[Massachusetts-NFB] May 12, 2026, Cambridge chapter meeting

Mon May 5 23:42:58 UTC 2025

Hi all,

You sort of miss the point. Zoom option must stay as for some it is the only viable one. Every time meetings are in person only you are saying to those who can’t attend, you are not welcome here, because if we offer you cookies and cake you will come in person. Sometimes health issues prevent attendance; sometimes busy schedules, and travel issues that make the amount of time the commute would take not worth the time needed to accomplish everything.     

And some people are older and no longer judge that they feel safe out in the area where the meetings are held. I suggest that while in person may be preferred, zoom has enabled many who might not be able to come to meetings to be a part of NFB and we would be wise to remember this. If worked well, zoom can help us enlarge our community and bridge gaps for many in our communities.

Jeanette 

From: Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of elizabethannjohnson53--- via Massachusetts-NFB
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 5:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List' <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: elizabethannjohnson53 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] May 12, 2026, Cambridge chapter meeting

Hi Miss Shirley,

Yes, having the May meeting via Zoom next Monday can work for me.

ElizabethAnn Johnson

From: Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Shirley via Massachusetts-NFB
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 4:04 PM
To: massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org
Cc: ladyshirl519 at gmail.com <mailto:ladyshirl519 at gmail.com> ; massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> 
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] May 12, 2026, Cambridge chapter meeting

Good afternoon, everyone!

I am sorry if my email caused any confusion but the zoom only option is for this May meeting only!

We will resume our normal hybrid meetings in June!

Best,

Shirley Dorris

National Federation of the BLIND of Massachusetts

Cambridge Chapter/NFB

615-598-5020-Cell

617-819-4632-NFB/MA

“Walk by faith not by sight”COR 5;7

On May 5, 2025, at 3:35 PM, Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

I totally agree with Marc. The meetings, whenever possible should always =
be in person. Zoom  is better than not meeting at all. But, in person =
events always are more personable and rewarding.=20
This is particularly true for our newest members.  We can not gain the =
insight from others, as well,  over the computer or phone.  When  we see =
for ourselves how other blind and low vision navigate their blindness, =
this makes each  of us stronger and more comfortable embracing our own =
difficulties. . =20
Perhaps, if you do not offer a zoom, option the attendance will =
increase. Many chapters around the country have experienced this lack of =
in-person attendance, since the pandemic.=20
But, they have found when they have removed the zoom option, people =
begin to return, at the pre-pandemic numbers. I feel strongly that will =
happen for the Cambridge chapter, as well.=20
I will bring cookies and brownies for the meeting, if this is helpful. . =

Best,
Shara

=20
=20

Shara Winton
President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts
www.nfbma.org <http://www.nfbma.org> 
sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> 
617-304-0347

-----Original Message-----
From: Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf =
Of Marc Kelley via Massachusetts-NFB
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 2:12 PM
To: massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: Marc Kelley <marcekelley83 at gmail.com <mailto:marcekelley83 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] May 12, 2026, Cambridge chapter meeting

Hello Shirley,

Thank you for the message and for letting us all know. I am sad to hear =
of t=3D he news of switching to a total virtual option. While I think =
virtual is a g=3D ood option to have for many people if they run into =
transportation issues or=3D  illnesses, etc. I feel like Going a total =
virtual route, just eliminates th=3D e social aspect of being part of =
the community, which is greatly important t=3D o me in this new journey.

I know due to attendance that is probably why you are switching to remot =
vir=3D tual but I think there must be a better, more engaging way for us =
all to get=3D  together once a month. Does the date always need to be on =
a Monday evening a=3D t 6 PM? Have you asked the chapter members what =
other dates and or times mig=3D ht work with their schedules to see if =
there might be an overall better date=3D  and time for us to all meet?

Just throwing out ideas and feel free to ask me any questions. Thank you =
for=3D  all your leadership and support!

Best,
Marc

Marc Kelley
P: 617.480.4810
marcekelley83 at gmail.com <mailto:marcekelley83 at gmail.com> 

On May 5, 2025, at 12:25=3DE2=3D80=3DAFPM, Shirley via =

Massachusetts-NFB=20

<massac=3D

husetts-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:husetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

=3D20

=3DEF=3DBB=3DBF=3D3DEF=3D3DBB=3D3DBF

Dear Cambridge Chapter Members,

=3D20

I hope you=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D99re all doing well! I wanted to let you =

know=20

that o=3D

ur next=3D3D

chapter meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 12th at 6:00 PM , will be=20

held v=3D

=3D3D

ia Zoom only .

=3D20

At this time, I feel that a virtual meeting is the best option, but=20

I=3D3DE2=3D

=3D3D80=3D3D99=3D3D

d love to hear your input. If anyone has concerns or strongly prefers=20

that=3D

w=3D3D

e meet in person, please don=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D99t hesitate to reach =

out.

=3D20

Looking forward to seeing you all on Zoom!

=3D20

Warmly,

Shirley Dorris

President, Cambridge Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts =

=3D3DEF=3D3DBF=3D3DBC

=3D20

615-598-5020-Cell

617-819-4632-NFB/MA

=3D20

=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D9CWalk by faith not by =

sight=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D9DCOR 5;7=3D3D

=3D20

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