[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for March, 2023 (Revised)

Fri Apr 14 15:03:17 UTC 2023

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for March, 2023

1.         The March, 2023 meeting of the National Federation of the blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 7:05 P.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2023. In attendance were President Gloria Robinson, Emily Pennington, Dae Perry, Christopher Sabine, Chris Windham, Gary Warren, Lisa Hall, Haley Thurston, Akeelah Cade, Mohammed Ikramullah, Walter Mitchell, and Tammy McRae.

2.         Emily Pennington moved to accept the February Chapter minutes as presented. Lisa Hall seconded, and the motion passed.

3.         Emily Pennington gave this month's Treasurer's Report. Gary Warren moved to accept this month's Treasurer's Report. Christopher Sabine seconded, and the motion passed.

4.         Gloria Robinson gave a Transportation Committee report, which consisted of a follow up from a meeting with Steve Anderson, Director of Transit Development, and innovation at the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). This meeting took place as part of the February Chapter meeting and was scheduled to address several concerns related to service to Blind riders on SORTA's fixed route and paratransit services, Metro and ACCESS. She began by expressing thanks to all members who attended that meeting. President Robinson expressed that "things are being moved around" as a result of last month's meeting, and she and Christopher Sabine are reaching out to SORTA regarding members' access to the Everybody Rides Metro (ERM) fund, which provides a $30 grant to riders who are members of nonprofit organizations like the National Federation of the Blind. She encouraged anyone who does not need grant funds for transportation to consider donating their share back to the Chapter to cover expenses.

5.         President Gloria Robinson gave a report from the Community Outreach Committee. She indicated that she and Dave Perry are in the process of reaching out to several churches and other community organizations regarding the Federation and the upcoming Spring Ball, discussed later in tonight's meeting. She is also reportedly planning to bring guest speakers to Chapter meetings, though no specifics were mentioned. She and Dave will also be advertising the Spring Ball on Radio Reading Services (through the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) The Buzz Radio and other platforms. Other Chapter members will be contacted and asked to participate in community outreach activities.

6.         President Gloria Robinson began the Fundraising Committee presentation by requesting that all members on this call participate in preparations for the Cincinnati Chapter Spring Ball, which is currently set for Saturday, April 29 from 6:00 to 11:00 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus at 4109 West Eighth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio as well as a meet and greet at O'Charley's Restaurant at 5075 Crookshank Road on Friday, April 28 at 6:00 P.M. Gary Warren, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, expressed that he is still taking RSVP's for this event as he needs information about who is attending to determine how much food is needed and other details. There will be an auction, prizes, music, and a comedian from the disability community to provide entertainment. The menu will include ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken alfredo, iced tea, lemonade, and water. This is a black-tie event. Gary's phone number was shared for members to RSVP. Dave Perry reiterated the importance of participation in planning and marketing the Spring Ball by all Chapter members and expressed that he believes this could be a significant fundraising event for the Chapter. Gary and President Gloria Robinson expressed that they would like to see this become an annual event for the Chapter. Christopher Sabine expressed that he has posted the flier regarding this event on the Ohio Affiliate and Cincinnati Chapter Facebook pages as well as the Ohio-Talk and Cincinnati Chapter email lists. President Gloria Robinson asked Gary to follow up with Christopher regarding an audio advertisement for the event. She also indicated that she has reached out to a number of platforms to advertise the event, including Rob Williams from WXIX, WLWT TV Channel 5, Radio Reading Service, and the Cable Access TV program hosted by Robert Harris. Christopher Sabine has agreed to help market the event on local media and participate in interviews prior to the event.  President Gloria Robinson provided her phone number for those interested in donating to the event. Dave Perry expressed that the popcorn fundraiser is still ongoing, and other campaigns set for later in 2023 were discussed.

7.         Gloria Robinson expressed that she is forming a new committee within the Chapter to organize chapter events and activities, chaired by Chris Windham and Walter Mitchell. Walter expressed that he and Chris Windham had a "brief conversation" in which two ideas were discussed. The first is a chapter picnic. Neither a date nor location has been set for this event yet. The second is a rating system for restaurants on their service to Blind patrons which the Chapter would disseminate to its members and the Blind community at large. President Gloria Robinson expressed that she would like to take part in discussions and planning for the Chapter picnic and requested that Walter and Chris reach out to her. She also discussed organizing a trip to the Miami Valley Chapter's picnic in Dayton. Relating a personal experience, President Robinson encouraged all members who have had a negative experience at a restaurant, such as refused service on account of blindness, to reach out to her or a member of Chapter leadership, expressing that she believes discrimination at restaurants is an ongoing concern in the Blind community locally.

8.         Dave Perry, as Chair of the Membership Committee, encouraged all members to play a part in retaining and recruiting new members.

9.         the March 25, 2023 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 8:20 P.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2023. The next meeting will be held by telephone conference on April 22, 2023 from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine
Secretary
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter

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