[NFBSF] Meeting Minutes for March 12, 2024

[sheri.albers87 at gmail.com]

National Federation of the Blind
San Francisco Chapter
Meeting Minutes


Meeting held on: Tuesday, March12, 2024, 6:30 PM
Location: Zoom

1.	Call to Order and Introductions
Bobbi invited members to share their name, pronouns, any identities they
would like to share and "what thing you are confident about."

*  Board members present: Bobbi Pompey, Christina Daniels, Laura Millar,
Sara Hadsell, Serena Olsen, Sheri Albers, Jeanette T

*  First Timer: Diana Johnson

*  Members: Taryn Morris, Jeff Buckwalter, Jamie Tomeselo, Rochelle, Ginnie
Prince, Cindy Fassler, Monica Wegner,

2.	Reports

a.	Secretary's Report

*  Sheri reported that Monica emailed the minutes of the February 2024
meeting to the listserv. She asked if there were any questions or comments.

*  A motion was made and carried to approve the Secretary's report.

*  Sheri thanked Monica for forwarding all past minutes and agenda files
from her term.

*  Bobbi explained that during last month's elections, no one volunteered to
be Treasurer, but after the meeting, Sheri said she would step in.

b.	Treasurer's report           

*  Sara delivered the treasurers report. Reported bank balance is $896.60.
The Venmo balance is $350. Total balances are $1,246.60

*  Expenses not yet incurred: $100 for NFBCA donations, and $100 for NFBSF
basket for convention

*  Sara now has Zelle and people are able to pay dues via Zelle if desired.

*  Annual dues are $10 and are payable in January. If anyone wants to pay
dues and are using PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, please use this information to
pay:
Sara Hadsell, 510-387-0766,  <mailto:SaraAHadsell at gmail.com>
SaraAHadsell at gmail.com.
The address for payment of checks is 585 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607. If
paying by PayPal, you must do it on a computer, which is where you can
select that you are paying a friend, rather than purchasing an item. The
PayPal phone app is set up for commercial purchases.

*  A motion was made and carried to approve the Treasurer's report.

c.	Presidential release recap
Christina summarized President Riccobono's monthly presidential release. A
transcript of 

the release is available at:
<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2024-02/2024_march_release_chapter_vers
ion_final.mp3>
https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2024-02/2024_march_release_chapter_versi
on_final.mp3

Here are some highlights:

*  NFB Scholarship application for blind college students deadline is March
31. Go to  <https://scholarships.nfb.org/> scholarships.nfb.org to apply. 

*	Check out the  <https://nfb.org/index.php/events-calendar> NFB
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion calendar. It gives five years' worth of
religious holidays, to help you avoid conflicts when planning events for
your chapter. 


*      2024 Convention


*	Runs July 3-8 at the Rosen Center in Orlando, FL
*	Theme for our 2024 convention is "Believe, Dream, Include, Lead,
Champion". These brand values are in the NFB strategic plan.
*	The online application for the 2024 Kenneth Jernigan Convention
Scholarship is open. Active NFB members blind or sighted who have not yet
attended an in-person NFB national convention because of lack of funding are
eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2024. Learn
more about the
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2401/bm240108.htm>
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
*	Registration for the convention is open and is currently $25. Go
online to  <http://nfb.org/registration> http://nfb.org/registration to
register. You have until May 31 to register online. 
*	For additional convention information, visit
<http://nfb.org/convention> http://nfb.org/convention

 

On January 29, the Guide Dog Users Division and NFB filed a petition with
the Federation Aviation Administration (FAA) to exempt blind passengers from
any requirements to complete the attestation forms to travel by air with
their guide dogs. Guide dog users have been denied access to airlines
because of these forms being inaccessible. Shortly after the petition was
filed, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation assigned authority for
the petition and the docket away from the FAA; the Office of the Secretary
took responsibility for it. Because of that the petition itself has gotten
very few comments because it's been difficult to find. The Guide Dog Users
Division would like to urge all members, guide dog users and friends and
supporters, to file comments on this petition in support of our request. Go
to  <https://nagdu.org/> nagdu.org for more info.
<https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOT-OST-2024-0014-0001> Go directly
to the form to file comments in favor of the NAGDU petition.  


Legislative Updates 


 

Since the 2024 Washington Seminar, we have gained 57 new co-sponsors on our
legislation. 

 


In the House: 


*	The Website and Software Applications Accessibility Act has gained
22 new co-sponsors, bringing the total to 26. 
*	The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act in the House has
gained 24 new co-sponsors, bringing the total to 72. 
*	The Access Technology Affordability Act gained 10 new co-sponsors,
bringing the total to 84.

 


In the Senate:


*	The Access Technology Affordability Act gained 1 new co-sponsor,
bringing that total up to 18. 

 

Urge your reps to cosponsor these bills. 

 <https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative> Find your
House representative. 

 <https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm> Find your Senator.

d.	Legislative report: Monica stated that Legislative information was
provided in the President's report. However, there is some other news of
interest:

*	The CPUC has granted Waymo permission to operate throughout the SF
peninsula, as well as Los Angeles. Local principalities are still are
pushing back.
*	The Brown Act, which states law for open California meetings of
local legislative bodies, requires an ADA accommodation in order to attend
remotely. Disability Rights CA has asked the Attorney General to write an
opinion letter.
*	The TenBrook Disability Law Symposium is March 21, registration is
closed, but transcripts will be available after the meetings

 

3.	Chapter business

*  National Convention

*  Bobbi asked if any members were attending the convention in person? Bobbi
and Sheri said "yes." Bobbi then asked who was going to attend virtually -
Jeff B and Laura said "yes."

b.	State convention:

*  Bobbi asked members who were attending in-person or virtually

*  Bobbi stated that there was still time to register to attend.

*  The agenda was just put online and most meetings will be streamed on Zoom


 

c.	Chapter format: Bobbi lead a discussion about in-person chapter
meetings vs virtual meetings. Before COVID, NFBSF held meetings in-person at
LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco. Since COVID, we voted for virtual
meetings indefinitely, but to add a social gathering component for those who
need face-to-face interaction. It is now time to revisit the meeting format.
Feedback included:

*	Keeping a virtual component in meeting no matter what we decide? No
motion was made, but rather a consensus was that this would be the case. 
*	Having social gatherings at LightHouse. This will be determined, but
it is an option.
*	Is it time to start in-person meetings? A motion was made to try one
hybrid meeting per quarter, and it passed.
*	Can we decide on a schedule for hybrid meetings? A motion was made
to have the hybrid meeting in the middle month of each quarter: February,
May, August, November, and it passed.

 

d.	Social Gatherings: Bobbi led a discussion on the topic of increasing
the frequency of social gatherings, and getting them on the calendar more
regularly. Feedback included:

*  A question was asked whether there was a preference for social gatherings
to be held on Tuesday nights, or make them family oriented on weekends. The
members were leaning towards weekends.

*  Just like the hybrid meeting, should a day be picked to put on the
calendar even if we do not necessarily know what we are doing yet? At least
we have that day set. We can have a regular routine, such as a brunch on a
Sunday, or anyone can take a month and plan something.

*  Members can always join an event already planned, such as an audio
described play.

*  Bobbi asked that members take the time to think about a good day and
time. A motion was made to continue the discussion at the April 2024
meeting., and it passed.    

                             

 

4.	Bell Ringers: Bobbi explained that Bell Ringers is the time to
celebrate personal achievements.

a.	Laura shared that she completed the first part of the practice
analysis in her field of healthcare for the National Commission for Health
Education, Credentialing and the Society of Public Health education.
Accessibility, Access, and Inclusion have been moved from a "sub-category"
to the over-arching value in all competencies in her field. Going forward,
this will now be taught to all Health Educators.
b.	Jeff B. talked about the change in SMART Goals at the LightHouse
that is making work a lot tougher, and it looks like LightHouse United has
addressed this in negotiations and there are hopes that they are leading
somewhere.
c.	Monica shared that two weeks ago she took the CA Bar Exam. She will
not know the results until May 3, 2024.
d.	Sara shared that she was promoted to the National office of the
Department of Labotor
e.	Ginny shared her persistence using JAWS commands at work that seem
to be way more advanced than she learned, but she will plough through.
f.	Bobbi celebrated one year out from heart surgery and had her post-op
testing. She was excited to announce that her doctors do not need to see her
back for another three years! She shared that one year ago, she would never
think this would be possible. 

 

5.	Adjourn: A motion was made and passed to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted by Sheri Albers, Secretary NFBSF

 

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