<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Good Afternoon Everyone,<br><div><br></div><div>Attached and pasted below please find the minutes from our most recent at-large chapter meeting held this past Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Stay warm and have a nice weekend!</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:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The at-large chapter met on Tuesday, April 8<sup>th</sup>.
The meeting began at 6:34PM.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Those in attendance included:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Allen Larkin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Brian Langlois</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Cullen Gallagher</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Debbie Malone</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">ElizabethAnn Johnson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Kristina Constant</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Liz Lesperance</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Mike Karsok</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Ren Lovegood</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sandy Burgess</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sengil Inkiala</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Shara Winton</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Shirley Doris</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">For our icebreaker we shared something we would like to work
on over the next few months to improve ourselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Kristina recited the NFB pledge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Debbie shared that she is moving to Florida on Sunday. We
thanked Debbie for doing a tremendous job leading this chapter over the past
several years. Debbie has been an asset to our affiliate and will be greatly
missed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Due to Debbie\u2019s departure there is now an opening on the
board for the chapter President. Additionally, the position of Secretary is
also available. We will hold elections during next month\u2019s meeting for both of
these positions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Cullen put forth a motion to approve the February meeting
minutes which Allen seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. The March
meeting was brief in preparation for the convention.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The treasurer's report was tabled until next month.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Cullen played the abbreviated presidential recording. Highlights
include the following:</p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span>During the last month, the Medicare telehealth
provisions were set to expire at the end of March. On March 5th a letter was
sent to Congress urging them to extend these benefits. Congress did vote to
maintain the telehealth benefits. They have been extended through the end of
September 2025. Further advocacy is needed to extend these benefits as
telehealth has been a great resource for the blind community which faces
transportation issues.</p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span>Regional library services are facing concerns
over federal funding. The NFB has been in close contact with NLS and urges all
NFB members to reach out to Congress and explain the importance of these
programs at the local level.</p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span>The SSA announced new policies and drastic cuts
which has harmed individuals with disabilities. Please raise this concern
wherever possible. Additional action will be taken soon. The NFB has joined
with other organizations to sue the SSA regarding their reductions in services
that are negatively impacting the blind.</p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span>The Access Technology Affordability Act needs
more co-sponsors in the House.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Shara shared her affiliate president's report echoing much
of the advocacy efforts mentioned in the presidential release and highlighted
the importance of contacting our local representatives Inky emphasized that we
have to be on the forefront because these cuts effect our lives directly and we
need these services</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Shara made a point to appreciate Debbie for all of her hard
work in our chapter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Debbie noted that the spring cleanup fundraiser was
cancelled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Additionally, Debbie shared that the guide dog group will be
meeting soon so look out for an email from Isabel Rosario.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The meeting adjourned at 7:27PM.</p></div></div></div></div>