[NFBSea] January Meeting Minutes

[portillo.jim at gmail.com]

Greater Seattle Chapter of the 

National Federation of the Blind of Washington

January Chapter Meeting

Saturday 1/15/2022

 

The meeting started at 10:07 am.

The secretary's report was sent and the minutes were approved from the last
chapter meeting.

Reminder to pay dues for the chapter, $5 for the year.

The State of the State: Marcie Carpenter

*	Legislative issues: We are doing all Washington Seminar things
virtually-on a state and national level. We are setting up meetings this
week with our congress people.  <http://www.nfb.org/washingtonseminar>
www.nfb.org/washingtonseminar is the link to check out the fact sheets on
the issues. There were two trainings this week on the issues. If you
couldn't attend, an affiliate training will be happening at the end of the
month. On January 19th and 24th those will virtual meetings for Washington
seminar. The NABS Leadership Seminar is being postponed-not done virtually.
Mon. Feb 7 is the Great Gathering In.
*	Plans are in place for in person National Convention July 5-10, at
the New Orleans Marriot, hotel reservations are open, pay one night stay
plus taxes and fees. About $130/night. Marcie wants a big contingent at
National Convention from Washington. The overflow hotel is right across the
street (Sheraton Hotel), the exhibit hall will be there. Encourage new
attendees to apply for a Jernigan Scholarship. Marcie will be the delegate
and alternate delegate, Kris Kolcoff. 
*	The scholarship program has been changed: Everyone will get at least
$8,000 and the class will chose the top scholarship winner amongst
themselves.
*	State legislation: Working on for next year, elections and
alternatives to the current signature system. Marcie will be getting
information to us in early Feb. to contact local legislatures. This year is
a short session. There is a bill this year regarding ending subminimum
wages. The one that passed last year did not include state
contractors---just an addition to the last bill. We are also working on the
issue of accessible prescriptions-and mail order prescriptions. The BEP
program currently has no state funding-the pandemic has devastated the BEP
program. Working on a different model for BEP since covid demolished it. DSB
is working on developing different models for BEP. It's in the governor's
budget-watching to see if it stays in the budget. Working on the Acting
Director position for DSB-NFB is asking for a push for a national search to
have a qualified blind person apply. 
*	Elections: 

*	President: Jim Portillo
*	1st Vice President: Al Elia
*	2nd Vice President: Amandeep Kaar
*	Secretary: Deja Powell
*	Treasurer: Mike Mello
*	Board Member 1: Shannon Donohue
*	Board Member 2: Jessie Lorenz

*	Members were asked about meeting in person, the majority agree that
in person next month would be good. The possibility of meeting at the
library is being investigated. The recommendation was to meet in March-not
in February due to the spike in Covid cases. We are also still looking at
CityU and we have Razzi's pizza. 
*	Seniors will be talking about Washington Seminar next sat. Jan 22 at
noon. 
*	Students-Will have a membership call coming up in a week or two. We
will be talking about Washington Seminar, will talk about recruiting, and we
are hopefully planning a social gathering in the summer.
*	Ron Jasmer, new OTC Manager, will be coming to talk to the chapter
soon.
*	Deja did an ice breaker activity. What song sums up 2022 for you?
What do you hope for the chapter for 2022?
*	The meeting was adjourned at 11:45

 

 

 

 

 

 

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