<div dir="ltr">Fellow Chapter Members: The minutes from the December 2022 chapter meeting are below. I am also attaching the minutes as a word document.<div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NFB of Ohio
Springfield Chapter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 18, 2022
Meeting</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker opened the meeting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the absence of Chapter Treasurer Crystal McClain,
Secretary Todd Elzey presented the December 2021 Treasurer’s report on her
behalf. The November 2021 beginning balance was $4,716.95. November 2021 income was $40 for Chapter dues. November 2021 expenses were $20 for NFB
monthly PAC donation, $100 for NFB of Ohio convention door prizes, November
ending balance was $4,636.35. Eric Duffy
moved adoption of the Treasurer’s Report and Dan O’Keefe seconded the
motion. Motion carried without
objection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Due to issues people were having accessing the Secretary’s
report, Secretary Todd Elzey read the minutes into the record. Eric Duffy moved
adoption of the minutes. Susan Day seconded the motion. Motion carried without
objection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker wanted the minutes to show for Gavel Report
purposes that Eric made a presentation for the Affiliate’s Community Service Division’s
cooking program regarding how to make his Banana Pudding recipe.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker said that she tried to contact prospective member
Aaron Bray to remind him of the chapter meeting. Mr. Bray indicated that he had
relocated to New Jersey, and consequently would not be joining the Springfield
Chapter.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker indicated that she had received an email
from Kevin Rose, a local historian involved with the Frank Lloyd Wright House, The
Turner Foundation, and other Springfield history organizations. Mr. Rose
accessed President Baker to serve on an accessibility task force. Through a
grant from the Springfield Foundation, Mr. Rose is developing a heartland rock
garden, which he wants to make accessible for persons with disabilities. He has
invited numerous representatives of disability groups, including the NFB, to be
a part of the accessibility task force. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker announced that chapter member Hans Wagner
has a new grandchild, Ari Wagner. Ari was born December 8, 2021. Ari was born
in Germany and Hans was in Germany for the birth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Vice President Susan Day spoke of a local Springfield
Dentist, Bill Ward, who was putting together relief supplies for survivors of
the Kentucky tornado disaster. We missed the opportunity to participate in Ward’s
disaster relief efforts. President Baker
pointed out that there were also now several other storm disasters in the Midwest
that could also use disaster assistance. Mickie Cooper then suggested that
perhaps the best way we could help would be to make a donation to the American
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and let that organization determine where the
money could be used best. Mickie Cooper moved that the NFB of Ohio Springfield
Chapter send $300 to the Clark County American Red Cross for tornado relief efforts. Eric Duffy seconded the
motion. The motion passed without objection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Todd reported that the Kettering City Council had modified
the shared mobility regulations in response to the Chapter’s concerns.
Kettering specifically modified the regulations to require that shared mobility
devices have braille labels that identify the device’s owner with appropriate
contact information. The new regulations also require that all problem
reporting websites and apps be accessible to the blind. Kettering also changed
the City’s regulations to require improperly parked scooters/e-bikes to be
moved within 2 hours. The regulations also permit the City to immediately
impound any devices that are deemed to be a safety hazard. Todd indicated that the
regulations still permit riding the devices on sidewalks. Todd stated that the
reason the NFB agreed to this being left in the regulations is that the
regulations state that devices can only be used on sidewalks without motors.
Consequently, the devices will be permitted on sidewalks in the same manner as
bicycles are currently permitted on sidewalks. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Todd did not believe that it made since to oppose the
regulations given that scooters and bicycles would be treated equally. He stated
it would require a larger effort to change the bicycle regulations that would
go beyond the scope of the shared mobility device regulations. Todd indicated
that the final regulations were enacted at the December 7, 2021, Kettering City
Council meeting. Todd also indicated that Kettering was very easy to work with
and was very willing to consider the changes we requested.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Susan asked about where the shared mobility devices are
allowed to be parked. Todd explained how this issue is regulated at the local
level and how every community’s regulations can different. Todd indicated that
in Kettering the actual regulations are a bit complicated, but that the
simplest answer is that the devices cannot be parked in any area that would
block the path of travel of a pedestrian or a motor vehicle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mickie Cooper indicated that in Springfield the downtown are
has strategically placed racks for shared mobility device parking, but outside
of the downtown area people just leave them on sidewalks. We also discussed how
the devices are regulated in Clark and Logan Counties and Todd agreed to look-up
regulations for these counties and report back to the Chapter.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker reminded members to pay their 2022 Chapter
dues of $5. Send checks for the dues to
Chapter Treasurer Crystal McClain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker opened the monthly Legislative Update by
stating that chapter members Todd Elzey and Eric Duffy would be representing
the chapter and the NFB of Ohio at the 2022 Washington Seminar February 7-10,
2022, in Washington D.C. Eric indicated that Ohio will only have 6 members
going to D.C. because of COVID. But that we will also have a virtual team
working on virtual meetings with Congressional offices that do not want to hold
in person meetings. Eric indicated that there will be more information on the
Washington Seminar in the upcoming edition of the Buckeye Bulletin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eric Duffy gave the Legislative Update. He indicated that the
NFB of Ohio’s Parental Rights Legislative was approved by the Ohio House of
Representatives. Eric indicated that the next step is to get the Senate to pass
the companion bill. Once that is passed,
then the bills would go to the Governor.
Eric hopes that, since this is a major Civil Rights Legislation, the NFB
can get a ceremonial signing ceremony when the Governor takes up the
legislation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eric indicated that the NFB of Ohio’s next major push will
be to get HB 448, our accessible prescription labeling bill, passed by the
House. Eric anticipated that the House Insurance Committee would take up the
bill for a Sponsor hearing at some point in January. He asked that all members
contact their legislators to garner support for H.B. 448. He also indicated
that while H.B. 448 is working its way through the process, the NFB of Ohio
will be looking for a Senator to sponsor a Senate companion bill.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eric also discussed the 4 Federal bills that will be
promoted during Washington Seminar. This
year’s legislation will be:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1. Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431)<br>
2. Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853)<br>
3. Twenty-First Century Websites & Applications Accessibility Act<br>
4. Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At the close of the legislative update, Susan Day moved to
have the chapter contribute $200 ($100 each) for Todd and Eric’s unreimbursed
expenses in attending the Washington Seminar. Mickie Cooper seconded the
motion. The motion carried without objection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We had a discussion about how chapter member Dan O’Keefe is
looking for assistance in finding portable devices to read materials during
meetings and presentations. As the discussion progressed, Arlie Ray indicated
that he had a portable CCTV in his basement that he can no longer use. Arlie
offered it to Dan, and they were going to work out the details.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mickie Cooper announced that she won Day 8 of the Ellen Show’s
Christmas. She won a $300 home depot
gift card, a pizza oven, a cast iron cookware set, a 5 year subscription to
Paramount Plus, and a 65-inch television.
Congratulations Mickie!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dan O’Keefe asked for the Chapter’s prayers for his sister who
is in hospice care because of Cancer.
The chapter unanimously said that we would keep Dan’s family in our thoughts
and prayers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Vice President Day also explained about how the Affiliate’s
Diabetic Action Network is looking to strengthen its organization by adding in
new members. She asked the chapter to promote the group to individuals who
would benefit from the group. She indicated that the next scheduled meeting is
January 8, 2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Baker announced that our next chapter meeting will
be January 15, 2022. Eric Duffy volunteered to come up with an article or
podcast for the chapter to discuss during the January 2022 meeting.</p></div></div>