b>Sharon Maneki
</b>
410-715-9596
nfbmd@earthlink.net
<br>
<b>Wayne Marshall
</b>303-778-1130 X233 wmarshall@cocenter.org<br>
<b>Edward “EJ” McKenna </b>888-377-6382
emckenna@advanceddiabeticsolutions.net<br>
<b>Steve
Patton
</b>
303-778-1130
spatton@cocenter.org<br>
<b>Kathy
Rawa
</b>
973-216-8757
karmedtrans@aol.com<br>
<b>Lynn
Reynolds
</b>
732-599-7420
lhr1827@optonline.net
<br>
<b>Joseph
Ruffalo</b>
973-743-0075
nfbnj@yahoo.com<br>
<b>Adam Szczepaniak
</b>800-792-8322<b>
</b>aszczepaniak@njstatelib.org<br>
<b>Ryan
Stevens
</b>856-858-3518<b>
</b>rysteve@comcast.net<br>
<b>Evelyn
Valdez
</b>
908-803-4891
tweetybaby19@comcast.net <br>
<b> <br>
</b> <br>
<br>
<br>
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