[NFBK] Affiliate Board Meeting Minutes - December 4

Fri Jan 23 18:11:03 UTC 2026

National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky

Board of Directors Meeting

December 4, 2025

Virtual

Present:

Executive Board:

Angela Henderson - President

Ashley Swafford - 1st Vice President

Sandra Williams - 2nd Vice President

Todd Stephens - Treasurer

Lonnie Swafford - Secretary

Board Members:

Lora Stephens

Danielle Burton

Jacob Hack

Karen Mayne

Guests:

Cathy Jackson

Cindy Sheets

Amelia Lillie

Lauren Allen

Maryann Murad

*	The meeting was called to order by the president at 8:15 PM.

*	A motion was made to approve the board meeting minutes as written
from November 6 by Todd and seconded by Sandra. The motion passed
unanimously.
*	A copy of the treasurer report was provided vie email to the board
and will be attached as an addendum to the minutes. The ending available
total balance stands at $116,848,64. All checks have cleared, all
outstanding bills paid and the credit card balance stands at $0.00. Costs
for convention did not require withdrawal of funds from other accounts and
we ended with a surplus of $140.00.
*	Bank Account Streamlining and Separation: Todd explained the
circumstances surrounding streamlining of all bank accounts under the
affiliate which was completed in June. This was initially presented as a way
to provide easier reporting and tracking and remove the requirements that
chapters and divisions hold no more than $1,500.00 in their accounts. Once
the process was completed however, we learned that IRS rules do not align
with our practices of separating out funds per chapter and that any moneys
held would be considered as belonging to the affiliate. As a result of
learning this, Devin Collins of PNC is obtaining the tax identification
numbers for all accounts and once confirmed, we will separate the accounts
and conduct transactions consistent with prior policy and practices. While
we will be operating under the prior practices, the favorable benefit is
that all bank accounts are held with PNC and account linking remains a
valuable and heretofore previously unavailable option. Todd has signed a W9
for PNC and we hope to have all account separations completed within the
next 30 days. The $1,500.00 cap for chapters and divisions will be
reinstituted.
*	A motion was made to approve the treasurer report by Karen and
seconded by Ashley and the motion passed unanimously. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Microsoft Non-Profit Use Program:

*	The affiliate license under the program's prior offerings expires in
February, 2026. The board reviewed options presented by Lonnie regarding the
changes to the program. The cost to participate in the program for license
renewal using the Office desktop apps is $3.00 per person, per month, billed
annually for a total of $36.00. Use of the web only version of the Office
suite remains at no cost per person. Previously, the offerings were
available at no cost for all versions of Office and add-ons. The desktop
version of the suite is more compatible with screen readers such as JAWS and
NVDA.
*	A motion was made by Todd that the board authorize the cost of
$36.00 per board member who is actively using and plans to continue to use
the Office desktop suite with others external to the board being reviewed on
an as needed basis. The motion was seconded by Ashley and passed
unanimously.

Walmart Rise Program:

*	Lonnie and Jacob will check into the offerings for this program and
report back to the board at our next meeting. The program may prove to be a
potential funding source of tax-exempt options for purchases.

Audible Egg Hunt:

*	Angela reports the audible Egg hunt is scheduled For March 22 at the
campus of the Kentucky School for the Blind. The planning committee will
consist of her, Ashley, Lora, Jacob, Amelia and Lauren. Discussions with The
Clovernook Center for the Blind will take place soon.

Washington Seminar:

*	Jacob reports we have received no applications from the membership.
Angela has therefor appointed herself, Ashley, Katie and Cathy to attend.

NEW BUSINESS

In-Person Meeting of the Board of Directors:

*	Angela advised per a recommendation from the national office the
board meet at least once annually in person, separate from the convention.
The idea was received favorably by the board and we believe it will help to
foster a spirit of teamwork and promote engagement. The meeting may be
hosted in the spring time, perhaps in April. Further discussion on this will
take place at future meetings.

Cruise Fundraiser:

*	Bill Brooks provided to the board an outline of how we may host a
fundraiser for a cruise to take place in November, 2026. The detailed notes
of this were previously provided to the board and will be attached as an
addendum to the minutes.
*	The board asked several questions and after the presentation,
expressed concerns that a cruise in November of next year would be
insufficient time to properly promote and market the event and allow for
those wishing to participate to secure needed funds.
*	A motion was made by Todd to table the discussion until the next
meeting. The motion was seconded by Ashley and passed unanimously and the
discussion shall be tabled.

Canes and Conversations:

*	Ashley provided an outline of our next C&C meeting. The topic is how
blind people navigate the holiday season. This ranges from hosting, travel,
etc. A panel will be available to answer questions.
*	Angela reminds the board to please consider topics for future
meetings.

TAD Constitution:

*	Lonnie advised that the TAD board of directors has met and approved
an amended constitution which will be posted to all channels for a 30-day
period. Subsequent to this, the TAD board will affirm the constitution as
ratified.

The president invited open comment from the floor. Hearing none, a motion
was made for adjournment by Sandra and seconded by Ashley. Hearing no
further business, the president adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted to the board of directors of the National Federation
of the Blind of Kentucky on Saturday, December 6, 2025 by: Lonnie Swafford,
Secretary.

ADDENDUM 1: - Treasurer Report as of: December 3, 2025

NFB Kentucky

	Earmarked Funds

Account Balances as of 12/04/25

Institution

		Earmarked Funds

PNC

General Checking

$3,055.51

$2,915.03

PNC 

NEWSLINE

$31,536.06

PNC

Less Credit Crd Bal

Total PNC

	$34,591.57

Morgan Stanley

Allen Fund(UMA7414)

42659.23

Morgan Stanley

NFBK Fund (UMA 7833)

39597.84

Total Morgan Stanley

	$82,257.07

PayPal

	$0.00

Aggregate Total for PNC, Morgan Stanley, and PayPal

	$116,848.64

ADDENDUM 2: - Presentation Notes - Cruise Fundraiser:

Cruise Fundraiser Information: 

Cruise Option 1: Departs on Sunday, November 15, 2026, 7-night round trip
Miami-sailing on the Norwegian Aqua-ship rating 5 star (out of 6 star)-ports
in

Porta Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola,
British Virgin Islands; & Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas! 

Aqua Fares-including Taxes & fees-does NOT include gratuities and travel
insurance 

Stateroom Category BB-a nice mid-ship Balcony stateroom-generally located at
mid-ship (front to back) and on Deck 6 to Deck 8-$1557 per person-Total
$3114 for two passengers-double occupancy

Stateroom Category IB-nice inside stateroom located front to back of
ship-located on lower decks-Deck 3 to Deck 6- $1073 per person-total $2145
two guests-double occupancy

Cruise Option 2: Departing Sunday November 15, 2026, 7-night round trip Port
Canaveral-sailing on the Norwegian Epic-Ship rating 4.5-ports in Great
Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico

Epic Fares: includes taxes & fees-does NOT include gratuities and travel
insurance

Stateroom Category BB-nice balcony category-same as above-$1077 per
person-$2154 total for two guests-double occupancy

Stateroom Category ID-nice inside category-same as above-$767 per
person-$1534 total for 2 guests-double occupancy

Now to Fund raiser details!

As part of the group booking for KY Fed, the Ky Fed provides Norwegian a W9,
to verify non-profit status. Additionally, the Fed chooses one of the
following Amenity packages.

Package A-includes drink package, specialty dining package, 150 Wi-Fi
minutes on two devices and a $50 excursion credit per stateroom/per port.

Package B-10 picture photo package, $100 per stateroom on-board credit, 150
Wi-Fi minutes on two devices & a $50 excursion credit per stateroom/per
port.

When the Fed picks either amenity Package A OR B, guests who select a
balcony stateroom receive all 4 amenities in the chosen package. Guests who
select inside staterooms receive two of the amenities.

The actual fund-raising amount is $100 per stateroom for either a balcony or
inside stateroom choices. When the block of staterooms reaches 5 staterooms
with 10 guests, there is an additional credit available that can be added to
the fund raiser amount.

To Make a Reservation-There is a $125 per person deposit-$250 deposit for
two guests-double occupancy.

Guests will need to supply full name, (as name appears on passport) birth
date, address, phone, email and credit card to use for deposit.

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