[NFBA-Phoenix] NFB Phoenix chapter Minutes for December 7, 2024 Meeting

[Sharonda Goode]

Phoenix Chapter Minutes

12/7/2024


Location: Virtual (over Zoom) and at Saavi Services for the Blind



The National Federation of the Blind Phoenix Chapter meeting began at 9:39
AM on December 7, 2024.

Roll Call: There were at least 16 people in attendance.

President Michael Smith led us in our Pledge of allegiance as well as our
NFB pledge.

We spent time lifting up our prayer requests. And

President Smith lead us in prayer, during which time, many requests were
offered by various chapter members.



Chapter President’s Report: Much thanks was given to those who voted him
into position and the new Board was thanked for working with him. We will
continue the legacy that has begun many presidents ago. Let’s go and show
others what the Phoenix Chapter can do.



Secretary’s Report: The November 2024 meeting minutes compiled by our
previous secretary, Rachel Kuntz, were read. Vicki moved to approve the
minutes; Monica seconded.



The Treasurer’s report was given by our Treasurer, Donna Silba. Vicki moved
to approve and Monica seconded the report as read. Much discussion took
place on making sure we continue to cull donations from outside the
Chapter. We also have a $100 donation still sitting in PayPal which has not
as of yet been transferred into the Chapter.

Vicki stated that contact was made with the family of Bradey Millins.  They
would like the $60 to stay in the Phoenix chapter. Vicki motioned and Joe
seconded that $30 be posted in the Basket fund and $30 in the Christmas
fund. Both of these funds help people, and this is what Bradey was known
for.

Betty asked about the $70 donated for Emmanuel Caddy. Jordan stated that
there is a donation page on his memorial site. Monica stated that she
believes that his family requested that all donations go to ACBVI. They
will look into this.



National:

The Braille Readers are Leaders contest runs through January 22. Allison
recommended that we have a weekly Zoom braille meetup during the contest to
help encourage each others read, especially in the adult category. Beasley
agreed that this would be a great opportunity to meet up and read braille.
Allison stated that she would take this on and make it happen.

Rachel moved to host the Braille Readers are Leaders meetup each week using
the Phoenix Chapter’s Zoom. Beasley seconded.



The NFB National Scholarship deadline is March 31. Vicki discussed If you
know any students in high school and/or college, encourage them to apply
for both the National and State scholarships. For either or both
scholarships, the applicant needs to speak with our Affiliate President,
Donald Porterfield. There will be a Zoom time set up to help students,
parents, teachers, and other interested parties to help them fill out the
application fully and completely.

The Affiliate Scholarship has a deadline of May 31.



The December Presidential Release (Chapter Version) was played by Joe Goode.

The next live Release will take place on January 7 at 6:00 PM Arizona time.

Jordan announced that the Independence Market is now selling D-canes.



Legislative Update:

Nationally, Congress is wrapping up and preparing to transition to the new
Congress in January 2025. We may still be able to work with them on the
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). The NFB is trying to also
include the Transformation Integration and Employment (TIME) Act that
eliminated subminimum wage for people who are working in sheltered
workshops. Jordan will forward over an email template created by Justin
Young (NFB Government Affairs Team) for us to use in emailing our
legislators.

At Saavi, The Affiliate honored Congressman Greg Stanton on Friday November
12, for helping us by introducing legislation requiring autonomous
vehicles, such as Waymo, to be accessible. A few of our members spoke at
this celebration and we had the opportunity to experience riding in Waymo
vehicles. For  many people, this was their first time. Congressman Stanton
will re-introduce the legislation again when it comes up during the New
Year. Jessie Sharrek, another member of the NFB Government Affairs team
stated that they are pushing to have Waymo in Washington D.C.

We are still pushing to get funding for the Older Blind Bill.

Jordan was invited to be a part of the AZ Disability Advocacy Coalition.
They are working to lobby for issues concerning people with disabilities.
Jordan is working on how to tie in accessible voting  into their community
initiatives to get more people advocating on this topic, showing them that
this affects all of us.

For Phoenix Seminar, Vicki asked if we were already aware of some of our
initiatives. Jordan stated that we will be getting initiatives out to the
listserv and know our strategies as soon as the new legislature is in
session.

Kimberly stated that Sen Frank Carrol contacted her and is interested in us
putting together a luncheon so that he and other Senators can meet with us.
Jordan recommended that she give him the date of January 21.



Chapter/Committee Reports:

Membership: Vicki Farley

The membership committee met Tuesday and hopes everyone is getting calls
about regularly scheduled meetings, the Christmas party, and other events.

For dues, please zelle our Treasurer’s email,  dsilba at cox.net and follow up
with an email to notify her that you have paid your dues. When your dues
are paid, you can make motions, vote on motions, hold offices, and be on
committees. You are encouraged to maintain your active membership and
continue to participate. If you have any questions, reach out to whomever
you know in the chapter to ask.

Vicki also said that during the membership meeting, they discussed
activities to balance business with social and discussed some fun things we
can do.

Vicki recognized Rachel Kuntz for her great contributions to this Chapter.
She has worked tirelessly as Secretary as well as with  fundraising, and
outreach; she is a dynamo. Vicki stated that Rachel is an example of what
an active member looks like.

If people don’t have their membership coin, they can reach out to Vicki to
make sure they have them. Vicki suggested that next month, a list of folks
still needing their coin can be created so that she can contact National
one time on their behalf.



Outreach: President Smith

Beasley is working on the MLK March on January 20. Our goal is to have a
table at the event.

We have lots of ideas for outreach in 2025. If members have ideas of events
you would like to put forward, feel free to reach out to the President,
Beasley, or Vicki to share them.



On January 25, there will be a presentation on NFB Newsline and the Talking
Book Library at the Caesar Chavez Library from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. There will
be more information going out via the listserv about the event.



Jordan recommended that in next month’s meeting, we set a date for our
annual picnic. It can never be too early to get started on planning our
annual event. We also want to make sure we do not have the picnic during
any religious holidays.



Vicki stated that she is using her 2025 Braille calendar to put together
the framework of our meetings and events.



Beasley questioned if we have a page for our Chapter on Facebook, or
whether it was just the Affiliate. Jordan stated that our affiliate
President would rather us not have a Chapter page. However, we are able to
create a subgroup on the Affiliate page. This would be good for us to have
an online presence. Joe discussed how groups work on Facebook. Jordan
stated that this would be a great conversation to have on the Affiliate
level. If we had a central manager of the page, then the manager could help
the chapters and divisions manage their subgroups and publish their content
.



Fundraising: Betty Love

We are looking to have another social the last week of Jan or the first
week of Feb. She will get with Sharonda to start planning this event.



Social Committee: Lori Kirsop

The Christmas Party is on December 14 at the Old Spaghetti Factory. The
address is 1418 N Central. It will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Along
with great food and fellowship, there will be a gift exchange, singing
carols, an auction, music, and just a great time. Vicki will also be
reading “The Night Before Christmas.”

 Please RSVP to Lori, Betty, or Monica by Wednesday. The meal is $40/person
and cash is preferred. Your price included an entrée, dessert, drink and
tip. The next Christmas meeting is 12/12 at 7:00 PM. For kids who will need
a smaller entrée, you can order from the kid’s menu. Others with food
restrictions can order from the regular menu and pay separately.



Affiliate Divisions and Committees:

Arizona Association of Blind Students: No report.



Parents of Blind Children: Jordan and Allison

There was a discussion at the Parents’ meeting for a Toy Drive. This will
be a long-term project. Currently, there is no amazon link set up. Allison
recommended that you bring toys to the NFB Christmas party. The toys will
be donated to Toys for Tots most likely. Toys can be dropped off at Saavi
as well.



Seniors Division: Kimberly Fetterman

The new Constitution was approved at the last meeting. Now they are waiting
for the affiliate President to approve. The SB1130 bill is one that we will
advocate on at the Phoenix Seminar. Meetings are held on the fourth
Saturday at 2:00PM. Seniors have been encouraged to participate in the
holiday parties happening with the various chapters.



Technology: Joe Goode

Joe is planning to have another meeting before the end of the year to
discuss the Tech Seminar. It will be virtual and on a Saturday. The
committee will be nailing down a date.



Fundraising: Macaulay Beasley

Beasley has been appointed as the Affiliate Fundraising chair. People were
encouraged to join and participate in meetings and bring their ideas to the
table. He is wanting us to think big!



New Business:

President Smith reminded us that the Thursday before the Chapter meeting,
we have a Board meeting and all are welcome. This is when the agenda for
the meeting is put together.

January 20 is the MLK Celebration march and table. The march begins at
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and will end at Margaret T. Hance Park. We will
need $100 to get a table at the park. We will have the form filled out and
submitted by the deadline, which is January 11. If you’re interested in
working a shift (preferably a couple of hours) at the table, connect with
Beasley. Beasley made the motion to allocate $100 for a table at the Park;
Monica seconded and the motion passed.

Vicki reminded that whomever is paying for the table to submit a receipt to
Donna; and the

President should send an authorization of the expenditure to Donna so we
have record of it.



Washington Seminar is from Feb 3-6. The deadline for assistance has passed,
but you still can participate. You can listen to the Great Gathering in
either on the Alexa device or on Youtbe, as it will be livestreamed. We who
do not go in person can send letters to our legislatues.



We discussed the Chapter’s holiday tradition to pick a family in need and
give them a donation. Joe motioned that we donate $50; Cheryl seconded.
Monica recommended that we allocate $100 instead and the motion was
amended. The motion passed to allocate $100. President Smith will send the
treasurer the authorization. The money will be put on a gift and a receipt
will be sent to Donna.



The Philosophy Discussion took place with many members of the Chapter
participating.



Birthdays/Anniversaries:

Vicki highlighted the birthdays in November and December and the chapter
sang.

Vicki announced that Brad Kuhn’s chapter in Missouri is having a coffee
fundraiser using the same company we used in the Phoenix Chapter. You can
order items or give donations at the following link:

Supporter.moneydolly.com

For payments for the Christmas party, cash is recommended. However, if you
send your payment via Zelle, be sure to also send an email to Donna. Your
email will act as your receipt and Donna will reply.



The meeting was adjourned.
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