<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Good Afternoon and Happy Ides of March,</div><div><br></div><div>Attached and pasted below please find the minutes from the at-large chapter's most recent meeting held last Sunday, March 12th.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</div><div>Liz</div><div><br></div><div>**********</div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The NFB of MA held their March monthly meeting on Sunday,
March 12th. The meeting was called to order at 7:03PM. Those in attendance
included:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz Lesperance<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Shara Winton<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Brian Langois<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Debbie Malone<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Sandra Burgess<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Mike Karsok<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Rashad Saadieh<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Rachel<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Cullen Gallagher<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">ElizabethAnn Johnson<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">ElizabethAnn recited the NFB pledge perfectly.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz conducted the roll call.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Brian put forth a motion to approve the February meeting
minutes which Cullen seconded. The minutes were approved.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Sandy went over the treasurer's report. We increased our
balance by $30 last month bringing the total to $1713.93. Liz put forth a
motion to approve the treasurer's report which Cullen seconded. The treasurer's
report was approved.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Cullen summarized the March presidential release. Highlights
included:<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>a quick mention of our MA state convention<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>a lot was accomplished on the legislative front
at Washington Seminar. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act has been
reintroduced in the House and has 32 original co-sponsers.<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>the Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act was introduced in both the House and the Senate. <span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>there was a victory in the Joe Orozco case which
involves ensuring technology is accessible for federal employees. The U.S.
Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit overruled a lower court's decision
dismissing Joe's case. The appellate court ruled that federal employees do have
the right to bring a right of action against government agencies. At the heart
of this case is the ability to hold federal agencies accountable for Section
508 violations.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Debbie advised us to be on the lookout for legislative
alerts and be prepared to reach out to our local legislators who have not
co-sponsored our bills<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">National convention registration is open. Hotel rooms are
available but should be booked ASAP. Details can be found at:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">NFB.org/convention<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Online registration is $25 and will close on May 31st.
Banquet tickets are $70. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed the Crowd Compass app. We will await further
details to see if the app will be updated for this year's national convention.
Debbie reminded everyone planning on attending national convention to move
forward with travel plans and register. Shara reminded us that those who have
never been to a national convention can apply for a Kenneth Jernigan
scholarship.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed positive elements of our state convention and
ways in which we can improve the convention going forward.<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Brian mentioned he attended virtually and had a
hard time hearing the audience. Brian asked that someone with a microphone
repeat the comments of the audience. <span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>ElizabethAnn noted the food did not meet
expectations. It was often cold and did not present well.<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>ElizabethAnn said the game night could have been
a bit better organized. Someone could have walked around and obtained a word
from each table and put together one mad libs story. Overall the game idea was
great.<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Shara advised that convention prices will have
to increase if individuals want something other than pasta for the banquet
dinner<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Shara suggested people get to the banquet early
so the food doesn't come out cold<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed reading Ever Lee Hairston's book "Blind
Ambition" for our meeting next month. We resolved to read half of the book
by the next meeting.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed holding our popcorn fundraiser again in early
May and holding a different fundraiser in November.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz suggested having chapter presidents from other at-large
chapters come speak with us about activities held within their chapters.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Shara mentioned there will be a leadership retreat the first
weekend in May in the Springfield area. It will include at least one or two
overnight stays.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The meeting adjourned at 8:15PM.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Our next meeting will be Tuesday April 11th at 7:00PM.
Please disregard any zoom reminders you receive about a meeting on Sunday,
April 9th (Easter Sunday).<span></span></p>
</div></div></div></div>