[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for October 2022

Mon Oct 31 20:54:48 UTC 2022

National Federation of the blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for October 2022

  1.  The October 2022 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 1:35 P.M. on Saturday, October 22, 2022. In attendance were President Gloria Robinson, Emily Pennington, Frank Bragassa, Gary Warren, Chris Windham, Christopher Sabine, Dave Perry, Tammy Smith, Haley Thurston, Lisa Hall, Emily Kiehl, Walter Mitchell, and Mohammed Ikramullah. Akeelah Cade attended today's meeting as a guest of the Chapter. Due to members' ongoing concerns related to the transmission of Covid-19, this meeting was held by telephone conference.

  1.  Emily Pennington moved to accept the September minutes as presented. Dave Perry seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's Report. Frank Bragassa moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented. Christopher Sabine seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson reminded all members that annual dues need to be current, and all dues for the current year need to be paid to the Chapter treasury by January 1 of the current year. Emily Pennington provided information on how members can pay their annual dues, which are currently $10 per member. Dues can be paid via PayPal, the Cash App, Zelle, Venmo, or by check or money order. Information regarding available payment methods was provided at today's meeting.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson reminded all members that group text conversations among members are for Chapter business only. Anyone with concerns regarding their inclusion on group texts should reach out to a Board member directly.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson gave an update from the Community Outreach Committee. She reported that donations are "coming in" for the 15-passenger van that she is renting for Convention and expressed that she will be limiting the capacity of the van to ten or eleven members to accommodate luggage. She reminded all passengers to bring one suitcase please only. All passengers are expected to be at the pickup point by 6:00 AM, Friday, November 4, and the van will depart promptly at 6:15.  President Robinson expressed that she would like to meet for ten minutes with all members before Friday morning to discuss how older members need to assist newer members. She is also planning a "Cincinnati get-together" at some point on Friday night during Convention. The Chapter will be selling candy and raffling off AirPods or a speaker and selling air fresheners marketed by Davida Williams. All members will receive a snack bag for Convention. Dave perry will serve on the nominating committee for State Convention Friday night. President Robinson concluded her remarks by asking all members to pull together to support each other during their stay at Convention.

  1.  Christopher Sabine indicated that the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority is starting a new service on a pilot basis in December 2022 extending rapid transit service to several routes. These routes will evidently run similarly similar to the existing 90+ route that currently serves the Montgomery Road Corridor and the University of Cincinnati. Chris Windham indicated that he attended a public briefing by SORTA but was unable to obtain further information about the new service. He also expressed that new on-demand service will also become available in the near future. President Gloria Robinson asked all members if anyone would be interested in a dedicated driver for Chapter members. She indicated that she has two drivers available, and anyone needing transportation to Convention or other activities should reach out to President Robinson as far in advance as possible. There is no limit to the distance on each trip members can request, and the cost of each trip is comparable to local taxi services, generally $2 per mile.

  1.  Dave Perry gave a Fundraising Committee report. He indicated that the Popcorn Fundraiser is still ongoing, and he would like to meet with the Committee immediately following Convention to discuss this and other Chapter fundraising activities, including the smart oven drawing. President Gloria Robinson expressed that she would also like to begin organizing the Spring Ball and Chapter Spaghetti Dinner at this meeting. She asked all Chapter members to "push" the Pop Corn Fundraiser and sell other items at Convention, including tickets for a drawing for Airpodds or a speaker (to be discussed at a meeting prior to Convention).

  1.  Dave Perry gave a report from the Membership Committee. He indicated that around 20 members will be attending this year's State Convention from the Cincinnati Chapter. He will be handling membership for the State Affiliate but ensuring that all Cincinnati Chapter members are supported. He asked all Chapter members to reach out to him or President Robinson if they have any questions or need any support.

  1.  Following Membership Committee report, Mohammed Ikramullah was formerly sworn in as a member of the Cincinnati Chapter and is now a member of the National Federation of the Blind.

  1.  Christopher Sabine gave a report from the Legislative Committee. He reported that Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland) have introduced The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop guidelines for the accessibility of websites and software applications. It would also create a means of compensation for individuals adversely affected by inaccessible websites or software applications. Christopher also indicated that on October 18, 2022, oral arguments were heard in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in the case of Orozco v Garland, an important case concerning the rights of individual federal employees with disabilities to sue government agencies concerning accessibility barriers in employment under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  2.  At the request of President Gloria Robinson, Chris Windham reported on his experience with early voting using an accessible voting platform at the Hamilton County Board of Elections on October 21, 2022. He expressed that the machine gives verbal output which guided him through the process of inserting a ballot and selecting candidates. He expressed that he found the process completely accessible. Lisa Hall also indicated that she has made use of early voting at the Board of Elections since 2000 with no problems.

  1.  Walter Mitchell expressed that the Ohio Diabetes Action Network will be holding their annual breakfast meeting at State Convention on Sunday November 6 in the Restaurant of the Hilton Doubletree Independence. The Division is recruiting new members for the 2023-24 term and holding elections. He encouraged anyone with an interest in Diabetes to join the division.

  1.  The October 2022 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 2:35 P.M. on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

  1.  The Next meeting of the Chapter will be held on Saturday November 27, 2022, by telephone conference.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine

Secretary

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cincinnati Chapter

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