[Massachusetts-NFB] MAPBC Meeting Minutes

[Liz Lesperance]

Hello,

Attached and pasted below please find the minutes from the most recent
MAPBC meeting held last Thursday, Feb. 15th.

Best Regards,
Liz

**********

The MAPBC met on Thursday, Feb. 15th. The meeting began at 6:11PM. Those in
attendance included:

Stephanie Valdes

Hai Nguyen Ly

Youme Nguyen Ly

Liz Lesperance

Jennifer Bose

Stephanie recited the NFB pledge.

Hai put forth a motion to approve the January meeting minutes which Liz
seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Liz provided the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $150.25. Youme
moved to accept the treasurer's report which Liz seconded. The treasurer's
report was approved unanimously.

Stephanie confirmed that everyone had a chance to listen to the February
presidential report.

Liz will check with Shara and see if any parents have reached out
requesting childcare for the state convention

We will put together a basket to donate to the online auction. Hai will
contribute a big and mini drawing board as well as braille hot wheels cars.
Stephanie will contribute braille uno cards and see what other games are
available from the braille academy. Liz will donate a tactile rubix cube.

Youme inquired about having those interested in attending the BELL academy
join us at state convention.  Stephanie shared that with the BELL program
in its infancy, applications are not open yet. Therefore, we will certainly
invite those interested to next year's convention.

Stephanie shared her experiences at the BELL training in Baltimore. There
is a national coordinator who can assist with getting the program off the
ground. We discussed how background checks would be required of anyone
working directly with the students. The national office takes care of the
background checks. The national office is very supportive. There will be a
maximum of 8 students this year. National is not doing online BELL. The
program will run sometime in August. National wants Stephanie and Ellen to
interview each participant. Shara has forwarded Stephanie and Ellen a list
of those who have volunteered so far. There is some interest from a family
in western MA so down the road it might be necessary to have a
co-coordinator and bring the program to western MA.

Stephanie advised us that we can now book rooms for the national
convention. Registration is not yet open.

Stephanie has found that there are companies that sponsor
disability/minority divisions to attend conferences that will better the
community. Stephanie is going to research and see if the MAPBC might
qualify. If funded, we would need to attend the NOPBC events.



Stephanie suggested coming up with a fundraiser for Mother's Day and
Father's Day. Hai proposed that we put together a what's app discussion
about fundraising.

We will not hold a meeting next month. We may meet in person during the
state convention (possibly after general session before the banquet.)

The meeting adjourned at 7:12PM.
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