<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>National Federation of the Blind</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Phoenix Chapter Meeting Minutes for</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">April 4, 2025</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Location: Virtual (over Zoom) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The meeting over Zoom began at 9:35 a.m.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Approximately 17 members and guests were in attendance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Both the Pledge of Allegiance and the NFB pledge were
recited. Members shared prayer requests, and President Michael Smith led the
group in prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Secretary\u2019s Report</b><br>
Sharonda read the report. Vicki moved, and Joe seconded. With no further
discussion, the minutes were adopted as read.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Treasurer\u2019s Report</b><br>
Donna presented the treasurer\u2019s report.<br>
The coffee fundraiser raised $491. Donna proposed sharing $245 with the
affiliate. Betty motioned to give $250 to the affiliate, and Sharonda seconded.
Vicki noted that this motion is a formality under affiliate policy. Donna
explained that if the affiliate sees the funds will help members attend
convention, we are often allowed to keep the money.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Beasley suggested looking into a debit card for the chapter.
Vicki clarified that game night income is not subject to the 50/50 policy.
Donna reported she had not received the $30 sent through Square; Sharonda will
follow up with Joanne to ensure the funds are deposited. During the meeting,
Sharonda also sent Donna the $250 collected from the March game night.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>President\u2019s Comments</b><br>
President Smith expressed his excitement for strong attendance at next week\u2019s
picnic.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>National and Affiliate Updates</b><br>
Registration for the National Convention is now open, with a $25 registration
fee. Members were encouraged to book hotel accommodations soon; the Marriott is
the main hotel, with the Sheraton as the overflow. Betty shared the
registration link: NFB.org/convention.<br>
No affiliate updates were reported.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Legislative Report</b><br>
Amy, Kim, and several seniors attended the hearing for SB1130 (the ILB funding
bill), which is now in negotiations. Jordan encouraged members to continue
calling legislators to ask for co-sponsorship.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The Presidential Release was played during the meeting.<br>
Advocacy updates included:</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">HR1529,
the Accessible Technology Affordability Act, now has 15 co-sponsors.
Members were encouraged to continue advocacy efforts.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The
Texas vs. Kennedy case poses a threat to protections under Section 504.
Members in the 17 states involved were urged to advocate against the
lawsuit, and members in other states were encouraged to reach out and ask
those states to withdraw.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">President Smith reminded everyone of the upcoming deadlines:</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">State
scholarship applications are due May 31.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Jernigan
Scholarship applications for first-time convention attendees are due April
15.</li>
</ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Committee Reports</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Membership</b> (Monica)<br>
Beverly Smith, Kevin James, and Justin Pierce expressed interest in joining the
chapter. A motion to welcome them was made by Sharonda and seconded by Monica.
The new member ceremony was postponed for the May meeting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Outreach</b><br>
Joe, Monica, Beasley, and Sharonda shared their experiences using the OneCourt
device, which will soon be available for purchase. The devices will be
accessible for basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. Suns fans can
request them at guest services.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Fundraising</b><br>
No report was given. The picnic raffle will feature three prizes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Social Committee</b> (Lori)<br>
Game night raised $300. Plans are underway for a karaoke event in May at Ain\u2019t
Nick\u2019s Tavern, 6840 N 27th Ave, Phoenix (602-242-2345).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Joy made a motion to allocate $75 for the BELL program;
after discussion, the amount was increased to $100. Sharonda and Betty
seconded.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Transportation Updates</b> (Monica)<br>
Dial-a-Ride accounts will now auto-renew. Justin reported that RideChoice will
expand starting in July. To get on the waitlist, call 602-716-2200.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>PAC Plan</b><br>
No updates were provided.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Philosophy Discussion</b><br>
Mike shared song lyrics: \u201cDon\u2019t look back; move forward; find something you can
move towards; don\u2019t look back,\u201d and asked members to reflect on how these words
relate to Federation work.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Announcements</b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>SkillsUp</b>
is a 12-week training program for college students. Contact Beasley for
details.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>BELL</b>
is a two-week day program for preschool through eighth grade, focused on
Braille and other skills, with strong blind leadership and mentorship.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Adjournment</b><br>
The meeting was adjourned at 12:16 p.m.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Respectfully Submitted,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sharonda Goode, Secretary </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p><div><br></div></div>