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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is our minutes for the April 2020 meeting. We would like to thank Racquel Decipeda for doing the recordings for the conference calls. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you have any additions and/or correction, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Otherwise, hope to hear you at our Chapter conference call this Saturday, May 9. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep safe. Be healthy and stay home.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sheila Marie B.C.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cell: 818-404-7646 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter Secretary <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>April, 2020 Chapter Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of California <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>San Fernando Valley Chapter <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. Began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the NFB Pledge and the 1 minute message. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Question for the day: Mention One thing that you’ve been doing to keep yourself occupied during this time of “stay at home”. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In attendance: 26 attendees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1 guest and 25 members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Nancy and John Albarran, Julian Vargas, Jaymee Castillo, Betsy Estrada, Rochelle Yohai, Sharon Watson, Joe O’toole, Racquel Decipeda, Keith Cabala, Anthony Melena, Jane Suh, Juanita Herrera - Vice President, Malik - Treasurer, Ron Hilliard - Member-At-Large, David and Valerie <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Delawder, <u><span style='color:blue'>Tiffany Johnson-guest , Candace Luther, Portia Mason, Karen Elo, Joy Stigile, Lynne Nishihara, </span></u>Lindsay Kerr, Sheila Biglang-awa - Secretary and Robert Stigile - President. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Announcements: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Julian has been working on a page out of his website that is dedicated to keeping a running list of useful resources to deal with covid19/coronavirus for blind and low vision people. It has important items such as NFB page, ACB page and other agencies. He also put links directly to Social Security and IRS to deal with the economic impact payments because a lot of people have questions. He also added the information that Lynne had sent out on the list serve about the emergency / critical deliveries of the County’s offering with it’s brief synopsis, phone number as well as the fact sheet that you can download. He also added webinars of Humanware and HIMMS, a link of Freedom Scientific. They are temporary giving a software making it available to be used for learning at home and working at home. It has even information about food delivery, groceries and entertainment where you can get information on program with audio description that are available on TV, DVD or Internet. To see all these, go to his website at <a href="http://www.techjv.%20%20com">www.techjv. com</a> and look for the link that says covid19/coronavirus resources. If anyone have things that you think that should be in the site that might be useful, you can find a link on that page that links to his email address and you can send him the information so he can post the updates on his site. He will keep this going for the duration of the restrictions due to the Corona virus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joe shared an ap information called OTTER. It’s a recorder and it also translates text from the recordings. For those who may be using Zoom, you can actually link your Otter account to any Zoom meetings. They give you 600 hours free a month. Then you have to pay after consuming the free 600 hours recording time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joy announced that the Braille Institute Library budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year has drastically been cut by the State of California. She will be sending out an email to our Chapter’s list serve about how you can help either by sending an email to a website that will let Governor Gavin Newsom know you are actively using the library and it will really hinder your future or by text. If you all will take a minute or so to read through the email about the budget cuts that I am going to send to you that will be appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert talked about the Critical Delivery Service Program. It is a service where senior citizens and people with disability can use for groceries, household items and other necessities. Lynne actually posted it on our list serve. You can only order or do scheduling of groceries between 8 and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The delivery is 24/7.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>His next announcement is about the NFB of California list serve, as well as the National membership list and that he would encourage all to sign up for the list. Things have been changing on a daily basis and they are posting the information immediately. To sign up for either list, go to nfbnet.org and select list serv. You can actually sign up for any list serve. Robert will help you to walk you through with the process. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>His next announcement is that a member of the Bakersfield Chapter is making mask. Each is between $6 or $7. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> If you are interested, you can send an email to the Chapter President Veronica Martinez. Put your information in and how many mask you need. Her email is </span><a href="mailto:veronica38martinez@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>veronica38martinez@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next thing that Robert announced if you are interested to hangout in our Chapters fun phone line on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. We just hang-out since we can’t get together and talk, ask questions /or answer anything about guide dogs and etc. So, look out for a reminder in the list serve. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lastly, Robert knows a person in the NFB, Brian Miller who has been in ICU suffering from the covid19 and has been on a ventilator. His vital signs have been getting better but, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joe inserted that while reading from the NFB’s Newsline for the blind, the New York Times in the business section has an article on Google and Apple developing a tracking system for the corona virus. So, if anybody subscribes the Newsline for the blind under the business financial section, there’s a number of different articles about covid19. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Committee Report<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Secretary Report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Nancy corrected the word list, it was typed as list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Malik made a motion to approve the March minutes as corrected, seconded by Julian and the motion carries. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Treasury Report <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Malik does not have an update for the report. He will be sending it out later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert remembered that there was a $32 from Candace for See’s candy. So, the current balance$6,472. And change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert would like to let everyone know that the National Center, our NFB Headquarters is closed at this time. But, they are still shipping the straight white canes if you order on-line and its free of charge. If you need someone to get a hold of, you can call the National Center and get their extension and leave a voice mail. But its best to send an email because they get the email much quicker and will be able to respond back to you by email.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The NFB is actively working in the process with our Congressional members to make the voting for the November elections this year accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert mentioned about the stimulus check is coming. If you file taxes either in 2018 or 2019, this will allow for you to receive it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>He also discussed the NFB Newsline. There are breaking news aps or papers that you can put it on your favorites. For the next few months, they are making it available in every State. If you are not a subscriber to the NFB Newsline you can join by calling 866-504-7300 or you can go online to the NFB website which is nfb.org.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>He asked everyone to remember especially around this time that the NFB needs assistance monetarily to keep programs going. If you have the resources, you can sign up for the PAC plan (Pre-Authorize Contribution Program) and give a donation. They need money to continue the programs that they are doing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lastly, there will not be a National Convention this year, it will be a virtual convention most likely on the Zoom platform. If you have reserved the hotel room, the hotels will be contacting those who paid their first night deposit. The hotels will be contacting you to verify the amount and will find the best way to refund you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>If you pre-registered already for National Convention and paid the Banquet fee of $70 with the registration fee of $25, you will be contacted by the National Office to discuss a refund. They will definitely be refunding the Banquet fee but there has been some discussion that they may not be refunding all of the registration fee. However, if you have not registered for convention yet, please do so. They do ask people to register even though the registration is free. The reason why you need to register, so that they can plan the appropriate platform of Zoom. If you need some help in registering, Robert is willing to assist you with the registration. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>At the end, Julian made a motion to have <u><span style='color:blue'>Tiffany back as a member</span></u>, Seconded by Malik. Juanita made a motion to vote Anthony back in as a member, seconded by Malik.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert ended the meeting by saying to be safe, be healthy and stay home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Julian made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ron seconded it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Meeting was adjourn at 11:26 a.m. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Recorded by: Racquel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Respectfully submitted by, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sheila Marie B.C.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Cell: 818-404-7646<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Chapter Secretary and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Chair of Fundraising Committee <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>San Fernando Valley Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:blue'> <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span> <span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>