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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi all. Hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing and sage Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is our November Chapter minutes. Please let me know if there are any corrections and/or additions that I’ve might missed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanx.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sheila Marie B.C. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>November 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 10:05 am. We 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: What are you most thankful for?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In attendance:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joy Stigile, Robert Stigile – Chapter President, <u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#0563C1'>Jo Anne Seaman, Joe Otoole, Candace Luther, </span></u><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lindsay Kerr, </span>Tiffany Johnson, <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Ron Hilliard – Member-At-Large, Juanita Herrera – Vice President, Karen Elo, David and Valerie Delawder, Keith Caballa, Sheila Biglang-awa – Secretary, John and Nancy Albarran, Sharon Watson and Lynn Nishihara. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Total: 18 members. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Announcements:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joe announced that the National Association of Guide Dog Users meet up every other Saturday at 12 pm PST.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Jo Anne’s birthday is on Tuesday and she will be 72. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sheila thanked Joy for coordinating the Pampered Chef last month with the Pampered Chef Consultant Marcine Campebell. Would also like to thank those who joined, ordered and purchased items. According to Marcine we had an awesome result. Then there was an open invitation for those who were unable to attend last month and/or would still like to order items, There will be a Zoom Pampered Chef Party tomorrow Sunday November 15 at 2 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert thanked those who paid their membership dues for the next year. If you haven’t done it yet, you still can. You can send the $10 to him through Zelle, Apple Pay, Venmo, Pay Pal or you can send a check. You can make out the check to SFV for San Fernando Valley. If you need help from those payment options, he can walk you through it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert also announced that at 4 pm today, the CAGDU (California Association of Guide Dog Users) is having the social call. If you’re interested, he can send you the Zoom invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Racquel Decipeda’s email for Hearts for Sight was sent out in our list serve regarding their hike on Saturday November 21st.It’s near Highland Park and you have to be there by 8 am. Due to the COVID19, they can only take 10 people. Please RSVP by calling Racquel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Secretary Report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Nancy made a motion to approve the October minutes, seconded by Lynne and the motion carries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Treasurer’s Report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The last 2 Treasury reports was sent by Robert. Malik is not present at this moment and had chosen to step away from the NFB Chapter but will still help with Best in Tech and whatever we need help with. So that left us with a vacancy in the Treasurer’s position. Robert appointed Nancy and she’s willing to take on the position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Presidential Release<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next Presidential Release will be live via Zoom on December 1st. One thing that Robert wanted to mention that on Monday November 16th is our 80th anniversary of the Federation and was organized and founded in 1940 in </span>Wilkes-Barre<span style='font-size:14.0pt'>, Pennsylvania. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>This is our legislative kick off for the year. Usually we have 3 issues that we take to Congress and try to get through. Things are different around this time so our Washington Seminar this coming February is going to be virtual. The date will be the same on February 8th at 5 pm Eastern time. Then on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we will be meeting with our Congressional members and Senators virtually. The National Office will be providing a Zoom account for every Affiliate. But we probably need to use some individual Zoom accounts as well because there will be a lot of appointments and there will be appointments that will be running at the same time. Just in California alone, we have 53 Congressional members and we have 2 Senators. So, we would need to use multiple Zoom accounts. There will be a form available in a couple of weeks. We’re going to have people that represent the legislative issues We usually have 3 people in a team. For those who would like to join, please feel free to contact Robert. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>There are a number of things that are available from the National Office. For instance, last November 1st, the National Scholarship application is now available. So, if you know of anyone who’s going to school and a full time student with at least a 3.0 GPA, tell him/her to go to NFB.org/scholarships. Deadline is on March 31st of next year. If you need help in finding that, please let Robert know. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next one is the Teachers of tomorrow Program that they’re promoting. This is for anyone who is interested in being a teacher of the visually impaired. There will be a conference in December via Zoom put on by the National Office. If you need more information about that, you can go to nfb.org and search for “teachers for tomorrow”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>There’s also going to be a Smart City conference in December 14th - 16th. What this entails is, things that are being done on a Citywide level such as putting new traffic lights that are smart lights so you can apparently connect through the GPS and etc. So this conference is being held to try to get the NFB to be more involve in City planning across the country. You can check this all on our website: nfb.org to register so they can send you the Zoom info.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Another thing, there will be a Rehab meeting at the National Center on December 15<sup>th</sup> through 17<sup>th</sup>. This is for anyone who’s interested in being a Rehab Counselor or is a Rehab Counselor or does anything with Rehab. This will be put on by Dr. Edward Bell who works at the Louisiana University. You can sign up on our website: nfb.org. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next item is about our Braille readers are leaders contest. You can sign up starting December 1st until January 18<sup>th</sup>. This started out with a way for children to have a fun way of reading. If you want to sign up and participate, you can go to</span>actionfund.org<span style='font-size:14.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Now the Freedom Scientific gave a matching grant. If the National Federation of the Blind was able to raise $50,000, they would match it at $50,000. The NFB will raise it, they match it and now they are going to do a second one. If anyone wants to participate, you can call the National Center and make a donation. You can also go to our website: nfb.org and go to donate. Joe made a motion that the Chapter make a donation amounted to $500 for the Freedom Scientific matching fund with the National Federation of the Blind. Seconded by Candace and the motion carries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joy opened a discussion about the motion regarding the amount that we have in our treasury. Robert said that we have $4736.88. Further discussion came forth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Another item that was discussed in the Presidential release is the PAC plan. If you are not in the PAC plan, Robert is hoping that you would consider giving donations. Our Chapter gives $50 to the PAC plan every month. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next topic is about the NFB having the ability to give free white cane to people. You can sign up to get a straight white cane by signing up on our website and search for the free white cane program. We also have the free slate and stylus program, Anyone can get a free slate and stylus, just go to our website and sign up for it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lastly, if you are not a member of the Newsline, you can sign up also by going to our website: nfb.org and search in for the Newsline program or you can call Robert if you need help. For filling out the form online, you need to put in your name, contact info and within a couple of weeks you’re good to go. And with the application, they would want to know what library you get books from and/or if you are a Rehab client. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The 2020 State Convention <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Our basket was won by Lisa Maria Martinez from the Bay area. She paid $145 for the basket. So for next year, we might do the same way for the auction baskets if we are still doing convention via virtual.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Exhibit Hall. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert would like to find out how many of you attended the Exhibitors and what you thought about it. Candace, Joe and Sharon shared their experiences and input. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> Best In Tech<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert asked the Chapter if we could do a virtual / Zoom would work for Best In tech for next year? This is something to think about it and would like to know your reactions. Robert will get the Best In Tech committee to further discuss it and will give us an update to discuss it more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Fundraising Committee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Joy announced that the Pampered Chef fundraiser went beautifully. Our Chapter earned $232.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Now, we’re working on trying to get the Double Good popcorn sale fundraiser. Robert’s working on the accessibility wise and will get an answer on Monday. We’re going to have a 50% profit margin from those that will place orders. The selling time will only be open for 4 days. Once the fundraiser finish 4 days later, they ship your order and you will receive your popcorn within 14 days. There are 16 flavors of popcorn. You need to place the order online. Each order is separate, that way you can decide where it will be ship to. We are not able to do the length of time from today to December 1<sup>st</sup> though once this first one is completed and we’ve received the check, we can start another one. A link will be given to the coordinator of our Chapter. This link contains a 6 digit code number and will be put out on our Chapter’s list serve. You will use this 6 digit code to get in directly to our online account. So, once we get the account for our Chapter set up and the 6 digit code numbers sent out to the Chapter members, you can place orders yourself using your smartphone. It’s an App that you can download once we get that 6 digit code. Through an App, it can make it accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Last on the list is that Robert wanted to discuss since next month is already December and normally we would have a Holiday Party with our Adopt a Child and some fun stuff. We’re not going to have it this year due to the COVID. But the President of the Central Valley Chapter is thinking of a multi-Chapter Holiday Party on Zoom. It will be the Chapters that meet on the 2nd Saturday mornings and there are about 6 Chapters. Robert wanted to see if the Chapter would be interested in doing that or not. Everyone had agreed to join and thought that it would be an awesome idea to have a multi-Chapter Holiday Party via Zoom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Nancy made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by John. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Respectfully submitted:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sheila Marie B.C.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Cell: 818-404-7646<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Chapter Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>NFB.SFV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“We thrive to survive.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#0563C1'> <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#0563C1'> <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#0563C1'> <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal> <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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>