[NFB-Seniors] Fw: NFBNJ minutes from the senior division meeting March 2020 and Agenda for the April 20, 2020 meeting at 11: 15 AM and book club before at 10:15 AM

[Jane Degenshein]

Hello All seniors around the country
I am sharing our minutes from last month’s meeting and the agenda for our 
upcoming senior division book club and meeting, now with a new time of 
10:15A.M.  Eastern
and 11:15  A. M. for the senior division meeting
On Monday, April 20, 2020
All are welcome
Dial: 1 605 468 8005
Code;: 460994 pound

From: Jane Degenshein
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 9:46 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: NFBNJ minutes from the senior division meeting March 2020 and 
Agenda for the April 20, 2020 meeting at 11: 15 AM and book club before at 
10:15 AM

    Hello All Seniors
First, take special note to the start time of the book club and the division 
meeting
Book Club: Getting Old is Murder by Rita Lakin on Monday, April 20 at 10:15 
AM
Senior division meeting 11:15 AM
Dial: 1 605 468 8005
Code;: 460994POUND
Next, take special care to this agenda item which is number 8 in the agenda
If interested either email me or state on the call if you want in!
Here it is:
Students support seniors
John Zobek, Joe ruffalo and Jane Degenshein formed this committee
Who would like a call from one  of the members of our NFBNJ student 
division?
See you on Monday morning friends
***

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey's senior division
NJASB
1. Welcoming remarks: Janie Degenshein
Jane thanked Anne Marie Harris for making those important reminder calls.
A giant woo hoo to any newbies and guests on this call
Conference call etiquette was addressed including *6 for mute and unmute.
2 Roll Call: Linda DeBerardinis
There were 30 in attendance.
Jane Degenshein, President
Mary Jo Partyka, 1st Vice-President
Jennifer Uchanow, 2nd Vice President
Linda DeBerardinis, Secretary
Andrew Rees, Treasurer
Ada Crandall, Board Member
Anne Marie Harris, Board Member
Marie Sawyer, Board Members:
Members: Misty Hagan, Barbara Finan, Westin Pfeifer, Cecilia Raglan, Sherry 
Rollins, Pat Bunce, Chris Franz, Angela Perone, Pam Hayes, Linda Melendez, 
Harvey & Linda Levine, Phil Harrison, Rene Freiling, Johanna Baccan, Ruth 
Williams, Donna Myrick, Linda Anderson, Joe Ruffalo and Geri Mcginty.
Guest: Shane Lowe
Participant: Les Cameron.
3. Linda DeBerardinis led the NFB Pledge.
4. Secretary’s Report: Linda DeBerardinis
Linda asked if all received the minutes.
Motion: Sherry Rollins
Second: Anne Marie Harris
Discussion: Jennifer Uchanow noted it was not in the minutes that in 
February, she read Ralph Waldo Emerson's What is Success.
All voted favorably adding the additional item.
5. Treasurer’s Report: Andrew Rees

Motion: Barbara Finan
Second: Harvey Levine
There was no discussion.
All agreed.
Andrew added with his car accident he was a bit late but wrote both the 
check for $100 to the affiliate, for the Gerry Fontenelli Day, and the $50 
toward the affiliate liability insurance.
6.National Senior Division News Update: Janie Degenshein
The monthly calendar of events is now on Newsline for NJ
A. Here is the March news from March 16 to the end of the month.
1. Mar. 17th (Set Day- Third Tuesday of the month
NFB of Georgia Seniors Division - All are welcome.
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Phone: (712) 775-7085
Access code: 951866#
2. Mar. 18th
Second 2020 nationwide Senior conference call
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Phone: 1-515 603 3166
Access code: 759633 pound
2 areas will be discussed
First: The Blind Travelers Network
A website for blind/low vision travelers
see posts and blogs with a wide variety of experiences and perspectives
Get tips for traveling as a blind person.
Second: The American Foundation for the Blind
identified improving services for older adults with vision loss as one of 
its top five priorities.
3. Mar. 23rd (Set Day- Fourth Monday of the month; excluding Nov., Dec.)
NFB of Kansas Seniors Division – All Are Welcome.
Time: 7:00 pm CT
Phone: (916) 235-1420
Access code: 879925#
4. Mar. 25th (Set Day- Fourth Wednesday of the month)
NFB of Virginia Seniors Division – All Are Welcome.
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Phone: (605) 472-5481
Access code: 304571#
B.Senior Division Annual Retreat
LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT
When? October 18 to 24, 2020
Where? Rocky Bottom Resort and Conference Center for the Blind, Sunset, 
South Carolina.
Rocky Bottom is a camp owned and operated by the South Carolina affiliate of 
the NFB. This camp is located on Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in 
the state. It is a modern facility with a dining-hall and several lodges for 
sleeping and holding classes. Retreaters will share a room with a colleague. 
Paved pathways connect buildings in this rural, mountain setting. Fishing 
can be done on the property. Other off-site activities may be planned during 
the retreat.
Eligibility: Must be legally blind and have a strong desire to learn 
nonvisual techniques taught by blind instructors. Preferred age over 50 but 
some exceptions can be made.
Candidates must be able to administer their medications and know the dosages 
and times they should be taken. We can suggest labeling methods and 
organizational skills but cannot administer medications.
Classes Offered:
1. Traveling with a rigid, straight white cane,
2. Daily Living Skills,
3. Organizational Skills and Tactile Labeling,
4. Beginning Braille,
5. Some Devices and Aids Found Useful,
6. Cooking Techniques and Preparing Food
7. Discussions Living with Low Vision and Blindness
8. Our Attitudes and Perceptions and the Misconceptions of Others about our 
Disability.
Please contact Ruth Sager, President NFB Senior Division at:
rsager78 at gmail.com
7. Guest speaker: Shane Lowe
Shane is a consultant with a company called Mediate and they are working on 
a new app that is an OCR scanner for ios called Super Read.
His contact info is:
shane at mediate.tech
or phone him at:
502- 435- 2671.
Our goal is to take requests after I am finished speaking and we will 
prioritize them and work on them. Our Super Read is to be used with your 
IPhone. I will try to simplify the directions. Open the app, you get basic 
screen. Wait 3 or 4 seconds then take your picture. Once the image is 
captured it is better than any other scanner.I'll try to explain like this:
A. Once you have scanned, you can tell Super Read what you have scanned. 
However it will tell you if it's a business card, post card, menu, etcetera.
B. We are adding the ability to scan barr codes.
C. Already can scan upside-down, or sideways.
D. Also it can translate to English.
Jane asked how much the cost will be. Shane's response was $8, or $10 per 
month, or $90 per year.
Questions:
Johanna Baccan asked if it can read barr codes and how about hand writing?
answer: We are adding barr codes right now and yes, it can read hand 
writing.
Linda DeBerardinis: Can this work with a computer?
answer: That's a good question. I would like to talk to you later about 
that.
Westin Pfeiffer: This will be great, because even with Seeing AI, it is 
difficult to get the paper straight.
Mary Jo Partyka: I would hope it can read recipes.
answer: I'm sure it can, however we have never tried that. Thank you for 
that idea.
Les Cameron: Can it read medicine bottles?
answer: I think it worked pretty well.
8. Committee Reports: Marie, Ada, and Jennifer
A. Caring Cards/Calls: Marie
I spoke with Caryn FitzPatrick, who broke her shoulder and fractured her 
wrist. She may be in rehab for quite some time. I sent her a card to say we 
were thinking of her.
I spoke with Renee Freiling, who was in rehab due to her shattered wrist. I 
also called her at home. She was doing so good she had plans to go to the 
play at the Papermill.
I sent a card and spoke to Linda DeBerardinis giving her our condolences on 
the loss of her aunt. I tried calling Andrew Rees twice after his accident, 
naturally leaving him a message. I also sent Andrew a card, saying we were 
thinking about him .
I sent a card to Linda Melendez, while she was in the hospital with the flu 
and pneumonia. I wanted her to know that we were all thinking about her .
I also sent a card to Donna myrick telling her she was in all of our 
thoughts.
B. Birthday Calls: Ada
Jane asked those on the call who have not given their dates to do so at the 
end of the call.
Ada first thanked Janie for calling those with a birthday late in February 
Ada really appreciated it, because her Son was in the hospital.
Ada happily said she called both Linda Melendez & Mary Jo Partyka, who share 
the same birthday. She said the Senior Division loves them, and I do as 
well!
C. Senior Corner: Jennifer
Jennifer read Texting appreciations for Seniors. We laughed at the humor of 
them! Janie already sent them out to the group for our continued enjoyment.
9. Senior division book club date for May and book choice announced.
The next Senior book will be, Getting Old is Murder, by Rita Lakin, DB74779 
and the reading time is 7 hours 46 minutes. It will be held on Monday, April 
20 at 10:15 A.M.
Jane played the annotation of this book for all.
10. There is a new team called Debbie and Jennifer from the resource room at 
Hadley.edu
They host meetings on all types of blindness related items.
Their next one is tomorrow night, March 17 at 8 PM eastern
How to listen:
Phone: +1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 437 585 202
Here is their blurb:
Home Safe Home
Join us this month to learn simple, low-cost ways to create a safe and 
comfortable living space when living with a visual impairment. From lighting 
to organization, we'll explore ways to ensure your home remains home safe 
home.
Date: Tuesday, March 17
Time: 8:00 PM eastern
11. Old/New Business: All
Joe Ruffalo: The Comedy Afternoon is postponed until October 3rd, due to the 
COVID-19. Most people who have already paid have said to keep their check 
for the October 3rd show. We can easily turn lemons into lemonade; October 
is Meet the Blind Month and the affiliate has never had a Meet the Blind 
Event. I know, you all will say who are we going to meet that we don't 
already know?I will invite more members of the Knights of Columbus, plus I 
plan to invite many members of the local Lions Club. This club regularly 
donates $1800 to our affiliate yearly.
Linda Melendez announces the Sports & Rec call is Wednesday. We will extend 
our Winter Challenge and also talk about our Spring Challenge.
Also there was a recent message from President Riccobono regarding not 
having any chapter meetings all over the country, due to COVID-19. We can 
all use conference calls; keep in touch with your chapter presidents to see 
what number you will use.
Jane said not to forget the Sports & Rec Book Club.
Joe said there was a message from Debbie Azarone, about free listening to 
the opera at the Met.
Linda Melendez announced a new fundraiser of Pampered Chef for Sports & Rec, 
from April 1st through April 30th.
11 Round the Phone/Brags and Drags: All
Jane said Chris had a home inspection, and got the cleanest apartment in her 
entire building!
Joe suggested since we are all inside anyway, we should clean out our 
homes/apartments for Green Drop. The number to call is:
1-888-610-4632.
Andrew announced he moved into his new apartment, but is still between the 
two. Joe said we should keep his same address if we need to mail him 
anything.
Joe announced his son & daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Kelly have bought a condo 
in Arizona. This makes them new home owners for the first time.
Angela said she thinks these conference calls are the best thing going; 
especially with being shut in.
Sherry said she was able to get out in the sun today, then her Mom and her 
bought some food and went in.
12. adjournment
Next month's Senior meeting will be the April 20th.
motion: Chris Franz.
second: Sherry Rollins
All agreed.
President Jane Degenshein adjourned the meeting at 9:03 PM.
Jane wished everyone a good Easter, or Passover next month. Stay in touch 
with each other.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Linda J. DeBerardinis
Reviewed by
Jane Degenshein
President NFBNJ senior division

***
Book Club is Monday,  April 20 at 10:15 A. M.
Getting old is murder by Rita Lakin

Agenda for the senior division meeting Monday, April 20 at 11:15 A. M.
1 Roll Call
2 Welcoming remarks: Jane Degenshein
3 NFB Pledge
4 Secretary's Report: Linda Deberardinis
5 Treasurer's Report: Andrew Rees
6 Senior Chat Sessions 1 and 2 with 3 on the way: All that participated
Anyone want to comment?
7 Senior calling group:
Marie, Annemarie, Ada, Phil, Mary jo
Callers and callers!
8 Students support seniors
John Zobek, Joe ruffalo and Jane Degenshein formed this committee
Who would like a call from one  of the members of our NFBNJ student 
division?
9   Committee Reports: Marie, Ada, and Jennifer
A. Marie Caring Cards/Calls
B. Ada and birthday call list
C. Jennifer Senior Corner
10 Old/New Business

10 Round the Phone/Brags and Drags: All
11 adjournment
The next meeting of this senior division will take place at 11:15 A.M. on 
Monday, May 18, 2020


Keep Smiling,
Janie Degenshein
Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have!
Facilitator of ECHO (Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
state affiliate board member
President of the senior division of the National Federation of the Blind of 
New Jersey
to join the senior list serve:
https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbnj-seniors_nfbnet.org
President of the Technology division of the National federation of the Blind 
of New Jersey
To join the tech div list serve:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/njtechdiv_nfbnet.org

NFBNJ Newsline co-ordinator
jdegen16 at comcast.net