[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for April 2025

[Christopher Sabine]

National Federation of the blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for April 2025


  1.  The April 2025 meeting of the National Federation of the blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened at 4:00 P.M. at Christine's Casual Dining, 3360 Westbourne Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45248. This meeting was in person with opportunity for virtual attendance. Attending in Person were President Gloria Robinson, Lisa Hall, Christopher Sabine, Chris Windham, Dave Perry, and Ben Heard. Joan Sabine, Jess Heard, Julie Heard, Maria Wright, and Travis Jewell attended as guests of the Chapter in person. Frank Bragassa, Gary Warren, and Emily Pennington attended by telephone conference.


  1.  Dave Perry moved to accept the March 2025 meeting minutes as emailed. Emily Pennington seconded, and the motion passed.


  1.  Emily Pennington gave this month's Treasurer's Report. Christopher Sabine moved to accept this month's Treasurer's Report. Christopher Sabine seconded. The motion passed.



  1.  Christopher Sabine gave a Legislative Committee Report. Christopher began his report with an overview of the Columbus Seminar, the Ohio Affiliate's annual meeting with the State Legislature, in which he participated along with President Gloria Robinson and Dave Perry from the Cincinnati Chapter. Christopher characterized the event as a positive experience but emphasized that the real measure of the event's success will be the number of cosponsors for the Affiliate's three legislative priorities: Ohio House Bill 225, The Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act, Ohio's accessible prescription legislation, and the continuation of the Ohio Support Service Provider Program for members of the Deafblind community. He continued that Rep. Greg Landsman will be conducting a guest presentation to the Chapter to discuss the Federation's national legislative priorities on Saturday June 7. President Gloria Robinson added her own positive experience with Ohio Seminar. She also indicated that the Chapter will be holding a meeting with Affiliate leadership on the Ohio Zoom Room on Monday, Nay 5 to discuss Rep. Landsman's upcoming visit, requesting all Chapter Board members to attend. Later in today's meeting, President Gloria Robinson expressed that she would like as many members as possible to attend the meeting with Rep. Landsman. She elaborated that hygiene, and personal appearance is very important and requested all members to be neat and presentable, expressing concerns regarding feedback she received regarding some participants in Columbus Seminar.

  1.  Gary Warren gave an update from the Fundraising Committee. He expressed his appreciation to those who sold and purchased candy from the World's Finest Chocolates fundraiser. The Spring Ball, which was scheduled for Saturday May 17, may need to be rescheduled as he is unsure if the venue is available. Dave Perry added that the Ball will move forward but may need to be moved to a different date, asking any members who can to contribute door prizes. President Gloria Robinson stated that the company providing the candies has other items, including cookie dough which would be good to sell around the Holidays. Tumblers and gummy worms are also available. She will be distributing more Candy at its next meeting in June, and the Committee's contact is suggesting that it develop a web site to help the Chapter sell additional products online. The possibility of the Chapter opening up a web portal to sell Double Good Pop Corn was also discussed, as the Cleveland Chapter already has such a web site. The candy fundraiser is still ongoing, with boxes of 30 candy bars available for $60 and individual bars for $2 apiece.


  1.  President Gloria Robinson requested that the Membership Committee plan and organize a membership luncheon to coincide with Blind Equality Achievement Month in October 2025. This event would consist of information about the Federation and its local members and a technology workshop lead by local representatives from Apple and other assistive technology demonstrations. A new technology committee was also established, consisting of Gary Warren, Christopher Sabine, and Dave Perry. Christopher Sabine expressed that he could conduct a demonstration of the Envision Glasses as well as the Ray Band Meta Glasses. Lisa Hall and Chris Windham also agreed to conduct product demonstrations.



  1.  President Gloria Robinson expressed that the National Convention is set for July in New Orleans, requesting all members attending National Convention to give a report to the Chapter. The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio State Convention is set for November 6-9 in Westlake Ohio, and new members are eligible for a scholarship to attend their first convention for free. Other items related to a recreation committee, leisure outings and a bake sale were discussed at this point.


  1.  Members gave updates on their personal activities and participation in the community. Christopher Sabine indicated that he had the opportunity to attend the installation Mass for the Archbishop of Cincinnati at ST. Peter in Chains Cathedral. Lisa Hall stated that Chris Faust, former Chief Executive Officer at the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is retiring as of April 30. The new CEO has not been announced. Ben Heard expressed that he will be giving an additional $100 donation to the Chapter. President Gloria Robinson expressed that she plans to conduct outreach in Butler County to invite members of the former chapter there to Cincinnati and secure transportation to attend meetings.


  1.  Following additional comments regarding the meeting with Rep. Landsman, the April 2025 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 5:00 P.M. on Saturday April 26, 2025.


Respectfully Submitted,

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


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