[Massachusetts-NFB] Cambridge Chapter August Minutes

[Cullen Gallagher]

Hi Everyone,
The August Cambridge Chapter Minutes are attached and pasted below.
Thanks,
Cullen
Cambridge Chapter Minutes, August 11, 2025

The August 11, 2025 meeting of the Cambridge Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts was held as a hybrid meeting at Cambridge Citywide Senior Center and Zoom. The meeting Was called to order at 6:00 PM.
In Attendance:

Shirley Dorris, President
Cullen Gallagher, Secretary
Mika Pyyhkala, Treasurer
Jen Bose, Board Member
Shara Winton, Affiliate President
Kobena Bonney
ElizabethAnn Johnson
Adam Roberge
Sage Collier
Isaac Winton
Rashad Saadieh
Joshua Novak
Wesley Taylor
Bronwen Tedesco
David Ticchi
Rachel Kobierecki
Stephen Yerardi
Al Sten-Clanton 
Masha Sten-Clanton
Ellen Bartelt
Lindell Cooks
Helen Kobek
Kyra Sweeney
Abby Bose Gupta
Jamal Mazrui
Aaron Brown
Allen Larkin
NFB Pledge

Bronwen led the NFB Pledge
Approval of Minutes

Stephen moved that we accept the June minutes; the motion was seconded by Shara and passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report

Mika presented the Treasurer’s Report. Work was in progress to prepare for the walk, including the testing of payment systems and finalizing the walk letter. The checking account balance was $2,595.79. Transactions included our standard PAC contribution and a small amount of interest.
Cullen moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report; the motion was seconded by Bronwen and passed unanimously. 
Presidential Release

The August Presidential Release was Played. <https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2025-08/presidential_release_august_2025_chapter_version.mp3>
National Convention Recap

Shirley presented an update on our exhibit hall table sales. We made $1,092, which was lower than last year. The location of the exhibit hall, table location, and weather were mentioned as potential reasons we were not as successful this year. 
Members also shared some of their highlights of convention week, including:
Glide demonstration
Banquet speech
Voting on resolutions
Door prizes
Museum presentation
Opening session, with music and Mardi Gras beads
Upcoming Fundraisers

Two fundraisers were planned for October, which would be Blind Equality Achievement Month.
DAVID TICCHI WALK, OCTOBER 5

The walk was scheduled for October 5 at Fresh Pond Cambridge, beginning at 9:00 AM. An asking letter had been created, and print copies were available at the meeting. The letter was also to be emailed out, and the bank was to mail letters to anyone who had donated previously. If members wanted letters sent to anyone, they were encouraged to contact Shara within the next two weeks for it to be included with the bank mailing. Shara would need the name and address to make this happen. 
Shirley reminded members that the walk was the chapter’s largest fundraiser, and she encouraged members to participate actively in raising money.
GIGGLE GALA, OCTOBER 16

The Giggle Gala was scheduled for October 16 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Saugus, just 7 miles from Cambridge. This was in the Ride service area. The ticket price of $50 included entrance into the comedy club and pizza. Additional Italian menu items and drinks could be purchased separately. There were also to be some auction items and a 50-50 raffle. Members were reminded that when advertising the event, it was 21 and over.
Tickets were to be sold through Eventbrite, and the flyers would have a QR code linking to buy tickets. 
AUGUST FUNDRAISERS

Shara announced two fundraisers happening in August.
A Pampered Chef Party was running through August 30. Orders for meal kits also benefited Feeding America.
The Massachusetts Association of Blind Students was having a fundraiser at the Fenway Chipotle on Sunday, August 17 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. When ordering, there was a flyer that had to be printed out or shown on a phone. $150 worth of food had to be sold in order to receive a donation. This was something we had experienced during previous fundraisers. Members were strongly urged to come out and support our students.
Chipotle flyers were handed out during the meeting. 
Pampered Chef Party <https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/nfbma25>
Update On Board And Treasury From June Meeting

Shirley gave an update on the concerns raised at the June meeting. Access to state board meetings had been resolved as Shara sent the schedule to the list. The next board meeting was scheduled for August 19 at 7:30 PM. 
For the financials, Shirley planned to have a meeting with Shara, Mika, Kobena and Inky to determine how to move forward. Shirley hoped to share an update on this at the September meeting.
New Members

Four new members were voted in tonight. Joshua Novak, Lindell Cooks, Jamal Mazrui, and Aaron Brown introduced themselves. Following their introduction, Cullen moved that we accept all four new members. The motion was seconded by Stephen and passed unanimously.
Adjournemtn

The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for September 8.
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