<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1228223512;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-2116412600 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'>Cincinnati Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'>Meeting Minutes for April 2021<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The April 2021 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 1:32 P.M. on Saturday April 24, 2020. This meeting was held by teleconference due to ongoing concerns related to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In attendance were: President Gloria Robinson, Emily Pennington, Gary Warren, Christopher Sabine, Tammy Smith, Frank Bragassa, Tammy McRae, Lisa Hall, Candice Armstrong and Marianne Denning. Allison Meloy, Counselor for the Southwest Region of the Ohio Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, attended today’s meeting as a guest of the Chapter. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Tammy Smith moved to approve the February meeting minutes as emailed. Emily Pennington seconded, and the motion passed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Emily Pennington gave this month’s Treasurer’s Report. Gary Warren moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Emily Pennington seconded, and the motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Christopher Sabine gave this month’s legislative report, which began with a summary of his participation in this year’s Washington Seminar. He expressed that members of the affiliate met with representatives of fourteen members of Congress and both Ohio’s Senators, Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) regarding the federations four national legislative priorities, which were reviewed in detail in the January Chapter minutes and are also available on the Federation’s national web site at https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-priorities?q=programs-services%2Fadvocacy%2Fwashington-seminar%2Fwashington-seminar-priorities. Todd Elsey and Barbara Pierce from the Ohio Affiliate’s Board of Directors moderated Ohio’s virtual delegation, in which Christopher participated. Christopher expressed that he believes that the Access Technology Affordability Act, introduced in the House as H.R. 431 and the Senate as S. 212, has the greatest chance of being enacted in this year’s legislative session, as it has the most co-sponsors. Christopher also indicated that the Ohio Affiliate made an attempt to have the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio Senate introduce the parental rights legislation into the 2021 Annual State Budget. However, members of the Board of Directors indicated that this effort was ultimately unsuccessful, as the affiliate’s proposal involved no amount to be allocated. None of the Ohio Affiliate’s legislative priorities—which are unchanged from the 2019 -20 legislative session—have been introduced into the Ohio House or Senate due to the pandemic. The Ohio Affiliate is asking all Chapters to invite their representatives in the Ohio General Assembly and Congress to chapter meetings to discuss the Federation’s state and national legislative agenda. Marianne Denning asked all Chapter members to determine the names of their representatives in the State and Federal House and Senate to keep legislators abreast of legislative priorities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Gary Warren presented a fundraising Committee report. He expressed that the Chapter’s next fundraising campaign will commence sometime in late May or early June. As in the Fall 2020 campaign, tickets will be sold for $5 apiece and 3 for $12 with the prize being an Amazon smart air frier. The Committee plans to schedule a meeting to launch the campaign when it receives the air frier. President Gloria Robinson expressed that she will obtain a gift card to go with the air frier. She also expressed that she will reach out to Neal Hartman, who designed the flier for the Fall campaign, to design a new flier for this initiative. Other fundraising ideas to consider after the resolution of the Pandemic—particularly the Italian Dinner—were also discussed, but no action was taken at today’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Christopher Sabine and Marianne Denning gave a report from the Transportation Committee, as Chris Windham, the chair of that committee, was absent from today’s meeting. He indicated that The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, the agency that operates the transit system for Cincinnati and Hamilton County, has held several public meetings regarding its expansion initiative, Reinventing Metro. He expressed that ACCESS, SORTA’s paratransit service, and seven of SORTA’s highest volume fixed bus routes are converting to 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service starting June 1. Christopher also reported that the agency’s fare simplification program has now gone into effect as of April 1 on all routes on Metro. Standard fares for all non-express trips within Hamilton County are $2.00, express routes are $2.60, and all out-of-county trips, such as the Batavia, West Chester and King’s Island Express Routes, are $3.75. All Trips on ACCESS are $4—with 24-hour service now available. Zones have also been eliminated on ACCESS rides as of April 1. Finally, SORTA—as part of its current five-year plan to improve service on all its routes—is planning to establish neighborhood transfer sites throughout its system to better enable riders to travel to different neighborhoods without needing to travel to Downtown or a regional transfer hub. This is in addition to the regional transfer hubs already in place, such as the Northside and Oakley Transit Centers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Candice Armstrong gave an update on activities of the Ohio Affiliate’s Community Service Division. She reported that The Division is holding weekly happy Hour events on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. on the Ohio Affiliate Zoom Room. Each event has a theme. Information concerning the Happy Hour events is posted each week to the Ohio-Talk Listserv.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>8.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Christopher Sabine gave a brief report from the Membership Committee. He indicated that he is reaching out to a few potential new members, including an individual who received a cane from the National Free White Cane Program currently living in Highland County, Ohio. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>9.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>President Gloria Robinson led a discussion of the Code of Conduct. She expressed that a two-hour, national meeting was held to discuss the Code and answer questions from Federation members, in which several Chapter members attended. She indicated that all members must acknowledge that they have read and agree to the Code of Conduct to sign up for National Convention, a link to which is provided on the Convention Registration Form on the National organization’s web site. After a discussion with Christopher Sabine prior to the meeting, Gloria asked Lisa Hall if she would be available to read the Code of Conduct to members who need assistance registering for National Convention online over the phone on the Chapter conference line. Lisa indicated that she would be able to do so and promised to schedule the meeting during the week of May 3-7. However, this meeting was not scheduled at today’s meeting, and the Chapter agreed that Christopher Sabine would send an announcement via the Cincinnati Chapter listserv and group text at a later date when the meeting is scheduled. Marianne Denning also agreed to record the Code of Conduct electronically and post the recording to the Cincinnati Chapter and Ohio-Talk Listservs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>10.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>President Gloria Robinson expressed that she will be implementing a point system which Gary Warren currently uses in the Delaware Affiliate in which members receive points for participating in fundraising activities to benefit the Chapter and expressed that the level of financial assistance members will receive will be based on the number of points they earn. Members who do not participate in Chapter fundraising events or attend meetings will not receive financial assistance. President Gloria Robinson also expressed concern about the lack of Board participation and attendance at Chapter meetings and request that any Board member who is unable to attend a meeting reach out to her in advance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>11.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Frank Bragassa, The Cincinnati Representative of the Ohio Vendors Representatives Committee (OVRC), which represents business operators in the Ohio Business Enterprise Program, led a discussion of his work with the National Federation of the Blind and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities on behalf of business operators working in government facilities under the Randolph Sheppard Act. He expressed his thanks to the National Federation of the Blind for their work with OVRC on several pressing concerns from business operators.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>12.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Gloria Robinson indicated that she will be hosting a birthday party on Saturday July 10 from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 4109 West Eighth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. The evening will start with Jazz music from 6:00 to 7:00, followed by a party themed,” From Old School to New School.” Rooms will be available for participants at the Quality inn Queensgate Hotel, which is located near the venue. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>13.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Christopher Sabine expressed that he has been invited to participate in a subcommittee of the National Organization’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee concerned with issues facing people who are Blind and also have additional disabilities, and there is a possibility he will be doing a presentation at National Convention. President Gloria Robinson encouraged all members who have participated in activities in their communities to share them with Christopher Sabine, so he can include them in this year’s gavel report for State Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>14.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>President Gloria Robinson is looking into holding an in-person Meet the Blind Event in October. However, she has not finalized these plans due to the Pandemic. She also expressed the possibility of having a picnic in August. It was agreed that the Chapter will post a message on the Cincinnati Chapter Listserv to gage members’ interest in the picnic and discuss in the May chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>15.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The April 2021 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 2:55 P.M. on Saturday April 24 2021.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>16.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The next meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter will be held on Saturday May 22 2021 from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M. by teleconference.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle>Respectfully Submitted,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle>Christopher Sabine<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle>Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast>Cincinnati Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>