<div dir="ltr"><div>Good Morning Everyone,</div><div><br></div><div>Attached and pasted below please find the minutes from our recent parents' division meeting held last Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a wonderful day!</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</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 MAPBC met on Thursday, June 8th at 6:00PM. 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">Basil Maurice<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Hai Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Justin Salisbury<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">Shirley Doris<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stephanie Valdes<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Youme Nguyen Ly<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 was called to order at 6:09PM. As an icebreaker,
we introduced ourselves and stated what we would like the month of June to
represent.<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">Justin 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"><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 recent presidential release.<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">Hai moved that the May minutes be accepted as written which
Shirley 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"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz went over the treasurer's report. The current balance
stands at $90.00 but does not reflect the funds raised during our recent Giving
Bean fundraiser. Giving Bean will make a donation through the affiliate
account. Stephanie will be sharing the fundraiser totals shortly. Stephanie
stated that since we now have an account with Giving Bean, we can initiate
another fundraiser fairly quickly. We can also pursue other fundraising opportunities
as well.<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">We discussed trying to get our families together this
summer. Justin noted there is an annual MCB event held at Dunn Park in Gardner
which honors the ADA. We will look into logistics for this event. If we attend,
we will wear our NFB parenting t-shirts.<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">Katherine Nemens of the Family Law Project will be attending
our July meeting and has the zoom link already. She will need a reminder email
a week in advance which Liz will take care of. Katherine will begin with a 15-minute
presentation.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Justin gave us an update on the parents' rights bill.
National pointed out that this bill does not use a consistent evidentiary
standard and requests that the language be homogenized. Justin has asked
Katherine if the coalition would be interested in changing "preponderance
of evidence" to "clear and convincing" so every situation would
be uniform. Justin also asked Katherine some technical questions regarding
rules in the MA legislature in addition to learning about the calendar and any
upcoming deadlines. Justin also inquired about non-judicial cases (i.e.,
situations where there is no judge involved). <span> </span>such as those involving the Dept. of Children
and Families. At present the bill does not address these circumstances. The
bill also does not address adoption and foster care. This is another non-judicial
proceeding.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Next steps:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">After we have heard back from the coalition on evidentiary
standards, we will want to start talking to our individual legislators.
Everyone should research the contact info for their local representatives.
Justin is compiling a spreadsheet with this data.<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 Thursday, July 13th at 6:00PM.<span></span></p>
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