[NFBOH-Cleveland] January-February Minutes and March Agenda

Thu Mar 19 23:41:34 UTC 2026

Cleveland Members,

Below and attached are the following for your review. They also will be
updated on the voice box after 8:00 PM tonight.

1: January Minutes

2: February Minutes

3: March Agenda

Thank you!

Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner

Cleveland Chapter, President

P: (216) 990-6199

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Read below or select the attachments.

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National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cleveland Chapter

March 19, 2026

January Minutes

The meeting was held from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M. on January 17, 2026 at the
Garfield Heights, library, 5409 Turney Road, 
Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125. 

President, Suzanne Turner called the meeting to order at 1:33 PM.

I.

The welcome was provided by Dynasty Lavender, Cheering Committee Co-Chair.
Also from the same committee, Joanne Williams, Co- Chair spoke about the
importance of Louis Braille Day and its revolutionary creation of the
alphabet to keep the blind literate.

Secretary, William turner recited the NFB Pledge and Vice President,
Chassidy Gilliam asked, who was in the room? There were 46 members and guest
present and on zoom. 

President, Suzanne communicated the importance of attending monthly meetings
in person. She also recognized the visitors, and four new members were voted
into the federation, Brian Tegowski, Bruce Tegowski, Devantae Tucker And
Shannon Polk.

resident, Suzanne asked the members to keep the following members in prayer,
Wayne Fletcher, Zanobia Whittaker and Shirley Patterson.

II.

Theresa McKenney made a motion to accept the secretary report, written by
Secretary, William Turner. Then, Machelle Gulley second it, and the Report
passed.

Treasurer, Natassha Ricks provided the Treasury Report. Billie Graham made
the motion and Tomeika Hurt second. The motion carried. 

Fundraising Chair, Tomeika Hurt Provided a report on current Cleveland
fundraisers, the Valentine Love Event, NFB Gear and upcoming opportunities.

III.

Chastity Gilliam, Cleveland Membership Coordinator provided an account of
the importance of membership and making members feel welcomed.

IV.

President, Suzanne Turner provided announcements.

A. The Cleveland Word of the month was purpose.

So, President, Suzanne Turner talked about stepping into your purpose and
stepping into one's life mission. She explained that everyone should create
a life mission statement. It tells you what your purpose in life is and how
to walk in that resolution to become who you want to be and habits that you
should move away from.

B. President, Suzanne stated that The February meeting will be held on zoom.
The Ohio Affiliate president, Richard Payne and Gary Wunder will be our
guest. She explained that Mr. Wunder was the editor of the Braille Monitor
for years. Suzanne went on to say that all members should subscribe to the
Braille Monitor, which has empowering articles on blindness, advocacy and
more.

C. Suzanne also talked about Ohio State Fundraiser, such as the Flying Pig
Drawing, Meat Sticks and Popcorn online ordering.

Devante asked about the types of meat sticks. Theresa McKenney, who is the
Ohio Fundraising Co-Chair provided flavors and the details on purchasing.

D. President Suzanne offered information on the 2026 Washington Seminar,
which will be held January 26th through the 29th.

E. President, Suzanne added that the senior retreat is coming and if anyone
over 55 wish to attend, the cost is $50 for a weeklong online training.
Anyone who needs assistance can contact her. The retreat will be held
February 8th through February14th. 

F. President, Suzanne stated the Cleveland constitution allows five
Cleveland Officers on the board. Machelle Gulley has been appointed to serve
as the new Corresponding Secretary until this year's election in October. 

G. President, Suzanne urged everyone to serve on the state and national
committees and to highly consider paying into the PAC Plan. She urged member
also to attend the Presidential Releases and review the NFB Code of Conduct.

H. President,  Suzanne said that the following Cleveland Committees need
chairs, Education and Seniors Committees. Also, she said Sharing Solutions
will be held tomorrow, Feb. 18th, at 7pm on zoom. 

I. President, Suzanne provided information that VI Teacher/leaders, Marianne
Denning and Debby Baker are offering free Braille classes. If anyone is
interested, reach out to me.

VI.

Fundraising Chair, Tomeika Hurt presented new Cleveland fundraising ideas,
such as the NFB Gear to order twice per year "Spring and Fall." She
explained that the winners for the Valentine fundraiser will be pulled on
zoom at 4:00PM on the 8th of February. All stubs and money should be turned
in by February 7th. 

VII.

President, Suzanne explained that the National Convention which will be held
in Austin Texas on July 3rd thru July 8th, and everyone attending should
make their hotel reservations at 800-627-7468. The room rate is $139 for
singles and doubles and $155 for triples and quads. There is a 19 percent
sales tax as well. Preregistration will be coming soon in March. For those
first-timers, they should complete the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship
Application if extra funds are needed. The deadline is April 15th. The
application and details are online at NFB.ORG/Convention.

President, Suzanne gave information about the 80th State Of Ohio Convention,
which will be held at the University of Dayton Marriott Hotel, November 5th
thru November 8th in Dayton Ohio. The room rate is $129.00 with 16.5 percent
tax. Call 800-627-7468 to make reservations.

Vice president, Chacity Gilliam said the chapter is chartering a bus to the
convention in Dayton. The cost is 120 round trips. The deposit is due on
March 21st for a non-refundable $30, which will secure your seat. Members
can make installments. The final date for full payment is September 21st.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:16pm EST.

Humbly submitted by,

William Turner, Secretary

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National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cleveland Chapter

March 19, 2026

February Minutes

The meeting was held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on February 15, 2026 on the Ohio
Zoom Platform. 

President, Suzanne Turner called the meeting to order at 5:06 PM.

I.

The welcome was provided by Joann Williams, Cheering Committee Co-Chair.

President, Suzanne Turner recited the Belief Message and She recognized the
visitors.

three new members were voted into the federation, Joyce White, Shawn Martin
and Milena Zavoli.

There were 36 members and guest present on zoom.

President, Suzanne asked the members to keep the following members in
prayer, Wayne Fletcher, Zanobia Whittaker and Shirley Patterson.

II. 

The Secretary Report was tabled for the March meeting. Tomeika Hurt made the
motion and Linda Bluford second. It carried.

The Treasury Report was tabled for the March meeting. Delcenia Brown made
the motion and Denise Moss second. It carried.

Fundraising Chair, Tomeika Hurt thanked everyone for participating with the
Love Bird Fundraiser. She said that all four winners were pleased. The Grand
Prize winner was Richard Williams, 2nd prize winner was Marian Parker, Dee
Arrington won the 3rd prize, and Pat White won the 4th prize.  Treasurer,
Natassha Ricks stated that the final accounting for the fundraiser was
$4,290 after the overhead was deducted. Then Tomeika provided the
information on the upcoming fundraiser, "NFB Gear." This fundraiser will run
until April 18th. Also, a second order will be placed during the fall.
Details on items and prices are to come.

III.

President, Suzanne gave brief announcements. 

A. National Convention date, location, hotel cost and reservation phone
number.

B. 80th Ohio State Convention date, location, hotel cost and reservation
phone number.

C. President, Suzanne explained that the Cleveland Chapter has found a home
for its meetings. Every third Saturday,. The meetings will be at the Buffelo
Whild Wings at 26200 Harvard Road, Warrensville Ohio from noon to 3:00 P.M.

IV.

Guests:

5:45PM to 6:15PM: - January Braille Monitor Article, Changing Words,
Changing Minds, Changing the World.

Gary Wunder, Author, Read his article below!

6:15PM to 6:35PM: - "Why and How to become a leader in the federation."

Ohio Affiliate President, Richard Payne, Read his bio below! 

6:35PM to 6:55PM - AmeriFest State Pageant

Crystal Carlgren, Experiential Speaker

Also, Tomeika Hurt, who is a contestant, gave her experience preparing for
the AmeriFest State Pageant, as the first blind contestant. 

6:55PM - Closing Remarks

Chacity Gilliam, Vice president, Cleveland Chapter 

Humbly Submitted

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National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cleveland Chapter

March 21, 2026

Noon to 3:00 P.M. EDT.

Buffelow While Wings

26200 Harvard Road, Warrensville Ohio

Agenda:

1:00 P.M. - Welcome

Joann Williams, Cheering Committee

1:02 P.M. - NFB Pledge

Chacity Gilliam, Cleveland Vice president

1:05 P.M. - Vote-In-Members

1:10 P.M. - Secretary Report

William Turner, Secretary 

1:15 P.M. - Treasury Report

Natassha Ricks, Treasurer 

1:20 P.M. - Word of the Month

Frankie Jones and William Turner

1:30 P.M. - President Remarks  

Suzanne Turner, President

1:45 - Dancing Wheels Company

Sarah Lawrence Sucato, Director of Education

2:00 PM - Membership Committee

Chacity Gilliam, Cleveland Membership Coordinator

2:10 P.M. -  Fundraising Committee

Tomeika Hurt, Fundraising Chair

2:20 - Outreach Committee

2:20 - Education Committee

MISC:

To contact members for any of the updated information --

Zelle: NfB.CLE.Treasurer at gmail.com <mailto:NfB.CLE.Treasurer at gmail.com> 

Voice Box

(641) 715-3900

Code: 582705

Vice President, Chacity Gilliam

(216) 644-7468

Treasurer, Natassha Ricks

(216) 376-9863

Fundraising Chair, Tomeika Hurt

(216) 820-5404

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