[MD-Sligo] Corrected May Chapter Minutes

[terrinettles at comcast.net]

Hi All:

Please see below the corrected chapter minutes.

 

National Federation of the Blind

Sligo Creek Chapter Minutes

May 10, 2025

This meeting is being held via Zoom courtesy of Ben Danford.

The meeting was called to order by President Debbie Brown at 1:44 PM. 

Announcements: Debbie mentioned she has several cases of milk chocolate
candy bars left over and needs to get rid of them $2.50 per bar or $60 per
box. She also mentioned no one has requested stipend for National convention
and Sligo doesn't have too many people who are going. Yasmin made a motion
to give $400 to the affiliate for fund raising and it was seconded by Renee,
the motion carried.  Debbie then went over the four funds that members can
make donations to both as a review and for new members: White Cane,
TenBrooke, Sun, and Jernigan and she explained each fund. Sharon mentioned
that if you give at least $100, the first 100 people are eligible to receive
After Shock earphones. Sharon mentioned that the tax bill and the tactile
braille flags for veterans were signed. She said if you don't get an
exemption and never filled out the paperwork go to  The website for the
property tax exemption form is
https://dat.maryland.gov/SDAT%20Forms/Blind-Persons.pdf . If you were
already getting the property tax at 15,000 you do not have to take any
action. 

This will be effective July 1st. Your doctor has to fill out the form. Also
a bill was approved for MTA clients do not have to reapply for MTA
paratransit. Metro Access has not been on board with this yet. Sharon
suggested that Sligo and National harbor chapters along with DC and Virginia
should collaboratively approach Metro Access. Janice Samuel informed us the
committee brings this up often. She suggested that we all get on the Zoom
call at the meeting to push for this. Sharon suggested all chapter
Presidents sign a letter mentioning it was done for MTA and coordinate when
it would be the best way to approach. Sharon graciously volunteered to write
the letter and send it to the head person. Janice Samuel said that the
meetings are the third Monday of the month, which meet at 4:00 and you can
get the Zoom link on the website. There are three metro access advisory
meetings each month on Mondays check the website for the dates, times and
Zoom information.  It was also noted there are problems with the NFB website
and they are working on fixing it.           

Introductions: There were 27 in attendance.

Minutes: Judy read the April minutes since she was so gracious to fill in
for Terri Nettles since she was out of town. YASMIN made a motion to accept
the minutes as written and was seconded by Shawn the motion carried.

Treasurer's Report: Ben presented the treasurer's report with an ending
balance of $1,648.47. 

A motion was by Yasmin to accept the report as presented and was seconded by
Terry Powers, the motion carried.

 

Ben then played the chapter Presidential Release.

President Riccobono encouraged members to register for National convention
both for the in-person including hotel reservations as well as virtual. 

The deadline for submitting resolutions is June 8. 

He also mentioned the launching of the Spring Fund Raising Drive Give 2025.

Debbie stated there will be a live presidential release on May 15th. 

She also mentioned some members went to the Bill signing in Annapolis and
thanked them.

She said we need a calendar for state projects state wide and she will talk
to Jeff about this. We will not be participating in the Book Festival this
year. 

Debbie then talked about something new this year.  NFB will be holding a
Crafters Market at NFB headquarters in member's Hall November 16 9:00 to
3:00PM. It is a fund raiser in which the cost per table will be $100. More
details will be provided later. 

BELL: Judy stated we will not be having BELL this year in our area. There
are a lot of logistics in planning and getting teachers and students.
Planning will start in a couple of months for next year.

Renee suggested going to schools where there are blind students and visit in
October on Columbus Day. The school system allows people to come and
observe classes. She will make calls and bring back contact information for
us. 

Debbie mentioned May 18 will be our next Book Club and the June one  will be
June 1. 

She also mentioned we are participating in reorganizing the National Harbor
Chapter. 

Next month's chapter meeting will be at the White Oak Library. 

The July meeting will be held on Zoom after convention. We voted in two new
members Tony Adison and Morgan Estes. Yasmin moved to accept Tony and Morgan
as members of the Sligo Creek Chapter and it was seconded by multiple
members the motion carried. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Terri Nettles, Secretary  

 

       

 

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