[Massachusetts-NFB] Cambridge Chapter March Minutes

[Cullen Gallagher]

Hi Everyone,
Looking forward to seeing you at tonight’s Cambridge Chapter Meeting. The minutes from our march meeting are attached and pasted below.
Cullen
Cambridge Chapter Minutes, March 9, 2026

The March 9, 2026 meeting of the Cambridge Chapter was held as a hybrid meeting at Cambridge Senior Center and Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 PM.
In Attendance:

Shirley Dorris, President
Sengil Inkiala, Vice President
Cullen Gallagher, Secretary
Mika Pyyhkala, Treasurer
Jen Bose, Board Member
Shara Winton, Affiliate President
Kobena Bonney
ElizabethAnn Johnson
Angey Manerson
Bronwen Tedesco
Wesley Taylor
Kyra Sweeney
Josh Novac
Rick Camann
Masha Sten-Clanton
Al Sten-Clanton
Kristina Constant
David Ticchi
Allen Larkin
Gene Kim
Stephen Yerardy
William O’donnell
Lindel Cooks
NFB Pledge

ElizabethAnn led the NFB Pledge
Secretary’s Report

Stephen moved that the February minutes be accepted; the motion was seconded by multiple members and passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report

Cullen read the Treasurer’s report submitted by Mika.
Donations continued to come in for the walk, with total donations of $7,962.52.
The checking account balance was $392.91.
Al moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report; the motion was seconded by Stephen and passed unanimously.
At the affiliate level, Kobena highlighted the transfer of $7,000 that Mika had moved from the Chapter to the Affiliate. Chapter balances were kept low with just enough for standard transactions, while larger payments were handled through the affiliate account. Funds transferred remained available in the affiliate account when needed by the chapter.
State Convention Door prizes 

The chapter had typically donated cash door prizes for the state convention. Cullen moved that the chapter donate five $25 door prizes totaling $125; the motion was seconded by Kyra and passed unanimously.
Inky and Shirley announced they would donate two $50 prizes, and Kobena would donate a $100 prize for the banquet.
AAfiliot President’s Report

Shara presented some items happening nationally and gave an update on our state convention.
NATIONAL UPDATES

The national scholarship program application deadline was March 31.
The summer internship at the national office was returning, with a deadline of March 14.
Applications for the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship were open for first-time national convention attendees. Members were instructed to contact Shara for a letter of recommendation.
STATE CONVENTION

Shara announced that the convention agenda would be released within 24 hours, and highlighted some of the exciting activities. Registration would open at noon on Friday. 
The exhibit hall would open at 1:00 PM. Breakout sessions would include a tactile drop-in art room, sports items, and a presentation from Chris of Penny Forward. General sessions would begin at 3:00 PM and include introductions of students, a national representative presentation, a singer and voiceover artist, and a session on creating music with AI.
At 7:00 PM, an Italian dinner would be followed by a talent showcase. Members wishing to participate were asked to contact Cullen to sign up. Participants could sing, dance (preferably with audio description), act, or perform comedy. Prizes would be awarded for the top three acts. Members were also encouraged to dress as their favorite entertainers, with prizes for best costumes.
Saturday’s general sessions would include updates from the Commission for the Blind, NFB training centers, Perkins Library, and an AI panel. The exhibit hall would be open in between sessions.
The banquet would be held at 7:00 PM on Saturday and would feature the keynote address from the national representative, scholarships, door prizes, and auction.
Sunday morning would feature a philosophical discussion and the business meeting. Elections would be held for three two-year board positions and one one-year vacant position. Members interested in running were advised to contact Shara to inform the nominating committee. Members were required to have dues paid in order to vote.
Presidential Release

The March Presidential Release  <https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2026-02/presidential_release_march_2026_chapter_version_final.mp3>was played.
legislation

Kyra provided an update on cosponsors for legislative priorities. Representatives Trahan and Moulton had cosponsored the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, with no senators yet cosponsoring. There were also no cosponsors yet for the Assistive Technology Affordability Act, though support had been positive at Washington Seminar. Members were encouraged to contact their representatives to support these bills.
Cullen also reported that the Websites and Software Accessibility Act had been introduced in the Senate, and both senators had cosponsored it.
Fundraising Ideas

A few ideas for future fundraisers were discussed, including selling Easter candy and working with restaurants to hold fundraisers.
Upcoming RTAG Meeting

Stephen announced that the next MBTA Riders Transportation Access Group meeting would be held on March 25 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM as a hybrid meeting. Details would be sent to the email list and WhatsApp group.
Chapter Elections

Elections would be held at the April meeting for chapter board positions, including president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and board member. Members were required to attend in person to vote or run, and dues had to be current. Terms were two years.
Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for April 13.
Cullen Gallagher
Affiliate, Cambridge and At-Large Chapter Secretary: National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

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