[NFBMT] NOTICE: Treasure State At-Large Chapter Meeting of NFB of Montana - Friday, September 10, 3:00 p.m. (Mountain)

[Rik James]

Dear Chapter Members & Friends,

A meeting of the Treasure State At Large Chapter has been scheduled for
Friday, September 10, 2021.
We shall try to resume our regular meeting schedule, that being the second
Friday of each month, at 3:00 p. m.
See below for your ZOOM invitation for tomorrow!
At the October meeting, I think, would be a good time to hold the annual
election of officers. 
So give yourself some coaching and step up, and become a chapter officer.
President? Who knows?

The 2021 virtual state convention is scheduled for September 25th.
That is coming up very soon!
The convention is free, but registration is required. Here is the link to
pre-register:
https://www.nfbofmt.org/2021convention.html

Read below the invitation for our past meeting summary, and an agenda for
tomorrow's chapter gathering.
Thanks!
Rik

ZOOM INVITATION BELOW:

Your NFB-MT Chapter President is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: NFB-MT Treasure State At-Large Meeting
Time:  3:00 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97713900011?pwd=MzBUZURTSUYwY1JFdTR6VzcyaGwzZz09

Meeting ID: 977 1390 0011
Passcode: 100283
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,97713900011# US (Houston)
+14086380968,,97713900011# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 977 1390 0011
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aBNg6EiPa

Join by Skype for Business
https://zoom.us/skype/97713900011



MEETING AGENDA - SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Our next meeting would be a good time for an open discussion of
organizational priorities, expectations, and individual member commitments.
For your consideration, here are a few questions which might help focus and
guide our discussion:
NOTE: These were distributed prior to our last meeting in August, but we
didn't quite get to them. So let's try again, shall we?

* What attracted you to the National Federation of the Blind?
* What do you expect from our monthly chapter meetings?
* How could we make those meetings more valuable and productive?
* What major challenges do you face as a blind individual living in Montana?
* What action(s) could the organization take to address and respond to those
challenges?
* What strengths, talents, interests, and commitments do you believe you can
bring to the work of the organization?
* What can we as elected leaders do to help you better fulfill your
potential as a Federation member?
* Are there other concerns that you wish to bring to the floor for
discussion?

I will do my best to make certain that everyone has an opportunity to be
heard; however, if you let me know in advance that you have an idea to
share, I will include you among those members to be recognized early in the
discussion.

We may hear at this meeting a brief summary of any recent meetings of the
affiliate board of directors, and along with that maybe some preliminary
information about the upcoming state convention. 

If all of us will take seriously our involvement in and commitment to the
national Federation of the Blind, your participation in the chapter meetings
could help lay the groundwork for a positive and productive future. You are
a part of something here. As we like to say, let's go build the Federation.
And in this case, the Montana chartered affiliate of the National Federation
of the Blind.

Thank you,
Rik James, Treasure State Chapter President 
406-451-1874
406-586-4123
d28rik at msn.com



THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING ARE BELOW:

August 27, 2021 - Chapter Meeting Summary

The Treasure State At-Large Chapter
The National Federation  of the Blind of Montana

Twelve persons were in attendance.
Rik James, Montana (moderator, chapter president)
Ted Robbins, Great Falls, Montana
Travis & Denise Moses, Corvallis, Montana
Kevin Wassmare, Billings, Montana
Jim Marks, Helena, Montana (Our Montana affiliate President)
Marjorie & Duane Gregg, Ennis, Montana
Karen James, Bozeman, Montana
Karen McDonald, Keyser, West Vriginia
Ed McDonald, Keyser, West Virginia
Ed Worrell, Great Falls, Montana

This meeting was scheduled late on Tuesday. So many perhaps were not able to
attend the Friday afternoon chapter meeting. But, yet we did have twelve who
made it. And we were grateful to all who were able to join us. 
The meeting began at approximately 3:04 pm on Friday, August 27, 2021. And
was adjourned at 4:23 p.m.

No regular meeting business was done, such as minutes approval or reports.
The discussion began spontaneously as we welcomed Mr. Kevin Wassmer of
Billings to our Treasure State chapter meeting. Kevin's opening remarks, got
us going as he related what he has been doing. It was sort of a springboard
for conversation on a number of topics. Wassmer told the group that he is
beginning to put much research and effort into producing a new podcast. It
will be his second such endeavor. The conversation quickly engaged folks
into participating into an interesting an open-ended discussion of our
shared histories and recollections as persons who are blind, in Montana, and
throughout the country. The Federation history was discussed at various
points. Who met who, just when, or who were the key persons that were of
influence to them as to the NFB or otherwise. 

There were points in the the discussions where topics merged into the
evolution and development of various developed technologies for the blind,
including the Blazie Engineering products such as the Braille and Speak, the
Braille Lite, as well as American Printing House (APH) products, like the
abacus, the Bookport, the Mantis and many other things. 

Significan divergences in training philosophies were also brought into the
conversation, as members recollected, and listened to one another. What is
rather an old  and well known history to some, seems is worth delving into
from time to time. And probably for everyone's benefit. The attention to
those divergences in the blind themselves as trainers and those of the
persons in the field who gain their credentials with certain biases seemed
to come up. At one point the term a "Vision Teacher" was mentioned. And that
sprung into an examination into the medical model employed in training the
blind or other disabled group of disabilities. Where the world "blind" might
well be avoided, such as teaching "vision." 

As discussion about particular technologies and their evolution continued,
technology entrepreneur Ed Worrell of Great Falls interjected, joining us
late in to the discussion. And his contributions added to the greater shared
knowledge. 

There were plans to be a set of completely different topics covered today.
But since all seemed to be engaged, it wasn't long before it was time to
adjourn, about an hour and a quarter in to the meeting.
We hope that all will be able to join us, and even more, when we reconvene
next. At our regular 2nd Friday meeting of the Treasure State Chapter.

Respectfully submitted,
RJ, your chapter President
August 27, 2021