[IABS-Talk] at large february minutes

[David Meyer]

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
At Large Chapter

Minutes of meting held Sunday February 5th, 2023

Members Present: President Dave Meyer, Vice President Linda Hendle, 
Secretary/Treasurer Bill Reif, Debbie Pittman, Pat Olson, Dustin 
Cather, Marilyn Green, Glenn Moore, Leslie Hamrick, Kyle Chellino, 
Eileen Truschke, Ken Schad, Michelle Alt, Yvonne Agyarko, Teresa 
Fabray, Tasabril (Abu) Alfocki and Jemal Powell.

The meeting began with Debbies presentation of the program. Three 
first-time participants in the NFB Washington Seminar, Teresa Fabray, 
Michel Alt, and Abu,  shared their impressions and experiences. All 
found the Great Gathering In presentations very powerful, highlighting 
our place in making the important changes we have made through history 
and hoped to make through their meetings. Abu particularly appreciated 
knowing that in the U.S., she had status as a blind woman she did not 
have in  Saudi Arabia. She also observed that congress people are not 
as scary or mean as she would have imagined. She also noted the love 
and support she felt throughout the experience. Teresa likewise noted 
how opportunities for the blind here contrast with those available in 
Mexico, and the strength she draws through our organization here. She 
also noticed how the work we have done previously helped congress 
people be more empathetic and understanding. Finally: she commented on 
how the Illinois affiliates organizational skills allowed 7 people to 
efficiently complete appointments.

Debbie moved, and Yvonne seconded, approval of the January minutes 
which had been emailed and distributed via NFB Newsline. The motion passed.

Bill demonstrated, while screen sharing, the process of visiting the 
Illinois General Assembly web page at ilga.gov, locating the find my 
elected representatives link, and navigating the page used to locate 
federal and state representatives and district numbers assigned to 
those at the searched address. This information will be necessary to 
follow up on work done at Washington Seminar and any initiatives we may 
take regarding state legislation. Debbie noted that she has a list of 
state and federal representatives and their contact info, and that 
Tammy Duckworth has been generally supportive of our issues. Dustin 
will be meeting with Senator Derbins staff on Wednesday February eighth.

Presidential Release 524 for February was presented from the studio. 
Riccobono shared part of the Great Gathering In meeting and highlighted 
the three issues we are bringing to the attention of congress. Those 
issues include our access to web sites, to medical div ices, and to 
Social Security regulations which create financial hardship as we 
advance our careers. Because we are organize on the state and local 
levels, these efforts will take place on the state and local levels. 
Fact sheets are available at www.nfb.org/washington-seminar. Four 
affiliates, including the NFBI, have pledged to contribute $50,000 
toward the establishment of the Museum of the Blind Peoples Movement. 
Two million dollars has already been pledged. The next presidential 
release will take place March 1, 2023

Marilyn presented the State Report. We should soon start receiving 
emails from Dustin Cather and Denise Avant regarding Washington Seminar 
follow up. Midwest Student Seminar will be March 24 through March 26th 
at the Holiday Inn Ohare. Students with open DHS cases may be eligible 
for financial assistance. Others needing assistance may wish to 
complete a Chappel application. Seminar Chappel-Dennis assistance 
application deadline is February 25th, with the Seminar attendance 
application deadline on March 1st. Our BELL program is scheduled for 
July 17-28 at the Chicago Lighthouse and July 31 through August 4th in 
Springfield. Those knowing of parents who want to apply should 
encourage them to contact Debbie Stein. Those interested in mentoring 
students should also contact Debbie. Our National Convention will take 
place July 1st through July 6th. Information is available at 
www.nfb.org/convention. Chappel-Dennis assistance will be available. 
State Convention will take place on October 13-14 at the Chicago 
Marriott Naperville. Convention rate will be available Thursday through 
Saturday nights.

At Large will conduct its Doublegood Fund Raiser March 3-5. We should 
also post to social media, text message, and via email. We will also 
forward it to David Andrews for dissemination to all NFB lists.

Next Chapter Meeting will be Sunday March fifth. Our election for all 
officers and two Board members will take place at the April meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Reif, Secretary

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
At Large Chapter

Minutes of meting held Sunday February 5th, 2023

Members Present: President Dave Meyer, Vice President Linda Hendle, 
Secretary/Treasurer Bill Reif, Debbie Pittman, Pat Olson, Dustin 
Cather, Marilyn Green, Glenn Moore, Leslie Hamrick, Kyle Chellino, 
Eileen Truschke, Ken Schad, Michelle Alt, Yvonne Agyarko, Teresa 
Fabray, Tasabril (Abu) Alfocki and Jemal Powell.

The meeting began with Debbies presentation of the program. Three 
first-time participants in the NFB Washington Seminar, Teresa Fabray, 
Michel Alt, and Abu,  shared their impressions and experiences. All 
found the Great Gathering In presentations very powerful, highlighting 
our place in making the important changes we have made through history 
and hoped to make through their meetings. Abu particularly appreciated 
knowing that in the U.S., she had status as a blind woman she did not 
have in  Saudi Arabia. She also observed that congress people are not 
as scary or mean as she would have imagined. She also noted the love 
and support she felt throughout the experience. Teresa likewise noted 
how opportunities for the blind here contrast with those available in 
Mexico, and the strength she draws through our organization here. She 
also noticed how the work we have done previously helped congress 
people be more empathetic and understanding. Finally: she commented on 
how the Illinois affiliates organizational skills allowed 7 people to 
efficiently complete appointments.

Debbie moved, and Yvonne seconded, approval of the January minutes 
which had been emailed and distributed via NFB Newsline. The motion passed.

Bill demonstrated, while screen sharing, the process of visiting the 
Illinois General Assembly web page at ilga.gov, locating the find my 
elected representatives link, and navigating the page used to locate 
federal and state representatives and district numbers assigned to 
those at the searched address. This information will be necessary to 
follow up on work done at Washington Seminar and any initiatives we may 
take regarding state legislation. Debbie noted that she has a list of 
state and federal representatives and their contact info, and that 
Tammy Duckworth has been generally supportive of our issues. Dustin 
will be meeting with Senator Derbins staff on Wednesday February eighth.

Presidential Release 524 for February was presented from the studio. 
Riccobono shared part of the Great Gathering In meeting and highlighted 
the three issues we are bringing to the attention of congress. Those 
issues include our access to web sites, to medical div ices, and to 
Social Security regulations which create financial hardship as we 
advance our careers. Because we are organize on the state and local 
levels, these efforts will take place on the state and local levels. 
Fact sheets are available at www.nfb.org/washington-seminar. Four 
affiliates, including the NFBI, have pledged to contribute $50,000 
toward the establishment of the Museum of the Blind Peoples Movement. 
Two million dollars has already been pledged. The next presidential 
release will take place March 1, 2023

Marilyn presented the State Report. We should soon start receiving 
emails from Dustin Cather and Denise Avant regarding Washington Seminar 
follow up. Midwest Student Seminar will be March 24 through March 26th 
at the Holiday Inn Ohare. Students with open DHS cases may be eligible 
for financial assistance. Others needing assistance may wish to 
complete a Chappel application. Seminar Chappel-Dennis assistance 
application deadline is February 25th, with the Seminar attendance 
application deadline on March 1st. Our BELL program is scheduled for 
July 17-28 at the Chicago Lighthouse and July 31 through August 4th in 
Springfield. Those knowing of parents who want to apply should 
encourage them to contact Debbie Stein. Those interested in mentoring 
students should also contact Debbie. Our National Convention will take 
place July 1st through July 6th. Information is available at 
www.nfb.org/convention. Chappel-Dennis assistance will be available. 
State Convention will take place on October 13-14 at the Chicago 
Marriott Naperville. Convention rate will be available Thursday through 
Saturday nights.

At Large will conduct its Doublegood Fund Raiser March 3-5. We should 
also post to social media, text message, and via email. We will also 
forward it to David Andrews for dissemination to all NFB lists.

Next Chapter Meeting will be Sunday March fifth. Our election for all 
officers and two Board members will take place at the April meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Reif, Secretary