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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Minutes for the At large chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>The meeting was called to order via conference call by Sharon Maneki. There were around 20 people on the call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Ray Sewell’s 80<sup>th</sup> birthday was on the 19<sup>th</sup>. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Sharon wanted everyone to know that Anthony got engaged on an airplane.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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 <span style='color:black'>Orzolek-Kroner</span> agreed to do so.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Since we discussed Ray’s 80<sup>th</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>The meeting ended at 9:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Submitted by Danielle Shives<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Sharon Maneki, </b>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>