<div dir="ltr"><div>Good Morning,</div><div><br></div><div>Pasted below and attached please find the minutes from our most recent at-large chapter meeting held on Tuesday the 11th.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a nice day!</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div>Liz</div><div><br></div><div>**********</div><div><br></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The at-large chapter held their most recent monthly meeting
on Tuesday, April 11th. 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">Brian Langlois<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Christopher Suplice<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">Debbie Malone<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">Evan Hershowitz<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kahmile Whitby<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kobena Bonney<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">Mike Karsok<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Nina Kagan<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Rachel Kobierecki<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">Shara Winton<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Debbie called the meeting to order at 7:05PM.<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.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz conducted a 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 adopt and file the March 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. The current balance
is $1613.63. This includes the $100 deduction for door prizes at the state
convention. Cullen moved that the treasurer's report be accepted which Brian
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 went over highlights from the April presidential
report which 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:Wingdings"><span>§<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>the national convention is 3 months away and
will include a free virtual experience. Details can be found at:<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"><a href="http://nfb.org/convention">nfb.org/convention</a><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">This is where you can find the link to
register.<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:Wingdings"><span>§<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>last month the NFB sent a letter to both the
House and Senate appropriations committee regarding increasing funds for the
Independent Living Services for the Blind program (a.k.a. IL-O.I.B.).<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:Wingdings"><span>§<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>the NFB also sent a letter to the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission regarding discriminatory practices of
requiring a driver's license on a job application when driving is not a core
function of the position.<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:Wingdings"><span>§<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>in late July Dan O'Rourke, an NHL on-ice
official, will participate in a 2,400-mile bike ride for literacy to support
the NFB's core value of literacy. The goal of the ride is not only to raise
funds for the NFB but also to spread awareness of the capacity of blind people.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed various ways of listening to the presidential
release live including via the Amazon Echo as well as YouTube<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We then had a discussion over when requesting or requiring a
driver's license on an application is appropriate versus discriminatory. It was
noted that many organizations use the term "driver's license" when in
fact they are only seeking a form of identification. We resolved that requiring
a driver's license is reasonable when driving is a core job function; however,
blind and visually impaired individuals should not be precluded from jobs where
driving is an occasional job requirement as there are ways of fulfilling this
task without holding a driver's license.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Debbie reminded us that the national convention is rapidly approaching
and to make hotel and travel reservations asap.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Shara reminded us that the Kenneth Jernigan scholarship
deadline is Saturday. This scholarship provides financial assistance to
individuals attending their first national convention. Please note that you can
qualify for this scholarship even if you have only attended the national
convention virtually.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The scholarship details and application can be found at the
following link:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho">https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho</a><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">Our chapter is planning to hold another Double Good popcorn
fundraiser next month. We agreed to hold the 4-day event from May 3rd through
the 6th.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Debbie is reaching out to presidents of other at-large
chapters throughout the country to see if they would be interested in speaking
with us about their chapter. We are seeking suggestions for other speakers at
future meetings. Please email any suggestions to Liz. Her email address is
<a href="mailto:liz.karsok@gmail.com">liz.karsok@gmail.com</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We held a lively discussion regarding Ever Lee Hairston's
book "Blind Ambition" and encourage all members to read this
fascinating autobiography.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed moving our meetings to the second Tuesday of
the month to increase attendance.<span> </span>Shara put
forth the motion which Cullen seconded. The motion was approved.<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 May 9th at 7:00PM.<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 8:46PM.<span></span></p>
</div></div>