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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><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Attached and below please find the minutes from a meet and great and brain storming board members meeting on November 16<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Board Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>November 16, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Called to order: 7:02 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Recite of NFB Pledge: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>NFB of CT Affiliate Board Members: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>President: Maryanne Melley <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1<sup>st</sup> Vice-President: Beth Rival<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2<sup>nd</sup> Vice-President: Mary Silverberg<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Secretary: Marchele Davis<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Treasurer: Nathanael T. Wales <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Board Members:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Shonda R. Rosetta<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Deb Reed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica Alston<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Jim McCollum<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Open Remarks: Maryanne Melley (President) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Maryanne suggested that we handle business, followed by ideas for the affiliate and have a meet & greet session.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>There was a discussion on rendering an act of kindness and expressing sympathy towards Honorata Kazmierczak and family for the loss of her brother.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>All board members were in agreement. Deb stated that she has a copy of the obituary for anyone’s review. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Nathanael made a motion. Beth seconded and it was hugely accepted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>There was a discussion regarding subsidy/scholarship fund accounts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Meet & greet of affiliate board members: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Each member was welcomed to the board and had introduced themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Thoughts and Ideas: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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), </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Kathy Sullivan (children services/BESB), </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Meeting adjourned: 8:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Respectfully Submitted, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Marchele Davis <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>National Federation of the Blind of CT Affiliate:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>President <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>mvcmelley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>