[NFBA-Phoenix] June 2024 NFB Phoenix Chapter Business Meeting Minutes

Sat Jul 20 12:07:30 UTC 2024

Note: I can't be there this morning to share the minutes. A designee will take care of this in my place. Please send revisions via email to me. Thanks Rachel

National Federation of the Blind of Phoenix Chapter Business Meeting Minutes
Part 1 Sat June 1 at 9:30 AM
Part 2, Tue June 4  at 6:30 PM

Part 1
Sat June 1 at 9:30 AM
Location- Hybrid
Saavi Services for the Blind, Phoenix
Virtual over zoom

Minutes
Call to Order: Jordan Moon, President
Roll Call: in attendance were 12 in person and 15 virtual members along with 3 guests.
The Pledge of Allegiance and NFB Pledge were recited by attendees.
Prayer requests were shared, and a moment was taken to reflect on the spoken and the unspoken needs of the community.

Presidential Message: Jordan announced that he is not seeking reelection as chapter president due to his growing family but would remain involved in the chapter and the NFB. The East Valley chapter is likely to host the state convention this year, and they have our full support.

Secretary's Report Rachel Kuntz
Business Meeting Minutes, May 2024.
Sharonda Goode moved to accept the Secretary's report as read. Mike Smith seconded. The motion carried.

Treasurer's Report  Donna Silba
June 2024
Macaulay Beasley moved to accept the Treasurer's report as read. Monica Nunez, 2nd Vice President seconded. The motion carried.
Last call to submit 2024-chapter Dues of $5 to be eligible to vote in affiliate elections in August.

Special Guest presenters: Valley Metro, Dolores Nolan, Community Relations Coordinator, Guillermo Gonzalez with Accessible Transit Services, and Barbara Paez with City of Phoenix Transit. Dolores will provide more information on the Valley Metro Accessibility Advisory Group (VMAAG) and encourage interested members to apply for representation.
Dolores introduced the Valley Metro's public transportation service updates, including the Smart Fair system and the expansion of the ride choice discounted taxi program in several locations. She emphasized that the fare structure and discounts remain the same, with purchase locations available online, in person, or at various locations throughout the area. Dolores also announced the upcoming release of a reloadable copper card, which will be available at numerous retail locations and online. She clarified that cash would still be an option. The public input period for proposed October transit service changes is May 6 to June 7.
Delores announced the Ride Choice program is expanding into several local cities including Phoenix. It is an on-demand ride service that includes taxis, Uber, or Lyft. Phase one for Phoenix will consolidate four alternative transportation groups and begins on July 1, 2024 for those already approved for one of the alternative transportation services. On July 1, anyone approved for mobility services can contact Barbara to get added to a wait list to be phased into the ride choice program.
The chapter addressed concerns about communication methods for the waitlist and the need for updated contact information.
Dolores emphasized the importance of advocacy in influencing city council decisions regarding budget allocation.
Barbara will oversee the transition of the Ride Choice program for the City of Phoenix Valley Metro, join the waitlist starting July 1, 2024, to secure a spot for when the Ride choice program becomes available to the second phase of mobility users.
Jordan raised concerns about the accessibility issues faced by blind customers, particularly with bus drivers and the Paratransit application. Joy Haris criticized the lengthy travel times for the dial a ride service.
Jordan noted a lack of adequate representation.
Guillermo discussed the importance of keeping the metro mobility staff updated and the need to send complaints to the correct department for resolution. No specific actions were assigned to address these issues.
Jordan suggested evaluating the Paratransit application and advocating for change if issues with the application process persist, members will follow up with a formal complaint to Valley Metro, being specific about the problems encountered.

National & Affiliate Updates
Presidential Release Recap: May, 2024.
Jordan noted that President Mark Riccobono asked members to reassure those concerned about LGBTQ discrimination that they will be treated with respect at all of our events. There are convention mentors for first timers and to encourage everyone to donate $25 to win a Monarch.

Chapter Committee Reports
Membership: Vicki Farley and Kris Crawley, Co-Chairs
Jordan Thank Monica Nunez for her long-time service as co-chair. She is going to help support across the social and membership committees by keeping people in the loop with phone calls and checking in on people.
Kris Crawley will join Vicki Farley in chairing the membership committee.
Jordan mentioned the chapter will follow the national leadership guide for adding in new members.
Prospective members will experience a full meeting before getting voted in at the end of the meeting and the pledge will be recited followed by the one-minute message said by all attendees.
Brian Dulude suggested that repeating the pledge may not be comfortable or feasible for some people to do in the moment and suggested that the pledge be read by the President/designee but not repeated by the perspective member. They could be asked to affirm the pledge after it is read. This was endorsed by everyone at the meeting.
Jordan noted that assistance is available for those that cannot pay annual dues themselves. Don't let the money stand in the way of participating in the chapter.
Potential members,  Fern Gold, Alonzo Cuellar, and Yvette Alowonle introduced themselves to the chapter.

Fundraising: Betty Love, Chair
Buy popcorn, great fundraiser and the bags are resealable and team up to split the shipping cost. The chapter may participate in the fudge sales after the heat breaks this fall. We Secretary will send the details to the members. Betty suggests adding the popcorn link to a text message and sending it to anyone you know. They can order from anywhere in the US.
We can also call the popcorn company to order. Plan to meet this week to discuss other fundraising ideas for the chapter.

New Business
Sharonda moved to hold part 2 of the agenda on Tues June 4 at 6:30 PM over Zoom. Betty seconded. The Motion carried.

Rachel invited anyone to attend the virtual affiliate fundraising meeting to discuss ideas for fundraising to help with convention.
Macaulay is the point person for the chapter to collect convention Door prize and auction items.
Kim hobs asked if her items were used previously as she did not hear them announced. Rachel explained items are typically bundled into large collections and sometimes each individual item may not have been shared allowed but each item is distributed out to people by the end of convention.

New Member Initiation Ceremony
Jordan recited the NFB pledge. Yvette , Fern, and Alonzo affirmed its message.
Mike moved to accept  Yvette , Fern, and Alonzo as members of the chapter. Macauley seconded. The motion carried.
Welcome to the chapter each of you!
The NFB 1-Minute message was recited by all attendees.

Announcements
Jordan thanked Joe Goode for getting zoom going and announced that the tech committee report will now fall under the affiliate chapter and committee reports section.
Kim Fetterman announced that she filled out the Valley Metro Accessibility Group application and could do that easily but did have accessibility challenges with a form she filled out earlier this year and plans to send a report into valley metro asap.
Many moved to adjourn. The motion carried.
Lunch at Olive Garden

Part 2
Tue June 4  at 6:30 PM
Location-Virtual

Part 2 Minutes
Call to Order: Jordan Moon, President
Roll Call 12 members in attendance over zoom.
The Pledge of Allegiance and NFB Pledge were recited by attendees.

National & Affiliate Updates
Presidential Release Recap: May, 2024.
Joe Goode reflected on what the convention represents to attendees and members. Jordan invited people to check out becoming an IEP advocate by taking part in future training opportunities. A Discussion was held about the fee for virtual convention and using the ap to navigate the agenda.

Legislative: Jordan reports that the NFB of AZ is working to increase the funding for the older blind program. We are working with a lobbyist to get the funding through a different route.
Jordan is checking into having a rep from the board of elections to attend a future chapter meeting.

Nationally, the federal aviation bill was passed which enforces that across-the-board accessibility is required like inflight entertainment and booking a flight. It specifies requirements for training in the airport and airlines when working with disabilities. Includes a move toward streamlined service animal registration process to improve service.
Source America and the NFB submitted a letter requesting passage of the Time Act. This is a major step forward.

Chapter Committee Reports
Outreach: Mike Smith, Chair
Mike described the BELL program and its significance. Several members were in attendance for lunch, and we provided Taco Bell and Vanilla Ice Cream with toppings. We left them full of sugar induced energy. Mike especially enjoyed discussing Star Wars and anime with the kids.

Social: Lori Kirsop, Chair
Lori was not present to give the report. Stay tuned for the meeting in July.

Affiliate Division and Committee updates.
Senior Division Kim Fetterman and Cheryl Susunkewa reported that the next meeting will be over zoom and the division is growing.
Tech committee Joe Goode is going to have a meeting to plan the affiliate tech seminar. stay tuned for his post on the list serv and send ideas to him. one topic on the agenda is AI. Kim Hobs suggested a terminology hand-out to help people understand tech language.
Convention Fundraising , Macaulay Beasley is the contact person for our chapter for the collection of door prize and auction items. Reach out to him for a copy of the donation letter.

New Business
Chapter Board Meeting, third Thur. each month at 7 PM.
Affiliate quarterly board meeting Aug. 10, at 9:30 AM
National Convention, July 3-8.
Reminder: Phoenix chapter Business meeting will be virtual Sat. July 13 at 9:30 AM.

NFB AZ Affiliate convention (August 22-25) at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Consider staying at the hotel even if you live in town.
Reach out to Sharonda Goode if you need help with the registration process. Pre-Registration $25 , Registration is $30 at convention.
Donate  Door Prizes and Auction Items, Sponsors are needed, and volunteer during convention.

Sharonda moved to renew the chapter Zoom license for one year at $159.90. Mike seconded. The Motion carried.

Philosophy Discussion: What can we learn from blind children?
Responses included celebrating their joy/laughter, their fearlessness, authenticity, that they are okay with themselves, blindness is normal/no big deal, resilient, strong, do what they feel, behave like other kids, demonstrate how to have a good relationship with others, and want to learn.

Announcements
Chapter fundraising join the upcoming virtual meeting to discuss reaching the $2000 annual goal.
Birthday - reminder to sing happy birthday to Joy Harris at the next chapter meeting.
Attendees recited the NFB one-minute Message.
Moved to adjourn.

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