<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;"><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);">NFBMA At-Large Chapter Minutes, June 9, 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 June 9, 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);">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);">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);">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);">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);">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);">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);">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);">William O\u2019Donnell</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);">Jerry Feliz</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);">Nancy Hodges</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);">Connection Question: if you could be a time traveler, what era would you go to and why?</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);">Grace 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);">Ai Presentation </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);">Jerry Feliz, Assistive Technology Director at MABVI, joined the meeting to discuss the technology services offered through MABVI and the use of artificial intelligence.</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);">Jerry provided an overview of MABVI's assistive technology program, which primarily serves people age 55 and older at locations throughout Massachusetts. The program provides training on iOS devices, computers, Meta glasses, and other emerging technologies.</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 AI presentation focused on several 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);">How members were currently using AI in their daily lives, including through mobile apps, smart speakers, and wearable technology such as Meta glasses.</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);">How to get started with AI by becoming familiar with tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and other AI platforms.</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);">Different ways of interacting with AI, including text-based and voice conversations, and the advantages of each method. Jerry also discussed considerations for using AI applications with VoiceOver.</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 importance of checking information provided by AI, as AI systems can sometimes provide inaccurate or fabricated information. Jerry recommended comparing information between multiple AI tools when appropriate.</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);">Privacy considerations when using AI, particularly when sharing personal information, images, or other data that may be processed in the cloud.</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);">Throughout the presentation, members asked questions, shared their own experiences using AI, and discussed ways the technology could be incorporated into everyday tasks.</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);">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 announced that the affiliate would hold a Day at the State House on Wednesday, July 22. Members would meet with state legislators regarding the affiliate's priorities, which would include the rights of guide dog users in rideshares, the rights of blind parents, and accessible prescription labeling. Members interested in participating were instructed to email Kyra.</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);">Shara moved acceptance of the May meeting minutes; 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);">NATIONAL CONVENTION</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 strongly encouraged members who were unable to attend the National Convention in person to register for the virtual option.</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);">SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER WALK</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 Springfield Chapter would hold its walk on June 20 at a park near its building. The event would include lunch and other fun activities. Transportation from the Boston area would be available at a cost of approximately $30 per person. Shara would send an email to the list, and the first 11 members to sign up after the email was sent would be able 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);">GIGGLE GALA</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 Giggle Gala in Saugus was scheduled for December 3. </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);">COAST TO COAST</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 would host a cardio drumming and limbo event as part of the Coast to Coast Challenge. Everyone was encouraged to attend, and more details would be provided.</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 would serve as the affiliate movement ambassador and would attend the BayBridge Run in Baltimore.</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 would also hold a meeting on Thursday with the presidents of the other New England affiliates to discuss potentially collaborating on an event across all of New England.</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);">DAVID TICCHI WALK</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 David Ticchi walk was scheduled for October 4.</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);">CONVENTION STIPENDS</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);">Members requesting a $600 stipend to attend the National Convention were reminded to email Shara with their preferred method of payment, either check or Zelle, along with their mailing address or Zelle address. Those receiving a stipend would be required to attend all general sessions and the banquet.</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 8:30 PM. The next meeting was scheduled for August 11.</p><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"></div></body></html>