[NFB-Utah] June 2026 board meeting minutes

Mon Jun 15 19:43:45 UTC 2026

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF UTAH

june 2025

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, June 10, 7:30 – 8:56 PM.

One motion was made and passed. At national convention,  Utah will give $2,500. $250 sun fund. $250 Journigan fund.  $1000 white cane fund. $1,000 Tenbroek fund.

Minutes

1.	Roll call:

Everette Bacon:                          President:                       present

Cheralyn  Johnson:    1st Vise President:       Not present

Karl Smith:                      2nd Vise President:      Excused 

Mark Turley:                   Treasurer:                       Present

Barbie Elliott:                Secretary:                       present

Laura Vincent:                             board Member:            Not present

Kenn Duke:                    board Member:            present

Ned Lindholm:                            Board Member:            present

Willie Black:                   Board Member:            Present

Jessie Kramer:                             Board Member:            Late

The public was invited, 25 participants including board members were present.

2.	Vote on funds for national Convention:

A. Some discussion was had about giving less to the Journigan fund since we give our people a stipend to attend convention and most states can’t do that, and mostly we don’t have Jarnigan scholarships from Utah.

B. Kenn made the motion, and willie seconded it that we would give $250 sun fund. $250 Journigan fund.  $1000 white cane fund. $1,000 Tenbroek fund.

C. The motion passed unanimously.

3.	Youth engagement appointee:

The 10th anniversary of youth slam will be another youth slam activity. President Ricobono wants a youth engagement leader from every state. Everette proposed Kasey Reyes.

4.	Scholarship applicants from Utah:

There were some great choices from Utah. This year Zachary Ledford was chosen as a national finalist from Utah. Congratulations!!

5.	Ken Duke request about the NFB portal:

Kenn would like someone from each chapter to participant in the EZ texting and NFB portal for making communication more universally effective across the affiliate. Have each chapter president appoint someone from the chapter trained in how to use the tools. Have the president’s appointee’s name given to Kenn by Monday.

6.	National news:

A.	National convention in person and virtual. Please turn receipts and banquet tickets to Everette for stipends. Mark would like everything to him before the 19th if you wanted money before convention.
B.	Give 25 Aira will match up to $25000. 4 people donate their name to be put in a drawing for an evolve. A guide explaining it for states and individuals is attached to these minutes.
C.	For those who donate money to the museum, there will be national recognition.
D.	Donated services hours are low this year. If you are missing donated time, please add your time and fill out the form.
E.	Independence market will be closed for convention between June 24 through July 14 for phone orders, you can still order online.
F.	NFB is sewing the federal government. NFB  and Democracy Forward are sewing regarding department of Justice and title II.

7.	State convention:

Everette is looking at holding convention in April 2027. Not LDS General conference weekend, or Easter weekend. If anyone has reasons not to have it on one of the other Saturdays in April let him know.

8.	PUBLIC comment:

Jessie wants to know who to contact for service hours. If you are missing any months, contact Belinda Hooks.

Milt is excited about youth slam and says Utah valley used EZ texting in the past.

Jessie is selling puffed braille for the deaf blind division. Tea shirts are $25. You can order online or by Jessie directly. Jessie is going early to Austin and is inviting anyone who wants to join them to contact her.

Ulvia made a mistake with her flights for convention and may or may not be attending, she let Everette know.

9.	Reports from chapters, divisions, groups, Bell Academy

Kirt says Utah valley watched inside out outside in Kirt’s back yard for their May activity. Their June chapter meeting on zoom, July is convention. Students also joined the movie night in May.

Jessie says They had a hybrid meeting in June. Matthew will be leaving in August; they are looking for a treasurer. Hoping to plan a meeting in July because very few are attending convention. BEAM will be attending fairs and activities that are piggy backed somewhere where more publicity is possible, either senior games or something else might be good.

Northern Utah Chapter

Ned said they met outside in May. They talked about inaccessible websites. June 27th will be a hybrid meeting on zoom and at DSBVI. Talking about travel tips and convention. July 25th will be their annual convention recap meeting at DSBVI. August will be a summer barbecue on August 22nd, but more details are coming soon.

Kasey says students are having fun. The national association highlighted Utah in their newsletter. Zachary is helping his new board learn NFB philosophy. June game night was super fun. No meetings in August. Annual hike with students on August 21st.

Ned said that Science without Sight had double the students this year with 7 students, not sure how they did it with 3.5 students last year ha-ha. It was a hands extraction of residue. They used a ph. meter to learn about chemistry and acidity. Then, they made molds of tools the way sometimes molds of tires, or other things are made to help solve crimes. Kids had some good fun learning experiences and it was a successful activity.

Ulvia says that the Spanish division met on zoom on May 26th to talk about mental health awareness month and physical activity. They may or may not meet for banquet. They will meet as a board on July 28th to plan future activities and talk about finding employment or talk about voting. There is a national survey about participating in voting for Spanish speakers.

James says that BELL Academy is going well. So far they have had 10 students this week and they will have 15 students next week. There will be a field trip this Friday called Christmas in June going to a store, picking out fun gifts using Aira at a store and having a gift exchange. Mark wants to make sure all employees including the new ones will submit a tax form.

Sarah says that the parent’s group is still going strong. USDB Advisory council has several openings. Advisory council recommended $8500 towards salaries, and USDB asked for 150,000. The board went with USDB’s recommendation. Sarah wants more blind adult advocates to get involved.

10.	Other business and Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM.

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