[MD-AtLarge] Meeting Reminder and Minutes

[Sharon Maneki]

Hello All,
Make your phone call to Adrienne Jones, the speaker of the House. Her
number is 410-841-3800. Call her today or this evening. It is crossover day
today. You should tell the office to take action on HB1097, setting up the
workgroup to study the accessibility of mail-in ballots. If you don't call
today, you will miss the chance to get this message out.
The next meeting of the At Large Chapter will be on Tuesday, March 18 at
7:45 pm. We will have a special guest, Denise Avant, who is chairman of the
national membership committee. For your convenience, the call in number is
339-209-4083. She will have some interesting things to say that you will
not want to miss.

Read the minutes of the January and February meeting below:

NFBMD At Large Chapter Meeting Minutes for January 21, 2025



The Presidential Release was played at 7:45 PM.

The meeting was started at 8:06 PM by Marguerite Woods, President.

The round robin took place. Everyone announced themselves, stated where
they are in the state, and answered the question are you interested in
learning more about how your dollars are used at the NFB?

There Were approximately 25 members on the call.



Marguerite led Karen Crosbey in the NFB pledge.

Sharon gave the Treasurers Report.

Opening Balance is $1,481.50

Income: $215 movie, $10 dues

Total income is $225.



Expenses: PAC donation $25, $415.21 Onsolve, $480 State convention
assistance, and $438 National Convention

Total expenses is $1,358.21.



Opening balance plus Income equals $1,706.50 minus Expenses equals $348.29.

Ending Balance is $348.29



A motion was made to accept the treasurer’s report as given. It was
seconded and approved.



Members shared details about the Day in Annapolis. It took place January 16
th.



Our primary legislative priorities are:

   - Increasing the property Tax exemption for Blind Homeowners
   - Improving Transportation: Use of Autonomous Vehicles for Persons with
   Disabilities
   - Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access funding



Additional priorities we will work on this year include accessible
paperless ballot return for vote by mail, tactile and Braille flags in
veteran cemeteries, and establishment of a service animal training grant
program.



Washington Seminar is February 3rd and 4th. You can find more information
about Washington Seminar by visiting the NFB Washington Seminar Information
Page <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>.



The Next At Large Chapter Meeting will take place in person at the State
Convention in Ocean City.

The meeting adjourned at 9:02PM.



Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary



 NFBMD At large Chapter Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2025



The meeting began at 7:00AM in person at the state convention in Ocean
City, MD with breakfast.

Sharon called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30AM.

Everyone announced themselves in alphabetical order by their last name.

There were approximately 12 members in attendance.



Sue and Erin were memorized and became members of the At Large chapter.



The meeting adjourned at 8:15AM.



Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary





*Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy*
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
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