[Massachusetts-NFB] Fwd: Cambridge Chapter August Minutes

[Cullen Gallagher]

Hi everyone,
Look forward to seeing you all at our Cambridge Chapter meeting tonight. Here are the minutes from august.
Cullen

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Cullen Gallagher <cullen.gallagher at gmail.com>
> Subject: Cambridge Chapter August Minutes
> Date: August 18, 2025 at 1:10:40 PM EDT
> To: NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cullen Gallagher <cullen.gallagher at gmail.com>
> 
> 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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