[NFBV-Announce] Minutes from the 8/1/2020 National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Board of Directors Meeting

[Sarah Patnaude]

> From Evelyn Valdez, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Recording Secretary
> evelyn.valdez212 at gmail.com


> Please find below the minutes from our meeting.
> National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
> Meeting of the Board of Directors
>  Saturday, August 1, 2020
> 1pm-4pm
> Zoom Session
>  
> The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia’s Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Tracy Soforenko
>  
>  Roll Call: 63 members were present
>  
> The minutes for May 16, 2020  board meeting were read by Evelyn Valdez and approved without correction
>  
> Treasurer’s Report
>  
> Treasurer’s report was read by Mark Roane
>  
> Reporting period was April 30, 2020-June 30, 2020
> General checking account balance as of June 30 is $69,402.86
>  
> Treasurer’s report was accepted without any corrections
>  
> Pre-Authorized Contribution Plan (PAC)
> PAC is being spearheaded by Christine Grassman and she is seriously asking all of us to consider increasing your contribution or if you are no longer contributing to PAC, Christine is hoping you come back. There’s a form that you can fill out on www.nfb.org/pac or you can call 877-6327222.
>  
> Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy In-Home Edition
> In conjunction with the National Office, Virginia is running the BELL In- Home Edition, Louise Walch shared that the virtual two-week in home edition summer program for blind and low vision children ages ranging from 4-12 years old for two weeks and the last session is in full swing. Younger students are in session now doing activities like Braille art cards, Braille puzzles and parents and children are learning together. We have been granted a $30,000 grant for BELL Academy from the Virginia Board for the Blind! 
>  
> Project RISE
> Arielle Silverman states that we are gearing up for the 2020-2021 school year. We are actively looking for strong mentors who are successful role models who have a positive personal and professional philosophy on blindness. We will not let COVID-19 stop us and we will continue to hold virtual programming and also want to place students in internships and other work experiences.
>  
> Chapter Leadership Institute (CLI)
> Domonique Lawless updated everyone that CLI participants have been tasked to dive into their chapters to take on a leadership role and embark on a responsibility/project’s planning process, in addition to creating a calendar to keep themselves goal-focused. They are focusing on keeping chapter members engaged. If you are interested in applying for the new CLI class, the application will be available from August 16-September 1, 2020.
>  
> Accessible Absentee Voting
> Based on discussions and now a legal action with a coalition of disability advocates, we are trying to force the Virginia Board of Elections to allow blind Virginians to ensure the seemless absentee voting process in which an online print-out will occur and then be mailed-in in order for blind people to vote independently. We are hoping that marking our ballots online will be accessible.  It is up to us in our perspective jurisdictions to make our voices heard by notifying our Office of the Registrar and holding them accountable so we can be ready for November.
>  
> Advancing the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia by Empowering Black Members
> Gerald Meredith presented for a newly formed committee of black NFBV members  to help guide us, address the issues and how do black leaders reach those topics. The next meeting will be Sunday, August 23rd from 5pm-7pm. 
>  
>  
> Virginia Association of Blind Students (VABS)
> From the students…there will be interactive programming scheduled for state convention so look out for the flyers. Make sure you tune in for students’ upcoming activities.…
>  
> Seniors Division
> Nancy Yeager stated that many seniors attended the national convention and that the seniors division with Joe’s help will be starting a new activity of having seniors sharing their own vignettes/short stories  that will be shared on the blog.
>  
>  
> Blind Parents
> Jessica Reed stated that various blind parents groups have been formed and she hopes that all will be connected via Facebook. Canvas and Seaside must be accessible for blind students and blind parents to access. Jessica would like for Blind Parents group to partner with the students division.
>  
> Parents of Blind Children
> Beth Sellers updated everyone that twenty families have participated in BELL. There has been a strong focus on sharing information with families on how students can still receive Braille. 
>  
> Committee Reports
> Membership
> Sandy Halverson hsared with all of us that she is so thankful to have received onboarding forms and she will be contacting potential members gathered from national convention.
>  
> Scholarship
> Jimmy Morris thanked Joe and Kathryn for assisting him in getting the scholarship live on the website. Jimmy would like for all of us to spread the word! Jimmy wants to connect potential scholarship candidates with affiliate mentors.
>  
> Public Relations
> Ureeka and Corliss reported that Zoom meetings for the Virginia affiliate have been steady…and a virtual walk-a-thon will still be held and if chapters are interested in participating, please notify the Public Outreach committee.
>  
> Fundraising
> Earl Everett is proposing two fundraising ideas for the state convention of having a virtual race in which one can purchase shares through CashApp. The second idea would be having someone host the banquet dinner by welcoming 5-10 people and having a chef cook the meal.
>  
> Communications
> Chris Walker stated that we now have a new Zoom coordinator, Jacki Bruce from the Greater Williamsburg chapter and most chapter/division meetings will be held on the Virginia affiliate Zoom. Twitter has been on the rise. The National Center will be migrating all affiliate websites to a new look so all affiliate websites can be uniform.  .
>  
> Convention Logistics & Operations
> Joe will be breaking us out in breakout groups to gather feedback for our upcoming virtual state convention to see what interactive sessions we would like to see and what worked at national convention and what did not.  The state convention will have an optional registration fee. Sandy Halverson read the Rules of Engagement as it is already available online. We will be having informative programming throughout our virtual state convention with various breakout sessions for Sat. Oct. 31st. General Session will be from 9am-12pm on Saturday. Renee Valdez discussed te Stem to you track will be available for parents and students.
>  
>  Respectfully Submitted,
>  
> Evelyn Valdez
> Affiliate Recording Secretary       
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