[Massachusetts-NFB] At-Large Chapter January Meeting Minutes

[Liz Lesperance]

Good Evening Fellow Bay State Federationists,

Pasted below please find the minutes from the At-Large Chapter's January
meeting held this past Sunday the 8th.

Warmest Regards,
Liz

***************

The NFB of MA At-Large Chapter held their January meeting on Sunday,
January 8th. The meeting began at 7:05PM. Those present included:

Amalia Alexandre

Allen Larkin

Brian Langlois

Cullen Gallagher

Elizabeth Ann Johnson

Liz Lesperance

Mike Karsok

Sandy Burgess

Shara Winton

Shirley Doris

Amalia recited the NFB pledge.

We conducted a roll call.

Liz read over the December minutes which Kyra took down in Liz’s absence.
Brian put forth a motion to accept the December minutes as read which
Cullen seconded. The minutes were approved.

Sandy went over the treasurer's report. The previous year's at-large
account contained $162.66 which has been transferred to the affiliate
account. The Double Good fundraiser raised $1,463 which will also be added
to the account.

Four members have paid dues for 2023. As of this meeting, the at-large
chapter account total is $1,663.62.

Cullen put forth a motion to approve the treasurer's report which Allen
seconded. The treasurer's report was approved.

Cullen summarized the presidential report given on January 4th which was
also world braille day. Key points include:

 1. The website Braille.Day can be used to share braille literacy
resources. Here is a direct link to the site:
https://nfb.org/celebrate-world-braille-day

 2. The NFB end of year gift-matching campaign with Vispero exceeded
expectations.

 3. Applications are now open for the Jacob Bolotin award as well as
national-level scholarships. Similarly, BELL Academy applications are open
for children who could benefit from more braille instruction. There will be
a 3-week in home edition from July 24th through Aug. 11th. Please go to
NFB.org/bell for more info.

 4. Washington Seminar fact sheets are now available, and all are encouraged
to become familiar with the 3 legislative issues.

 5. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act passed in Congress. This type of account
enables you to have a personal savings account which does not impact your
SSI benefits. With the new change, the onset of one's disability can be
prior to age 46.

 6. The celebration of life for Scott Labarre will be Jan. 21st.

 7. The national convention will be Saturday, July 1st through Thursday
July 6th and will be held in Houston, TX. Reservations can be made now.
Room rates are $119/night plus 8.25% sales tax and a 17% occupancy fee. The
Hilton is the primary hotel (tel# 800 236-2905). The Marriott is the
overflow (tel 877 622-3056). Be sure to ask for the NFB Convention room
block to secure the lowered room rate.

Debbie encouraged all to make their room reservations for the national
convention asap

Shirley discussed her experience as a Kenneth Jernigan scholarship
recipient at last year's national convention.

As noted above, the Washington Seminar is approaching fast. It will be held
from Jan. 30th to Feb. 2nd. As part of this event, NFB members will
advocate for predetermined legislative issues which are priorities for the
year. The fact sheets can be found at
https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar

Our state convention is also quickly approaching and will be held from
Thursday March 2nd (Thursday will be virtual) through Sunday March 5th.
Hotel reservations can now be made. The room rate deadline is Feb. 1st.

Our chapter would like to meet in person during the state convention.
Tentatively, the plan is to meet in one of the hotel conference rooms on
Sunday March 5th for lunch after the final event. Note, this would require
chapter members to check out of their hotel room and have their belongings
with them.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01PM.

Our next meeting will be held Sunday, February 12th at 7:00PM.
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