Saturday, October 26, 2024
Morning General Session
6:00 to 7:30 AM—Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet
Garden Room
Bring the correct day’s ticket with you to exchange for a buffet bracelet. Service will be provided only to those with bracelets.
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pre-Registration Pick-Up and On-Site Registration
Studio Room
8:00 to 8:25 AM–Banquet Ticket Exchange
Windsor Ballroom
8:30 AM–Pre-General Session Music
Windsor Ballroom
9:00 AM–General Session
Windsor Ballroom
Welcome and Call to Order
Linda Melendez, President NFB of NJ
9:05 AM–Presidential Report
Linda Melendez, President NFB of NJ
9:40 AM–Introduction of Scholarship Class of 2024
Lia Stone, Director of Youth Programs, NFB of NJ
9:55 AM–National Association of Blind Students Report
Zachary Ledford, NABS
10:10 AM–NJABS Committee Report
Natasha Ishaq, Chair Student Committee, NFB of NJ
10:20 AM–Marching Together on Capitol Hill
Clarke King Facilitator; Panelists Lauren Altman and Bree Douglas
10:50 AM–Fit break
Denise Avant, Esq., Chair Membership Committee, NFB; HQ
11:05 AM–Landing in Orlando
Lia Stone Facilitator; Panelists Nimisha Rani and Isabelle Nutt
11:35 AM–The Museum of the Blind People’s Movement
Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq., National Representative
11:50 AM–Announcements
12:00 PM–Adjourn
12:00 PM to 12:15 PM–Banquet Ticket Exchange
Windsor Ballroom
Lunch Break-Out Sessions
12:00 to 12:20 PM– Pre-Purchased Lunch Pick-Up
Garden Ballroom
Pick up your pre-purchased lunch. You must bring the correct day’s lunch ticket with you to exchange for your meal!
12:10 PM to 1:10 PM–NJ Association of Blind Students Gathering
Lincoln Room
Students, join us to learn about NJABS and enjoy free pizza
12:15 PM–NFB Courtesy Rules of Blindness Discussion
Garden Room
Jane Degenshein, Facilitator. Grab your lunch and join us!
To view Courtesy Rules of Blindness please visit:
Courtesy Rules of Blindness | National Federation of the Blind (nfb.org)
12:15 PM–Parents of Blind Children—NJ Meet and Talk
Windsor Ballroom
Carol Castellano, Founder & Facilitator, POBC-NJ, Come meet new people and see old friends at this informal session. We can talk about your child's education and development, ways to deal with challenges, and any other things that may be on your mind. Hope to see you there!
Afternoon General Session & Evening Activities
1:15 PM–Afternoon General Session
Windsor Ballroom
Welcome, Call to Order, Announcements
Linda Melendez, President, NFB of NJ
1:25 PM–Fundraising and Outreach
Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq., National Representative, Director of Outreach, National Federation of the Blind
1:45 PM–NFB Branding, Communications and Social Media
Stephanie Cascone, Director of Communications, NFB HQ
2:30 PM–Fit Break
Aubrey Bird, President NFB of NY
2:45 PM–Affiliate Business Meeting: What We’ve Accomplished, What’s Ahead
Linda Melendez, President NFB of NJ
Chapter and Committee Reports, Resolutions, Financial Report, Elections. Proposed Affiliate Constitution will be publicly read for the second time and voted on.
4:45 PM-Announcements and Closing Remarks
Linda Melendez and Patti Gregory Chang
5:00 PM–Adjourn
5:10 PM to 5:25 PM–Final Banquet Ticket Exchange
Windsor Ballroom
5:30- to 7:00 PM–Portrait Studio
Lincoln Room
Stephanie Cascone, Director of Communications, NFB HQ
Come and have your picture taken in your Banquet finery.
7:30 PM–Banquet Doors open at 7:15 PM
Talmadge Ballroom
Bring your pre-purchased banquet exchange ticket with you! Everyone must have a ticket to be served! There will be a cash bar. Food and bar service will not be available during keynote address.
- Maestra of Ceremonies—Jane Degenshein, Board Member, NFB of NJ; Chair, Senior and Technology Committees
- Invocation— Denise Avant, Esq., Chair Membership CommitteeNFB HQ
- Keynote Address—Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq., National Representative, Director of Outreach, National Federation of the Blind
- Recognition of Contributors to State Scholarships
- Presentation of State Scholarship Awards —Lia Stone, Director of Youth Programs, NFB of NJ
- Door Prizes