<html aria-label="message body"><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;">Good Afternoon Everyone,<div>Here are the minutes from the May At-Large CHapter meeting. Look forward to seeing you all this evening.</div><div>Cullen</div><div><h1 style="font-size: 48px; 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);">At-Large Chapter Minutes, May 12, 2026</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 May 12, 2026 meeting of the At-Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts was called to order at 7:03 PM</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Stephen Yerardi, 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);">Liz Lesperance, 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);">Allen Larkin, 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);">ElizabethAnn Johnson, 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);">Shara Winton, Affiliate 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);">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);">Shirley Dorris</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);">Brian Langlois</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);">Gena Quintanilla</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);">Minh Ha</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);">Rachel Kobierecki</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);">Mike Karsok</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);">Neil Schoonmaker</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);">Sandy Burgess</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);">Pam Kalinoski</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);">Grace Anderson</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);">Icebreaker: If you could be an animal, what would you be?</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Kristina led the NFB Pledge</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Secretary\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);">Shirley moved acceptance of the April minutes. The motion was seconded by Allen and passed unanimously.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Allen presented the treasurer\u2019s report. The balance was $916.33. Deductions included a chapter donation for Shannon Donahue and a contribution to door prizes at the state convention.</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 moved acceptance of the treasurer\u2019s report. The motion was seconded by Liz and passed unanimously.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Affiliate President\u2019s Report</h2><h3 style="font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 26.879999px; letter-spacing: 0.15em; margin: 1.75em 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 EVENTS</h3><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);">Shara announced that the Giggle Gala was scheduled for Thursday, December 3. The David Ticchi Cambridge Chapter walk was scheduled for October 4. The Springfield Chapter walk was scheduled for June 20, and Stephen was exploring transportation options and van rentals for members to attend.</p><h3 style="font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 26.879999px; letter-spacing: 0.15em; margin: 1.75em 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);">NORTH SHORE CHAPTER UPDATE</h3><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 Wicked Good Chapter's next meeting was scheduled for May 28 at the Gallo Nero Italian restaurant in Peabody. Members were responsible for covering their food and drink. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM, but members wishing to order food were asked to arrive at 6:00 PM. Twelve members attended the first meeting.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Coast to Coast Movement Challenge</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);">Shara discussed the Coast to Coast Movement Challenge, which raised funds for the National parents division. Part of the event would include a 5K over the Bay Bridge in Baltimore. National requested that one person from each chapter or affiliate attend.</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);">Chapters were encouraged to organize movement activities. The Wicked Good Chapter, for example, was planning a limbo and cardio drumming event.</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);">These events could not be combined with existing events, such as the Cambridge Chapter walk. Chapters could develop their own events or join with another chapter.</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 chapter would have a movement champion who would attend the national meetings. Liz volunteered to be the movement champion.</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 moved that Liz be appointed as the movement champion. The motion was seconded by Allen and passed unanimously.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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/2026-04/presidential_release_may_2026_chapter_version_final.mp3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 0, 102); outline: medium !important;">May Presidential Release </a>was Played.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">ADA Bill</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);">Sandy mentioned a bill being considered by Congress that would make it more difficult to sue a business for not complying with the ADA. Under the bill, a person would need to submit a complaint, and the business would receive 60 days to develop a solution and another 60 days before the solution would need to be implemented. Kyra was unsure whether the NFB had an official position on the bill but assumed the organization would oppose it.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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);">Transportation Issues</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);">Several transportation issues were discussed, including:</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);">\u2022 The desire to expand The Ride Flex service, even outside of Ride service areas.</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);">\u2022 Accessing paratransit throughout the state.</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);">\u2022 A new one-page form for applying for or renewing paratransit services that agencies could adopt.</p><h2 style="font-size: 28.799999px; line-height: 40.32px; 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 8:49 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for June 9.</p></div></body></html>