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<p class="MsoNormal">NFB of AZ Phoenix Chapter Business Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sat., May 6, 2023 9:30 AM<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Location- Hybrid<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In-Person - SAAVI Services for the Blind, Phoenix<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Virtual over Zoom<o:p></o:p></p>
<h1>MEETING Minutes<o:p></o:p></h1>
<h2>Call to Order-Michael Smith, 1<sup>st</sup> Vice President<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Roll Call: eighteen members in attendance and two guests. <b>
<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt">Attendees participated in the Pledge of Allegiance, NFB Pledge, and the NFB One-Minute Message. Prayers were offered by meeting participants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Presidential Report-Mike likes the work we are doing. Continue to grow and gain experience. He hopes that we continue to be a place of hope for others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Secretary’s Report Rachel Kuntz, Secretary, - Business Meeting Minutes, March, and April 2023. Rachel was not at the meeting. Donna Silba moved to postpone reading of the minutes until available. Monica Nunez seconded. The motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Treasurer’s Report – Donna Silba, Treasurer, May 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monica moved to accept the treasurers report as read. Jenny Kasl seconded. The motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Presidential Release 527 May 2, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monica, Board Member reported that Affiliate President, Donald Porterfield is now the chair of the National Resolutions Committee. Room rates for the convention in Houston were given. Betty Love noted that pre-registration ends May 31.
She recommended getting this done to save time and money. Virtual attendees can register for free.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Legislative Report National/affiliate<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark Feliz, Affiliate Board Member, spoke about both transit bills in the state legislature. The transit committee is against both bills that are being considered. The transit board wants funding to be at 40.5 percent and non-transit related
projects removed from bills. It’s crucial to write letters and contact the state legislature to make your thoughts known.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Membership Committee -New Member Welcome -Vicki Hodges and Monica Nunez, Co-Chairs<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The committee is going to call people one week before the chapter meeting. Be sure to update contact information. Sheryl Susunkewa and Sharonda Goode joined the committee. Vicki reports that they will meet Tuesday May 6 at 6 PM to formulate
the plan for making calls. Vicki will be evaluating the NFB membership portal. Our national office is working to resolve the requirement to have an email to log into the portal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fundraising Committee -Betty Love, Chair<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Betty reported that the popcorn bags will contain six cups of popped corn. The prices for the product have not changed and we will sell them at national and state convention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Outreach Committee: Rachel, Chair-No Report<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Social Committee: Joy Harris, Chair<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joy reported that our picnic was a success. She got feedback from some that the burgers were overcooked, and the hot dogs were undercooked. Overall, it was valuable feedback. Many people expressed appreciation to Jay for bringing Popeye’s
chicken.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Technology Committee-Joe Goode, Chair<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joe reported that the free conference line is ready, and he will reach out to the secretary to determine the next steps to getting the minutes available to be read. He is looking for ideas for the technology seminar. New committee members
are welcome. They will meet once a month.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">State Division and committee updates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ashley Moon reported that this summer there will be an IEP seminar and a STEM to you program. Stay tuned for more details. BELL registration is open. BELL starts Memorial Day and lasts two weeks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><o:p> </o:p></h2>
<h2>New Business<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Affiliate Quarterly Board Meeting, Virtual, May 13, 2023 at 9:30 AM<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">White Cane Week-May 15-21<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark F. invited us to attend the East Valley Chapter Walk May 15<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vicki is researching a history of White Cane week. She will hold a seminar over zoom during White Cane Week, Thursday, May 18 at 7 PM.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sharonda moved that we hold a seminar on the history of White Cane Week. Rodney Fletcher seconded. The motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BELL Program-May 29 to June 9 in Phoenix and Tucson-Ashley suggested that volunteers reach out to either Amy Porterfield, Affiliate Bell Coordinator or the Phoenix coordinator, Haris Vela.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sharonda offered to help anyone who needs assistance taking the Maricopa County Public Health’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment .
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Convention-volunteer for the Affiliate table-email <a href="mailto:rachelrkuntz@gmail.com">
rachelrkuntz@gmail.com</a> or call Rachel at 937-245-0547<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Request affiliate support to attend convention by emailing Donald. Volunteering is expected. Donna noted that no one ever receives all expenses paid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A thoughtful discussion was held about, “What does the white cane mean to you? What has changed in your perception of the white cane since you first began using it compared to how you feel about it now? The cane has much significance and
words like freedom, part of me, independence, pride, helps me get where I want to go, tells me what I want to know were used consistently by many members. The journey in using a cane for some using the cane began with some embarrassment and progressed to a
realization that the cane helped them to live the life they want. Mike had a good analogy. He likens the strength of our movement to the song 10,000 fists in the air by Disturbed to the power of the sound that 10,000 canes on the ground make when we gather
to advocate. Mark noted that it doesn’t’ matter what type of cane we use as long as we use one. Ashley and Vicki reminded us that our freedom and use of the cane is due to the blind people who fought for our right to use them in public on our own terms.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Announcements -Cindy Garfio is a college graduate!<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Birthdays/Anniversaries were celebrated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Rachel Kuntz</span></div><div>937.245.0547 cell</div><div>Rachelrkuntz@gmail.com</div><div><br></div><div>Live the life you want. Blindness is not what holds you back. </div></div></body></html>