[Massachusetts-NFB] Cambridge Chapter Zoom link and Meeting Minutes

[Cullen Gallagher]

Hi Everyone,
I look forward to seeing you all on Zoom this evening for our October Cambridge Chapter Meeting at 6:00 PM. Here are the Zoom details and minutes from the last meeting.
Thanks,
Cullen
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Meeting ID: 959 0170 3256
Cambridge Chapter Minutes, September 9, 2024

The September 9, 2024 meeting of the Cambridge Chapter was held as a Hybrid meeting at Cambridge Citywide Senior Center and Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 6:09 PM.
In Attendance:

Adam Roberge
Kyra Sweeney
Shara Winton
Rashad Saadieh
Sage Collier
Kyle Shachmut
Cullen Gallagher
Wesley Taylor
Sengil Inkiala
ElizabethAnn Johnson
Tammy Febbi
Kobena Bonney
Kristina Constant
Masha Sten-Clanton
Al Sten-Clanton
David Ticchi
Alan Barr
Helen Kobek
Greg Bedard
James Mead
Kate Katulak Higgins
Stephanie Valdes
Vinod Chawla
Liam Flanagan
Shirley Dorris
Kinshuk Tella
Jen Bose
Olufunke Osho
Mika Pyyhkala
NFB Pledge

Kyle led the NFB Pledge.
Approval of Minutes

Inky moved that we accept the August minutes: the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
State Convention

Shara gave an update on our state convention to be held in Springfield March 14 16 at the Sheraton Monarch Place hotel. It has been some time since our convention was last in Springfield. The room rate will be $139 a night. There was some concern regarding the lack of braille in the hotel, but this is being resolved as the hotel is eager to host us.
On Friday, September 13, there will be a second meeting to provide your feedback on what you would like to see at our convention. If you have something that you would like to present at a breakout session or General Session presentation, contact Shara. Please come to this meeting with your ideas.
The scholarship committee is starting up and getting ready to send applications to colleges and universities. We would like to get as many applicants as possible, and we give four scholarships total.
We are still figuring out transportation to Springfield from the Boston area.
David Ticchi Walk

David discussed the walk to be held on October 6 at Fresh Pond in Cambridge. This is our largest fundraiser, typically bringing in around $7,000. The funds raised from the walk help with sending members to Washington Seminar and National Convention, as well as our state scholarships. 
It is important to support this walk both for the money but also the team aspect. We can work as a team to raise money, and bring friends if attending in-person. David emphasized that some may feel they can only donate peanuts, but if we get enough, we could fill a bag. 
Some may feel uncomfortable about asking for donations, but we should feel pride in what the organization has and continues to do for us. 
David prints out copies of the letter, and leaves them at the grocery store, YMCA, and distributes them to other people that he meets and tells about the walk.. The letter contains the information needed for making a donation. 
Also, consider setting a fundraising goal for yourself, example $500. If everyone attending did this, we could raise around $10,000. If you are not able to attend the walk, you can still raise money and get sponsors.
Shara announced that we will have a picnic lunch following the walk at 1:00 PM. There will also be baked goods for a donation. There is a water fountain on site for filling water bottles.
Please work on getting sponsors for the walk!
Jazz Band

Bobby Tynes joined our meeting to discuss his jazz band and the potential of them coming to our state convention. They play at the senior center, focusing on traditional jazz and swing. He also has a band with the same musicians called Never Say Never, playing music from the 1920s to today. They could play Friday night and possibly at our banquet. Shara will reach out to him to explore this further as the convention is planned.
Seaker Navigation Presentation

James Mead introduced his startup, Seaker Navigation. They are developing an app to assist with navigating large in-door spaces. There is a lot of directional signage that blind people cannot access, creating an information gap when navigating. The app in development could be used in airports, amusement parks, malls and museums.
James played a demonstration of the feedback provided by the app. The info provided includes the distance to turns, upcoming turn details, and an announcement when the destination is nearby. 
James encouraged feedback on the information provided by the app, and he was invited to attend our state convention in march.
Treasurer’s Report

Mika presented the Treasurer's Report. We have begun receiving updates on walk donations. As of September 6, we have received $235. The transaction for this month is our standard $50 PAC contribution. Our account balance is $336.13.
Cullen moved that we accept the treasurer's report; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Presidential Release

Jen presented highlights from the September Presidential Release. <https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/08-2024/presidential_release_september_2024_chapter_version_final.mp3>
Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 PM.

Cullen Gallagher
Affiliate Secretary and Cambridge Chapter Secretary: National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

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