[NFBSF] September 2026 NFB SF Meeting Minutes

[Sagar Gupta]

Hello,


I've attached the meeting minutes below which was made by AI using the 
transcript generated for the meeting. Please let me know if there's any 
notes people have.


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    September 2026 National Federation of the Blind San Francisco
    Chapter Meeting Minutes

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    Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

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    Location: Zoom

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    Call to Order and Introductions

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    President Bobbi Pompey opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
    Board members introduced themselves, followed by new, returning, and
    familiar participants.

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    Board members present: Bobbi Pompey, President; Christina Daniels,
    First Vice President; Laura Millar, Second Vice President; Sagar
    Gupta, Secretary; Sara Melara, Treasurer; and Rochelle Bernet, Board
    Member.

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    Other participants identified in the meeting: Mary, Lisa Irving,
    Patricia Leetz, Marco Salsiccia, Lauren, David, Monica Wagner,
    Sheela Gunn, and Mo.

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    Reports

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    Secretary’s Report: Sagar Gupta

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    Sagar summarized the August meeting and said he would distribute the
    written minutes after the meeting.

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    Christina Daniels moved to approve the August minutes. Laura Millar
    seconded. The motion carried with no opposition voiced.

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    Treasurer’s Report: Sara Melara

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    Sara reported a balance of $1,157.91, an increase of $10 from the
    previous report. She asked Bobbi to identify the source of the $10
    payment for the chapter’s records.

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    Legislative and Advocacy Report

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    Department of Rehabilitation: Patricia Leetz

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    Patricia reported on Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Order of
    Selection and discussed concerns about waiting lists, reported
    service delays, older blind services, and the effects of reduced
    referrals and delayed payments on service providers. She highlighted
    potential effects on independent living, assistive technology,
    education, and employment.

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    Patricia described an Action Network letter-writing campaign
    requesting an interim legislative hearing and emergency funding. She
    reported 954 letters generated, with three letters per submission
    and roughly 300 participants. She explained that submissions go to
    the governor and participants’ state Assembly and Senate
    representatives. She identified Alex Lee and Jesse Arreguín as key
    contacts for the hearing request.

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    Patricia encouraged participants to share their experiences and
    distribute the campaign. Bobbi and Patricia offered assistance with
    drafting personal stories. Lisa and Marco described the value of
    rehabilitation services in their lives. Mary reported waiting for
    services to return to work. Mo described reported delays as a
    current client and their effect on education and employment plans.
    Laura identified the Blind Advisory Committee as another forum where
    rehabilitation experiences are shared.

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    Patricia described a possible future campaign for a blind-led
    California commission for the blind, separate from the immediate
    hearing request. Members discussed cross-disability solidarity,
    differences in support needs, and the need to address ableism and
    stigma. No motion on establishing a commission was presented.

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    Regional Transit and Voter Information: Sagar Gupta

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    Sagar discussed the regional transit measure involving San Mateo,
    San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties. He
    described concerns about potential effects on rail, bus, and
    paratransit services and shared phone banking, canvassing, and
    tabling opportunities. Interested members were directed to contact him.

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    Sagar sharedvote411.org <http://vote411.org>as a resource for
    reviewing ballot information and candidate statements. Sheela
    mentioned a communication from Lateefah Simon concerning possible
    federal rollbacks related to Olmstead and said she might share it
    with the chapter list. She also reported approximately 10 to 15
    attendees at the East Bay Center for the Blind’s transit discussion.

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    Presidential Release Recap: Rochelle Bernet

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    Rochelle summarized Presidential Release 563. Her recap covered Mark
    Riccobono’s discussion of the Federation’s national organization,
    state affiliates, chapters, constitutions, and policies, emphasizing
    members electing leaders and collective decision-making. Rochelle
    concluded with the customary jokes.

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    Outreach and Education Committee: Laura Millar and Sagar Gupta

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    October Social

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    Laura presented an interactive Smuin Ballet workshop announced for
    Saturday, October 3, from 2 to 3 PM, including touch, audio
    description, movement, and demonstrations with dancers. The
    announced cost was $5, with a $5 discount toward a subsequent
    audio-described ballet performance.

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    Members considered the workshop and an Oktoberfest outing. A voice
    vote favored the ballet for the October social. Participants
    preferred a meal afterward. Sagar will research nearby restaurants,
    and details will be shared on the chapter list.

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    Community Conversation

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    After discussion of sports and recreation or a DOR letter-writing
    session, Sagar confirmed sports and recreation as the topic. The
    conversation is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, at 7 PM
    Pacific, using the chapter Zoom link. Topics may include
    participating in sports and attending sporting events, concerts, and
    other activities as blind people.

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    September Social

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    Sagar reported on the September 5 gathering at Yerba Buena Gardens,
    including several people who had not previously attended a chapter
    social. Participants spent the afternoon in informal conversation
    rather than using the planned speed-friending activity.

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    Other Events

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    Sagar announced a September 13 haptic tour for Legally Blonde at
    Berkeley Playhouse and a September 20 Brailed It documentary
    screening. Rochelle shared a September 18 Oktoberfest event on Front
    Street. Marco suggested future San Jose Sharks outings.

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    Laura mentioned an October 15 Disneyland outing being organized by
    blind people from across California for Blind Equality Achievement
    Month and offered connections to the organizers.

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    Friendsgiving

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    Sagar invited volunteers to plan Friendsgiving with the East Bay
    Center for the Blind, the California Council of the Blind, and
    potentially additional chapters. He proposed changes to food
    arrangements based on last year’s experience. Sheela volunteered.
    Other interested members should contact Sagar or Laura.

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    Chapter Business

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    Remembering Kate Williams

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    Bobbi announced the passing of longtime chapter member and former
    board member Kate Williams in late August and led a moment of
    silence. Bobbi recognized Kate’s employment work at the LightHouse
    and with the NFB, including national convention employment activities.

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    Welcoming Anil Lewis

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    Bobbi announced Anil Lewis’s arrival as the LightHouse’s new chief
    executive officer. The board proposed a welcome letter, welcome
    materials, and a gift. Christina described her draft letter
    recognizing the longstanding relationship between the chapter and
    the LightHouse.

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    Members discussed organizational relationships, equitable treatment
    of new members, power dynamics, and use of chapter funds.

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    Sagar moved to provide a gift along with a welcome letter and
    welcome packet. After an inconclusive voice vote, members stated
    their positions by name. Bobbi announced that the motion carried, 5
    in favor and 3 opposed.

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    An initial gift-budget proposal of $50 to $100 resulted in a tie.
    Following further discussion, the chapter approved $50 for the gift
    by voice vote, with no opposition voiced.

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    Fundraising

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    Laura suggested a broader discussion of fundraising goals and uses
    of chapter funds. Rochelle asked to share a fundraising idea. Bobbi
    deferred further discussion to the next meeting because of time.

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    Proposed Chapter Name Change

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    Bobbi presented the proposal to change the name to the National
    Federation of the Blind San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, reflecting
    participation across the region and helping prospective members
    identify the chapter.

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    Members discussed geographic coverage and the relationship to the
    Silicon Valley Chapter. The chapter voted in favor of pursuing the
    name change, with no opposition voiced. Bobbi said the necessary
    next steps and required approval would be checked.

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    Chapter Discussion

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    The planned chapter discussion was postponed because of time.

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    Bell Ringers

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    Sagar announced an internship with the Aisha Wahab campaign
    beginning that Saturday.

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    Sara honored Kate Williams and described Kate’s role in helping her
    find employment and supporting other blind job seekers.

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    Marco also honored Kate. He announced an upcoming appearance on the
    Raise the Dots podcast to discuss the DotPad and his GhostWriter
    Markdown app, which he described as supporting Braille and other
    document formats.

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    Patricia shared a memory of a recent gathering with Kate and spoke
    of their friendship.

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