[NFB-Utah] Minutes of the Board of Directors zoom Meeting Wednesday, March 25,

[nfbutah at gmail.com]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF UTAH

March 2026

Board of Directors Meeting

www.nfbutah.org <http://www.nfbutah.org> 

(801) 631-8108

You can live the life you want; blindness does not hold you back

 

 

Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 – 9:05 PM.

 

 

1 motion was passed to offer national convention attendees $500 per person with a family cap of $1200.

 

Minutes

 

1.	Roll call:

Everette Bacon:                          President:                       present

Cheralyn  Johnson:    1st Vise President:       present

Karl Smith:                      2nd Vise President:      present

Mark Turley:                   Treasurer:                       Late

Barbie Elliott:                Secretary:                       present

Laura Vincent:                             board Member:            present

Kenn Duke:                    board Member:            present

Ned Lindholm:                            Board Member:            present

Willie Black:                   Board Member:            present

Jessie Kramer:                             Board Member:            present

 

The public was invited, 19 participants including board members were present.

 

2.	National Convention:

A.     For affiliate members attending the National convention in Austin Texas this summer, Karl made a motion to pay $500 per person with a $1200 per family cap. It was unanimously passed.

B.     Hotels are full unless you pay more or go to the overflow.

 

3.	National News:

A.     Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act Introduced:

On March 3, 2026, Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois) introduced the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act in the Senate (S. 3974).  This bill was also cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (Massachusetts) and Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts).  Please urge your senators and representatives to cosponsor this, S. 3974/H.R. 3417, ensuring all blind and disabled Americans have equal access to use websites and mobile applications.

B.     Everette asked Kenn and Jerry to join this meeting. On April 7: Affiliate and Division Website Project Informational Session: Affiliate presidents and web coordinators are invited to join us on April 7, at 8 p.m., Eastern, via Zoom to come together to review the project roadmap, confirm priorities, and align on next steps for the work ahead. Additional details, including time and meeting information, will be shared soon.

C.    Chapter and affiliate President’s meeting: April 20: Informational Session for Chapter and Affiliate Presidents – Coast to Coast:

Chapter and affiliate presidents are invited to attend an informational session on the evening of April 20, for the 2026 Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge. Join us to learn what’s in store for 2026! Learn how easy it is to participate and raise public awareness and funds at the same time. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to send a chapter or affiliate member to your place to take notes and ask questions. Please join us on April 20, at 8 p.m., Eastern, to learn more about how to get your chapter involved. Zoom details are below, and please reach out to Rachel Held with any questions at rheld at nfb.org <mailto:rheld at nfb.org>  or 410-659-9314, extension 2423. Join Zoom Meeting: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98489562292?from=addon
Meeting ID: 984 8956 2292.

D.    2027 Washington Seminar – New Hotel Announced: The 2027 Washington Seminar will be held Monday, February 1, through Thursday, February 4, 2027, with the Great Gathering-In on Monday from 5:00–7:00 p.m. For the first time in many years, the event will be hosted at a new location: the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC 20005. Hotel booking information and additional details will be shared closer to the event.

E.     State and national scholarships close March 31, so far 4 people have submitted their applications for the state scholarships.

F.      New NFB Song Available for Download: The National Federation of the Blind song, “Who Are We? NFB,” by The Litigators is now available to listen to or download on the NFB songs webpage <https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/nfb-songs>  or on your favorite music platform.

 

 

4.	Local news.

1.	Blind singer and author doing a book review and conversation in Salt Lake: Alexa, the events coordinator at Under the Umbrella Bookstore in Salt Lake City is holding a hybrid-virtual author event for Lachi and her new book <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lachi-i-identify-as-blind-tickets-1984088308541> , I Identify as Blind, on Friday, April 10 at 12pm. This event is free to attend, and we'd love you to share it with your communities. Jennifer Kennedy will be moderating the discussion with Lachi.
2.	Salt Lake acting company has live audio description contact Emily Sinclair. Eckle’s theater also has audio description.

 

 

5.	Chapter and Division updates:

1.	Jessie says that the Red Rocks Chapter  met in ST. George after the RCI doughnut dash. New officers were elected. Karen Robinson is Vise, Matthew Robison: treasurer, Kester and Joey are still on the board. Jessie is president. Next meeting will be in May. Matthew is graduating from university soon.
2.	Kirt let us know that Utah Valley had a chapter meeting breakfast last month. They will have meetings in various locations to encourage more participation. They had a fun meeting doing service at the Ronald McDonald center. Busting the myths of blindness by serving and sharing with families. Carmalyn shared that it was a great experience. They plan to return in October as a fund raiser to help them get ready for the holidays to help people and families there. Their next chapter meeting will be in May in Orem.
3.	Zachary the new Salt Lake Chapter president shared that  they had elections in February. Zach is president, Tina is vise, Jennifer, Kasey melissa board. Super fun chapter meeting. Their next meeting is this Saturday March 28th. Their next meeting after that is May 23rd.
4.	Brynli the new Weber-Davis president mentioned that the chapter had a planning meeting in February. The chapter held elections in March. Brynli is president, Jerry Nealey vise, Juliet secretary, Barbie remained as treasurer, Cheralyn and Willie are on the board.
5.	Laura announced that the Spanish division has been quiet, but they have a meeting next Tuesday March 31st at 7:00 P.M.
6.	Zachary proclaimed  that their social trivia night was a lot of fun in March, they will hold a spring seminar  coming soon. Candidates who want to be elected to the student division next year must have intent and dues submitted by April 22nd to be considered.
7.	Sarah explained that the  parents had had some good meetings about braille literacy. Thoughts about literacy improvement and braille literacy were shared and some conversations started with DSBVI and in the K12 arenas. Sarah will send information to Barbie.
8.	Ned reminded everyone that Stem to you will be on May 16th at DSBVI. Tina Risner attended the training. Tina and Ned are excited to create an awesome experience for school age children grades 2 through 8  and older to learn about forensics. Send information to everyone.
9.	Karl says Tara and Tara went to Baltimore to plan for this year’s BELL academy. Utah’s Bell Academy will be June 8 through June 19th at the Millcreek USDB campus.

 

6.	State convention.

1.	Blake Moor has not confirmed that he will be there, but Jessie and David have confirmed, and they will be special guests.
2.	All meals and events will be in the same room. We will also have a smaller ballroom and 2 smaller breakout rooms.
3.	We need a piano Barbie who will make that happen.
4.	Exhibit hall is planned for 2 sessions. Human Ware Sterling Adaptive, Right turn only, Axess Technology, I got you, Blind Girl Designs, USDB, DSBVI and others will be there. It will be held twice, once on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday morning.
5.	Cheralyn, Laura, and Karm Alyn are working to get an escape room brought to the hotel for a Friday night family friendly activity. 
6.	Contact Barbie about door prices.
7.	Please contact Stefany with auction items. Chapters and divisions are encouraged to create baskets for the auctions. AIRA is donating a $500 auction item.

7.	Other business:

A.     The state of Utah has launched a new accessible pay, leave, and time entry system. Barbie said that it is accessible but not super friendly. Laura said it was frustrating for low vision users.

8.	Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 P.M.

 

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