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

Mon Oct 14 20:48:02 UTC 2024


> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Cullen Gallagher <cullen.gallagher at gmail.com>
> Subject: Cambridge Chapter Zoom link and Meeting Minutes
> Date: October 14, 2024 at 1:48:06 AM EDT
> To: NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cullen Gallagher <cullen.gallagher at gmail.com>
> 
> 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
> Join zoom meeting
> https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95901703256?pwd=Mk8rOXdrbExkVGdsZUd4SVhCRnlqZz09
> 
> Meeting ID:  959 0170 3256
> Passcode: 632 
> One tap mobile
> +13462487799,,95901703256#  US (Houston)
> +16699006833,,95901703256#  US (San Jose)
> 
> Dial by your location
> +1 346 248 7799  US (Houston)
> +1 669 900 6833  US (San Jose)
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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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