<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Here are the September parent division notes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ellen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>MAPBC Meeting Minutes, September 2026<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The MAPBC met via Zoom on Thursday, September 10. The meeting began at 6:05 PM. Those in attendance included:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Stephanie Barrera Valdes, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hai Nguyen Ly, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ellen Bartelt, Secretary/Treasurer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Youme Nguyen Ly, Member<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cecily Morrison, Microsoft Research<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Icebreaker:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>No icebreaker was held.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NFB Pledge:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) pledge was skipped.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Presidential Release:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>No Presidential Release was presented.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Minutes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Youme Nguyen Ly put forth a motion to approve the April and May meeting minutes which Hai Nguyen Ly seconded. The minutes were approved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The August minutes were deferred because they had not yet been uploaded for review. Stephanie will upload them before the next meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Treasury and Dues:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>No treasury or dues report was presented. The group discussed future use of existing MAPBC funds under the division status update.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Topic 1. Microsoft Research Opportunity:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cecily Morrison presented an opportunity for up to five blind or low-vision students, approximately ages 10 to 22, to spend a half day at the Microsoft makerspace in Kendall Square. Students would work with Microsoft researchers to co-design an AI agent around an accessibility need. The program is planned for late October, with the date to be set after participants are identified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Members discussed targeted outreach through MAPBC, the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts (NFBMA) Student Division, Perkins, and other networks. Hai will share the opportunity and connect Cecily with Minh Ha at Perkins. Stephanie will share the outreach blurb and connect Cecily with Student Division contacts. Cecily asked that recruitment remain targeted rather than broadly posted as a public Microsoft Research opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Topic 2. Division or Group Status:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Stephanie reported that the division cannot be paused. Moving to group status would require dissolving the division and later re-forming it if enough people want to restore it. Members agreed to continue toward a transition around the February 2027 state convention. No formal motion was recorded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Members discussed possible uses for MAPBC funds before dissolution, including support for local blind students or the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy. No decision was made.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Programs and Events:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>BELL Academy 2027. Stephanie is pursuing grants and sponsorships as planning considers a residential program. Cecily will explore a Microsoft Give Month fundraising opportunity, and Youme offered to help organize a short presentation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Coast-to-Coast Challenge. MAPBC will support existing chapter and division activities. The NFBMA Student Division is planning a walk on October 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>David Ticchi Walk. The Cambridge Chapter walk is October 4 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Affiliate fundraisers. The Instacart gift card and Who Are We NFB? Bonfire apparel fundraisers remain active.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Giggle Gala. The fundraiser is December 3 and will include an auction.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>2027 State Convention. The convention is February 26 through 28 at the Boston Marriott Peabody. The Wicked Good Chapter will host.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Advocacy and Partnerships:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cecily asked about blind soccer opportunities in Massachusetts. Stephanie will contact Richie Florez, president of the Blind Sports and Recreation Division, and explore a state convention presentation. Hai shared a U.S. Association of Blind Athletes blind soccer resource, and Youme will check with soccer contacts in Western Massachusetts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Members were encouraged to share grant and sponsorship opportunities for BELL Academy and the state convention with Stephanie or Shara. Youme will look further into the New England Foundation for the Arts Create Spatial Justice grant opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Next meeting:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our next meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, October 15 at 6:00 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adjournment:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>