<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:106%;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>From Christine Grassman, Recording Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) Business Meeting Minutes <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>November 5, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President Tracy Soforenko called the meeting to order at approximately 10:50 AM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Recording Secretary Christine Grassman read the minutes from the August 5, 2023, affiliate board meeting which was conducted via the affiliate Zoom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded that the report of the minutes be accepted. The motion carried. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sean McMahon presented the Audit Committee report in delightful and creative verse. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Mark Roane presented the Treasurer’s report, which covered the period from September 30, 2022, through September 30, 2023. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>General Checking ending balance as of 9/30/2023: $104,482.47.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The report also contained comprehensive information regarding credits, disbursements, restricted funds, and our Endowment Fund.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There was a question regarding when our $5000 per annum payments toward the Museum of the Blind People’s Movement would begin; Mark indicated that the first payment would be issued in December 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report; the motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolutions, presented by Deepa Goraya and Stewart Prost:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolution 2023-1: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Prescription Medication Labeling: Ask the VA General Assembly to pass laws requiring prescription labeling in the format/medium of the patient’s choice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A question was asked regarding whether we had any position on multiple means of labeling; the answer was that no, we want labeling to be accessible, and we do not specify. It was moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted, and the motion carried.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolution 2023-2: Electronic Return of Mail-In Ballots <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The discussion of this resolution focused on legislation to cover both Uniform & Overseas Citizen Voters along with blind and print disabled voters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted, and the motion carried. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolution 2023-3: Expediting Eligibility for Seniors for DBVI Services: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Urge DBVI to streamline process between referral and service delivery to seniors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Rehab teachers should be encouraged to refer to NFBV for networking with other blind seniors throughout the commonwealth. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted; the motion carried. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolution 2023-4: Accessible Traffic Signals: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Demand that local governments work with NFBV to ensure that traffic signals meet the needs of blind people, who want the same information as our sighted peers, such as street name where it is safe to cross, and countdown information. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Also, government entities should work with NFBV on all decisions regarding crosswalk safety for blind and low vision individuals, including consideration of both current and emerging technologies. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded to adopt the resolution; the motion carried. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Resolution 2023-5: Accessibility of DBVI’s Application and Documentation Process<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>call upon the DBVI to take immediate steps to make its application process, documentation, and materials accessible to blind, deaf-blind, and low vision individuals, including for its blind staff. Staff should be trained in how to make documentation accessible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> Materials should be accessible in multiple formats and assistive technology should be provided to facilitate the application process and access to documentation and other resources.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was moved and seconded to adopt; the motion carried. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President Soforenko thanked the Resolutions Committee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Due to the time constraints, President Soforenko reminded attendees to be on the lookout for information related to both Richmond and Washington seminars. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President Soforenko indicated that due to time constraints, committee reports could not be presented, and would have to be sent after the meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It was announced that our auction raised $8,885. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If individuals were not already on our Virginia Affiliate Announce list, they could subscribe at NFBNET.org.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> national representative Donald Porterfield offered concluding remarks, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President Soforenko thanked Bob Meter, President of the host chapter, and all attendees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The 2024 state convention will occur in Portsmouth. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There was a motion and second to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at approximately noon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Christine Faltz Grassman, Recording Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>