[CT-NFB] Board Meeting Minutes

Wed Jan 6 00:21:10 UTC 2021

Attached and below please find the minutes from a meet and great and brain
storming board members meeting on November 16th.

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

Board Meeting Minutes

November 16, 2020

Called to order: 7:02 PM

Recite of NFB Pledge: 

NFB of CT Affiliate Board Members: 

President: Maryanne Melley 

1st Vice-President: Beth Rival

2nd Vice-President: Mary Silverberg

Secretary: Marchele Davis

Treasurer: Nathanael T. Wales 

Board Members:

Shonda R. Rosetta

Deb Reed

Veronica Alston

Jim McCollum

Open Remarks: Maryanne Melley (President) 

Maryanne suggested that we handle business, followed by ideas for the
affiliate and have a meet & greet session.

There was a discussion on rendering an act of kindness and expressing
sympathy towards Honorata Kazmierczak and family for the loss of her
brother.

All board members were in agreement. Deb stated that she has a copy of the
obituary for anyone's review. 

There was a brief discussion regarding the "Swift Voting System" which cost
$89. In addition to the money that was generated from the Pumpkin Contest
which totaled $150.00. Question: Can we put the funds back into the general
fund account from the convention fund. 

Nathanael made a motion. Beth seconded and it was hugely accepted. 

There was a discussion on giving a $1000.00 donation to the National
headquarters for their great assistance and support with getting our ballots
accessible so that we may vote independently. Deb had suggested that we have
that amount matched with the Freedom Scientific Campaign that is currently
happening with the National headquarters. Beth made a motion for the
$1000.00 to be matched making it $2000.00.  She also suggested we attach a
thank you note for Scott. Marchele seconded and motion was approved. 

There was a discussion regarding subsidy/scholarship fund accounts

Mary made a motion that the surplus of money that we would have used for
subsidies (example: Washington Seminar and National Convention), be used
instead to fund the Howard E. May Scholarship and the other portion be added
to the Woodward Scholarship to make it an equal $5000.00 each. Beth seconded
and it passed with huge acceptance. 

There was a discussion with regards to reamending the NFB of CT Affiliate
annual business meeting from 2019. It was Stated that Nathanael T. Wales and
Mary Silverberg be removed from the minutes. They were not present at last
year's 2019 state convention. Due to procedural purposes, it will be revised
at the next convention (2021) Annual business meeting. 

Meet & greet of affiliate board members: 

Each member was welcomed to the board and had introduced themselves. 

Thoughts and Ideas: 

Deb shared how she is excited about the Parent and Children Division. In
addition, she mentioned that she has some connections with the State
Rehabilitation Counsel. Deb stated that she liked the idea of having an open
house for the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. She would
like to see individuals from various agencies come and represent their
agency and provide information.  The names mentioned were J. Brown (CT State
of Education & Special Education), Eneida Mendoza, (Vocational
Rehabilitation Assistant Counselor for the Bureau of Education and Services
for the Blind), Beth Reel (Transition Coordinator for the CT Parent Advocacy
Center/State wide parent organization), Kathy Sullivan (children
services/BESB), Nicole Rico Serrano (Council Representative: American Indian
Voc Rehab Director), and the Director of Pupil Services just to name a few.
A list of educational professionals will be developed for invitations.
Maryanne appreciated the idea. It was suggested that Honorata and Kristen
help with this initiative, since they both have experience in education.  It
was decided that we should wait to approach Honorata with this idea to allow
for bereavement or sometime in January at the next board meeting. 

Final remarks: Maryanne had given thanks for everyone's presence, thoughts
and ideas. Furthermore, she would like for the board to meet more
frequently, to maintain cohesion and camaraderie as we strive to make a
great affiliate. 

Meeting adjourned: 8:30 PM

Respectfully Submitted, 

Marchele Davis 

National Federation of the Blind of CT Affiliate:

Secretary

Maryanne Melley

President   

Best Regards,

Maryanne Melley

President

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

860-212-5549

mvcmelley at gmail.com

"Live the Life You Want"

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