[NFBV-Fairfax] ** Important Auction Information, Updated Invitation and Solicitation Letter, and May Chapter Minutes

Wed May 28 20:59:03 UTC 2025

** Important**: 
Please note that the starting time for the auction will be 3:00 PM, due to a need for set-up to begin later than anticipated. 
Also, please be advised that Treasurer Sean McMahon’s address has changed. The updated invitation and solicitation letters are attached. If you need them sent separately to you, reach out. Please pass on this information. 
The Fairfax Chapter was called to order on Zoom at a few minutes after 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Present were President Christine Grassman, Vice-President Jeremy Grandstaff, Secretary Rifal Hamdan, Treasurer Ameenah Ghoston, Shannon Kalu, Sandy and John Halverson, Gary Grassman, Ashlee Bramlett, Rodney Neely, Sheena Parker, and Dee Parker. 

The meeting began with Christine addressing technical issues with the email list and discussing solutions with Jeremy and Ameenah. The group accepted the April chapter meeting minutes. Christine introduced the agenda and mentioned that the meeting would be recorded so that she could extract the featured presentation on the Trouble Defense firearms training for those who were interested, but could not attend, and for those who were having difficulties reading posts on the announcement list. 
Fairfax Chapter Treasury Update

Treasurer Ameenah Ghoston reported a current chapter balance of $3,535.09, with $1,642.17 recently deposited from a previous Wells Fargo account. The chapter approved a $500 donation to the affiliate, allocated as $100 each to four funds (Jernigan, TenBroek, Sun Fund, and White Cane) and $50 each to NFB Camp and national convention door prizes. The chapter also learned they can now make electronic payments via Zelle to 

nfbfairfax at gmail.com

(No V.)

National Convention and Chapter Events

We discussed the upcoming National Convention in New Orleans from July 8-13, with Christine explaining that both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, and emphasizing the importance of booking hotel rooms by May 31st. John shared details about the Potomac chapter's fundraising auction and homecoming event on June 21st, inviting Northern Virginia chapters to participate for $20 per person, with all proceeds going to cover food and facility rental costs. The discussion concluded with Christine providing examples of auction items that could be donated, including gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, and homemade goods, with a reminder that auction participants should remember to bring their items to the event. Those offering items for auction should record them and fill out the needed information at

nfbv.org/auction

The event will take place at the Lyon Village Community House on June 21 from 3-00 PM to 5:30; if you cannot be there but want to bid, you must arrange a proxy. An invitation to the event and a solicitation letter to merchants will be sent out on the announcement list. 

Firearms Training for Blind Participants

Christine organized a firearms training class at Trouble Defense LLC for blind and low vision participants, where they learned safety rules and had hands-on experience with guns at an indoor shooting range. Shannon shared her personal journey, revealing that despite growing up around firearms in rural North Carolina, she had never handled a gun before the class, and while it was initially overwhelming, she found the experience valuable for self-exploration. Sheena, representing Trouble Defense, emphasized their commitment to providing personalized instruction and expressed appreciation for the participants' willingness to share their experiences, particularly Shannon's overcoming of her childhood fears about firearms. 

Plans for future classes were discussed, with Mrs. Trouble (Sheena) indicating they would keep groups small, around 10 people, to ensure personalized attention. The participants also talked about upcoming blog posts and videos about the experience, with Jeremy planning his LinkedIn post and Christine writing for the NFBV Communications Committee and Braille Monitor.

Blind Firearms Training Accessibility Challenges

We discussed firearms training for blind and low-vision individuals, with Sheena and Dee Parker sharing that their program ranks #1 in the US for blind firearms training and is working to make training more accessible through partnerships and sponsorships. They discussed the challenges of getting schools to address gun safety, noting the irony that active shooter drills are conducted without educating students about the actual mechanics of guns.

Dee Parker indicated that he was working on greater accessibility of Trouble Defense LLC’s web site as we were holding the discussion. The Parkers also shared that firearms training instructors had advised them not to do the class for blind participants, or to use “dummy guns. 

See Trouble Defense LLC’s web site here:

https://troubledefense.com/adaptive-firearms-training/
#1 Best Adaptive Blind & Visually Impaired Firearms Training
troubledefense.com

Todd Tolson, of the Blind Muse Foundation, took photos and video, and this media will be shared soon. Check out the Blind Muse Foundation here:

blindmuse.org

Fairfax Transportation Awareness Initiatives

Our  Transportation Committee, led by Jeremy, is working on two main initiatives: building relationships to change the transportation system and increasing awareness of existing transportation options. We are considering proposing a transportation seminar at the State Convention covering topics like student transportation decisions, adult living decisions, and long-term transportation system changes. The committee meets on the second Sunday of every month at 5 PM, and Jeremy encouraged additional members to join, noting that we need 2-3 more people to help with our efforts.

We discussed the extensive and long-term work that Bonnie O’Day and Bob Hart had done to secure the Alexandria transportation that exists today. 

 Christine emphasized the importance of working with the Loudoun Chapter and addressing misconceptions about transportation needs for people who are blind, while Jeremy discussed challenges related to Fairfax County's aging population and the need to build coalitions with other disability groups.

July Meeting Plans and Scheduling

We discussed scheduling challenges for upcoming meetings and events. We decided to skip the July meeting and hold a virtual banquet watch party at Ameenah’s house on July 13th for up to 10 people (first come, first served; a Google Form RSVP will be sent out). 

For August, we plan to hold an in-person meeting, potentially at Glory Days, and will check with Sandy about any conflicting events. Jeremy will also work on finalizing plans for inviting legislators to a separate meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 PM. 

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