[Massachusetts-NFB] Cambridge Chapter Zoom Link and Updated August Minutes

[Cullen Gallagher]

Hello Cambridge Chapter Members,
The zoom link is below for those goining us virtually at 6:00 PM.
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Meeting ID:  959 0170 3256
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Meeting ID: 959 0170 3256


Cambridge Chapter Minutes, August 10, 2026

The August 10, 2026 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 6:03 PM. Vice President Sengil Inkiala presided over the meeting.
In Attendance:

Sengil Inkiala, Vice President
Cullen Gallagher, Secretary
Mika Pyyhkala, Treasurer
Jen Bose, Board Member
Shara Winton, Affiliate President
Adam Roberge
John Oliveira
Gene Kim
Rick Camann
Latha PM
Angey Manerson
Wesley Taylor
Rashad Saadieh
ElizabethAnn Johnson
Kobena Bonney
Lindel Cooks
David Ticchi
Masha Sten-Clanton
Al Sten-Clanton
Stephen Yerardi
Marc Kelley
Nicole Tolbert
Stephanie Valdes
William O’Donnell
Bronwen Tedesco
Ellen Bartelt
Shondelle Williamson
NFB Pledge

Cullen led the NFB Pledge.
Secretary’s Report

Kobena moved acceptance of the June minutes; the motion was seconded by John and passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report

Mika presented the Treasurer’s Report.
Transactions included our standard $50 PAC contributions for June and July. The checking account balance was $132.22.
The letter for the upcoming David Ticchi Walk was in the process of being prepared, and payment systems were being tested.
Wesley moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report; the motion was seconded by Cullen and passed, with Rashad voting in opposition.
David Ticchi Walk

David reminded members about the walk scheduled for October 4 at Fresh Pond in Cambridge. The walk would take place from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. David encouraged members to begin working on getting sponsors, even if they were unable to attend the walk.
Inky reminded members that the walk was one of the Chapter’s largest fundraisers and urged everyone to make an effort to reach out to potential sponsors. Additional information would be distributed by email.
Accessible Voting Equipment Demonstrations

Inky reminded members about the accessible voting equipment demonstrations being held throughout Massachusetts. Upcoming locations included Northampton, Brockton, Watertown at Perkins School for the Blind, and Worcester.
Members were encouraged to attend, try the different voting systems, and provide feedback about their accessibility and usability.
Affiliate Email List

Members discussed a recent change to the NFB of Massachusetts email list that required messages to be moderated before being distributed. The change had come to members’ attention after some messages were delayed.
Shara emphasized that the change was not personal and explained that it was intended to protect member privacy, reduce unnecessary traffic, spam, and replies intended for only one person. She noted concerns about the volume of messages and that some people had unsubscribed from the list. Posts were being reviewed for relevance and to ensure that they were appropriate for the statewide list.
Several members expressed concerns about the change, including who determined whether a message was appropriate, possible delays in distributing time-sensitive information, and the lack of advance communication about the new procedure.
Gene volunteered to help draft proposed guidelines for the list. Members expressed interest in continuing the discussion. Mika noted that the email list served the entire affiliate, and any decision regarding the list would not be solely up to the Chapter.
Affiliate President’s Report

Shara presented several affiliate updates.
Instacart Fundraiser

The affiliate had an Instacart gift card fundraiser, which would continue through the end of December. Members could purchase Instacart gift cards through the affiliate’s fundraising link and use them normally without paying an additional cost.
The fundraiser also included a daily purchase streak. Maintaining the longest streak among participating organizations could result in a $500 bonus for the affiliate. Members who already used Instacart were encouraged to participate and share the fundraiser with others.
Instacart Fundraiser <https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/83758-national-federation-of-the-blind-of-ma-instacart-fundraising-campaigns?utm_campaign=ss_facebook&utm_content=cpp&utm_medium=social&utm_source=offers_promo&fbclid=IwdGRleAUNKCBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUOCeVCdnCw4HU2uuNekmkEp-F4K0HmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6bZLv4m8naxOQaXpm2kCQ7yHS8_WPbILgg2SEtbX5I3MUvyWk42KuvoiqqHQ_aem_4xDNt6NoJ0KimS1QqUznTQ>
Coast to Coast Movement Challenge

Chapters and divisions would participate in the Coast to Coast Movement Challenge. On the affiliate level, there would be a collaboration with the other New England affiliates to collectively work toward 652 miles through walking and other physical activity.
For the Cambridge Chapter, members could walk throughout October and keep track of their miles.
Tai Chi Presentation on August 20

Shara announced that a new member who had recently moved to Massachusetts was interested in bringing members together through Tai Chi and Qigong. A Zoom meeting was scheduled for August 20 as an introduction and to discuss the idea further.
Giggle Gala

The Giggle Gala was scheduled for December 3. Tickets were expected to become available through Eventbrite later that week.
Admission would include all-you-can-eat pizza and the comedy show. Drinks and other Italian menu items would be available for individual purchase.
Presidential Release

The August Presidential Release  <https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2026-07/presidential_release_august_2026_chapter_version._final.mp3>was played.
Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for September 14.
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