[NFBA-Phoenix] August 5, 2023 NFB of AZ Phoenix Chapter Business Meeting Minutes

Sat Sep 9 04:58:14 UTC 2023

NFB of AZ Phoenix Chapter Business Meeting Minutes
Sat., August 5, 2023 9:30 AM
Location Hybrid
Saavi Services for the Blind and virtual over zoom

Minutes
Call to Order-Jordan Moon, President
Roll Call 19 members and 5 guests in attendance.
Attendees participated in the Pledge of Allegiance, NFB Pledge, and the NFB One-Minute Message. A moment of silence was taken, and prayers were offered  by participants.

Presidential Report Jordan. Jordan complimented the chapter for the hard work we are doing in preparation for the convention.
Secretary's Report Rachel Kuntz, Secretary, - Business Meeting Minutes, July 2023.
Mike Smith, 1st Vice President, moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Vicki Farley, Board Member, seconded. The motion carried.
Treasurer's Report - Donna Silba, Treasurer, August 2023
Rachel Kuntz, Secretary, moved to accept the minutes as read. Monica Nunez, 2nd Vice President, seconded. The motion carried.
Jordan mentioned that we raise money in order to do the work of our movement.

Presidential Release Aug. 2023
Macaulay Beasley spoke about the year long leadership training opportunity.
Called the Jernigan Leadership Academy. To be eligible there are a few things to complete such as getting two Affiliate Presidents to make a recommendation and to write a letter .
Jordan noted that National President Mark A. Riccobono plans to meet Dan O'Rourke at one of the stops along the route 66 fundraising effort. Dan gave a shout out to our Flagstaff group for making him feel at home.
Mike s. noted that we continue to combat discrimination when using ride share aps.
Affiliate president Donald Porterfield mentioned that we should file a report with the Department of Justice website and keep a copy. Then send the details of the instance of discrimination to legal at nfb.org<mailto:legal at nfb.org>.
Donald suggested that we take a screen shot of the uber trip when the driver is getting close.
Jordan has been denied a ride in the past because of holding his cane.
Vicki keeps the text message alerts until her ride has completed.
Donald says that covering the seats is not in compliance with the law.
Kimberly Hobs is a former dog guide user and suggested that we read about the law. The owner is responsible for keeping the dog groomed.
Donald noted that the ADA Law is very clear on when the dog guide is and is not permitted. We are past the point of discussion with them and now we are in the place where we should be filing discrimination complaints with the Department of Justice.
Jordan mentioned that we should complete the national convention survey to provide feedback at survey.nfb.org/convention. it is available in English and Spanish.
The next national convention will be in Orlando, Fl from July 3 to 8, 2024 at the Rosen Convention Hotel.

Legislative Report National/affiliate
Jordan spoke about the town hall Uber held in July to listen to our concerns. The next one is going to be in August.
Title ii for online accessibility, notice of proposed rulemaking is out for review and comments.
Mark A. Riccobono  gave testimony at a congressional hearing  for the energy and commerce committee. The topic discussed was autonomous vehicles. We can watch it by going to YouTube. His testimony is found at the 47-minute mark and blindness was the only disability group represented at the hearing.

Membership Committee -New Member Welcome -Vicki Farley and Monica Nunez, Co-Chairs
Monica invited guests who wanted to become members to let us know a little about themselves.
TP Lucas mentioned that this is his first year of traveling without the aid of a walker or wheelchair. He is a Stand-Up Comic and is on a break to obtain blindness skills from Saavi. He Has a lot of material.
Rachel moved to accept TP Lucas as a member. Mike S. seconded. The motion carried.
Vicki reported that they have sent a list of 37 members to the affiliate, and they are now eligible to vote at the state convention. She noted that a quorum for our chapter meetings is now nine members.
Vicki would like the following details from members, name, birth month and day, home address, phone, and email. National office is reworking the member portal. Hopefully they will be able to roll it out on Sept 1. Members will be able to access their own membership portal. New members will get a welcome packat.
Technology Committee-Joe Goode, Chair
Donald asked Joe to chair the affiliate Technology Committee
Joe noted that Kris Crawley, Kim Fetterman, Barbara Jones, and Sharonda Goode have been meeting regularly to put the Affiliate Tech seminar together.
Fundraising Committee -Betty Love, Chair
Betty has been setting up the popcorn fundraiser for the convention and the online order plans.
The online order option will open the weekend of state convention. Flavor options are white cheddar, caramel, chocolate churro, and jalapeno cheddar.  $8 per bag at convention.
Monica moved to add $20 additional funds for popcorn. Desiree Morales seconded. The motion carried.
Betty asked that we send the link for ordering to people that we know since it can be shipped anywhere in the US. Betty will let Donna and Jordan know about the plan for payment.
Outreach Committee: Rachel, Chair-
Rachel did not have a report.
Beasley  mentioned that he went to a first Friday event downtown and was encouraged to check out options to have a resource table during BEAM.
Social Committee: Joy Harris, Chair
Joy was not present. Lori Kirsop gave an update on the locations for the holiday party. She called many locations and found that they were too expensive or could not hold our group. She is going to look more closely at the spaghetti factory.
Lori is willing to help communicate with people in regard to the collection of door prizes and auction items.
Mark Feliz, Auction Committee Chair, mentioned that the more he knows ahead of time the better.
Cheryl Susanqua mentioned that she is donating an original painting.
Host Committee Report, Mike Smith, Chair
Mike S. reports that they are working closely with the student division. They are planning a talent show. To enter, fill out the form on the az.nfb.org website. The hospitality dinner will be pinwheels and other snack items. Kim F. volunteered to purchase the pinwheels.
The hospitality room will have Chompy's bagels thanks to Lori and other breakfast items will be donated.
They are also working on the center pieces.
Route 66 Ride for literacy report  Jordan and others in attendance said that it was a great time.
Mike S. said that it was very nice, and they did not want to come home. We can follow dan O'Rourke on Facebook. Dan has federation spirit. His Dad had RP and he still lived the life he wanted. He was a very normal father. Dan is a very humble and nice guy.
dan said he now understands the difference between of and for the blind.

State Division and committee updates
Ashleigh Moon invited people to attend or volunteer for the STEM 2U program and the IEP learning seminar to be held on August 19.

New Business
Rachel moved to renew the zoom account at $150 for the year. Sharonda seconded. The motion carried.
State Convention: August 24 to 27 at Hyatt Phoenix Downtown
The theme is "The movement: We are the center." This was a common thread of the national banquet speech. Education of society and the blind peoples movement must stem from us.
Sharonda, Registration Chair, mentioned that registration will go up to $30 after august 10 and to reach out to her with questions. Right now, registration is $25, $20 for the plated lunch, $15 for the boxed lunch, and $50 for the banquet. She can help you get registered but will not pay for your registration.
Room rates start at $109 per night for doubles plus taxes.
Rachel moved to contribute $50 to be used for state convention door prizes. Mike S. seconded. The motion carried.
Jordan moved to allocate up to 150 to cover host committee expenses. Monica seconded. The motion carried.

Jordan reminded people that August 15 is the last day to request help covering state convention expenses from the chapter.
Donna moved to hold the September business meeting on the second sat in sept. Rachel seconded. The motion carried.

Affiliate quarterly board meeting Aug. 12 at 9:30 AM Virtual
Rookie Roundup Aug. 20 4:00 PM
Blind Equality Achievement Month Oct.

Philosophy Discussion: The importance of Braille: Is it still relevant? Why? Lead By Monica
Monica remarked that she uses Braille in her everyday life. She uses it on her microwave and measuring cups.
Vicki said she struggled at first with print and it got more difficult as her RP progressed. Vicki looked forward to learning Braille from dr. Jernigan.
Digital tools often don't pronounce words properly and it doesn't give the necessary number of details needed for things like recipes, prescription information, and more.
Mike S. mentioned that he is learning to play the guitar and included Braille to enable him to know the different frets.
Jenny Kasl reported that she appreciates the free Braille Reader from the Talking Book Library. It can be used as a Bluetooth keyboard connection to your phone.
Braille is not going anywhere because print is not going anywhere.
Joe found that the smaller Braille Reader enabled him to read faster.
Mike S. was proud to find that First Watch had a Braille menu.
Jenny said that a student made a Braille menu for the Thai restaurant by the old Saavi location near 40 St and E Thomas. The membership thought it would be good to eat they're after a future chapter meeting.

Announcements
The Moons are expecting a new family member in January.
August birthdays included Betty, Rachel, and Scott.
TP invited people to attend his gig next month.
Rachel moved to adjourn. Monica seconded. Motion carried.

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