<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><!--
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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The below minutes will be presented at the 1/19/2026 Board meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>State Convention Business Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>November 2, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the Wyndham-Ocean Front Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After the invocation by Deborah Prost, minutes from our August2, 2025 board meeting were read; a motion to accept the minutes was made, seconded and adopted unanimously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our treasurer’s report covered transactions from September 30, 2024 through September 30, 2025; our current balance is $97,508.92. After questions were asked and answered, a motion was made and seconded to accept his report; motion carried unanimously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Deepa Goraya, chair of our resolutions committee, introduced each of our resolutions, one urging the Department of Education to rescind reduction-in-force orders, another advocating for the deployment of autonomous vehicles in Virginia with non-visual accessibility, and a third supporting alternative hiring processes for people with disabilities in state employment. Each was adopted unanimously after which Deepa thanked the committee members for their assistance with drafting and finalizing our policy statements. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Everett Bacon, our national representative, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and shared closing remarks before departing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sean McMahon next presented the audit committee report, describing the process used to examine our financial records, reviewing and matching bank statements with authorizations and determined NFBV accounts are in compliance with state and federal guidelines. After thanking his committee members, a motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to accept his report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Bonnie O’Day, our legislative committee chair, discussed their annual activities, including team formation, priority setting, and award presentations. She outlined plans for upcoming seminars in Richmond and Washington, emphasizing the importance of timely registration and preparation. Depa Goraya highlighted the need for appointments with congressmen to address concerns about Department of Education budget cuts, urging members to contact their representatives promptly. Additional information about these seminars will be coming soon via our NFBV announce list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Teisha Gillespie reported on the communications committee's success in growing social media followers and sponsorships over the past quarter, and encouraged further volunteer involvement. Postconvention surveys will be emailed soon; please be honest with your responses. It was exciting to learn our convention sponsors increased this year adding $7425 to our treasury. Jacki Bruce, our membership committee chair, reported on member-to-member profiles and the Journey Through Blindness calls, which have had a steady attendance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously that our Eastern Shore and Prince William County chapters be disbanded due to prolonged lack of activity. The Prince William Chapter funds have already been deposited in the affiliate account and our eastern shore chapter had no funds. President Soforenko will report these changes to our national office.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> The DEI committee discussed their recent program on microaggressions and upcoming fireside chats. The fundraising committee thanked participants and contributors to the success of the skeleton scamper and will be selling wallets and coin holders online. The 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention will be held in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8, and the 2025 state convention will be at the Crown Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel from October 22-25 and will be hosted by our Loudoun County chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We are looking for a Zoom coordinator whose responsibilities are primarily maintaining our affiliate Zoom events calendar and hosting meetings as requested.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our brag and steal presenters suggested chapters consider defibrillator and fire extinguisher training, volunteering at a food bank, fundraising auctions, and recognizing local legislators for their support of our initiatives,.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We participated in a town hall discussion facilitated by some of our Leadership in Service Program participants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After it was announced we had raised $11,785 from our auction and the last door prize was drawn, the 2025 NFBV business session was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sandy Halverson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Recording Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>