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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi all:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please find the chapter May Minutes both below as well as attached. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Terri Nettles, Secretary<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'>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sligo Creek Chapter Minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>May 10, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This meeting is being held via Zoom courtesy of Ben Danford.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting was called to order by President Debbie Brown at 1:44 PM. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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 a stipened 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 members can donate 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 exception and never filled out the paperwork go to www.dat.org and get the form and send into the state. This will be effective July 1st. Your doctor has to fill out the form. Also a bill was approved you 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 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 metro access meeting 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Introductions: There were 27 in attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Treasurer's Report: Ben presented the treasurer's report with an ending balance of $1,648.47. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was by Yasmin to accept the report as presented and was seconded by Terry Powers, the motion carried.<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'>Ben then played the chapter Presidential Release.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President Riccobono encouraged members to register for National convention both for the --person including hotel reservations as well as virtual. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The deadline for submitting resolutions is June 8. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>He also mentioned the launching of the Spring Fund Raising Drive Give 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debbie stated there will be a live presidential release on May 15th. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>She also mentioned some members went to theBill signing in Anapolis and thank them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>She said we need a calendar for state projects state wide and she will talk Jeff about this. We will not be participating in the Book Festival this year. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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 provide later. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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 month for next year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Renee suggested going to schools where there are blind students and visit in October on Columbus Day. The school systems allow people to come and observe classes. She will make calls and bring back contact information for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debbie mentioned May 18 will be our next Book Club and the June one will be June 1. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debbie mentioned we are Particiating in reorganizing the National Harbor Chapter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Next month's meeting will be at the White Oak Library. <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'>The July meeting will be held on Zoom after convention. We voted in two new members Tony A.ison 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully Submitted,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Terri Nettles, Secretary <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><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>