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</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='text-align:center'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Cincinnati Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Meeting Minutes for May 2021<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The May 2021 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 1:40 P.M. on Saturday May 22 2021. Members in attendance at today’s meeting were: President Gloria Robinson, Christopher Sabine, Emily Pennington, Taslim Dibba, Lisa Hall, Dave Perry, and Frank Bragassa. Suzanne Turner, Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, also attended today’s meeting representing the Affiliate. Amy Barker, Counselor for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, attended today’s meeting as a guest of the Chapter. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Emily Pennington moved to accept the April Minutes as emailed. Dave Perry seconded, and the motion passed. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=3 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Emily Pennington presented this month’s Treasurer’s Report. Dave Perry moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Christopher Sabine seconded, and the motion passed.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=4 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Christopher Sabine gave a brief Legislative Committee Report, as Marianne Denning, Chair of that committee, was unable to attend today’s meeting. He indicated that the Access Technology Affordability Act, H.R. 421 / S. 212, has gained some additional co-sponsors. This act, if passed, would provide a $2,000 tax credit for the purchase of access technology used by a Blind person. This credit would expire over a period of three years. President Gloria Robinson indicated that Marianne Denning has invited a guest presenter to speak on legislative topics at the June meeting. No further information was provided at this time.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=5 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Dave Perry, Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee, provided this month’s report, as Gary Warren was unable to attend today’s meeting. He reported that plans to implement a point system for Chapter members are moving forward, which the Board plans to meet to discuss. Under this new system, which Gary Warren previously instituted at the Delaware Affiliate, members will earn points for participating in fundraising and other activities. Financial Assistance to attend state and national convention will depend on the number of points each member has earned. Plans are also still moving ahead for a summer fundraising initiative. Like the Fall campaign, the Chapter will sell tickets to win an Amazon Air Frier / rotisserie oven. Tickets will sell for $5 apiece and 3 for $12, with proceeds going to the Chapter. A start date for this fundraiser was not specified. President Gloria Robinson asked each Chapter member to sell at least 10 tickets apiece to help cover costs related to Convention and other Chapter activities.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=6 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Christopher Sabine gave a brief report from the Transportation Committee, as the chair of that committee, Chris Windham, was unable to attend today’s meeting. Christopher indicated that seven of the highest volume rides on Metro, the fixed route bus system operated by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority serving Hamilton County and surrounding locations, are being converted to 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service starting June 1. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=7 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Following the Transportation Committee Report, a discussion of Covid-19 resources and vaccination ensued. President Gloria Robinson and Christopher Sabine expressed that the National Organization is offering a Lyft code for those interested in obtaining the vaccine who need transportation. The code is only valid for travel to a vaccination site and is only being provided to state affiliate presidents, so anyone in the Chapter needing to use it will need to contact Affiliate President Richard Payne or Affiliate Vice President Suzanne Turner directly. Some insurance carriers—particularly Medicaid—are also offering access and transportation to vaccinations for Covid-19. Ohio Councils on Aging offer transportation to vaccination sites for those eligible for their services. Finally, Christopher Sabine expressed that AIRA is currently offering 30 minutes of free access for those signing up online for a vaccine or navigating to or within a vaccination site. This offer is valid until June. Christopher agreed to post information regarding this offer to the Ohio-Talk web site at the request of Suzanne Turner. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=8 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Christopher Sabine gave a Membership Committee report. He indicated that efforts to recruit new members are ongoing despite the Pandemic. He is reaching out to some people, including an individual who recently received a free white cane who expressed that she was a member of the National Federation of the Blind in the past. He is also considering recommencing committee meetings as the numbers of Covid-19 infections declines and public health orders are lifted. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=9 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>President Gloria Robinson gave a report from the Community Outreach Committee. She indicated that her committee is reaching out to several people concerning guest presentations at Chapter meetings, including representatives from the State Library of Ohio concerning the NLS Talking Book program and the Cincinnati Police Department regarding interactions between the police and members of the Blind community. President Gloria Robinson asked all Chapter members to reach out to members of the community who could serve as a guest speaker at a Chapter meeting. Anyone inviting a speaker needs to give President Robinson sufficient notice—at least one month prior to their meeting. Gloria also expressed that she is working with Marianne Denning to engage several current Chapter members who are seniors who have not been able to attend Chapter meetings to connect them with supports in the community.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=10 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Amy Barker, Counselor at the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, gave a guest presentation concerning the agency’s Independent Living Program, which provides independent living services to Blind consumers aged 55 and older to enable them to gain the skills, resources, and assistive technology they need to remain in their homes. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Suzanne Turner, Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, discussed a number of items related to State and National Convention as well as leadership initiatives in the Federation:<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=a><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>Suzanne reminded Chapter members of a meeting of the Ohio Affiliate to discuss leadership issues. This meeting will be held on May 26 at 7:00 P.M. on the Ohio Affiliate Zoom Platform. Notice of this meeting was disseminated to Chapter members prior to today’s meeting through the Cincinnati Chapter Listserv and by group text. She expressed that further information concerning State Convention will be provided at that time. The Ohio Affiliate Convention is being held from Friday November 5 to Sunday November 7 at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Worthington, Ohio—outside Columbus.<o:p></o:p></li></ol></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=a><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>The Community Service Division of the National Federation of the Blind is holding this year’s community service project on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, who is hosting this year’s National Convention. The division holds such a project each year during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind. This year’s convention will take place virtually from July 6-10 2021. The Community Services Division is asking members to donate blankets, throws, and other items to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House as well as written words of encouragement. Information about this project has been shared on the Ohio-Talk Listserv and other media, and Suzanne promised to post reminders to Ohio-Talk following today’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></li></ol></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=3 type=a><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>The last day to register for National Convention is May 31 2021. All members who register for National Convention must pay dues to their respective chapter or division prior to this deadline, so they can vote on resolutions and other national matters. Registrants must also check a box acknowledging that they have read and agree to the National Federation of the blind Code of Conduct, which is available on the national organization’s web site and reviewed at several national and state conferences, including two national town hall meetings held virtually in April. The Convention registration form is available on the national organization’s web site and can be completed online and as a fillable PDF which can be mailed or emailed to the National Office. The National Office has released a Convention toolkit which it is asking all members to post to their social media feeds and other venues. Members are also requested to post a personal story about the importance of the National Federation of the Blind to them a why they joined the Federation. Suzanne expressed that she will post a link to the toolkit on the Ohio-Talk listserv following today’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></li></ol></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=4 type=a><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>A national chapter president’s meeting, moderated by Kathryn Webster, is scheduled for Sunday May 23 at 5:00 P.M. on Zoom. A link to this meeting was provided to chapter presidents and officers prior to today’s meeting, and Suzanne expressed that she will be forwarding the link to chapter and division presidents in the Ohio Affiliate prior to the meeting.<o:p></o:p></li></ol></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>e.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The Ohio State School for the blind is seeking donations for its model restoration program. Most schools have tactile models and maps of buildings and objects to enable Blind students to develop a concept of what buildings, animals and other features of the environments—such as a giraffe, the White House, or the Empire State Building—look like. These models are generally costly to maintain. Those that the Ohio State School for the Blind uses date back to the 1930’s and 1940’s, and some have fallen into disrepair. The State of Ohio will match all donations to the program from individuals and organizations. Donations can be submitted to Todd Elsey, Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, on behalf of an individual or organization. Todd Elsey has posted information on how to submit a donation to the Ohio-Talk Listserv prior to today’s meeting. Donations can be sent via Zelle, PayPal or postal mail with a check or money order. Those donating electronically via Zelle or PayPal are asked to contact Todd Elsey in advance of payment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>f.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio now has a Deafblind committee and all members of the Affiliate are invited to participate. The two goals of this committee for 2021 are to recruit new membership from the Deafblind / Blind / Hard of Hearing community and help members of the community obtain a Single Service Provider (SSP) program to support with daily living activities. There is an organization serving the Deafblind community in Ohio, but the Ohio Affiliate has few Deafblind members. Suzanne expressed that Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities has a Deafblind Manager who will participate in this community to discuss concerns impacting the community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=12 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'> Gloria Robinson expressed concerns about the participation of the membership in Chapter meetings and activities. These concerns revolve around members requesting financial assistance to attend State or National Convention. Suzanne Turner expressed that the Affiliate is forming an <i>ad hoc </i>committee to draft a policy for members of the Affiliate’s Board and those holding office in a chapter or division of the Affiliate regarding their attendance and participation in Chapter meetings. President Gloria Robinson expressed that she will be scheduling a meeting of the Chapter Board of Directors to discuss the issue, but a date for this meeting was not set at today’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=13 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The May 2021 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 2:47 P.M. on Saturday May 22 2021.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=14 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The next meeting of the National Federation of the blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter will take place virtually on Saturday June 27 2021.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'>Respectfully Submitted,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'>Christopher Sabine<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'>Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto'>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>