[MD-AtLarge] March Minutes

[nfbmd]

Minutes for the At large chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015

 

The meeting was called to order via conference call by Sharon Maneki. There
were around 20 people on the call.

 

The Governor planned to cut the budget for the Library for the Blind.  He
scheduled a reduction in funding for the library over a ten-year period.
Sharon thanked Henry Smith, one of our members, who testified against the
Governor's plan.  Many people came to Annapolis to tell the House and Senate
why these budget cuts would be very harmful.

 

The listserv for the at large chapter has been started and many have begun
receiving emails. Sharon discussed how some may not like getting all the
email from the list. It was discussed that people can just delete what they
do not want or the chapter can try to keep the number of emails down.

 

Ray Sewell's 80th birthday was on the 19th. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday"
to him.

 

Ray told us about various businesses he ran over the years through the
Randolph Sheppard vending program. He did this for 38 years and sold many
kinds of items in different locations over that time.

 

Judy Rasmussen followed up on Ray's comments by telling us that new venders
are needed, as many of the current ones are getting older. She said that it
can be difficult to get into the program because of state requirements, but
those that are accepted are provided the needed equipment and help to start
and run their business.

 

Sharon wanted everyone to know that Anthony got engaged on an airplane.

 

Sharon reminded us about the upcoming raffle to support the NFB of Md.
Tickets are $5, and there will be one winner each day throughout the month
of May. Winners receive $50 if they win on Sunday through Friday and $100 if
they win on Saturday. Those wishing to buy raffle tickets should contact
Sharon.

 

Sharon talked about how the NFB has state and national officers and asked if
we knew who they were. State officers we discussed included Sharon Maneki as
the president of the NFB of MD, Debbie Brown as vice president, and Judy
Rasmussen as secretary. State officers hold their positions for 2 year
terms. Sharon also made sure we could identify the president of the NFB, who
is Mark Riccobono.

 

NFB chapters also have officers, and Sharon said the at large chapter will
begin the process of instating officers. A nominations committee will be put
together in April, and anyone wishing to hold an office should let those
people know. Our elections will be held in May.

 

Since Marguerite Woods told us about James Brown last month, who is a board
member of the NFB, Sharon challenged someone to research another board
member to tell us about on the next call. Cathy Orzolek-Kroner agreed to do
so.

 

Sharon told us about the Braille Spectator, which is the newsletter of the
NFB of Md. It comes out twice a year, and a new issue will be out soon. It
will be in the listserv, as well as on Newsline and the NFB of MD website.
It was previously sent out on cassette, but cassettes are not widely used
anymore, and there is a lot of cost involved with sending it out.

 

Judy Rasmussen, who edits the Braille Spectator, told us about a lady named
Yasmin whose story is featured in the upcoming issue. She works for
Montgomery County Government in a department which provides helpful
community information to people, but the government has recently started
using software which is not accessible. The NFB has filed a lawsuit. They
lost in a lower court but are continuing to pursue action. Updates will be
forthcoming.

 

Cathy works at a college which is updating all of their accessibility
technology and getting rid of what they previously used. She wondered if
anyone would be interested in any of the used technology. Cathy said she
would send out a list of what is available through the listserv.

 

Since we discussed Ray's 80th birthday, the question was raised as to who
was the youngest person on the call. This was Danielle Shives at 27. People
commented about the age range of our chapter.

 

Sharon said she will share contact information of those in the chapter with
everyone so we can contact one another. Those who do not wish to have their
information shared should let Sharon know.

 

The meeting ended at 9:00 P.M.

 

Submitted by Danielle Shives

 

 

Sharon Maneki, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

410-715-9596

 

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