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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>From Sandy Halverson, Recording Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>JANUARY 19, 2026<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. at the Delta-Marriott Hotel in Richmond with 44 members present, 15 of whom were voting delegates. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We were sorry to learn of the passing of Carl Knoettner, a longtime friend and colleague to many in our affiliate and Stormie, the daughter of Beth Sellers who served as past president of our Virginia Parents of Blind Children.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Minutes from our 2025 state convention business session were read and approved unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our treasurer, Mark Roane, provided financial data from September 30 through December 31, 2025 and our current balance is $94,273.04; Sandy Halverson moved and Rene Valdez seconded accepting his report and the motion passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President Soforenko reminded us that some of our board of directors provide individual contract services for our affiliate with regard to our Project RISE and Silver Bells programs. Following discussion, Jeremy Grandstaff moved and Chimere Roberts seconded that we acknowledge that this does not represent a conflict of interest. A roll call of delegates was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Board members Joe Orozco, Jacki Bruce, and Sandy Halverson, and chapter delegates Mary Durbin and Evelyn Valdez recused.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy next directed our attention to previously emailed constitution revisions from our Winchester and Potomac chapters changing election times, quorum, etc. aligning with our national membership calendar year policy, all of which were approved.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 2026 national convention will take place in Austin, Texas and the J. W. Marriott is our headquarters hotel. Mary Durbin, our McDonald Fellowship Committee chair, described the benefits for national convention first-time attendees and the financial benefits available through our NFBV McDonald and our Kenneth Jernigan national scholarship programs. We hope to have a large Virginia delegation in Austin; it’s fun and all are welcome. April 15 is the application deadline for both programs and contact Mary if you are interested in mentoring our first-time participants.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFBV makes annual contributions to our White Cane fund to support our NFB programs, Shares Unlimited in NFB or our SUN Fund for rainy day needs, the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund which provides assistance to first-time convention attendees and costs associated with our national leadership in service program, and the Jacobus tenBroek Fund which maintains the National Center building and grounds. Chapters and divisions are encouraged to contribute; presidents were encouraged to report their donation amounts at our May board of directors meeting. Individual contributions can also be made either at the board meeting or by supporting our Give#25 campaign. Our VPAD, Virginia Preauthorization Draft, is a way to support the local work of the NFBV and Mark Roane, our treasurer, will provide additional details upon request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After Joe Orozco’s organizational technology and communications report was read, Tracy described the committee restructuring that will be taking place in our affiliate and the implementation of these changes. Julia Ford who has a process focus, is working with our membership committee creating subcommittees on outreach and engagement to more effectively utilize the data we collect from White cane lists, state convention registrations, and other contact information received throughout the year. Renee spoke briefly about outreach goals for tracking communication and Jacki Bruce informed us about membership engagement and sustainment because we all know that longtime commitment happens locally. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Infante discussed our 2025 James F Nelson Scholarship program on behalf of the committee chair, Jimmy Morris, noting our success in 2025 with six finalists and expressing appreciation for all program support. Details about our 2026 scholarship program will be announced at our May board meeting. Nationally, 30 $10,000 scholarships will be awarded, application process is live, and details were given to access that information and Jimmy will be happy to answer any questions from potential applicants.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeremy Grandstaff told us about continuing the work that Teisha Gillespie, who recently began a very demanding job, had previously done; he hopes to increase convention sponsors and build partnerships that strengthen our fundraising efforts. We look forward to learning about the donor potential for our 2026 state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Renee Valdez reported our DEI committee will be working with chapter presidents and members to recruit others as part of outreach.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Stewart Prost, our operations committee chair, stated a core group of people will be responsible for our food events, convention registration, information table, talking signs and other duties as assigned. Our 2026 state convention will take place from Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with a rate of $125 per night. Our Greater Loudoun County chapter will be hosting and the chapter is getting ready; we look forward to more details.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our Richmond Seminar fact sheets were read and discussed, team assignments were given, our General Assembly Building layout was described and fact sheets were distributed to the team leaders. We were reminded there are many vending programs in military locations and nationally, we are doing what we can to maintain the blind vendor priority.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Other brief committee and division reports were read, after which Tracy stated our next board meeting will take place either on May 2 or May 9 with the location to be determined.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At 4:09 p.m., having completed our business, a motion was made and seconded that our meeting be adjourned.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sandy Halverson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Recording Secretary<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>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:membership@nfbv.org">membership@nfbv.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>