<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Hi Everyone,<div>The minutes from Monday evening\u2019s Cambridge Chapter meeting are attached and pasted below.</div><div>Thanks,</div><div>CUllen</div><div><h1 style="font-size: 57.599998px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 2.5em 0px 1em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Cambridge Chapter Minutes, June 9, 2025</h1><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The June 9, 2025 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 6:06 PM.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">In Attendance:</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Shirley Dorris, President</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Sengil Inkiala, Vice President</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Cullen Gallagher, Secretary</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Mika Pyyhkala, Treasurer</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Jen Bose, Board Member</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Rashad Saadieh</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">William Odonnell</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Stephen Yerardi</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Kyra Sweeney</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Adam Roberge</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">ElizabethAnn Johnson</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Kobena Bonney</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">David Ticchi</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Helen Kobek</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Kristina Constant</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Ellen Bartelt</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">John Oliveira</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Sunish Gupta</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Mark Paquette</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Kendal Valentine</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">RIck Camann</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">NFB Pledge</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">William led the NFB Pledge</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Approval of Minutes</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Corrections were noted for the May minutes, including adding Rashad to the attendees list and correcting the spelling of Helen\u2019s name. Inky moved that we accept the May minutes as corrected; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Treasurer\u2019s Report</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Mika presented the Treasurer\u2019s Report.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">We had a few transactions this month related to recent events affecting members of our affiliate. The chapter sent $100 each to:</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Al Sten-Clanton, following his injury;</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Affiliate President Shara Winton, following a family bereavement;</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The Springfield Chapter, following the loss of Annette Davis Harris.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">We also had our automatic $50 PAC contribution. The checking account balance was $2,695.79.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">William moved that we accept the Treasurer\u2019s Report; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Gerry Difranza, a longtime member, also passed away recently. Inky moved that we send $100 to Gerry\u2019s family; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Presidential Release</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The <a href="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2025-05/presidential_release_june_2025_chapter_version.mp3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 0, 102); outline: currentcolor !important;">June Presidential Release </a>was played.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Exhibit Table at National Convention</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Shirley announced that the affiliate would have a table at the exhibit hall in New Orleans, where we would sell t-shirts and other items. Shirley would be in charge of the table, scheduling volunteers, and handling funds. Members were asked to let Shirley know their availability so she could create and distribute the schedule. Shirley would send an email requesting this information from members, and would also include the Exhibit Hall Schedule. </p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Ellen announced that there would be a raffle for the BELL program at the table. Raffle prizes would include lotion, soap, a Glam Cane, and a gift card to a food website. Tickets would be priced at $5 for one ticket and $10 for three.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Upcoming David Ticchi Walk</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Shirley reminded members that the David Ticchi Walk would take place on October 5. This is the chapter\u2019s biggest fundraiser, and members were encouraged to help spread the word.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">David indicated that more information would be available by the August meeting. Funds raised would go toward assisting members with attending National Convention and Washington Seminar.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">June 4 Day at the State House</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Kyra provided a recap of our day at the State House on June 4. It was a productive day, with nine members in attendance, including four from the Cambridge Chapter. Members were divided into groups and held 22 meetings.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The focus was on two bills: one prohibiting discrimination against adults with disabilities in family and juvenile court proceedings (which would protect blind parents), and another imposing fines on Uber and Lyft drivers who discriminate against riders with service animals. Reception was positive on both issues, and three representatives co-sponsored the service animal bill. Kyra expressed enthusiasm for holding this event again next year.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Financials and Board Meetings</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Rashad raised concerns about access to affiliate financial information and whether chapter members were receiving the full financial picture. It was clarified that the chapter treasurer reports on chapter funds, while affiliate-level financial reporting takes place at affiliate board meetings. Members wishing to receive those details were encouraged to attend the board meetings.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">ElizabethAnn emphasized the importance of members being informed of board meeting schedules in advance and having opportunities to provide input. Kyra and Shirley agreed that more could be done to improve communication and committed to ensuring that members receive the affiliate board meeting schedule going forward.</p><h2 style="font-size: 38.400002px; line-height: 53.759998px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.75em; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">Adjournment</h2><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for August 11.</p><p style="font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 1em 0px 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 10, 10); color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);"></p></div></body></html>