[NFBA-Tucson] April 2023 meeting minutes and outreaching meeting tomorrow night

[Tarik Williams]

Hello everyone,

Here are the minutes for our April board meeting. Thank you to our
wonderful secretary for taking these. As a reminder the outreaching meeting
was rescheduled and will be tomorrow April 19th at 7pm. Hope to see you all
there via zoom!

Topic: Community Outreach and Planning Meeting
Time: Apr 19, 2023 07:00 PM Arizona

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87424859202?pwd=V2s4dERHZkM1WXhtdFBteC9PZGR3QT09

Best,

Tarik Williams
Tucson Chapter President
Arizona Affiliate Membership Chair
Arizona Affiliate Board Member
570-807-9932
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National Federation of the Blind, Tucson Chapter
Minutes for the Meeting of April 1, 2023


The meeting was called to order at 1:06 PM.

There were approximately 15 people attending in-person and three attending via Zoom.

• New attendees were introduced and enthusiastically welcomed. 


• The March, 2023 minutes were read and approved.


• A motion was passed to table the treasurer’s report once again due to the treasurer’s injury several months ago. Appointing multiple signatories to the bank accounts is still pending.


• Trent Mcallister explained his current research and advocacy work on public transit. He explained that cars are prioritized over public transit in urban planning and that self-driving cars are a short-term solution because they simply put more cars on the road promoting irresponsible environmental policy. Transit options in the rural part of the county are limited. In the discussion that followed, it was pointed out that car culture contributes to the diminishment of public spaces as mechanisms for social cohesion and that sub-standard driving practices with no consequences contribute to pedestrian loss of life. The importance of representation during transit planning processes in the county was emphasized and that the transit committee should be re-created. Trent will be involved in this committee as well as others from the chapter. 


• Tarik announced that the outreach committee will meet on Wednesday April 12 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. This committee will plan outreach events including the movie night. This meeting is open to all.


• The philosophy session focused on what we think of when we hear the word “blind”. Thoughts included that we often detect environmental deficiencies sooner and more comprehensively than sighted people, that we experience the world differently and that we use alternative methods and strategies to get things done. Clear examples were given. It was mentioned that there is a legal definition of blindness which sometimes differs from the functional definition. 


• Legislative report: Bob said that the bill to provide regular funding for ASDB has been delayed. The portion of the bill that would open the school to students with non-sensory disabilities was dropped. The school serves 2100 students in both residential and community-based settings. The details of the nuanced dynamics around this bill were discussed.


• Picnic: About 30 to 40 people attended the picnic. All volunteers were thanked for their time and work on making this event a success. It was mentioned that next year it will be easier to hold this event at a time that does not conflict with the various religious Fasting requirements of the members. Mariana was thanked for facilitating the collaboration of the student division with the chapter on a number of aspects of the event.


• Membership coins have not been received by several people. Tarik will ask the national office about when they can be expected. Members who have not received their membership coin should inform Tarik.


• The state convention will take place in Phoenix this year. There are several committees being developed that members can join and interested people should contact Jordan Moon. The convention will take place in either the last week of August or first week of September.  


• The national convention will take place from July 1-6 in Houston. The deadline for those interested in applying for the Jernigan scholarship for first-time attendees is in May. The Muslim Division will hold a convention resources session on July 3 at 5:00 PM. It was suggested that those attending the convention consider using Hobby Airport in order to reduce Uber costs to the downtown location of the convention.


• A motion was passed for the chapter to pay for one of the lunches for the BELL Academy program in the amount of $100.00. 


• Barbara said that the accessible voting machines will be available at the Tucson Society for the Blind meeting on April 11 at 9:30 AM. Barbara also mentioned that there are many topics covered by the Hadley School for the Blind including using Amazon’s Alexa. More information is available at hadley.edu.



The meeting was adjourned at 2:54 PM.


Submitted by Jean Parker, Secretary